BIO453 Advanced Topics of Neurobiology
A seminar course exploring the primary literature in a specialized area of neurobiology. Students will read current and historically important original papers as well as pertinent review articles. Oral presentations and written work provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to critically evaluate current literature in a sub-field of their major discipline.
BIO300 Advanced Lab in Biology
One lecture and two laboratory periods per week. An introduction to the application of modern experimental approaches in the study of interesting biological questions. Techniques employed are drawn from: cloning and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) manipulation, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and site-directed mutagenesis; protein expression, purification and characterization, with emphasis on circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy; immunofluorescence, confocal and electron microscopy; and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis.
BIO319 Molecular Neurobiology
This course will give students the tools to start answering “how/why did I do that?” by exploring the major molecular players and regulators controlling the development, form, function, and flexibility of the nervous system. We will approach neurobiology from an experimental stance, focusing on how the field has come to understand the way genes and molecules can control simple and complex behaviors in model organisms and humans. We will also explore how disrupting these genes, molecules, and processes can lead to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
BIO201 Molecules, Cells, and Organisms Lab sections
Three hours of laboratory section per week. A one-year course in cellular and molecular biology, Biology 201 considers the cell as a unit of biological activity. Biology 201 is an introduction to the major macromolecules of the cell, which includes a discussion of their synthesis and breakdown and leads into a discussion of cellular structures. The laboratory introduces the student to cell and molecular biology and biochemistry.
BIO203 Unlocking Key Concepts in Biology
A course for BIOLH201 students designed to teach the principles and methods of biological investigation. Students are taught how biological hypotheses are identified, developed and tested and how biological data are articulated, analyzed and interpreted. The class meets once a week during the semester and draws material from current literature, groundbreaking classical experiments and concurrent topics in BIOLH201. Enrollment by invitation from the Department. Course is taken Pass/Fail only.
