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2021-2022 Course Descriptions

First Year Seminars & 100 level courses


BIOL_SCI - 101.06.01

First Year Seminar - Biology and Society

The word biology describes both the characteristics and processes of life and living organism, as well as the discipline that studies these. Like all the natural sciences, the study of biology is a data-driven endeavor, concerned with describing, predicting and understanding natural phenomena based on evidence from observation and experimentation. But like all human activities, it does not exist in objective isolation, but rather within a societal context. And biological phenomena, such as infection and disease, interact with non-biological elements of human society. This course aims to contextualize the study of biology towards a better understanding of how social and cultural histories and dynamics have had a profound effect on both biological research as well as biological phenomena, and how social, political and economic parameters influence the impact of scientific breakthroughs and the outcomes of biological events such as epidemics.  

The topics we will cover, among others: the cultural, political and societal barriers to reaping the benefits of biological research; the damaging legacies of racism, sexism and colonialism on the biological research enterprise; the role of communications in the field of biology; and select biological topics in evolution, genetics and disease. Students will learn from press articles, academic literature and non-fiction books (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot; Pandemic, by Sonia Shah). 

 

BIOL_SCI - 101.06.02

First Year Seminar - Pollination Ecology: From Conservation to Extinction

This course will focus on developing an understanding of the ecology of plants, pollinators, and their interactions. We will build on this ecological knowledge in order to think critically about the conservation challenges faced by plants and pollinators all across the globe today. Topics in this course will range from plant and pollinator life cycles, pollinator behavior, pollination ecology, pollination as an ecosystem services, and conservation. Emphasis in this course will be on the development of skills in critical reading, interpretation, discussion, and writing for the sciences.

BIOL_SCI - 101.06.03

First Year Seminar - Values of Biodiversity

One of the major challenges of our changing world is the loss of biological diversity. An overwhelming majority of people agree that we should work to save biodiversity, but their views are largely based on vague, positive feelings about nature rather than concrete justifications. This course investigates those concrete justifications. The first half of the course sketches out the argument for preserving biodiversity (i.e., "thinking globally"). The second half of the course focuses on the practice of ecological restoration in forest preserves a few miles from campus (i.e., "acting locally") not merely as a way to preserve biodiversity, but as a path to redefining a sustainable relationship between nature and culture. The readings for the course range from classics of environmental writing to recent research papers in the primary scientific literature. Biodiversity also needs to be experienced directly, so we will take a field trip to a local forest preserve where we will roll up our sleeves and help restore a native habitat and see how much biodiversity means to the people with whom we live and work.

BIOL_SCI 101.6.04: The Genetic Basis of Disease

We will study the alterations to the genome that are responsible for various human diseases. Students will learn about traditional and potential experimental targeted treatment (gene-editing) of the diseases. We will discuss the impact of these diseases on healthcare as well as their social implications. Discussions will center on scientific studies and literature. The course is structured to increase the basic understanding of human genetics.

Registration Requirement: First-years only.

BIOL_SCI - 115.06.01

First Year Seminar - Biological Thought & Action

Science is a process by which people make sense of the world. Scientists examine evidence from the past, work to understand the present, and make predictions about the future. Integral to this process are the methods they use to collect and analyze data, as well as the ways in which scientists work together as a community to interpret evidence and draw conclusions. In this class, we will take a multidisciplinary approach to examining biological thought and action and their social ramifications. We will seek to understand science as a social pursuit: the work of human beings with individual,disciplinary, and cultural differences, and requiring tremendous investments in training and equipment. Does it matter that participation in science is more accessible to some than to others? How do biases, assumptions, uncertainty, and error manifest in scientific work? What is the history of scientific values such as objectivity and reproducibility? The course will conclude by investigating current topics of public debate.

