Course Offerings
COURSES THAT DO NOT COUNT TOWARD THE MAJOR OR MINOR
Evolution of the Earth
BIOL-UA 2 Does not count toward the major or minor in biology. May not be taken after BIOL-UA 11, 12. Lecture. Rampino. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
This course covers the cosmic, geological, and biological history of earth. The subject matter includes the astronomical context of planet earth; the origin of earth and other similar planets; what makes a planet habitable; the major highlights in earth’s development; and the origin and evolution of life and intelligence. The course combines lectures, videos, and visits to the American Museum of Natural History.
Human Physiology
BIOL-UA 4 Does not count toward the major or minor in biology. May not be taken after BIOL-UA 11, 12. Lecture. Lee. Offered in the summer. 4 points.
Investigation into how the human body functions. Overview of cellular structure and function is followed by an in-depth study of the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, and other organ systems.
Human Biology
BIOL-UA 6 Does not count toward the major or minor in biology. May not be taken after BIOL-UA 11, 12. Lecture. Velhagen. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
In this age of information, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the barrage of reports about familiar and exotic diseases, promising advertisements for dubious treatments, and contradictory opinions on the ethics and efficacy of new health technologies. To help students critically evaluate this material, this course examines how the human body and select diseases operate and how our efforts to control or cure our bodies work (or fail). The course also examines how treatments are tested, how news about health is reported, and how human activities influence the incidence and spread of diseases.
Practical Human Physiology
BIOL-UA 7
Does not count toward the major or minor in biology.
Lecture and laboratory. Offered every summer. Tan. 4 points.
The course is geared toward beginning health professional students. It
focuses on how the human body works. Anatomy is also discussed, since the
various physiological mechanisms are possible only because of its close
interrelationship. Students are introduced to both clinical and research
methodologies and are able to apply this knowledge in a laboratory setting.
The Living Environment
BIOL-UA 8 Does not count toward the major or minor in biology. Counts toward the minor in earth and environmental science. May not be taken after BIOL-UA 11, 12. Lecture. Brenner. Offered in the summer. 4 points.
An issues-oriented course in biology emphasizing the current understanding of fundamental contemporary matters in life and environmental sciences. Covers topics such as evolution, biodiversity, genetic engineering, the human genome, bioterrorism, climate, pollution, and diseases. Examines the interrelationship within living systems and their environments.
MAJOR/MINOR COURSES
CORE COURSES IN BIOLOGY
Principles of Biology I, II
BIOL-UA 11, 12 Prerequisite for BIOL-UA 11: high school chemistry. Prerequisite for BIOL-UA 12: BIOL-UA 11 or equivalent. Strongly recommended, at least concurrently: CHEM-UA 101, 102 and CHEM-UA 103, 104. Lecture and laboratory. Offered in the fall (I), spring (II), and summer (I and II). 4 points per term.
Introductory course mainly for science majors, designed to acquaint the student with the fundamental principles and processes of biological systems. Subjects include the basics of chemistry pertinent to biology, biochemistry and cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, anatomy and physiology, neurobiology, ecology, population genetics, and history and classification of life forms and evolution. Laboratory exercises illustrate the basics of experimental biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics, as well as the diversity of life forms and organ systems.
Principles of Biology I, II in London
BIOL-UA 9011, 9012 Identical to BIOL-UA 11, 12, with the same prerequisites and requirements.
Honors Principles of Biology I, II
BIOL-UA 13, 14 Prerequisite for BIOL-UA 13 and BIOL-UA 14: high school chemistry. Prerequisites for BIOL-UA 14: BIOL-UA 13, BIOL-UA 11, or equivalent, and permission of the instructor. Strongly recommended, at least concurrently: CHEM-UA 101, 102 and CHEM-UA 103, 104. Entry is determined by the student’s performance on the Advanced Placement Examination, as well as a placement exam administered by the Department of Biology. Lecture and laboratory. Borowsky, Fitch, and staff. Offered in the fall and spring. 4 points per term.
