Biological Sciences

The functioning of the human or animal body depends on how individual organ systems function, which in turn depends on how the cells function, which itself depends on the interactions between subcellular organelles and countless molecules. Thus, integrated physiology takes a global view of the human body, requiring an in-depth understanding of events at the level of molecules, cells, and organs. This course begins at the level of individual organ systems, and then explores at the molecular level before expanding the focus to include the homeostasis of the entire body. The course examines several organs systems, such as the central nervous system, the liver, the heart and blood vessels, the lungs, the kidneys, and the endocrine glands. Occasionally, the course ventures into the field of pathophysiology to illustrate how a change in normal physiology leads to malfunction and disease. This course takes examples from human and animal physiology to explain the working mechanisms and principles of physiology acting throughout the mammalian realm.

This course explores the geological record of key groups of plant and animals, and what this reveals about their evolutionary biology. The course also discusses how this date informs on the macroevolution of these groups and the different applications in earth and environmental science, including relative dating of rocks, reconstructing paleoenvironments including how ecosystems respond to environmental change at local to global scales.

This course provides students with a broad overview of vertebrate life and evolution from a variety of perspectives, including: the fossil record, modern evolutionary and functional anatomy, morphological and molecular evidence. Students become familiar with the diversity of modern vertebrates, their adaptations, and classification. Methods of study are emphasized, including the building of phylogenetic trees, use of molecular and morphological data, and the influence of biogeography on current distributions. The relationship between fossil and living forms are also discussed.

Cognitive Neuroscience I is an introduction to this field, studying the physiology and anatomy of the brain, the functional anatomy of cognitive functions, and the experimental toolkit of cognitive neuroscience (ranging from reaction-time tests to functional MRI). The results of recent research into perception, attention, learning and memory, and language, and their neurological underpinnings are also looked at. Throughout the course, special attention is given to dysfunctions of cognitive functioning resulting from brain damage. This course covers the following topics: the basic functions of the brain and neurophysiological processes underlying various mental faculties; how neurocognitive research is conducted, particularly how behavioral and neurocognitive research methods are used as complementary means to the same end; and current issues in neurocognitive research. Prerequisites for the course: this course puts considerable weight on anatomy and physiology of the brain and on molecular processes underlying the function of the nervous system; knowledge of biology at the high school level is recommended.

The undergraduate research program places students in research opportunites to conduct indpendent research under the supervision of a Chinese University of Hong Kong faculty. Students are expected to spend approximately 15 to 20 hours per week in independent research as well as attend lectures and labs.

This course discusses mechanisms of innate and adaptive immune responses. Topics include: hematopoiesis; development of T and B lymphocytes; leukocyte migration; antigen processing/presentation and the major histocompatibility complex; immune responses against pathogens; diseases associated with aberrant immune responses.