Biological Sciences

The course examines the diversity of major groups of living organisms, and the importance of maintaining diversity in natural ecosystems. Emphasis is on the need for conservation of biodiversity to maintain a balance of nature. The course highlights the biodiversity in the major habitats and vegetation types in and around Singapore. The course requires students to take the prerequisite of General Biology.

Food fermentation is one of the earliest technologies developed by humans. This course covers the origin, history, types, manufacturing methods, and efficacy of various fermented foods. It provides understanding of the technological, microbiological, and biochemical processes that occur during food fermentation.

This course brings together traditional genetic analysis and modern molecular biology to study genetics of all life forms from humans and other complex multicellular organisms through to single celled organisms such as bacteria. Students are introduced to complex modes of Mendelian inheritance, including those involved in human diseases. The molecular basis for different patterns of inheritance will be discussed. The interaction of genes and gene products are illustrated by the examination of the molecular genetics of development. The application of genomics to the study of genetic variation, molecular evolution and gene function in humans and model organisms is also described. In the practical sessions students investigate the genetics of a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms in order to illustrate concepts covered in the lecture material. Students develop familiarity and competence with equipment used in molecular genetic analysis, bioinformatics, microscopy, and statistical tests.

During this course, students get acquainted with the latest developments in diagnostic molecular pathology, both in theory and practice, and gain insight in the molecular biological concepts of diseases. Specific themes are used to describe the entire process, from obtaining tissues until diagnosis. Histological and immunohistochemical techniques are discussed, but the focus is on next generation molecular pathological approaches and techniques, sequence analysis, proteomics, laser microdissection, and  tissue-arrays. Student execution of these techniques and written scientific reports  are important aspects of this course. The course begins with a general introduction in the molecular pathology and accompanying genetic aspects, followed by specific themes on: cardiovascular and transplantation pathology; laboratory animal models in molecular pathology; genetic; and epigenetic aspects of tumor genesis.

This course illustrates the exciting array of developmental adaptations displayed by plants, how plants interact with beneficial and pathogenic organisms, and the importance of plants to life on earth. Teaching progresses through cellular, whole plant, and ecosystem scales. The course starts at the genetic level by explaining the molecular signalling processes through which plants acquire their basic needs of light, CO2, water, and nutrients, highlighting threats to these resources from global change. This section concludes with discussion of the root rhizosphere, thereby introducing the beneficial interactions between plants and microorganisms. The second section explores harmful interactions between plants and microorganisms. Students are introduced to the different types of crop disease and associated pathogen biology. The molecular mechanisms through which plants detect and resist pathogens are explored, before cultural, chemical, and GM approaches to disease mitigation. The final section of the course considers the importance of plants within ecosystems. This starts with plant interactions with animals, exploring plant-herbivore interactions, plant-pollinator interactions, and seed dispersal strategies. Students explore the impacts of crop production on biodiversity and the importance of and challenges faced by specific ecosystems such as forests. The course concludes with topical examples of how plant science research is addressing global challenges and future research directions.

This course examines the structure and function of domestic animals with an emphasis on the systems relevant to animal scientists. It covers the anatomy and physiology of domestic animals cell and basic tissue structure and an overview of homeostatic control systems.