Introductory course mainly for science majors, designed to acquaint the student with the fundamental principles and processes of biological systems. Subjects include the basics of chemistry pertinent to biology, biochemistry and cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, anatomy and physiology, neurobiology, ecology, population genetics, and history and classification of life forms and evolution. Laboratory exercises illustrate the basics of experimental biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry, as well as the diversity of life forms and organ systems. Students are introduced to modern techniques and research literature.
Molecular and Cell Biology I, II
BIOL-UA 21, 22 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 11, 13, or 9011 and BIOL-UA 12, 14, or 9012; CHEM-UA 101, 102; and CHEM-UA 103, 104. Prerequisite for BIOL-UA 22: BIOL-UA 21. Lecture and recitation. Siegal/Desplan and staff. Offered in the fall and spring. 4 points per term.
In-depth study of cell biology, with an emphasis on the molecular aspects of cell function. Topics include protein structure and synthesis, gene expression and its regulation, cell replication, and specialized cell structure and function. The course provides an introduction to genomics and bioinformatics and examines developmental biology, evolution, and systems biology.
UPPER-LEVEL COURSES IN BIOLOGY
Field Laboratory in Ecology
BIOL-UA 16 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 11, 13, or 9011 and BIOL-UA 12, 14, or 9012. Lecture. Maenza-Gmelch. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Provides field experience related to ecology. Study sites include pine barrens, salt marsh, swamp, maritime forest, coastal beach and dune, urban wildlife refuge, and bog. Exercises in carbon storage, effects of biological invasions on native communities, restoration ecology, and wetland processes, combined with careful attention to the identification of the floral and faunal components of each ecosystem, provide the students with strong practical experience that is coordinated with the syllabus for Introduction to Ecology. Selected current readings from Science and Nature, as well as relevant methodology papers from the scientific literature, are used. Practical skills gained in this course are familiarity with local flora and fauna, use of topographic maps and the global positioning system, methods for sampling natural communities, water sampling, familiarity with the format of a scientific paper, and enhanced understanding of complex ecosystems.
Urban Ecology
BIOL-UA 18 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 63 and BIOL-UA 42 (or the equivalent). Killilea. Offered in the summer. 4 points.
Urban ecology focuses on the interactions between plants, animals, and the environment in an urban setting. NYU is the perfect place to get outside to observe and analyze these interactions directly. Our laboratory includes the streets, parks, and neighborhoods surrounding NYU, where students can ask questions and explore issues of how we define urban ecosystems, how biodiversity and socioeconomics interact, and biogeochemical and hydrologic cycles in an urban ecosystem. This course is intended for highly motivated students who plan to obtain advanced degrees in the area of environmental science.
Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL-UA 23 Prerequisite: BIOL-UA 21. Lecture and laboratory. Velhagen. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Study of the evolutionary development of backboned animals, with emphasis on the mammals. Treats the major organ systems of vertebrate groups, with stress on structural-functional interpretations. Laboratory work includes detailed dissection of representative vertebrates. Field trips to the American Museum of Natural History help illustrate some of the topics.
Principles of Animal Physiology
BIOL-UA 25 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, 22. Lecture and laboratory. Velhagen. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
A comparative course that encompasses vertebrate and invertebrate physiology. Extensive discussion of the anatomy and physiology of the human cardiovascular system, the human lung, the human kidney, and the human brain. There is a focus on the physiological integration of organ systems, underlying cellular/molecular mechanisms, and adaptation. Ventilation, organism scale and environment, blood, the cardiovascular system, acid-base regulation, osmoregulation, feeding, digestion and absorption, the nervous system and behavior, muscle, endocrine function, and reproduction are studied. Special topics include human physiology in extreme environments (high-altitude and diving), a detailed analysis of mammalian vision, animal sleep and hibernation, and the comparative physiology of animals that live at deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The laboratory includes traditional physiology experiments, as well as an introduction to bioinformatics.
