2020-10-10
148
Students can choose any six courses from the list below provided a minimum of three courses are at 400 course code level. The list represents a sampling of currently available courses that may change or expand in the future depending on the stakeholders’ needs.
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 301L Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | Molecular Biology of Cell Laboratory teaches students methods of bacterial transformation, extraction of plasmids and transfection of mammalian cell cultures. In the demo versions students will obtain an understanding of the basic microscopic techniques. Its major goal includes proper safe handling and culturing bacterial and mammalian cells which is an essential skill in modern cell biology labs. The experiments are designed to test different features of eukaryotic cells like adhesion and motility and stain live cells to visualize some organelles using the fluorescent microscope. Students will be also using spectrofluorometer equipment for data retrieval with their further handling to create representative graphs and to scientifically analyze the obtained results. Furthermore, students will be taught how to use the ImageJ software which is needed for image analysis of live cells captured by light microscope in different modes of observations. Using ImageJ software students will perform computer-based quantitative analysis of time-lapse recordings of the cultured cells.
Throughout the semester, students learn how to:
1. perform different methods of bacterial cell transformation and mammalian cell transfection methods and apply the most suitable method in the lab;
2. apply different quantitative and qualitative approaches for DNA concentration and purification;
3. prepare cell culture media, grow and subculture mammalian cells;
4. become adept with aseptic techniques employed in bacterial and mammalian cell culture labs;
5. perform different features of cell (adhesion, proliferation, cytotoxicity) and methods for mammalian cell staining and transfection;
6. use ImageJ for cell counting and image processing of stained cells;
7. perform data analysis and their interpretation with a critical discussion in lab reports;
8. maintain laboratory notebooks with all relevant data.
Prerequisite: N/A
Corequisite: BIOL 301 Molecular Cell Biology
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. apply basic and safety techniques in mammalian cell culture lab for further experimental manipulation of cultured cells;
2. comprehend methods used to assess transformation and transfection efficacy;
3. analyze data on qualitative and quantitative assessment of DNA concentration;
4. evaluate adhesion/viability features of cell when treating with drugs;
5. apply ImageJ software to process pictures after transfection and staining experiments;
6. analyze experimental results in laboratory reports with a critical discussion of results.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 331 Human Anatomy and Physiology II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | Human Anatomy and Physiology II is the second part of a two-course sequence. It is a study of the structure and function of the human body including the sense organs and the following systems: endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive (including metabolism & nutrition), urinary (including fluid & electrolyte balance), and reproductive. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis.
The goal is to give students the solid foundation for understanding the anatomical structure and physiological processes of the human organism, especially those who entering biomedical sciences and applied health sciences.
Throughout the semester, students learn how to:
1. identify, describe, and explain the structures and functions of the organs of sensation;
2. identify, describe, and explain the structures and functions of the endocrine system; understand hormonal control of body systems and homeostasis;
3. describe the components and functions of the blood; explain blood typing;
4. identify, describe, and explain the structures and functions of the heart, including its blood supply and protective structure;
5. identify, describe, and explain the structures and functions of the pulmonary and systemic circuits of the cardiovascular system;
6. identify, describe, and explain the structures and functions of the lymphatic and immune systems and their components;
7. identify, describe, and explain the structures and functions of the respiratory systems applying its structural and physiological linkage with the cardiovascular system;
8. identify, describe, and explain the structures and functions of the digestive system correlating it with metabolism;
9. identify, describe, and explain the structures and functions of the urinary systems applying its structural and physiological linkage with the cardiovascular system;
10. description of fluid balance, electrolyte balance, and acid–base balance, and their importance for homeostasis;
11. identify, describe, and explain the structures and functions of the reproductive system (male and female).
Prerequisite: BIOL 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (C or above).
Corequisite: BIOL 331L Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory.
