Biological Sciences

This course is designed for students in the Humanities or Social Sciences with no previous education in Biology. It may also serve as a remedial course for students with a high school Biology background insufficient for entering a regular level 1 Biology course. The course centers around three major themes: the basics of life, genes and evolution, and essential body functions. The course studies a wide variety of fundamental biological principles and concepts including the characteristics and basic units of life, biodiversity, the molecular basis of inheritance and genetics, origin of life and evolution, proliferation and differentiation of cells, principles of development and cancer, metabolism and energy, nutrition, health, nervous system and behavior, biological defense and communication, and reproduction and aging.

This course addresses the relationship between the microbiological quality of water and its impact on consumers or users. It considers the various treatments necessary to ensure a microbiological quality of water that does not pose an unacceptable health risk to the population. 

Students taking this course develop an understanding of core concepts in the disciplines of physiology, pharmacology, reproductive biology, neuroscience, infectious diseases, and medical biology as well as develop core competencies in scientific learning and disciplinary practice. The experimental basis of scientific knowledge ("How do we know what we know") is also discussed. Throughout the course, students acquire a fundamental factual basis for study of Biomedical Sciences disciplines, including core concepts and important scientific principles; competence in effective literature searching and written communication; and practical skills required for research in biomedical sciences, including data analysis and interpretation.

This course provides a broad introduction to marine mammal biology and research, including topics such as origin, evolution, taxonomy, distribution, abundance, anatomy, sensory biology, ecology, and behavior. Further, the course addresses impacts caused by pathogens, human activities, and climate change, as well as marine mammal management and conservation. Each topic is covered at a general introductory level, and selected topics are additionally presented and discussed by guest lectures with expertise in marine mammal research, conservation, and management. The course provides an overview of marine mammal biology and research practices, forming a solid basis upon which to build future study, research, and career interests in marine mammal biology and wildlife biology in general.

In this course students discuss, at a detailed molecular level, different cellular and genetic processes that are the basis of life as we know it. Students are familiarized with further knowledge in the field of cell biology, which enables them to better understand and appreciate the newest developments in this research area. Discussions revolve around general cell biological topics such as the role of membranes, membrane transport of small molecules, the nuclear architecture, the organization of the genome, regulation of transcription and translation, protein trafficking, the cell cycle and maintenance of genomic integrity, programmed cell death and senescence. The last task, dealing with cancer, serves as an integration task; knowledge of the previous topics is required to appreciate what the consequences can be when a cell goes astray and the defense mechanisms of the body fail. Prerequisites for this course include introduction to biology. This course is designed to be taken in combination with SKI2077 Lab Skills: Cell Biology. Students wishing to take the Lab Skills should concurrently enroll in or have completed this course. Students wishing to take SCI2037 Cell Biology without taking the Lab Skills may do so.

This course examines the methods used in assessing the toxicity of food contaminants, and to develop their confidence in the handling and interpretation of toxicological data. It covers the basic concepts behind toxicological evaluation, and the criteria for setting guidance values for dietary and nondietary exposure to chemicals, as well as the role of biochemical, metabolic and toxicokinetic studies in toxicological evaluation. Topics include a discussion on exposure and entry routes, fates of toxic substances in the body (toxicokinetics), concepts in experimental toxicology, the dose response relationship, actions of toxic substances, target organ effects, the actions and types of carcinogens. A survey of the health effects of common classes of toxic substances is also presented.

The course explores key conceptual and empirical issues in evolutionary biology. It combines pattern-oriented approaches, such as phylogenetics, with process-oriented developments in population genetics, developmental biology, and molecular ecology.

This course focuses on key concepts in evolutionary biology including the mechanisms operating on molecules, on populations and those involved in the formation of new species. It will also include topics on macroevolution, such as the role of mass extinctions, ​radiations, and biological constraints and biases in shaping evolutionary patterns.

The course explains the basic concepts, techniques, and uses of modern molecular biology techniques. Practical sessions and associated tutorials give hands-on experience of molecular techniques including electrophoresis, sequencing, cloning, and the polymerase chain reaction. The course begins with lectures that introduce molecular biology concepts, or serve as a refresher for students who already have some experience. It then moves into a description of contemporary tools and then applications. Lecturers explain some of the diverse applications of these techniques, with reference to their own research in fields including metagenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, cell and developmental biology, and forensic anthropology.