Biological Sciences

This course introduces the concepts, tools and techniques of bioinformatics to understand molecular evolution, individualized medicine, and data intensive biology. The course includes a conceptual framework for modern bioinformatics, an introduction to key bioinformatics topics such as databases and software, sequence analysis, pairwise alignment, multiple sequence alignment, sequence database searches, and profile-based methods, molecular phylogenetics, genomic analysis and personal genomics. Lectures include hands-on inquiry using bioinformatics tools in the practical sessions. The course requires students to take a prerequisite of General Biology. 

In this course, students learn about the different conceptualizations of emotion both in terms of historical developments as well as contemporary theoretical models of emotions. The course considers the biological basis of emotions in the brain and the body, how emotions are expressed and perceived in faces, bodies, voice, and music. The relationship between emotions and cognitions is considered, including emotion regulation and individual differences in emotions. Finally, cultural differences and disorders of emotion are discussed.

This course introduces a range of advanced and current topics in evolutionary ecology with a strong focus on studies using vertebrate systems. Evolutionary ecologists investigate the interactions between and within species, and, for example, consider the evolutionary effects of competitors, mutualists, predators, prey, and pathogens. Lectures and assigned readings provide a foundation in evolutionary ecology and a sampling of specific topics (i.e., Life-History Theory, evolutionary medicine, phenotypic plasticity, ecological speciation, and the evolution of sex). 

This course provides an outline of the evolutionary history and morphological diversity of fossil reptiles. This class especiallly focuses on the origin, evolution and extinction of major groups such as turtles, crocodiles, marine reptiles, and dinosaurs. Fossil reptiles also include various extinct groups such as mammal-like reptiles and gigantic marine forms (e.g., ichthyosaurs) as well as flying giants (pterosaurs). Reptiles are also important for understanding origin of living birds and ma mammals. Visual instruments and real specimens would be used during the lectures for the aid of comprehension. Preparation of fossil materials would be organized for students in this lecture. Museum excursion or field trip should be organized as optional events on weekends. 

To learn about the fundamental properties of life, this course addresses concepts in macroscopic (Ecology, Evolution and Ethology) and microscopic (Cells, DNA) aspects of biology. The purpose of this course is to deepen an understanding to the question of “What does it mean for an organism to be alive?” and to use this understanding as a starting point for expanding one’s thinking about their own existence as a living thing.  

The course covers the following topics:
1) What is science, and what is biology?
2) Cells, the basic unit of all organisms
3) The world of DNA and the mechanism of heredity
4) How does DNA research and analysis technology relate to us?
5) Evolution and Diversity of Life.
6) Life around us - Can we live on Earth with other living things?

This course introduces students to taxonomy and systematics, i.e., the science of grouping biodiversity into species, describing the species, and classifying this diversity into higher-level taxa that reflect evolutionary history. The course has two main goals: (1) It introduces the main concepts and goals of taxonomy and systematics. (2) It teaches the qualitative and quantitative techniques that are used to describe/identify species and higher-level taxa based on the analysis of morphological and DNA sequence evidence. The course equips environmental as well as other biologists with an understanding of taxonomic/systematic units and the tools needed for evaluating and quantifying diversity in samples of plant and animal specimens.

This course discusses the biology of animals. The course covers:

• Animal form and function
• Water and Electroylyte balance in animals
• Animal nutrition
• Circulation
• Gas Exchange
• Animal Movement
• Chemical signals in animals
• Electrical signals in animals
• The Vertebrate Nervous System
• Animal Sensory Systems
• Animal Reproduction
• Animal Development
• Immune System in animals

This course provides a strong foundation in the study of protein structure and function. Topics include structures and structural complexity of proteins and methods used to determine their primary, secondary and tertiary structures; biological functions of proteins in terms of their regulatory, structural, protective and transport roles; the catalytic action of enzymes, their mechanism of action and regulation; and various approaches used in studying the structure-function relationships of proteins. The course has a prerequisite of Biochemistry.