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. apply vocabulary and concepts of anatomy and physiology of the human body;
2. explain the structure of organs and body systems, and their physiological functioning;
3. interpret the effect of various body systems on overall body homeostasis;
4. outline basic health and disease concepts as they relate to human anatomy and physiology;
5. attribute the relevance of research studies on each topic;
6. apply laboratory observations in biomedical research;
7. integrate the knowledge towards problem solving.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 331L Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | The lab for Human Anatomy and Physiology II provides a hands-on learning experience for exploration of the sense organs and human system components and basic physiology. The students will learn tissue and organ structure utilizing anatomical charts, models, cutting-edge software to explore the human body in 3D, and microscopy to investigate histological slides. Topics to be covered include the organs of sense, endocrine, lymphatic and immunology, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.
Prerequisites: BIOL 110 Modern Biology I (C or above).
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. locate and identify anatomical structures;
2. apply the knowledge gained in lab utilizing anatomical charts, models, physiological experiments, and histological slides and the compound light microscope.
3. outlining steps involved in the scientific method;
4. judge steps involved in the scientific method.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 320 Developmental Biology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | This course will introduce students to a foundation of knowledge about how a complex, multicellular organism arises from a single cell. Students will learn the main mechanisms that allow accomplish the development of organisms, terminology utilized by scientists in this discipline and methods that are used to study development. This course will provide students with the knowledge about the developmental genetics and other molecular mechanisms of development while integrating anatomy with physiology and cell and molecular biology. Lectures will highlight key features of development of each organ at various stages which will allow students to understand processes of differentiation, formation of body plans, body axes, morphogenesis and growth that takes place during embryonic development. Students will learn about the factors that may influence the normal development and will be introduced to medical aspects of embryology. Information about embryonic and adult stem cells will also be covered.
Throughout the semester students will:
1. gain an understanding of fundamental mechanisms of development that generate diversity of cells and order within the individual organism;
2. relate the role of transcription factors, differential gene expression, paracrine molecules, major signaling pathways with pattern formation, morphogenesis, growth regulation and anatomical changes that occur during development;
3. elaborate the main stages of development common to most multicellular organisms;
4. interpret and analyze the developmental processes in most common model systems used to study embryonic development including sea urchin, sea squirt, fruit fly, roundworm, zebrafish, African clawed frog, chicken, and mouse;
5. gain in-depth understanding processes of gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, axis formation;
6. acquire in-depth knowledge about molecular mechanisms that drive the development of specific organ systems from the three germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm;
7. understand how disruption in developmental processes can lead to congenital anomalies, elaborate role of genetic factors (mutations, aneuploidies, translocations) and environmental agents (certain chemicals, certain viruses, radiation) as teratogens in congenital anomalies.
Prerequisite: BIOL 230 Anatomy and Physiology I (C or above).
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. discuss the key molecular processes and pathways associated with development;
2. evaluate the similarities and differences between the developmental processes in various organisms;
3. articulate the most important concepts and terminology used in in developmental biology and embryology;
4. critically analyse and discuss primary literature in the field of developmental biology and embryology;
5. discuss molecular mechanisms that drive the development of specific organ systems from the three germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 333 Environmental Biology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | This course covers foundational material on ecosystems, biodiversity, environmental microbiology and toxicology. Topics include terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, bioinvasions, metagenomics and whole genomic sequencing methods in environmental microbiology, and approaches used to identify, evaluate, and manage ecological risks of chemicals on aquatic and terrestrial environments. Emphasis is placed on methods useful to assess effects of contaminants on ecosystems, testing techniques, site assessment and monitoring procedures as well as global distribution of pollutants and its effects on near and remote ecosystems. Other topics include field studies, biomarkers, stable isotope and various spectral and imaging techniques for evaluating of ecosystems and pollutant hazards on wildlife and geographic information systems (GIS), examples of satellite data analysis in relation to ecosystems research.
The course aims at:
1. broadening the knowledge of the students in the field of environmental science with emphasis on environmental microbiology and toxicology, as well as methods to study the environment;
2. strengthening scientific writing and presenting skills;
3. strengthening professional language.
Prerequisite: BIOL 120 Modern Biology II (C or above).
