Biological Sciences

This course explores the origin and evolution of hominins (including humans) within the family Hominidae. It examines the more significant cranial and skeletal anatomical features of the different species of Hominoidea. This course discusses the emergence of humanity, DNA studies of modern humans, and the progressive interaction between biology and culture characteristic of human evolution.

This course gives students the skills to work with biological datasets to present, summarize, and explore patterns in a wide range of datasets using python, pandas, and seaborn. For each course topic, student apply the concepts they have learned to complex research datasets. Student groups choose a dataset to work with at the start of the course. The course is taught in workshops, with short lectures introducing the topic, and group practice with examples and complex datasets using Jupyter notebooks.

This Cell Biology course is tailored for graduate or upper-division undergraduate students with a background in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The course delves into key concepts across various sub-fields of cell biology, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the subject.  

This course focuses on the biology of viruses, main viral agents, and their interactions with organisms. It examines the characteristics of viral particles from a structural perspective, the replication strategies of different groups of viruses, and the routes of transmission of viruses in their hosts. 

This course highlights behaviors such as learning, sociality, territoriality, predation and defense, courtship and communication, with examples from across animal diversity. Students examine how behaviors have evolved to fit specific ecological conditions. Students gain an understanding of and empathy for animals and examine how animals live and survive in their environment.

"Fun Microbiology Experiments" is a general experimental course designed for non-life science students to develop interesting, easy and close to hot spots and closely related to life microbial experiments to understand the discipline of microbiology more intuitively. 

The course explores how this complex organization of hundreds of cells emerges during embryo development. The course focuses on the precise organization of tissues that arises during embryo development by the coordinated control of the differentiation, migration, proliferation, and death of cells. It provides a solid grounding for future specialized study of nervous system development, function, and repair.

This course provides an integrated approach to the understanding of the biology of the cell, from understanding the molecular mechanisms that underpin cellular processes through to how such processes allow cells to function in their physiological context (i.e. in tissues and during development); to teach both "classical" and leading edge experimental approaches to cell biology research. 

This course introduces students to the diversity of major groups of living organisms, and the importance of maintaining diversity in natural ecosystems. With emphasis on the need for conservation of biodiversity to maintain a balance of nature, the course highlights the biodiversity in the major habitats and vegetation types in and around Singapore.

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the world of insects and addresses common misconceptions. Through a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on field trips, the course explores the fascinating world of these six-legged creatures. Field trips include visits to the NTU campus, the NTU Insectarium, the Taiwan Insect Museum, Fuyang Ecological Park, and Zhinan Temple. These excursions aid the observation and identification of insects in their natural environments, using field guides and direct observation. 

Lectures cover a range of subjects, including insect morphology, systematics, diversity, ecology, and behavior. Additionally, guest lectures from faculty at NCHU/NCU and industry experts provide valuable insights and broaden students' perspectives.