Biological Sciences

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.

The course covers basic knowledge about immunology, and how different barriers interact to protect the host from infection or the development of cancer. Central and peripheral tolerance is discussed and placed concerning susceptibility to infection and hypersensitivity reactions. The principles of immunization are discussed and related to the vaccination debate in society and the role of the mass media in influencing public opinion.

This course examines a range of key contemporary problems at the interfaces between biology and the environment, health, and society. It helps students consolidate and develop skills including data analysis and presentation, making ethical judgements, and interpretation of data and statistics. It covers issues such as Measurement of Self, One Health, Forensics and Excess Mortality. 

This course provides an overview of the field of microbiology, with a focus on terrestrial diversity. The course mainly covers prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiology, with a focus on their metabolism, environmental methods, and diagnostics.

The last few years have seen a remarkable increase in our understanding of the basic biological mechanisms underlying human neurodegenerative diseases. Identification of mutations in a variety of genes found to encode proteins present in neuro-pathological inclusions, has suggested that a common feature of all these diseases might be the intracellular accumulation of fibrous protein aggregates within neurons, resulting in neuronal cell death. This course will discuss this hypothesis in the light of contemporary research and provide a foundation for our current understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. It will focus on the genetics, cellular and molecular biology of Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, Motor Neuron Disease and Prion diseases, with the main emphasis on the mechanisms leading to cell death.