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. outline different concepts of biodiversity and discuss spatial and temporal aspects of biodiversity;
2. apply knowledge of the sciences within an interdisciplinary context in solving environmental issues such as environmental health, food and agriculture, energy, waste and pollution, climate change, population, resource management, and loss of biodiversity;
3. attribute general principles of ecology and evolution to ecological and environmental data, hypotheses, problems and controversies.
4. outline basic principles of environmental toxicology;
5. apply the tools commonly used in field research, particularly in the study of water bodies;
6. carry out an applied research project in the environmental sciences;
7. prepare a scientific report in the form of the poster and present it;
8. communicate science effectively through written work and oral presentations.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 340 Introduction to Bioinformatics with Laboratory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | This course introduces students to concepts of organizing data, extracting, utilizing, manipulating and analyzing information related to DNA, RNA, proteins and other biological macromolecules to generate new insights and knowledge on molecular and/or cellular levels in terms of depths and scale. The laboratory component reinforces the theory by applying or using relevant tools and databases for data analysis, understanding observations and inferring potentially new biological knowledge.
Throughout the semester students will:
1. acquire fundamental knowledge of theoretical concepts in bioinformatics;
2. acquire fundamental knowledge of bioinformatics data and methodologies;
3. acquire fundamental knowledge of research principles in bioinformatics;
4. analyze data with a fair degree of autonomy using bioinformatics tools
5. interpret analysis results with a fair degree of autonomy;
6. improve their ability of computational project planning, execution and its presentation.
Prerequisites: BIOL 120 Modern Biology II (C or above) and (MATH 310
Applied Statistical Methods (C or above) or CSCI 235
Programming Languages (C or above))
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. attribute in theory and practice biological data formats, standards and databases, sequence alignment and matrices, information theory and graph theory applied to solving biological problems, string and pattern matching, triangulation, clustering, selected genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data analyses, accuracy of predictions and probabilities, annotation and text data, and network and pathway analyses;
2. employ enhanced bioinformatics user skills;
3. skillfully interrogate data quality, technologies and methodologies and output
4. evaluate the applicability and limitations of bioinformatic analyses;
5. communicate data-driven insights and information in context of current literature and biological databases.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 341L Biochemistry I Laboratory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | This course is designed to provide students with basic and modern biochemistry and enable students to perform in-depth biochemistry experiments. The course contains the major topics in protein biochemistry including enzymology. Additionally, interaction of biomolecules and application of biochemical techniques in biotechnology will be conducted. At the end of the course, students will be able to understand basic methods in biochemistry which are routinely used in the laboratory. Furthermore, advanced knowledge of biochemical methods will be thought. The course will take place in a biochemical laboratory.
During the semester, students will learn how to:
1. use of biochemical techniques in the laboratory to address cell biological and immunological questions;
2. summarize and interpret data obtained from the experiments;
3. use statistics in data analysis;
4. be critical and find limitations of biochemical methods;
5. develop novel approaches and procedures which can be applied in the laboratory.
Prerequisite: CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I (C or above).
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. recall which biochemical techniques are suitable to address cell biological and immunological questions;
2. interpret data obtained from the experiments;
3. critically evaluate statistical analysis;
4. find limitations of biochemical methods based on scientific literature;
5. create novel concepts to address immunological questions.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 350 Human Parasitology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | Human parasitology is a course which provides a foundation knowledge in the biology of parasites. Focus will be on the molecular mechanisms by which protozoan and metazoan parasites cause infectious diseases. The biology and epidemiology of major parasitic diseases, the parasite-host association, immune mechanisms that help human organism fight parasitic infections and the impact of microorganisms on human tissues at the molecular level will be discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on those parasites of major medical consequence in humans because parasites continue to be one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The course objectives are to gain an appreciation and understanding of the terminology used in parasitology, the nature and evolution of parasitic infections, the recognition of significant morphological characteristics of parasites, the ecology and life cycles of parasites, the biological modifications needed to assume a parasitic lifestyle and the treatment, prevention and control of parasites.
