BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MAJOR

Discover the internal workings of cells, and how evolved developmental processes organize those cells into tissues and organs.

REQUIREMENTS 

• BIOL_SCI 310 Human Physiology - An exploration of the functions of the human body at the tissue, organ and organ system level. Emphasis on homeostatic mechanisms and interdependence within organs and organ systems and the influence of modulatory systems. Topics will include, but are not limited to: nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0, and CHEM 132-0, CHEM 152-0, or CHEM 172-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 315-0 Advanced Cell Biology - Relationship of shape, structural dynamics, and function with the cellular state and gene expression; cell-to-cell communication. Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 319-0 Biology of Animal Viruses (1 Unit)   Virus structure, synthesis of viral nucleic acids and proteins, the interaction of the viral and cellular genomes. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 327-0 Biology of Aging - Biological aspects of aging, from molecular to evolutionary. Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0 and BIOL_SCI 202-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 328-0 Microbiology - How microbes interact with their environments, including with humans. Lecture and Laboratory. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0, and have completed or be currently enrolled in BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 353-0 Molecular Biology Laboratory - Project-based approach to learning lab skills in eukaryotic molecular biology. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0, BIOL_SCI 234-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 355-0 Immunobiology - Nature of host resistance; characteristics of antigens, antibodies; basis of immune response; hypersensitivity. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0 and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 360-0 Principles of Cell Signaling - Emphasis on principles, components, and logic that are common to different cell signaling systems. Modern experimental strategies for studying cellular signaling as well as the implications of disrupting cell communication pathways in disease will be described. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0 and BIOL_SCI 203-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 377-0 The Human Microbiome - Course explores different communities of microorganisms in the human body – the gut, urogenital, oral, and skin microbiota, and how these communities contribute to or are altered in health and disease. 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. Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 202-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 380-0 Biology of Cancer - 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 and hallmarks of cancer, and current strategies for cancer treatment. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course. to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 381-0 Stem Cells & Regeneration Biology - Developmental and molecular biology of tissue regeneration, with regard to regeneration from embryonic or adult stem cells. Discussion of conserved developmental pathways necessary for regeneration. Applications in regenerative medicine. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0 and BIOL_SCI 203-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 390-0 Molecular Biology of Gene Editing and Engineering - Emphasizes coverage of molecular genetic mechanisms in eukaryotic organisms. Topics include basic concepts and techniques of molecular biology, the organization of genetic information, the flow of genetic information, regulation of the flow of genetic information, and various applications of molecular biology in biomedical research. Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 391-0 Developmental Biology - Molecular mechanisms underlying early embryonic development, including establishment of the body and organogenesis. Discussion of original literature. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 392-0 Morphogenesis - Development of independent projects alongside classic readings and experiments exploring key concepts in developmental biology. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0 BIOL_SCI 203-0, BIOL_SCI 234-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.

Concentration Checklist

Cell & Developmental Biology Concentration Checklist 

2024-2025 Course Offerings in this Concentration*

*Course schedule considered tentative until published in Caesar.