Developmental Biology
BIOL-UA 26 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21. Christiaen/Birnbaum. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
Introduction to the principles and experimental strategies of developmental biology. Covers the cellular and molecular basis for pattern in the embryo; the determination of cell fate; cell differentiation; the genes controlling these events; how they are identified and studied; and the cellular proteins that affect shape, movement, and signaling between cells. Special emphasis on the experimental basis for our knowledge of these subjects from studies in fruit flies, nematodes, frogs, plants, and mice.
At the Bench: Experimental Physiology
BIOL-UA 27 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 25. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
This advanced-level course covers three themes in experimental physiology: molecular and cellular systems; nervous and endocrine control of systems; and organ and body systems. The basic structure and function for each system is examined in an experimental setting to show how a particular system contributes to maintaining homeostasis. Through student-designed experiments, the course introduces the technical foundations of experimental design, critical data analysis, and modeling. Professional skills are honed via readings in the current literature, preparing and presenting research talks, and writing formal papers.
Genetics
BIOL-UA 30 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 11, 13, or 9011 and BIOL-UA 12, 14, or 9012 and corequisite BIOL-UA 21. Lecture and recitation. Rushlow. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
An introductory course in genetics covering classical genetics, chromosome structure and mutation, gene function and regulation, and aspects of molecular and developmental genetics. Recent studies in human genetics and their applications are also discussed.
At the Bench: Laboratory in Genetics
BIOL-UA 31 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 30 and permission of the instructor. Laboratory. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Covers genetic principles by means of a project-based laboratory. Students characterize mutants genetically and phenotypically. Analyses of dominance, linkage, recombination, dosage effects, and complementation are performed in the first part of the course. The second part of the course addresses genetic approaches made possible by the availability of complete genome sequences (genomics). Special note: Although the class is held at the listed hours (as described in the course registration bulletin), and attendance at the start of each class session is mandatory, the biological nature of the work may require some laboratory time outside the scheduled laboratory session.
Gene Structure and Expression
BIOL-UA 32 Prerequisite: BIOL-UA 21, 22. Broyde. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Intermediate course in the molecular basis of gene action in viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes. Covers topics drawn from the following areas or other current work: structure and organization of the genetic material, replication, repair, transcription, translation, recombination, oncogenesis, and regulation of gene expression.
At the Bench: Principles of Light and Electron Microscopy
BIOL-UA 33 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, 22 and permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited. Lecture and laboratory. Tan. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
Designed to provide background and practical experience in scanning electron, transmission electron, fluorescent, and phase/DIC microscopy. The principles and theory of the various types of microscopes currently available are discussed. A histological overview of various tissues is studied in regard to their cellular structure and function. Optical and computational methods of image processing useful to the biomedical scientist are also explored.
At the Bench: Applied Molecular Biology DNA Techniques
BIOL-UA 36 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 22. Enrollment limited. Lecture and laboratory. Tan. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
Cloning a gene. A practical course designed to provide the interested student with experience in basic molecular biology techniques, including gene amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA isolation and modification, bacterial transformation, preparation of plasmid DNA, and restriction enzyme analyses.
At the Bench: Applied Cell Biology
BIOL-UA 37 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, 22. Laboratory. Tan. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Introduction to the methodology used to study cell structure and function. In the laboratory, students study the fundamentals of cell biology and the experimental approaches used to examine the cell. Experimental topics cover cellular, subcellular, and macromolecule localization; biochemical analysis of the cell; and cell culture techniques.
Introduction to Genomics and Bioinformatics
BIOL-UA 38 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, 22. Gunsalus. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Modern biological science has entered a new era in the 21st century. Fueled largely by the Human Genome Project, unprecedented advances in technology have sparked new fields of study in genomics and bioinformatics that are impacting society on all levels. The ability to collect vast amounts of genome-scale sequence and functional data (genomics) and to analyze them computationally (bioinformatics) is allowing scientists to apply new approaches to unanswered questions and to tackle new questions that could not be addressed without it. Familiarity with these fields is thus vital for the next generation of scientist and thinkers with an interest in areas such as public policy, medicine, health, and the environment. This broad survey course introduces students to the basic concepts and topics in modern genomics science through lectures and hands-on exercise.