Throughout the semester students learn how to:
1. advance knowledge about the field of microbiology by focusing on parasitic protozoa and parasitic helminths;
2. analyze complicated life cycles of parasites, role of vectors in transmission of parasitic infections, parasites ecology and biogeography;
3. gain appreciation of various strategies by which parasites can evade immune response;
4. understand the mechanisms by which parasitic protozoa and helminths establish infection in a host organism;
5. understand in-depth underlying mechanisms of events that take place in a host-parasite relationship;
6. relate the molecular and structural characteristics of parasitic protozoa and helminths with ability to establish infection, specific pattern of cell damage, signs and symptoms of parasitic diseases;
7. perform analysis of images with light microscopy for parasites identification;
8. expand the understanding about the differences between the major groups of parasites;
9. broaden knowledge and understanding about molecular mechanisms of development of resistance of parasites to antiparasitic therapy and recent developments in antiparasitic therapy;
10. interpret the knowledge about molecular structure of parasitic pathogens, their interaction with the human immune system for development of vaccines;
11. elaborate knowledge about current and emerging technologies used for diagnosis of parasitic infections and parasites identification;
12. advance and broaden knowledge about epidemiology of parasitic disease.
Prerequisite: BIOL 305 Introduction to Microbiology (C or above).
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. differentiate major groups of parasitic protozoa and parasitic helminths;
2. articulate the most important parasitology topics, main concepts and terminology used in parasitology;
3. critically evaluate the differences between and within the major group of parasitic protozoa and parasitic helminths and how the genomics, structure and biochemistry of parasitic agents define their pathogeneicity.
4. critically evaluate the principal steps to follow when using knowledge about parasitic life cycles, their morphology and molecular diagnostic tests in parasitology in order to generate meaningful information about a specific parasite;
5. examine and discuss current research and primary literature relating to human parasitology.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 352 Cancer Biology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | This course will explore the molecular and cellular changes that normal cells undergo during the transition into malignant cells. Students will examine the genetic basis of cancer and learn fundamental concepts that are common to all forms of human cancer. The course will expose students to modern cancer biology and provide them with an in-depth understanding of the molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms underlying cancer initiation, progression, and spread.
Outline of major topics: The course will address how cellular oncogenes and tumor suppressor mutations contribute to cancer development, how these mutations affect cancer hallmarks, and discuss currently available treatment strategies and future trends.
Throughout the semester students learn how to:
1. know the six hallmarks of cancer discussed in the course
2. link each of the six hallmarks of cancer to alterations in different cellular processes;
3. describe the fundamental mechanistic differences between oncogenes and tumor suppressors;
4. understand the step-wise nature of cancer development and how this relates to the basic biology of select types of cancer;
5. discuss the contribution of genomic instability to cancer progression and the underlying causes of genomic instability;
6. link steps in cancer development to clinical diagnosis and staging of cancers;
7. understand the key concepts underlying tumor growth and spread.
Prerequisites: BIOL 301 Molecular Cell Biology (C or above)
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. characterize the molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to cancer;
2. discuss how the six hallmarks of cancer represent alterations in different cellular pathways and how each contributes to cancer development;
3. classify, compare and contrast how oncogenic and tumor suppressor mutations arise and affect cancer initiation and progression;
4. attibute the fundamental mechanisms underlying the development of select types of cancer;
5. critically assess the main principles behind cancer diagnosis and staging;
6. know the basic principles behind rational drug development and therapeutic cancer management;
7. discuss the recent progress, applications and effectiveness of new anti-cancer gene therapies and stem cell therapies;
8. critically assess relevant scientific literature within the field of cancer research.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 363 Structural Bioinformatics with Laboratory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | This course will provide an overview of existing information sources, computational techniques, to validate, simulate, predict and analyze protein structures. More importantly, it will also provide practical knowledge about how and when to use such techniques.
