Biological Sciences

This course examines the elements of the immune system and the mechanisms that control the coordinated response. It explores the principles of experimentation on which the study of immunology is based.

This course covers the field of life science that describes underlying molecular genetic mechanisms by which biological traits are generated in life and are inherited throughout generations. It includes topics such as the genome, genes, control of gene expression and DNA replication that contribute to generation of biological traits in an organism and their inheritance throughout generations. The course also includes how research in recent genetics or molecular biology is performed, introducing recently developed techniques that rapidly advanced our knowledge of this field of study.  

This course examines the core concepts of pharmacology and toxicology. Students will study the science behind the use of medicines, as well as cover topics on environmental and clinical toxicology.

This course focuses on the biological foundations of information processing within the body (such as the autonomic nervous system and the central nervous system) to deepen understanding of how human psychological processes are involved in physiological activities. Additionally, students will learn an overview of physiological methods used in psychology and their respective characteristics.

This general science education course is designed to provide students not majoring in a life science with knowledge about how biological principles are being applied to solve modern day problems. After an introduction to the properties of life, it covers current topics that often appear in the media, such as gene editing, genetically modified foods, metabolic engineering, stem cell technologies, synthetic biology, and precision medicine. The overall goal is for students to understand some of the basic science behind these biotechnological applications and to become aware of the strengths and limitations of current technologies. In addition, the course discusses the associated benefits and possible ethical concerns so that students can make informed opinions about the development of such technologies.  

This course examines the use of microbes to make medicines, the sterile manufacture of medicines and the pathogenesis of common conditions treated or managed with pharmacotherapy.

The course starts with a look at the evolution of animal body plans and physiological systems through the radiations of animal life and leads on to a series of lectures on animal adaptations in marine environments. The course then looks at the evolution and diversification of vertebrate body plans, leading into a detailed study of the mammals. The course ends with a section on animal associations, including symbiosis and parasitism, and considers the adaptations associated with living in or on other animals.

The course provides an up-to-date picture of the underlying basis for, and treatment of, a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders. It illustrates how established information underpins the use of current drugs for treating these conditions and how emerging theories and experimental outcomes inform future drug development.     

This course examines harvest and capture of aquatic organisms and inter-relationships with aquaculture. fisheries and aquaculture are treated not as distinct disciplines but in the context of integrating exploitation and sustainable environmental integrity. Case studies include deep sea and coastal fisheries, and shellfish culture.

This course studies the cellular initiation and construction of mammalian organisms. The major models of amniote and mammalian developmental biology are used to facilitate the study of early development (cleavage, gastrulation, and axis formation), building with ectoderm (the vertebrate nervous system and epidermis), and building with mesoderm and endoderm (organogenesis). Students are able to comprehend and explain the cellular initiation and construction of mammalian organisms using mechanisms of cell differentiation, morphogenesis, and stem cell potential. Students are able to comprehend and explain the major models of amniote and mammalian developmental biology. Students are able to comprehend and explain how the major models of amniote and mammalian developmental biology are used to facilitate the study of early development (cleavage, gastrulation, and axis formation), building with ectoderm (the vertebrate nervous system and epidermis), and building with mesoderm and endoderm (organogenesis).

Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry 1, Biochemistry 1