Biostatistics
BIOL-UA 42 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 11, 13, or 9011 and BIOL-UA 12, 14, or 9012. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
The ability to organize and analyze biological data is an essential research tool. This course provides an introduction to the use of statistical methods for analyzing biological data. It introduces methods for describing and displaying data, the role and use of probability in describing and understanding living systems, hypotheses testing, and how to design experiments. Biological data and R—a free, open-source statistical software package—is used to gain proficiency with these tools.
Microbiology and Microbial Genomics
BIOL-UA 44 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, 22. Eichenberger. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
Intended for majors and minors in biology as a comprehensive description of microbes, the most abundant and diverse organisms on the planet. Organized into four modules: the microbial cell, microbial genomics, microbial development and adaptation, and microbial interactions with the host and the environment. Through lectures and critical analysis of primary literature, students are led to realize how the advent of genomics has revolutionized microbiology, a scientific discipline that is more than a century old.
Quantitative Methods in Human Genetics
BIOL-UA 45 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 11, BIOL-UA 13, or BIOL-UA 9011; BIOL-UA 12, BIOL-UA 14, or
BIOL-UA 9012; and BIOL-UA 21 and BIOL-UA 22. Gresham. Offered every spring. 4 points.
Deciphering the
information encoded in the human genome is one of the great challenges of the
21st century. This course provides an introduction to the human genome and the
statistical methods that are required for its study. Fundamental concepts in
human genetics are introduced, including inheritance of mendelian disease,
population genetics, multifactorial disease, and functional genomics.
Accompanying each topic is an introduction to the statistical concepts and
tools that are required to study inheritance, genes, and gene function,
including probability and conditional probability, hypothesis testing, ANOVA,
regression, correlation, likelihood, and principal component analysis. Hands-on
experience is provided through weekly exercises using the statistical
programming language R.
Endocrinology
BIOL-UA 48 Prerequisite: BIOL-UA 25. Scott. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Introduction to endocrinology, with attention to the signals generating hormone synthesis and release, the means by which hormones mediate tissue responses, and the mechanisms and consequences of their interaction with target organs. Emphasizes the physiologic aspects of these processes.
At the
Bench: An Introduction to Epidemiology
BIOL-UA 49 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 11,
BIOL-UA 13, or BIOL-UA 9011; BIOL-UA 12, BIOL-UA 14, or BIOL-UA 9012; BIOL-UA 21 and BIOL-UA 22;
and BIOL-UA 42. Offered every year. 4 points.
Epidemiology can be defined as
the study of the frequency, distribution, and determinants of health related
states or events. This course provides
an introduction to this advanced discipline through discussions of important
concepts, and hands-on experience analyzing health-related data sets.
Data analysis utilizes both R, a statistical software package, and ArcGIS, a
geographic information system software. Proficiency with these programs is
achieved during lab exercises. The course also focuses on developing skills in
research methods, scientific writing, and presentation of results. Students are
expected to complete three case studies during the semester. Each case study
includes a paper and a presentation, which help students develop communication
skills.
Immunology
BIOL-UA 50 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, 22. Reiss. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
Introduction to immunology, with attention to the genetics, molecular, and cell biology of antibody production; T-cell mediated immune responses; and innate immunity. Topics include the nature of antigens, hypersensitivities, transplantation, cytokines, autoimmunity, cancer, response to infection, and vaccines.
Evolution
BIOL-UA 58 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 30. Fitch. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Introductory course covering a broad range of topics in modern evolutionary thought and practice, including ecological context of evolutionary change, interpretation of the fossil record, patterns of extinctions, speciations and biogeographic distributions, genetic variation and population structure, natural selection and adaptations, reconstruction of evolutionary history and phylogeny, molecular evolution, evolutionary novelties and the evolution of developmental systems, and human evolution and social issues.