Biological sciences distribution courses

BIOL_SCI - 103

Diversity of Life

This course constitutes a comparative survey of organisms, emphasizing adaptation and phylogenetic relationships. The gradual evolution of lineages of living things is treated chronologically, and the mechanism of natural selection is elucidated. The evolution of Animals is covered in special depth.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

BIOL_SCI 109

The Nature of Plants

This course is meant to be a gateway into the fascinating world of plants. It is designed to give students an exciting and stimulating understanding of the biology and ecology of all plants, while at the same time not overwhelming students with levels of detail and specialized terminology that are not useful to non-majors. We will learn how plants make food, move around to new places, reproduce, deal with extreme weather, and defend themselves against natural enemies. We will investigate the partnerships plants form with other groups of organisms, such as those with animal pollinators, fungi, and animal body guards. We will consider how plant form and function relates to global biodiversity patterns and contributes to the healthy functioning of ecosystems everywhere. Finally, throughout all of these topics, we will consider how humans use plants as sources of food, fiber, shelter, medicines, drugs, and more.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

BIOL_SCI - 150

Human Genetics

This class will examine basic principles of human inheritance and the role of genetic variation in human biology. The course will progress from simple Mendelian genetics to the study of complex traits controlled by multiple genes. We will examine how genetic variation affects disease, learn how genes are mapped in humans, and discuss the implications of the human genome project and gene editing in medicine and society.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

Biological sciences isp courses

BIOL_SCI 240

Biochemistry for ISP 1

First of two courses that aim to provide a framework for understanding the chemistry, structure and function of life's smallest functional units known as cells. Starting from a basic description of inherent properties of biological macromolecules, the course will build a cell from the inside out by exploring questions related to information storage, replication and decoding of genetic information, regulation of gene expression, cytoskeleton and cytoskeletal dynamics, cell organelle structure and function, cell cycle, cell division, and basic principles of tissue design. Covering these topics, the course will emphasize how a limited set of governing principles shapes all of life's processes in similar ways, and how integration of different disciplines is key to understanding biology.

Prerequisite: must be enrolled in the Integrated Science Program.

BIOL_SCI 241

Biochemistry for ISP 2

This class seeks to provide an introductory understanding of select topics in biochemistry, including the structure and function of macromolecules, biological transport and signaling, chemical logic of metabolic reactions and select cellular pathways. The course strongly emphasizes conceptual understanding and aims to develop and integrated understanding that allows students to apply their knowledge to solve complex problems.

Prerequisites: CHEM 171-0, CHEM 172-0, CHEM 212-1, BIOL_SCI 240-0, and ISP standing.

Biological sciences 200 core courses

BIOL_SCI 201

Molecular Biology

 This course focuses on how information is stored and propagated in DNA, and used and regulated to generate proteins at the proper time and location. It also applies this information to understanding fundamentals of biotechnology. Credit not allowed for both BIOL_SCI 201-0 and BIOL_SCI 215-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

BIOL_SCI 202

Cell Biology 

This course is part of the four-course introductory biology sequence. The cell biology course covers mechanisms the cell uses to compartmentalize and transport proteins, to move, to regulate growth and death, and to communicate with their environments.

Prerequisite: Students must have completed, with a C- or better, BIOL_SCI 201-0 or 215-0 to register for this course. Must be taken concurrently with BIOL_SCI 232-0. Credit not allowed for both BIOL_SCI 219-0 and BIOL_SCI 202-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

 

BIOL_SCI 203

Genetics & Evolution

This course will present the fundamentals of genetics and evolution. From the rules of heredity to the complex genetics of humans, we will cover the methods and logic of genetics as applied to inheritance, development, neurobiology, and populations. These concepts will transition to the process and tempo of evolution. From natural selection to speciation, we will cover evolution with an emphasis on how genetics plays a critical role.

Prerequisite: Students must have completed, with a C- or better, BIOL_SCI 202-0 or 219-0 to register for this course. Must be taken concurrently with BIOL_SCI 233-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area


BIOL_SCI 232

Molecular and Cellular Processes Laboratory

This is the first course in a three-quarter sequence of introductory biology laboratory, which meets once a week for four hours and includes an online lecture component. The course is designed to provide students with an authentic laboratory experience that investigates relevant scientific research and teaches scientific inquiry skills such as experimental design, writing research proposals, data collection, data analysis/interpretation, and the presentation of results. The experimental model revolves around atherosclerosis and macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Students will learn and become proficient at various cell and molecular biology techniques.
hniques and experiments in fundamental aspects of transmission genetics and molecular biology will be used. 

Prerequisite: Must be taken concurrently with BIOL_SCI 202-0. Credit not allowed for both BIOL_SCI 221-0 and BIOL_SCI 232-0.

