Biological Sciences

Understanding the processes involved in the transformation of carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, and other major elements in the oceans has been a major interest of oceanographers over the past decade. Marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a vital role in regulating global patterns and cycling of the major elements of seawater. There are a number of biochemical, photochemical and physical transformations that marine DOM can be influenced by, including DOM production, diagenesis and re-mineralization, as well as interactions with trace metals and microbes. Additionally, marine DOM plays important roles at environmental interfaces such as those between land and sea, sediment and water, particle and bulk solution. This course covers both well-established and recently developed concepts on marine DOM relevant to future marine scientists, in particular, those in the fields of chemistry, biogeochemistry and ecology.   

This course discusses the basic principles and molecular controls of embryonic development, emphasizing the progression from gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage to gastrulation (i.e., the formation of the gut). The course also covers cell fate and embryonic axis determination as well as popular experimental models used by current developmental biologists. The course studies formation and derivatives from three germ layers, ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. The course then ends with a review of tissue and organ regeneration and the progression of regenerative medicine.  

This course aims to introduce the basic concepts and principles of developmental biology to undergraduates and lay a good foundation for them to engage in developmental biology related research or popularization in the future.

The course will revolve around the pivotal aspects of drug delivery, encompassing the introduction of the development of drug delivery technologies and systems, the application of drug delivery techniques in pharmaceutical research and development, a categorization outlining the materials, designs, and applications of mainstream drug delivery systems, as well as the arrangement of corporate visits to enhance students' comprehension of drug delivery.

Ecology is a highly practical discipline that is closely related to daily life and social and economic development. Learn this course, realize the relationship between man and nature, the impact of human activities on the living environment and the root causes of many environmental problems, and constantly improve ecological literacy, cultivate

environmental awareness, and form a sustainable development concept.

The course is divided into five progressive parts: 

(1) Understanding ecology

(2) the best ecological concepts to understand

(3) Thinking like an ecologist 

(4) Advancing Ecology 

(5) Thinking and politics in ecology1

Much like humans, animals rely on a diverse array of signals and cues to communicate with one another, with this vital information guiding their decision-making processes. Whether it's fighting, mating, selecting their ideal habitat, or any other crucial aspect of their lives, these decisions hinge on the pivotal signals and cues they perceive in their environment. Those who struggle to efficiently or accurately gather this information tend to experience reduced reproductive success and survival rates.   

This course provides a foundational understanding of animal communication in both theoretical and empirical aspects. It delves into various signal and cue types that animals utilize in their environment, information gathering and assessment, and the challenges they encounter in the face of environmental changes.   

This course features a blended approach, including lectures and hands-on field activities each week.  

This course examines the principles of systematics and phylogenetics and an appreciation of current trends and controversies. Current classification theories: phenetic systematics (classifications based on overall resemblances) and cladistics (evolutionary reconstruction). The species concept. Sources of taxonomic data: morphology & anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, biogeography and ethology. Causes of taxonomic complexity: environmental factors; hybridization; breeding systems. Principles of nomenclature. 

This course examines the diversity in animal behavior and the means of understanding animal behavior. It examines the underlying mechanism and function of behavior, and how did a particular behavior develop and evolve. Topics include behavioral ecology; behavioral genetics; reproductive behavior; mating system; parental care; communication; foraging; learning; migration and biological rhythms; evolutionary stable strategies; sexual selection; altruism; and sociality in vertebrates and invertebrates. 

This course features different guest lecturers speaking on various topics in genome and systems biology.

Behavioral Ecology takes an evolutionary perspective to address the mechanisms and processes that have shaped the current form and utility of various aspects of animal behavior. The course includes lectures that cover major topics in Behavioral Ecology and introduce relevant research approaches; literature reading that provides a glimpse of cutting-edge research in the field, as well as a group project that allows students to experience the entire process of conducting a behavior study, practicing the theories and approaches learned from the lectures.    

Required Prerequisite: General Biology.  

Suggested Prerequisites: Ecology and Basic Statistics.