Introduction to Ecology
BIOL-UA 63 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 11, 13, or 9011 and BIOL-UA 12, 14, or 9012. Maenza-Gmelch. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
Presents basic ecological principles and concepts, including ecological relationships within ecosystems, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, limiting factors, community ecology, population ecology, niche, climax, and major ecological habitats. These topics are related to current environmental problems such as habitat destruction, climate change, biological invasions, loss of biodiversity, and overpopulation. Several field trips are scheduled during the regular class periods.
Ecological Analysis with Geographic Information Systems
BIOL-UA 64 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 11, 13, or 9011 and BIOL-UA 12, 14, or 9012. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
The ability to organize and analyze ecological data is an essential research tool. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computerized systems for the capture, storage, management, analysis, and display of geographically referenced data and their attri-butes. In this course, mastering the basic principles and applications of GIS, including coordinate systems, data transformations, spatial analysis, and accuracy assessment, is emphasized. Laboratory exercises use ecological data and examples to provide extensive hands-on experience with ArcGIS, a professional GIS software package.
At the Bench: Investigative Approaches to MicrobiologyBIOL-UA 70
Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, BIOL-UA 22, BIOL-UA 44, BIOL-UA 50. Offered every fall. 4 points. This is an upper-level elective course for students majoring in Biology and those seeking to fulfill requirements for entrance into advanced degree programs. Students will culture bacteria from soil and fermented food products. Bacteria will be isolated from these sources and identified using a variety of microbiological techniques. These include staining and using the microscope; culturing bacterial isolates under different growth conditions; subjecting the bacterial isolates to range of biochemical differential tests; and DNA sequence analysis of a gene from the isolates. Data obtained from microbiological techniques and comparison of DNA sequence with computer databases will be used to identify the unknown bacterial isolates. In addition, the course will include some applied microbiology such as microbial analysis of water and antimicrobial sensitivity testing. This course is designed to provide an investigative approach to learning many of the standard techniques of a microbiology lab.
Introduction to Neural Science
BIOL-UA 100 Identical to NEURL-UA 100. Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21. May not be used for the major or minor in biology if BIOL-GA 1110 or BIOL-GA 1111 is taken. Movshon. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
See description under Neural Science.
Bioinformatics in Medicine and Biology
BIOL-UA 103 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, BIOL-UA 22. Katari. Offered every fall. 4 points.
Due to recent advancements in High Throughput Genomics technology, we are able to study the function of many genes. We have the ability to compare genes in normal vs. diseased cells, to help us better understand the molecular mechanisms of the different diseases. In this course students will learn how to program in R, a powerful statistical programming language, use statistical methods to analyze real biomedical data, and learn how to interpret the results.
At the Bench: Biological Chemistry : Genomes to Molecular Machines
BIOL-UA 130 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21 & 22 Molecular and Cell Biology I & II; CHEM-UA 225 & 226 Organic Chemistry I & II. Laboratory. Offered every spring. 4 points.
This is an upper-level elective lab course for students majoring in Biology and those seeking to fulfill requirements for entrance into advanced degree programs. Using biochemical and genetic approaches with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, students will characterize a large multisubunit protein complex that modifies chromatin and is involved in gene regulation. S. cerevisiae is a unicellular eukaryote better known as baker’s yeast that is a widely used biochemical and genetic model organism. Affinity chromatography will be used to produce purified preparations of wild-type and mutant protein complexes. The purified protein complexes will be compared using a wide variety of biochemical techniques, including silverstained SDS-PAGE, western blot, colorimetric enzymatic assay, and protein interaction assays. Yeast expressing the same mutants will be used in genetic experiments to evaluate the importance of the protein complex in cell growth and gene regulation in the cell.
Where the City Meets the Sea: Studies in Coastal Urban Environments
BIOL-UA 140 Lecture and Laboratory. Offered in Spring 2012 and every fall semester thereafter. 4 points.
