Biological Sciences

The course focuses on pathology and general causes of disease. Topics covered include genetic diseases and disorders, cell and tissue injury, the body's reaction to injury, physiology of the immune system and immunology, oncology, cardiovascular pathology, acute inflammation, environmental pathology, neoplasia, antigen capture and presentation, and antigen-antibody reactions. The course has both a lecture and laboratory component. The lab deals with histopathology analysis of virtual slides, hydropic and fatty change, coagulative and colliquative necrosis, acute inflammation, tissue repair and scar formation, chronic inflammation (TBC and foreign body granuloma), hypertension, atherosclerosis, and neoplasms (benign and malignant neoplasm). Assessment in the course is based on an oral examination of course materials and readings.

This course focuses on the use of microorganisms in biotechnological processes. This includes prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms as factories of industrial enzymes, bioenergy, and pharmaceuticals, as well as the use of microorganisms to improve food and to remove contaminants from water and soil. It introduces the methods used to improve microbial strains, products, and processes in biotechnology. The course gives students insight into and understanding of areas of biotechnology research and provides background information on the molecular biological methods. In addition, students develop and pitch their own idea relevant to microbial biotechnology.

This course broadens students' knowledge of physiology. Students make comparisons between the physiology of man and other vertebrates and compare the physiological strategies used by man and animals, evaluating their effectiveness in producing the specific functions or responses to challenges studied. Students explore experimental approaches used in studying physiology and learn how to describe the physiological mechanisms exploited by animals to achieve the specific functions or responses to challenges that are studied. 

This course covers advanced topics in plant molecular genetics. Emphasis is given to how modern molecular genetics tools have been applied to study various plant biology topics. Topics include forward and reverse genetics, functional genomics, epigenetics, and plant pathogen interaction. Lectures are combined with literature reading, student presentations and discussion. Towards the end of the semester, each student is also required to write a research proposal/review. Assessment: homework, paper presentation, research proposal/review article, and discussion participation.