Biological Sciences

The six-week summer lab research program at National Taiwan University places students in various science, engineering and social science research labs and/or projects under the supervision of faculty. Students spend approximately 30 hours per week in lab activities.

This course examines the natural history of Australia from the Cretaceous to the present and the influence of Australia's First Peoples and Europeans on Australia’s environments. It explores the major biomes and climatic zones that have existed across the continent in the past, and the influence of climate change on their present and future distributions. It covers the incredible diversity of Australian flora and fauna both on land and in aquatic environments, and considers the biological challenges, adaptations and evolutionary journeys that have led to our current species diversity. This will include Australia's familiar and our more elusive inhabitants - from eucalypts and kangaroos to velvet worms and orchids.  

This course provides an advanced approach to theoretical and practical genomics with a focus on mammals. The course introduces methods and technologies currently used to dissect, describe, and characterize complex genomes. Aspects of both research and application within the field of genomics is addressed. Topics include animal models and comparative genomics; organization and content of the mammalian genome; human genetic variation; genetic mapping of mendelian characters; mapping genes conferring susceptibility to complex diseases; gene expression and epigenetics; sequencing genomes: techniques, challenges, and bioinformatic analysis; molecular pathology, cancer, and pharmacogenetics; genetic testing of individuals; genetic manipulation of cells and animals, gene therapy, and stem cells; and biomarkers.

This course examines how animal behavior is shaped by evolution. Students consider a wide variety of the problems that animals have to face, including how to find sufficient food, how to avoid predation and how to choose a mate. Using examples from across the animal kingdom, students attempt to explain many of the key puzzles of life. For example, how do parents decide how much food to give to each offspring, and how much to save for themselves? Why might animals forego reproduction and instead help to raise the offspring of others? How do animals communicate, and what determines the form of the signals they use? Evolutionary theory allows us to make and test predictions about these and other questions. By comparing the behavior of different species, and using controlled field and laboratory experiments, students are able to find solutions to many problems raised by the study of animal behavior.

This course offers a study of marine and terrestrial biodiversity in the Mediterranean. In this practical course, students develop and complete a research project based on field sampling techniques. It covers the process of creating a scientific project and explores techniques of sampling in marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

The module includes a literature review but can also consist of a short empirical-oriented project. This course is part of PSYCHOLOGY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE (30 ECTS).