Over half of the human population lives within 100 km of a coast and coastlines contain more than two-thirds of the world’s largest cities. As a result, the world’s natural coastal environments have been substantially modified to suit human needs. This course will use the built and natural environments of coastal cities as laboratories to examine the environmental and ecological implications of urban development in coastal areas. Using data from multiple coastal cities, student teams will use field-based studies and Geographic Information System (GIS) data to examine patterns and processes operating in coastal cities. As part of the NYU Global Network University initiative this course is being offered simultaneously in New York and Abu Dhabi and students will be collaborating extensively with students from their sister campus through the duration of this course.
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
BIOL-UA 201 Identical to NEURL-UA 201. Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 100, and CHEM-UA 243. Co- or prerequisite: PHYS-UA 11. Aoki, Reyes. Offered in the fall. 4 or 5 points.
See description under Neural Science.
Behavioral and Integrative Neuroscience
BIOL-UA 202 Formerly Physiological Psychology II (BIOL-UA 40). Identical to NEURL-UA 202, PSYCH-UA 52. Prerequisites: PSYCH-UA 1 and BIOL-UA 100. Rubin. Offered in the spring. 4 or 5 points.
See description under Neural Science.
Developmental Neurobiology
BIOL-UA 303 Identical to NEURL-UA 303. Prerequisite: BIOL-UA 100. Sanes. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
See description under Neural Science.
Neurobiology: Genes, Neurons, and Behavior
BIOL-UA 310 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 11, BIOL-UA 13, or BIOL-UA 9011; BIOL-UA 12, BIOL-UA 14, or
BIOL-UA 9012; BIOL-UA 21 is highly recommended. Blau. Offered every
other summer. 4 points.
Genetics is
now widely used to understand the nervous system. This course begins with an
introduction to neuronal function and communication and then turns to a study
of how neurons function in sensory perception (e.g., olfaction) and behavior
(e.g., circadian rhythms). In these, the course highlights the role of genetics
in identifying key genes and in manipulating specific neurons to understand
their function by introducing classic papers from the primary literature.
Students also learn how to design novel experiments that build on these papers.
The course concludes with examples of human nervous system pathologies with
genetic bases.
Current Topics in Earth System Science: Mass Extinctions, Geologic Processes, and Evolution
BIOL-UA 332 Cross-listed as ENVST-UA 332. Prerequisites: ENVST-UA 200 or ENVST-UA 210, and permission of the instructor. Rampino. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Scientific discovery is an ongoing process, and important new findings relevant to earth system science—the science of the earth as an integrated system of life, atmo-sphere, soil, oceans, and rock, including earth history—are continually reported in scientific journals. For each new scientific discovery, students read, discuss, and report on original recent journal articles and also articles that take conflicting views or that review the subject matter as already known. The goal is to give students an understanding for the dynamic nature of scientific knowledge and a deeper understanding of current questions in earth system science.
Honors Seminar: Signaling in Biological Systems
BIOL-UA 970 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, BIOL-UA 22, and permission of the instructor. Blau. Offered in the fall. 4 points.
This upper-level course, or a comparable one, is required of all students planning to graduate with honors in biology. It uses the fundamental and broad topic of signaling in biological systems to introduce students to reading and analyzing papers from the primary literature. These papers cover a wide range of different biological model systems. The course also covers topics such as scientific ethics, writing fellowship proposals and papers, giving presentations, and aspects of lab safety. It equips students with the skills needed for independent research.
Internship in Biology
BIOL-UA 980, 981 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, 22 and at least two additional upper-level courses in biology, with a minimum GPA of 3.2 overall and in all science and mathematics courses required for the major, and permission of a sponsor and the director of undergraduate studies. Intended only for biology majors. The details of individual internships are established by the director of undergraduate studies. Offered in the fall, spring, and summer. 2 or 4 points.
