Biological Sciences

This course provides a background on the essentials of planet Earth's natural dynamics, and which processes are currently altered through human activity, by explaining how geological processes have shaped the Earth into its present state, and how current human activities are interfering with natural processes in Earth's ecosystems. Why the Earth's surface looks the way it does can largely be understood from Earth's internal structure dynamics. Aspects of the Geosphere that are discussed in class include the formation of planet Earth, the rock cycle, geological time, the inner Earth, plate tectonics, deformation, mountain building, and sedimentation and sedimentary basins. Emphasis is placed on the role of geological observations as evidence of processes that contributed to shaping the surface of the Earth. In addition, the course discusses the diversity of Earth's ecosystem and the importance of conserving biodiversity. The scientific aspects of global climate change are addressed, along with the way climate change is discussed and presented in the popular media.

This course presents the essentials of Biochemistry. It covers the structures, functions, and interactions of biomacromolecules, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, DNA, and RNA, which perform many of the activities associated with life. The course provides insight in the specificity and action of enzymes, the bio catalysts of the cell. Further, it explains metabolic pathways that result in the generation of ATP, the major energy currency of the cell. Finally recent biochemical understandings on genome editing are presented that revolutionize treatment of diseases at the level of correcting mutated genes (gene therapy). Prerequisites for this course are an introduction to biology or chemistry.

This course provides the foundation of modern food microbiology by using relevant examples from the food industry. The course covers the following themes: growth and survival of microorganisms in foods, preservation, food spoilage, food pathogens, fermented foods, genetically modified organisms, and rapid detection methods.

This course studies temperate and tropical marine systems and their associated organisms. The marine habitats include coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds. The first marine biology field program takes place on North Stradbroke Island at the Moreton Bay Research Station and includes the exploration of the major marine environments that occur on the island. The second major field program is conducted at Heron Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. Class-based activities are undertaken at the research station that introduce the geomorphology, terrestrial ecology, management, marine biology and ecology of coral reefs. Following this, students conduct group research projects and present results. Research reports are prepared to international journal manuscript standards.

This course builds upon compulsory level 4 courses with a review of the muscle cell and an understanding of the biochemical processes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and aminoacids to provide the energy for muscle contraction. It also provides an understanding of how metabolism changes and is regulated in different types of exercise, and the role of nutrition in modulating these changes. 

This research internship program offers selected students the opportunity to participate in research projects or work as an intern in research centers or organizations at Yonsei University. Students are expected to participate in research projects for approximately 20 hours per week throughout the program. Projects will vary depending on placement. Graded Pass/No pass only.

This course covers the regulation of translation, post-translational products, and transport between the nucleus and cytoplasm of these products, including all enzymes and cofactors involved in each process. Concepts are taught through the elaboration and discussion of research done in the field and papers are presented by both professors and students. All concepts are also evaluated in their role in cancer and other various pathologies.