Biology

The course covers major fields and fundamental principles of modern biology and provides a foundation for more in-depth and specialized studies during the following years. The course concentrates on the core concepts of modern biology and provides knowledge about the role of various biological macromolecules in cell physiology; how different types of cells are integrated into multicellular systems; molecular and chromosomal mechanism of heredity.

This is the second module of the general biology introductory course designed for the Life Science Major curriculum. It concentrates on the fundamental aspects of animal physiology with an emphasis on the human body. The course is focused on the evolution, development, structure, function, health and disease of major physiological systems and regulatory mechanisms coordinating their function in the human organism.

The course covers human anatomy and physiology from a systems-based perspective, stressing the ways in which different physiological systems interact. Emphasis is on understanding the integration of human anatomy through biological function, development, evolutionary history and genetics. Several clinical examples are given to illustrate how human variation, including congenital defects, emerges from the interaction of development, form, and function.

This course is general in nature that provides a general introduction to conservation biology. Conservation Biology is the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity. Topics covered include: 1) the impacts of global warming, species invasions, and habitat destruction on biodiversity, 2) strategies developed to combat these threats, and 3) a consideration of key economic and ethical tradeoffs. Special attention will be paid to current debate and controversy within this rapidly emerging field of study.

As the first module of the Molecular Biology course, BIO 345 concentrates on molecular mechanisms of genetic processes. This module explains how the flow of biological information from DNA to RNA to protein gives rise to the recognizable, inherited attributes of living organisms. It uses seminal experiments to introduce the students to basic classical and molecular genetics, and then expands on these themes to include genetic engineering and genomic approaches to these phenomena.

The two-module Biochemistry course concentrates on the chemical properties of biological macromolecules with particular attention to the relationship between structure and biological function. The first module specifically covers amino acids, the fundamentals of protein structure, the basics of enzyme catalysis and kinetics, lipids, and membrane structures, transport proteins, the physicochemical basis of signal transduction, vitamins and their functional role in the body.

As the second module of the Molecular Biology course, BIO 357 concentrates on molecular mechanisms of cellular physiology and interactions. This module provides a detailed knowledge of the structural organization and differentiation of eukaryotic cells as well as key processes in development that are based on cell-cell communication and cell movement. It introduces fundamental properties of the cytoplasm and the roles of the cytoskeleton in fundamental biological processes including chromosome separation, cell motility and intracellular transport processes as well as the evolution, function and biogenesis of cell organelles.

The second module of the Biochemistry course concentrates on the complexity of metabolic pathways and their regulation. It reviews the inter-linked metabolic processes involved in nutrient handling and homeostasis.

IO 405 will cover: 1) the genetic and molecular basis of heredity and inherited traits, 2) how genetics and genomics help to understand the human condition, including genetic diseases, cancer, and human evolution, 3) how basic and translational genetics research is leading to improvements to human health, and 4) current ethical discussions related to human genetics.

The field of medical science and medical education has accumulated vast amounts of information about human systems biology including anatomy, physiology and molecular medicine (biochemistry, immunology, microbiology etc.). This course will concentrate on different organ systems that make up the human organism, understanding physiological processes and concepts. The laboratory section of the course is designed to augment the lectures by providing demonstrations and hands-on experimental learning. Topics include cells, body tissues, skin, the skeletal system, the muscular system, the nervous system, the endocrine system, blood and the gastrointestinal tract.

The field of medical science and medical education has accumulated huge amounts of information about human systems biology including anatomy, physiology and molecular medicine (biochemistry, immunology, microbiology etc.). This course will concentrate on knowledge (factual content, understanding processes and concepts), applied and critical cognitive skills (problem based learning, situated and experiential learning). The course will be an introduction to anatomy and human systems physiology. It is expected that students will develop a broad, general understanding of the principles and concepts of human physiology and understand the relationship of structure to function. Students will recognize that structures permit some functions while, at the same time limit others. At a content/factual level, students will have an understanding that certain molecules (for example, enzymes, amino acids, nucleic acids and ATP) are ubiquitous. Students will gain an understanding of homeostasis in physiological systems; they will recognize the checks and balances that exist in living processes.

The field of medical science and medical education has accumulated vast amounts of information about human systems biology including anatomy, physiology and molecular medicine (biochemistry, immunology, microbiology etc.). This course will concentrate on different organ systems that make up the human organism, understanding physiological processes and concepts. The laboratory section of the course is designed to augment the lectures by providing demonstrations and hands-on experimental learning. Topics include the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system, immunity, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the urinary system and the reproductive system.