Field or laboratory research with a sponsor at an organization or institution in the metropolitan area other than the Department of Biology. Students with the necessary background in course work and who, in the opinion of the sponsor, possess intellectual independence and ability may register for an internship in some field of biology. The student must approach an individual at the organization or institution to obtain sponsorship and agreement to provide counsel and any necessary space and facilities for the research project. The director of undergraduate studies maintains a file of suitable opportunities and is available to help students identify organizations of interest. The student must submit a lab or research notebook and a final paper.
Independent Study
BIOL-UA 997, 998 Prerequisites: completion of BIOL-UA 21, 22 with a minimum GPA of 3.2 overall and in all science and mathematics courses required for the major, permission of a faculty member in the Department of Biology who will act as a sponsor, and approval by the director of undergraduate studies. Intended primarily for biology majors. Offered in the fall, spring, and summer. 2 or 4 points.
Field or laboratory research with a faculty sponsor in the Department of Biology. Students with the necessary background in course work and who, in the opinion of a faculty sponsor, possess intellectual independence and ability may register for independent study in some field of biology. The student must approach a faculty member in his or her field of interest to obtain sponsorship and agreement to provide counsel and any necessary space and facilities for the research project. Requires a written report on the research.
Undergraduate Research Thesis
BIOL-UA 999 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 997, BIOL-UA 998, BIOL-UA 980, or BIOL-UA 981; a minimum GPA of 3.65 overall; a minimum GPA of 3.65 in all science and mathematics courses required for the major; and permission of a sponsor and the director of undergraduate studies. Open to biology majors only. May not be used for the major in biology. Offered in the fall, spring, and summer. 2 points.
For biology majors who have completed at least one semester of laboratory research (BIOL-UA 997, BIOL-UA 998, BIOL-UA 980, or BIOL-UA 981) and are able to expand this work into a thesis. Requires a full literature search of the subject and a formal written report on the research in publication form.
GRADUATE COURSES OPEN TO UNDERGRADUATES (STUDENTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED BIOL-UA 22)
Environmental Health
BIOL-GA 1004 Identical to EHSC-GA 1004. May not be taken after BIOL-GA 2305 (EHSC-GA 2305). Lippman. 4 points.
Discusses some of the basic concepts of environmental science and major global environmental problems, such as global warming, soil erosion, overpopulation, and loss of biota. Also focuses on environmental health problems, such as exposure to lead, mercury, halogenated hydrocarbons, asbestos, and radon. Other lectures are devoted to carcinogenesis, air pollution, toxic wastes, epidemiology, and risk assessment.
Toxicology
BIOL-GA 1006 Identical to EHSC-GA 1006. Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 25 and CHEM-UA 243, 244. May not be taken after BIOL-GA 2310 (EHSC-GA 2310). Recommended: biochemistry. Jaeger. 4 points.
Introduction to the science of toxicology, stressing basic concepts essential to understanding the action of exogenous chemical agents on biological systems. Principles underlying the absorption, metabolism, and elimination of chemicals are discussed. Toxicokinetics, specific classes of toxic responses, and experimental methods used to assess toxicity are also examined.
Bioinformatics for Biologists
BIOL-GA 1007 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 38 and permission of the instructor. Lecture. Gunsalus. 4 points.
Provides introductory theory and hands-on training in bioinformatics for graduate students or advanced undergraduates in biology who have no prior computational experience. Students learn basic computer programming as applied to bioinformatics, as well as foundational concepts and practical tools that provide a starting point for further advanced study in bioinformatics and computational biology.
Advanced Immunology
BIOL-GA 1011 Prerequisite: BIOL-UA 50. Lecture. Reiss. 4 points.
Introduction to immunology and its literature. Focuses on the mechanisms that govern the immune response and also trains students in reading and evaluating primary research articles that are published in peer-reviewed journals.
Advanced Topics in Cellular and Molecular Immunology
BIOL-GA 1020 Prerequisite: BIOL-UA 50, BIOL-GA 1011, or permission of the instructor. Reiss. 4 points.
