Winter 2023 Class Schedule

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First Year Seminars

Distribution courses

ISP courses

core courses

300 Level courses

Winter 2022 course descriptions

First Year Seminars & 100 Level courses

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 116.6: First Year Seminar - Science Research Preparation

This course will provide students with skills and training to be successful in research environments. Under the guidance of faculty, graduate mentors and peer facilitators, students are expected to develop an independent research project, write a research funding proposal, give an oral presentation on their project, and develop basic laboratory skills.

Registration Requirements: enrollment open only to participants in the Bioscientist program. Students should contact Dr. Flores to obtain a permission number.

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-science-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. 

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

Core Courses

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 233: Genetics & Molecular 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.

ISP COurses

BIOL_SCI 241: Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology - 2 for ISP

Extending the biochemistry segment from Biol_Sci 240, this class seeks to provide deeperunderstanding 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.

Pre-requistites: General Chemistry 171, 172 Organic Chemistry Chem 212-1 BiolSci 240 (Instructor Permission required if missing).

300 level courses

BIOL_SCI 303: Molecular Neurobiology

This course will be part lecture course and 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.

Pre-requisites: Biol Sci 302-0 Fundamentals of Neurobiology I is required.

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.Discussion sections will focus on experimental approaches, includingcontrolsand statistical significance,and understanding data as presented in primary literature. 

Pre-requisites: BIOL_SCI 215 or BIOL_SCI 201, BIOL_SCI 219 or 202; and BIOL_SCI 301.

BIOL_SCI 323: Bioinformatics

In a 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.

Pre-requisities: BIOL SCI 241, BIOL SCI 301, OR equivalent; BIOL SCI 361 OR equivalent recommended but not required. Aptitude for computers and software is required; coding experience would be advantageous but not required.

BIOL_SCI 349: Community Ecology

Community ecology investigates the composition, structure, functioning, and dynamics of ecological communities. 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 like climate change.

Pre-requisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 203-0, or BIOL_SCI 215-0, or BIOL_SCI 339-0, or BIOL_SCI 341, or BIOL_SCI 342-0, or ENVR_SCI 202-0 to register for this course.

BIOL_SCI 350: Plant Diversity & Evolution Laboratory

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).

Pre-requisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 203-0, or BIOL_SCI 215-0, or BIOL_SCI 339-0, or BIOL_SCI 341, or BIOL_SCI 342-0, or ENVR_SCI 202-0 to register for this course.

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 against microbial infection. We will also briefly examinedisorders of the immune system, including immune deficiency, hypersensitivity, and autoimmune diseases. 

Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 201 or BIOL_SCI 215; BIOL_SCI 219; and BIOL_SCI 301.

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 203-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0 and BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0.

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 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 harnessedtherapeutically? 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 203-0 or BIOL_SCI 215-0 and BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 219-0, to register for this course.

BIOL_SCI 397: Honors Colloquium 

A student intending to write a Thesis in Biological Sciences must register for Senior Thesis Colloquium (BIOL SCI 397) during Winter Quarter of the Senior Year.I t is in the context of this class that Senior or Honors Theses are written. Do not also register for a 399 that quarter; for the Winter, BIOL SCI 397 replaces 399 with regard to both your research and its write-up.

Pre-requisities: At least one BIOL SCI 398 or 399 registration must have preceded BIOL SCI 397. Do not register for a 398 or 399 during the same quarter as 397. Please contact the instructor for a permission number to register for this course. 

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