BIOL_SCI 233

Cellular Processes Laboratory

This is the second course in a three-quarter sequence of introductory biology laboratory, which meets once a week for four hours and includes an online lecture component. The course is designed to provide students with an authentic laboratory experience that investigates relevant scientific research and teaches scientific inquiry skills such as experimental design, writing research proposals, data collection, data analysis/interpretation, and the presentation of results. The experimental model revolves around aggregate prone proteins in nematodes and how RNA interference (RNAi) can be used to affect protein folding and the clearance of protein aggregates. Students will learn and become proficient at various cell and molecular biology techniques.

Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 232-0. Must be taken concurrently with BIOL_SCI 203-0. Credit not allowed for both BIOL_SCI 220-0 and BIOL_SCI 233-0.

BIOL_SCI 234

Investigative Laboratory

 A culminating life-science laboratory experience.

Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 233-0. Credit not allowed for both BIOL_SCI 222-0 and BIOL_SCI 234-0.

BIOL_SCI 301

Biochemistry

 This class is an introductory level biochemistry course. It covers basic topics such as macromolecular structure and function of biologically relevant macromolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids), membrane structure, membrane transport, signal transduction, chemical logic in metabolic transformations, and carbohydrate metabolism. The course strongly emphasizes conceptual understanding, and offers extensive student-teacher interaction. Active participation in all course elements is encouraged and advantageous as students are expected to move past memorization of facts to a fully interconnected and integrated understanding that allows students to apply their knowledge to solve complex problems. This course will equip students preparing for the MCAT.  **Wednesday discussion section meetings will be for quizzes/midterms.

Prerequisites: Students must have completed, or be currently enrolled in, CHEM 210-1 or CHEM 212-1 or CHEM 215-1.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

Biological sciences 300 level courses

BIOL_SCI 302

Fundamentals of Neurobiology

Fundamentals of Neurobiology will explore the structure and function of the central nervous system, from the molecular to the systems/behavioral level. This course will provide an introduction to a number of concepts in cellular and systems neurology, with an emphasis on: ion channel structure and function; the structure and function of neurons and glia; the ionic basis of the membrane potential, graded potential and action potential; synaptic physiology, neuromodulation, neuronal networks; neural plasticity, including learning and memory. May not receive credit for both BIOL_SCI 302-0 and NEUROSCI 202-0.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0; BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; and BIOL_SCI 301-0.

BIOL_SCI 303

Molecular Neurobiology

This course will be part lecture course, part seminar, and will explore how the fields of neurobiology and molecular biology have converged to answer questions about the function of the central nervous system, in health and disease, and ethical considerations in the use of molecular biology techniques. Topics may include: Crispr - Cas9 system and gene editing; transgenic animals; molecular techniques employed to understand and treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.

Prerequisite: BIOL_SCI 302-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0.

BIOL_SCI 307

Brain Structure, Function, & Evolution 

 The Brain: Structure, Function and Evolution will provide an overview of the evolution of the nervous system and cognition, from the origin of neurons to the structure/function human brains.

Prerequisite: BIOL_SCI 302-0, BIOL_SCI 325-0, or BIOL_SCI 344-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

BIOL_SCI 310

Human Physiology

Biol_Sci 310 explores the functions of the human body with an emphasis on homeostatic mechanisms, interdependence of organs and organ systems and the influence of modulatory systems. Topics include: nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and digestive systems as well as endocrine application in these systems. Readings and activities focusing on the contributions of scientists of color to the advancement of physiology, and examples of social injustice that have occurred during the pursuit of physiology research, will be included.

Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0, and CHEM 132-0, CHEM 152-0, or CHEM 172-0. Credit not allowed for both BIOL_SCI 310-0 and BIOL_SCI 217-0.

BIOL_SCI 315

Advanced Cell Biology

Current themes and experimental approaches in cell biology will be discussed through readings of text and original research articles.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; and BIOL_SCI 301-0 or the former BIOL_SCI 308-0.

BIOL_SCI 323 

Bioinformatics: Sequence & Structure Analysis 

In this knowledge-based economy, critical thinking and coding skills are paramount for success. This course will prepare students to address informatics challenges in academia and industry. The course will explore through case studies and classroom discussions, the principles and practical applications of computational tools in contemporary molecular and structural biology research. Besides gaining an appreciation for the algorithmic aspects of these tools and their limitations, students will learn to code in Python, design and perform experiments 'in silico', and critically evaluate results.