Aims of the course are to:
1. familiarize students with the principals of structural bioinformatics by understanding the fundamentals of macromolecular organization and structure;
2. learn how macromolecules are predicted and modeled;
3. discuss about structure-based drug design, analysis of macromolecules using bioinformatics tools such as sequence and structural alignments;
4. understand structure-functional relationship in macromolecules;
5. learn the basics of experimental techniques used in structural biology such as X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, cryogenic electron microscopy and hydrogen–deuterium exchange;
6. use effectively the information from various databases dealing with protein data.
Prerequisites: BIOL 341 Biochemistry I (C or above), or CHEM 341
Biochemistry I (C or above), or CSCI 235 Programming
Languages (C or above).
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course the student will be expected to:
1. differentiate structural biology and bioinformatics as well as computational biology;
2. explain the fundamentals of macromolecular organization and structure
3. analyze protein-ligand structures using PyMOL software;
4. predict and model macromolecules;
5. apply structure-based drug design, molecular simulation and docking;
6. explore protein data in databases applying the knowledge gained.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 378 Molecular Evolution | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | Darwin’s theory of natural selection is the foundation of a biological evolution. Understanding of this process in molecular level provides not only the in-depth knowledge of this central subject in biology but also explains the mechanisms of evolution.
The course will provide a basic knowledge in understanding of the process of evolution with the emphasis in its molecular mechanisms by addressing five major units.
1. How the tree of life is related to a natural selection and adaptation.
2. How evolution works? This unit will define the concepts of mutation and variation, the genetical theory of natural selection, phenotypic evolution, genetic drift: evolution at random, evolution in space, species and speciation.
3. Genes and genomes will be characterized as the products of evolution that will be further expanded in understanding of the roles of sex, fitness, cooperation and conflict, interactions among species in evolution.
4. The concepts of macroevolution and phylogeny will be defined to reflect the diversity and unity of life. Fifth, this unit will focus on the evolutionary story of Homo sapiens.
Prerequisite: BIOL 370 Genetics (C or above).
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course the student will be expected to be able to:
1. critically assess the theory of evolution on the planet earth;
2. explain the tree of life and its diversity as a result of evolutionary process;
3. understand the genetical theory of natural selection;
4. have an in-depth understanding of the fundamental molecular processes of spontaneous mutations and their accumulations leading to evolution in random according to a pressure of selection;
5. understand the roles of genetic drift and space in formation of new species;
6. know how sexual reproduction has changed the world of evolution by pulling together genetic resources of two organisms;
7. explain the sexual reproduction, cooperation and conflict or interactions among species as the products of evolution;
8. understand an evolution of genes and genomes were genetic traits were wrought in a process of natural selection;
9. know how development was evolving in a process of natural selection;
10. understand the time frame and geography of evolution;
11. explain evolution above the species level as macroevolution;
12. know the evolutionary path of Homo sapiens.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 380 The Biology of Behavior | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | BIOL 380 will introduce students to the biological basis of human behavior and some nervous system disorders. This course will explore and answer questions with regard to human behavior and neurological disorders by looking at the principles governing neuronal activity, the relationship between brain activity and subjective experience, the role of neurotransmitter systems in memory and motivational processes, and the presumed brain dysfunctions that give rise to the brain and mental illnesses like schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Based on the subjects, the course will be taught by splitting into two parts: the Neurobiology of Cognition and Behavior (part A) and the Biological basis of Nervous System Disorders (part B). Each subject will be covered in two or three lectures. There will be a short quiz at the end of part. Improving presentation skills are objectives of the course and students are advised to begin working on a paper and a presentation early. The last few lectures are dedicated to the assessments of students’ presentations. All classes take place in the classroom.
Throughout the semester, students learn how to:
1. describe the mechanisms of behavior using some of the best examples of the neuroethological approach;
2. explain the link between biological single-cell instincts to complex human behavior;
3. explain basic biological mechanisms of learning and memory including brain synaptic plasticity;
4. describe details on pathophysiology of mental disorders, addiction, stress, sleep and memory disorders;
5. explore their own interests in the behavioral neurosciences and give a critical presentation on their selected topic;
6. communicate using professional language in class discussions.
