Biological Sciences

This course examines the ubiquity of biological evolution in both natural and human modified environments. It will describe and explain the agents of change— drift, migration and selection, and show their effects on both single and multiple gene traits, and on the phylogenetic relationships of species. The course  will introduce co-evolutionary processes, which are critical for understanding traits that evolve through interactions between species, including humans. Particular topics will include (but not limited to): heritable variation; agents of evolution; artificial, natural and sexual selection; phenotypes and quantitative genetics; phylogeny, speciation and the tree of life; and antagonistic and mutualistic co-evolution. The subject will emphasize both the outcome and process of scientific research leading to our understanding of evolutionary processes, drawing on examples from across the diversity of life.

This course introduces methods and equipment for collecting, identifying, studying, and preserving insects, and explains how to store and care for insect specimens in collections. In addition, insect rearing, behavioral observation, and scientific illustration are also important teaching content.

The class gives an introduction to basic microarray technology focusing on the development, analysis, conceptual and theoretical basis of microarray technology. The course also covers the modern and emerging applications. Other topics include microarray analysis, introduction to the chemistry, basics of biochemistry, genes and genomes, microarray surfaces, targets and probes, microarray manufacturing, microarray detection, and microarray informatics. Text: Mark Schena, MICROARRAY ANALYSIS. Assessment: report and presentation, final exam, miderm exam, homework and participation.

The course covers the fundamental concepts in microbiology, covering the basic biology of viruses, fungi and bacteria, and focusing on genetics and genomics, how genetic variability arises and how genetic information is processed into important phenotypic characteristics including structural diversity, metabolic diversity and virulence.

This course outline the major processes giving rise to the diversity of extinct and extant organic life, to indicate the time frame over which these processes occur, and to introduce the methods used to study evolutionary processes. The examples used in the lectures and workshops are drawn from animals, plants and microorganisms, and the characters considered are behavioral, ecological, morphological, cellular and molecular. Visits to Edinburgh Zoo and the National Museum of Scotland allow students to think about how the evolutionary concepts that they learn apply to real organisms. 
 

This course examines the biology of Australia's vertebrate fauna with particular emphasis on frogs, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Students examine the adaptations of the fauna to the unique and uncertain nature of the Australian terrestrial environment. Topics covered include: the diversity of Australian vertebrate groups in comparison to other parts of the world; the impact of human activities and introduced animals on native fauna; wildlife diseases; and the ethics associated with research and experimentation on animals.