Prerequisite: BIOL_SCI 241-0, BIOL_SCI 301-0, or the former BIOL_SCI 308-0.

BIOL_SCI 325

Animal Physiology

Bio 325 is a lecture/group discussion course designed to explore advanced concepts regarding the physiology of the major organ systems, with an emphasis on comparisons between vertebrate groups, and between vertebrates and invertebrates.

Prerequisite: BIOL_SCI 217-0.

BIOL_SCI 328

Microbiology

Microbiology, the branch of biology that deals with microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms. An introduction to microbiology and the study of how microbes interact with their environment, including interactions with humans. By the end of the class, students will develop familiarity with the diversity of microbial structure, function, and interactions. Students will be comfortable finding and reading primary scientific literature on topics of their choosing and assembling this information into a cohesive review.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0; BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; BIOL_SCI 234-0 or BIOL_SCI 222-0; and BIOL_SCI 301-0.

BIOL_SCI 332

Conservation Genetics

In this course we will learn how basic evolutionary and genetic principles guide policies about the conservation and management of wildlife, game, and plant populations. We will read and discuss current research in the primary literature including both molecular and quantitative genetic examples and compare them to institutional policies that deal with conservation genetics. We will examine case studies of current practices, including: managing genetics of native and ex situ and zoo populations, reintroducing and restoring plants and animals to the wild, selection in harvested populations, evaluating genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation, creating habitat corridors, measuring genetic diversity, and responses to climate change. To synthesize new concepts and theory we will engage in group problem-solving and computer simulation exercises.

Prerequisite: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0 or ENVR_SCI 202-0.

BIOL_SCI 333

Plant-Animal Interaction

Plant-animal interactions (BIO SCI 333/PBC 410). This course will explore the ecology of plant-animal interactions. Through the survey of the scientific literature, we will investigate the consequences of mutualistic interactions (pollination and seed dispersal) and antagonistic interactions (herbivory and parasitism) for individual organisms, population dynamics, ecological communities, and entire ecosystems. Finally, we will learn how these various interactions are responding to global change, including habitat destruction and climate change.

Prerequisite: The former BIOL_SCI 330-0, BIOL_SCI 339-0, or ENVR_SCI 202-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

BIOL_SCI 336

Spring Flora

Spring Flora merges aspects of plant evolution and identification (with an emphasis on learning about the local flora) with plant ecology (with an emphasis on ecological interactions and adaptations). This course takes a field-based approach to learning the process of identifying major components of the local flora. Understanding vegetative and reproductive structures of plants, and use of this knowledge to identify plants with taxonomic keys will be emphasized. Ecological interactions, adaptations, and related conservation issues will also be discussed. The lecture portion of the course will take place on the Evanston campus on Mondays. On Wednesdays, the field component will take place at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The instructor will reach out to all enrolled students ahead of time to organize transportation options (transportation will be made available to those who need it. Note that the time scheduled for the course DOES NOT INCLUDE transportation time, so 30-45 minutes should be budgeted before and after class on Wednesday for transportation.

Prerequisite: BIOL_SCI 201-0, BIOL_SCI 215-0, BIOL_SCI 240-0, or ENVR_SCI 202-0.

BIOL_SCI 337

Biostatistics

This is a statistics class geared toward students interested in biology, ecology, and environmental science, but others are welcome. The course is applied statistics with the goal of students being able to use the skills, experience, information, and software learned in class after class. We will use the software R for all quantitative methods practiced in class. R is a very flexible and powerful program that you can use for any statistical problem you encounter. The program is free, well-supported, well-documented, and is constantly getting better and more powerful.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0, BIOL_SCI 215-0, or ENVR_SCI 202-0; a course in statistics.

BIOL_SCI 338

Modeling Biological Dynamics

Life is an inherently dynamic process, and the dynamics at every scale of organization -- from the atomic self-assembly of macromolecular complexes to the interactions of species in an ecology -- can give rise to surprising outcomes. Predicting and modulating those dynamics requires the development of accurate mathematical and computational models. In this class, you will learn about mathematical and computational techniques for analyzing and predicting biological dynamics. Techniques will include statistical models, discrete- and continuous- time dynamical models, and stochastic models. Applications will cover a range of scales, from biomolecules to population dynamics, with an emphasis on common mathematical concepts and computational techniques, the interpretation of existing data, and making predictions for new experiments.

