Biological Sciences

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.

The course consists of three modules, two theoretical parts (written examination and individual project) of 7.5 credits together, and a practical part of 7.5 credits (field exercises, laboratory sessions, species knowledge exam). The first part of the course includes the physical and chemical properties of water, species in the different organism groups and relationships in and between populations and their environment. Effects of human impact on aquatic ecosystems are discussed. During the second part of the course field trips to different aquatic habitats typical for southern Sweden are conducted, where the relationships between abiotic conditions and the adaptations of organisms are studied. Samples for analysis of water chemistry, microorganisms as well as plant and animal communities are collected and analyzed in the laboratory. During the practical work (carried out in project groups) the students acquire experience of the most important field and laboratory methods and knowledge of the characteristics of different aquatic environments. During the final the part of the course the students carry out an individual project. The assignment is to define a subject, search for scientific literature, write a report, give an oral presentation and receive and give feedback to fellow students.