Prerequisite: BIOL 230 Human Anatomy & Physiology I (C or above).
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course the students will be expected to be able to:
1. evaluate functions of neuron, network of neurons, brain and its substructures;
2. deconstruct mechanisms of human behavior in the field of neuroscience;
3. critically evaluate primary literature in behavior research;
4. communicate behavior research using professional language.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 385 Cell Signaling: Principles and Mechanisms | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | The course introduces undergraduate students to the concepts necessary to understand complex pathways used by the cells to perceive and correctly respond to their microenvironment. First, students will learn basic elements of cellular signaling systems including protein-protein interactions, allosteric regulation of enzymes, role of post-translational modifications, protein degradation, proteolysis and subcellular localization of signaling molecules. Principles of transmembrane signaling and the role of G-protein coupled receptors, second messengers, receptors with enzymatic activity and gated ion channels will be covered.
Once students develop conceptual framework, they will examine the main cellular signaling pathways to learn how core components connect together into networks to transmit information
Throughout the semester students will learn:
1. biochemical concepts that are necessary to understand how changes in molecular state of proteins can be used by cells to transfer information;
2. major cell signaling pathways;
3. essential methods for studying signaling proteins and networks;
4. how to evaluate whether the experimental data published in exemplary scientific papers are consistent with conclusions made by the authors.
Prerequisites: BIOL 120 Modern Biology II (C or above) or CHEM
341 Biochemistry I (C or above).
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. articulate how protein-protein interactions change activity and cellular localization of proteins;
2. explain how allosteric regulators and post-translational modifications work as protein conformational switches;
3. predict a specific output of a signal processing system based on molecular state of the individual signaling proteins, and organization of these proteins into a particular type of signal transducing circuits;
4. interrelate changes in conformational state of kinases and small G proteins to changes in their enzymatic activity;
5. interpret results of selected methods used to study cell signaling pathways;
6. elaborate how second messenger’s intracellular concentrations can be increased/decreased by synthetic/degradative enzymes
7. elaborate how cells change protein concentrations by altering their localization or stability;
8. elaborate how information can be transferred across the membrane by receptors (gated ion channels, receptors with seven transmembrane domains, serine/threonine kinase-coupled receptors, tyrosine kinase and phosphatase coupled receptors);
9. discuss how cells collect nonchemical signals (light, pressure) and convert them to chemical signaling currencies (sensory signal processing);
10. predict output of major signaling pathways, based on the input/activity changes of proteins, controlling the pathways MAP kinase, PI3K-PKB/Akt, mTOR signaling, Calcium signaling, cyclic AMP, Wnt, Notch signaling, NF-kB signaling, Type I cell death signaling (apoptosis), nuclear receptor signaling that is activated by steroid hormones, and Hippo.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 418 Molecular Biology of the Gene | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | The topics presented and discussed in this course will expand the basic knowledge of “Molecular Biology” gained in the core courses. Students will acquire an advanced level of knowledge on the activity of genes and the mechanisms governing genome organization and regulation at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level in the context of normal cellular homeostasis and human disease. The emphasis of the course will be on eukaryotic gene expression. The course will explore and extend the fundamental concepts of DNA organization, transcription to RNA and translation into proteins. Emphasis will also be on the roles of noncoding RNAs, RNA interference, and CRISPR in the regulation of gene expression. This will be accompanied by an introduction to key molecular biology techniques used to analyse gene expression. Students will be able to apply their theoretical knowledge to the solving of experimental case studies to build their experimental design and data analysis skills.
By the end of the course, students will have:
1. a deep and comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying eukaryotic gene expression and effectively relate the knowledge to normal developmental and disease processes.
2. a competent grasp of the key concepts in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression ranging from the control of eukaryotic genome organization, replication and transcription to the regulation of RNA processing and translation and its relevance to cellular homeostasis and human disease.