Prerequisites: at least one of MATH 218-1, MATH 220-1, MATH 240-0, STAT 202-0, BIOL_SCI 337-0, OR equivalent.

BIOL_SCI 339

Critical Topics in Ecology & Conservation

This course will provide students with the conceptual and theoretical framework within the field of plant ecology (especially plant biology) and conservation. This seminar-style class is based on reading and discussion of historical and contemporary primary literature. It will provide you with the opportunity to think critically and discuss your thoughts within a structured yet informal setting and will provide them with a basic background in reading and writing scientific papers. This course is designed to help you: 1. Read and discuss primary literature critically. 2. Learn important skills for writing scientific papers. 3. Become comfortable presenting and discussing papers with your peers. 4. Become more familiar with topics in Plant Science and Conservation. 5. Write a critical review of a manuscript written by a colleague. 6. Write a review paper on the topic of your choosing.

Prerequisite: BIOL_SCI 201-0, BIOL_SCI 215-0, or ENVR_SCI 202-0.

BIOL_SCI 341

Population Genetics

Change in the genetic composition of populations over time is the basis of evolution. The field of population genetics describes this genetic change, both as replacement of genes within populations, and as diversification among populations which can become species. This course reviews the dynamics of genetic variation in populations through evidence from natural history, experimentation, and theory. Topics include: natural selection, genetic drift, inbreeding, mutation, and geographic structure of populations, based on single-locus models, molecular sequences, and quantitative traits. More specialized topics such as sexual selection, kin and group selection, and the evolution of sexual reproduction and recombination will be included as time allows.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; a course in statistics.

BIOL_SCI 342

Evolutionary Processes

Change in the genetic composition of populations over time is the basis of evolution. Evolution occurs when mutation introduces new alleles that replace existing alleles in populations via one of two mechanisms. Replacement can occur by chance (genetic drift) or by encoding a superior phenotype (natural selection). Natural selection produces one of the major features of the living world, adaptation. We will model these processes for single-locus traits, DNA sequences, and phenotypic traits. When populations are separated from one another geographically, they inevitably take different evolutionary paths; it is in this manner that most species are formed. These latter processes-change within lineages and diversification among lineages-have been iterated over staggeringly long periods of time, producing another major feature of the living world, its breathtaking biodiversity. We will familiarize ourselves with the history and diversity of life on earth by examination of the fossil record, and by inferring relationships among species using phylogenetic methods.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; and a course in statistics.

BIOL_SCI 345

Topic: Forerunners of Mammals

Long before the first dinosaurs, over 300 million years ago Archaeothyris inhabited swampy land in what is now Nova Scotia, Canada. Lizard-like in general body shape, the synapsid skull morphology nevertheless gives it away as a basal member of the group that gave rise to the mammals. In this class we will explore the ancient roots of Mammalia, with a particular focus on the dazzling diversity of Permian and Triassic synapsids that followed Archaeothyris.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 203-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0; BIO_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; and BIOL_SCI 234-0 or BIOL_SCI 222-0.

BIOL_SCI 345

Topic: Principles & Methods in Systems Biology

 Increasingly, breakthroughs in the study of biology happen through the joint effort of experimentation and quantitative analysis of “big” data, that is, massive amounts of quantitative data. While specialization is still required to ensure expertise, exposure to both modalities of investigation is central to the study of living organisms. Systems biology treats organisms as systems, large networks of individual components that collectively imbue the entire system with novelty and complexity. The course is meant for undergraduates with an interest in learning how to analyze biological big data, as well as learning how to model organisms/cells as systems. It is designed so that BioSci majors with little or no computation experience and Math/Physics/Engineering majors with little biology experience can successfully complete this course. 

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 203-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0; BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; and BIOL_SCI 234 or BIOL_SCI 222-0.

BIOL_SCI 347

Conservation Biology

Conservation biology is an integrated science based primarily on ecology, with important contributions from genetics, evolution, and biogeography, as well as nonbiological disciplines, including economics, politics and ethics. The first half of the course will: address the definitions, origins, and patterns of biological diversity; explore why the maintenance of biodiversity in natural (and unnatural) ecosystems is fundamentally important to the continued well-being of humans and other species; examine the context and causes of extinction. The second half of the course will deal with strategies and tactics for preventing or ameliorating the loss of biodiversity. Specific topics will include: the biology of small populations (including population viability analysis); the selection, design, and management of protected areas; ecological restoration; conservation design, legislation, and other higher-level strategies.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201, BIOL_SCI 215-0, or ENVR_SCI 202-0; a course in statistics.

