Biological Sciences

This course aims to deepen and broaden the knowledge of high school biology courses, and is mainly to prepare for future courses in various professional fields of biology. 

Starting from the basic knowledge of nutrition and food, this course explores the application of nutrition in each life stage, as well as the principles of nutritional adjustment during disease; the content of therapeutic diet; and the supply of hospital food, thereby establishing the concept of disease prevention and health care. 

The course covers: 

1) An explanation of the importance of calories and precise nutrition in human health through a discussion of the three major nutrients: carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins; 

2) An exploration of the relationship between nutrition and other sciences such as biochemistry, physiology, food science, and clinical medicine; 

3) An exploration of the physiological characteristics, related diseases and nutritional needs of different life stages, providing dietary guidelines for all ages; 

4) An exploration of the nutritional needs and dietary formulas of common diseases; and, 

5) An introduction to the content and practice of hospital nutrition work. 

This course provides an overview of cellular components, including their structure, function, and mechanism. Based on the knowledge of cell biology, the course looks at technologies used for cell culture, stem cell research, cancer research, and tissue engineering. The course also deals with the medical and industrial applications of cells. It provides a study of mammalian physiology and the engineering aspects of different physiological systems, focusing on a number of organ systems that may include cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal. Engineering principles that include biomechanical, bioelectrical, and biofluids are applied to physiological systems.
 

This course examines genetics in the widest sense from the molecular and cellular to the applied and evolutionary. Both prokaryote and eukaryote genetics are discussed with respect to DNA replication, hereditary, gene expression and control, and the role of mutations at both the DNA and chromosomal levels. The course provides a pathway from basic research in molecular genetics to clinical applications in health and disease.

This course examines the ecology and conservation of shallow aquatic habitats, with a major emphasis on the ecology of marine coastal systems such as kelp forests, coral reefs or seagrass meadows but also including freshwater ecosystems. There is a very strong emphasis on experimental ecological analysis of benthic communities.

This course examines animal diversity & evolution, from primitive metazoans to vertebrates. It describes the fantastic diversity of animal and life histories in an evolutionary and phylogenetic context. Students will become familiar with body form & function, & life history characteristics of the major groups of animals.

This version of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience includes an Independent Study Project (ISP) done under the direction of the instructor. The minimum reading is between 20 and 25 articles from established academic periodicals/magazines. The ISP is 10-12 pages and counts for 1/3 of the overall grade for the course. In this course, students learn to use neuroscience methods to study the cognitive development of infants, children, and adolescents. The course begins with the various methods used in developmental cognitive neuroscience, such as pediatric and infant MRI, EEG, and fNIRS. In this context, students uncover and discuss the benefits and challenges of each approach and the feasibility of studying different age ranges. The course then examines typical brain development as assessed with in vivo MRI (including trajectories of white & gray matter over the life span). Next, are more specific aspects of cognitive development such as the development of visual processes where students learn how learning to read affects the brain and how regions involved in face processing develop throughout childhood to support important social functions such as face recognition. Topics are approached using a mix of formats including active participation, working in subgroups, presentations, short lectures, and videos.

Immunology is a subject that has developed extremely rapidly in recent years. It covers a wide range of fields and is involved in many disciplines: biology, chemistry, medicine, genetics, genetic science, cytology, and molecular biology. This course covers the following topics:

1) The basic principles and phenomena of the immune system.

2) The structure, interaction and functions of antigens and antibodies.

3) Analytical methods, cellular basis, and molecular basis. 

4) Histocompatibility, cellular immunity, T cell regulation, and

5) Intestinal immunity, immune tolerance, immunogenetics, allergy, and immunodeficiency. 

Through lectures, reports and videos, this course hopes to fully introduce the perfect "body defense system" of the human body.