3. competently use analytical means and insight into contemporary molecular methods to investigate and interpret experimental data from gene regulation studies by solving practical case studies.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: BIOL 301 Molecular Cell Biology (C or above).
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. evaluate the molecular mechanisms governing eukaryotic DNA replication;
2. describe examples of enzymatic mechanisms that the cell uses to sense, repair or tolerate DNA damage;
3. discuss how DNA replication and damage repair are coordinated with the regulation of the cell cycle machinery and how deregulation of this linkage can lead to disease:
4. outline the basic principles behind transposition and its effect on genome evolution;
5. classify, compare, and contrast different levels of transcription and translation regulation and their underlying molecular mechanisms;
6. critically discuss how cellular homeostasis can be maintained by a combination of controls of gene expression at multiple levels and how deregulation of these controls can lead to disease;
7. compare and contrast the fundamental mechanisms underlying RNA interference and CRISPR in the regulation of translation;
8. exemplify the range of techniques used in molecular biology research;
9. assess advanced contemporary knowledge in molecular biology through multiple choice question, short essay question format and solving experimental case studies.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 425 Biomedical Research Methods | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | The main purpose is to provide not only the fundamental knowledge how common methods work but also acquire the understanding of key practical steps required for completion of biomedical methods. The course aims are to acquire the practical knowledge in the following biomedical research areas:
1. mammalian tissue culture;
2. gene expression in mammalian cells;
3. cell lysis including sub-cellular fractionation
4. loss of function studies by RNA interference (RNAi) and targeted genome editing by CRISPR/Cas9;
5. analysis of gene expression by detection of RNAs and proteins including detection of protein post-translational modifications;
6. protein and lipid chromatography;
7. isolation and purification of native and recombinant protein complexes including characterization of large complexes by gradient fractionation;
8. the functional studies in animal models;
9. development of research tools including protein expression in bacteria and antibody production.
Prerequisites: BIOL 301 Molecular Cell Biology and BIOL 341
Biochemistry
Course size and learning time.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course LOs | By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. perform the mammalian tissue culture work and how to maintain the human and mouse cell culture lines;
2. judge functional studies carried out by the gene expression, or turning off gene expression by RNAi and modifying the genome by the CRISPR/Cas9 application;
3. explain how to perform isolation of sub-cellular fractions including organelles (nuclei, mitochondria, plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, peroxisomes);
4. evaluate how to perform the biochemical characterization of proteins and lipids by chromatography, isolation of native and recombinant protein complexes, applications of sucrose gradient fractionation to study large biological complexes (ribosomes and stress granules).
5. produce own research tools by expression and purification of proteins in E. coli and developing the antibodies.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Code and Title | BIOL 430 Histology with Laboratory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Description | Histology is an advanced course that will provide students with the comprehensive knowledge about microscopic anatomy of various types of tissues while integrating anatomy with physiology, cell and molecular biology, and biochemistry. Students will learn terminology utilized by scientists in this discipline and get introduced to main concepts of histology methods that are used to study tissues. Lectures will highlight and summarize key features of each tissue and organ, and organ system's basic microscopic anatomy which will allow students to understand the relationship between the cellular organization of tissues and their specific functions. Laboratory sessions will further advance and elaborate in-depth knowledge about structure of various tissues. Successful completion of this course will prepare students for advanced studies in research and healthcare field and will provide a foundation for pathology. Throughout the semester students learn how to: 1. relate the molecular and structural characteristics of tissues with their specific function; 2. interpret in-depth microscopic tissue images, analyze, identify and describe a specific type of tissue and cell; 3. appreciate ultrastructure of various differentiated cells as the key to understanding their functional significance; 4. expand the knowledge and understanding about the microscopic structure of tissues that make bone, cartilage, blood, nerve, integumentary, endocrine, reproductive, digestive, respiratory, urinary, skeletal, lymphatic, cardiovascular systems; 5. elaborate knowledge about current and emerging technologies used for studying tissues. Prerequisite: BIOL 230 Anat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Сейчас читают про:
7225
7048