BIOL_SCI 349

Community Ecology

Community ecology investigates the dynamics, structure, and function of assemblages of organisms. Readings, discussions, lectures, and activities will address how communities are organized, how they interact with their biotic and abiotic environments, how they are studied, and how they are influenced by anthropogenic impacts.

Prerequisite: The former BIOL_SCI 330-0 or BIOL_SCI 339-0.

BIOL_SCI 350

Plant Evolution & Diversity Lab

 This course is an introduction to the diversity and evolutionary history of land plants for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. It will introduce principles of plant structure, classification, phylogeny, and paleontology in an evolutionary framework. Morphological, anatomical, molecular and fossil evidence for the evolutionary history and relationships of each group will be presented. Laboratories will focus on diversity and structural characteristics of each group and their fossils. Field trips will complement lecture and laboratory activities. In addition to lecture and lab, students will prepare an annotated bibliography on a topic of their choosing (subject to approval).

Prerequisite: The former BIOL_SCI 330-0 or BIOL_SCI 339-0.

BIOL_SCI 354

Quantitative Analysis of Biology

Bio 354 will be a course where we cover some the landmark results in quantitative biology. Every module (of which there are 5-6) will end with analysis of a data set acquired from the authors of studies and reanalysis and re-plotting of a central result from the paper. En route to that I will teach you the biology mathematics physics and statistics required to make the plots. The landmark papers will span from studies in gene regulation, developmental biology, sequencing etc. We will also have various crash courses in coding, image analysis, etc.Introduction to landmark insights into quantitative biology. Random genetic processes, gene expression, cell adaption, cell cycle,developmental morphogens, phylgenomics. For more information about this course please visit Dr. Mani's website: https://madhavmani.wixsite.com/qbiocourse

Prerequisites: Instructor's Consent

Natural Sciences Distro Area

BIOL_SCI 355

Immunobiology

Immunobiology is the study of the response of higher organisms to foreign substances and pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. This course examines the cells and organs of the vertebrate immune system and how they function to protect us during an immune response against microbial infection. We will also examine disorders of the immune system, including immune deficiency, hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, and cancer.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 203-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0; BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; and BIOL_SCI 301-0.

BIOL_SCI 360

Principles of Cell Signaling

The ability to sense external and internal signals and dynamically respond lies at the core of cellular homeostasis and is one of the most important properties of all forms of life. In this course, general molecular principles of signaling through which cells capture, process, store and send information are discussed. The emphasis of this course in on the design principles, components, and molecular mechanisms that are common to different signaling systems. Modern experimental techniques for studying cellular signaling as well as the implications of disruption of cell communication pathways in diseases will be described.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0, and BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0.

BIOL_SCI 361

Protein Structure & Function

This course explores the relationship between the three-dimensional structure of proteins and their function. First, we cover the basic principles of protein architecture. Following an overview of methods for determining protein structures, we study specific classes of proteins, including antibodies, amyloids, DNA-binding proteins, enzymes, folding chaperones, membrane proteins, and nucleotide binding proteins. Along the way, students learn how to display, manipulate, and investigate three dimensional macromolecular structures on the computer. Finally, we apply the skills learned to primary literature case studies published in the last year.

Prerequisite: BIOL_SCI 301-0.

BIOL_SCI 363

Biophysics

The course is designed to be an introduction to biophysics and will provide both theoretical and practical perspectives for students that have concentration in biochemistry and biophysics. Students will gain an understating of common used techniques in biophysics.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; BIOL_SCI 301-0 or the former BIOL_SCI 308-0.

BIOL_SCI 377

Human Microbiome

The Human Microbiome is an introductory course on the collection of microorganisms in and on the body and the fascinating role they playin our health. We will explore different communities of microorganisms in the human body -the gut, urogenital, oral, and skin microbiota and learn about how those communities contribute to or are altered in healthy and diseased states. Topics will include, but are not limited to, the contribution of these communities to digestion and gut health, mood, obesity, the immune system, fertility and pregnancy, and neurological disorders. This is a rapidly expanding field, and we will place a special emphasis on exploring these topics through review of primary research articles.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0.Natural Sciences Distro Area

BIOL_SCI 378

Functional Genomics

Genomics is a relatively new, and rapidly advancing field of biology concerned with understanding the structure, function, content, and evolution of genomes. At its core, the goal of genomics is to generate a detailed map of an organism's genome that includes the location and identity of every gene. However, the field of genomics is becoming increasingly broad, often focusing on the questions and analyses that arise once a genome has been sequenced and described. The methods developed by the Human Genome Project, both from a sequencing and analysis perspective, significantly altered the landscape of human research, both from a biomedical and from an evolutionary standpoint. Building on these methods and on very recent advances in DNA sequencing technology, genomics is no longer limited to the study of humans; genome research can now being applied to any organism from jellyfish to polar bear, from mold to palm trees. In this class we will discuss how and why we sequence genomes, how we analyze their content (including a hands-on approach), and how the understanding of genomes from across the entire tree of life (i.e., comparative genomics) can illuminate fundamental questions in biology.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; a course in statistics.

BIOL_SCI 380

Biology of Cancer

This course is focused on the molecular/cellular mechanisms underlying cancer initiation and progression. Students are expected to have a thorough understanding of molecular and cell biology before taking this class. Various mechanisms controlling cell proliferation, signal transduction, DNA damage repair, cell fate decisions and cell-cell communications will be discussed. Topics will also include nature/hallmarks of cancer and current strategies for cancer treatment. The goal of this course is to have a rich intellectual exchange of ideas while taking an in depth look at the molecular causes of cancer.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 or the former BIOL_SCI 308-0.

BIOL_SCI 381

Stem Cells & Regeneration

The use of stem cells for growth, repair, and maintenance of tissue is widespread throughout the animal kingdom. In addition, species vary in their natural abilities of repair tissue in adulthood, from wound healing and scar formation to complete cell/tissue/organ regeneration after damage. What are the molecular processes that imbue stem cells with their unique abilities, how are these controlled by the organism, and how can they be harnessed therapeutically? This course takes a comparative approach to explore this fascinating problem by critically examining classic and modern scientific literature about the developmental and molecular biology of regeneration and both embryonic and adult stem cells.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0 and BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

BIOL_SCI 390

Advanced Molecular Biology

 This is a course designed for upper level undergraduate students. Basic molecular genetic mechanisms in eukaryotic organisms are the emphasis of the course. Topics include basic concepts and techniques of molecular biology, organization of genetic information, flow of genetic information, regulation of the flow of genetic information and application of molecular biology in biomedical research.

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0; BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0; and BIOL_SCI 301-0.

BIOL_SCI 391

Developmental Biology

Animals are complex living machines, but unlike artificial machines, animals must build themselves from scratch. This course will explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the self-assembly of the embryonic body plan. The course will focus on the biological principles of embryonic pattern formation, regulation of gene expression, morphogenetic movements and signal transduction, organized over broad physical scales from single cells to complete organs, and from minutes to complete life cycles. Course material will draw from both current and historical approaches, with a strong emphasis on biological criteria for knowing, including a weekly critical discussion of original literature.

Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 203-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0 and BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.

BIOL_SCI 393

Human Genomics

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0, and either BIOL_SCI 301-0 or the former BIOL_SCI 308-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

BIOL_SCI 395

Molecular Genetics

Recent advances in genetics and molecular biology have revolutionized the fields of gene expression, cell regulation and functional genomics. These advances have fundamentally changed not only our basic understanding in these areas but how we make discoveries. We will explore this revolution directly through the primary research literature. The required reading material will be provided and will consist of now classic papers as well as recent papers from the most highly respected research journals. Representative topics will include how genes are manipulated, how gene expression is regulated in vivo, how molecular/genetic analysis of model organisms such as yeast is used to advance understanding in higher organisms, how human disease genes are discovered and a how every gene in an entire genome can be analyzed simultaneously. We will delve deeply into two of the hottest fields in molecular genetics today: epigenetics (chromatin modification and its consequences) and recently developed methods that allow rapid and simple engineering of the genome of almost any organism. Although lectures are provided, the class is small enough to allow students to take an active role through questions and discussion.

Prerequisite: BIOL_SCI 201 or BIOL_SCI 215-0 & BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0.