In-depth exploration of a topic in cellular and molecular aspects of immunity, including cellular interactions, antigen processing and presentation, pathogenesis, viral immunology, and cytokines.
Hot Topics in Infectious Diseases
BIOL-GA 1023 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 44 or BIOL-UA 50. Lecture. Eichengerger and Reiss. 4 points.
The course is designed as a detailed survey of some of the most important human microbial pathogens. It investigates these agents in detail and includes the most cutting edge basic research findings, as well as epidemiology, treatment and prevention of infections. The course is organized as a lecture course but interactivity with the students is greatly encouraged. At the end of the course, students make an oral presentation on a topic of their choice.
Scanning Electron Microscopic Techniques
BIOL-GA 1029 Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Lecture and laboratory. Tan. 4 points.
Provides a working knowledge of and experience in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Emphasis is on understanding the operation of the SEM (including routine maintenance), the design of the SEM, interaction of beam and specimen, a variety of specimen preparation techniques, photographic techniques for microscopy, and photographic procedures for presentation of data. A functional perspective of the ultrastructure as seen through the SEM is also studied.
Special Topics in Physiology
BIOL-GA 1031 Prerequisite: BIOL-UA 25. Scott. 4 points.
Designed for students with a background in mammalian physiology. Topics include reproduction biology, regulation of ion and water excretion, maintenance and control of cardiovascular function, and respiratory physiology.
Electron Microscopic Techniques
BIOL-GA 1033 Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited. Lecture and laboratory. Tan. 4 points.
Introduction to the principles and techniques of electron microscopy as applied to biological systems. The theory of tissue preparation by various means and the relationship between cell structure and function are examined through the microscope. Laboratory includes methods of preparation of animal (or plant) tissue for visualization of profiles in the transmission electron microscope.
Experimental Microbiology
BIOL-GA 1037 Prerequisite: BIOL-UA 44 or equivalent (corequisite with permission of the instructor). Not open to students who have taken BIOL-GA 1057 or equivalent. Enrollment limited. Laboratory. 4 points.
Acquaints students with general principles and procedures of microbiology and advanced experimental techniques. Students are expected to undertake individual laboratory projects and to make use of original literature.
Cell Biology
BIOL-GA 1051 Prerequisites or corequisites: BIOL-GA 1046,1047 and written permission of the instructor. 4 points.
Examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying cell proliferation and differentiation. Five topics are chosen for discussion: signal transduction, regulation of cell cycle, cytoskeleton, cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction, and intracellular transport. The importance of these issues in the understanding of development, immunity, and cancer is emphasized.
Principles of Evolution
BIOL-GA 1069 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 58 and either BIOL-UA 30 or permission of the instructor. Fitch. 4 points.
Patterns of evolution and adaptation as seen in the paleontological record; speciation, extinction, and the geographic distribution of populations; the basics of population genetics and molecular evolution. Elements of numerical taxonomy and recent developments in phylogenetic systematics.
Molecular Controls of Organismal Form and Function
BIOL-GA 1072 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 11, 12; BIOL-UA 21, 22; CHEM-UA 101, 102; and CHEM-UA 103, 104; or permission of the instructor. Coruzzi, Desplan. 4 points.
Covers metabolism, signaling, and development, highlighting use of molecular and genetic studies in model plant and animal systems.
Biotic Resources: Integrative Approaches to Biodiversity and Conservation
BIOL-GA 1073 Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 4 points.
Covers population genetics, conservation biology, and biogeography.
Animal Virology
BIOL-GA 1080 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 44 or BIOL-UA 50. Reiss. 4 points.
Details the molecular life cycles of viruses that infect mammalian cells. Topics to be covered include disease pathogenesis, immune evasion mechanisms, vaccination, and genetic immunization vectors.
Genes and Animal Behavior
BIOL-GA 1082 Prerequisite: senior standing. Lecture. Blau. 4 points.
Survey of principles and patterns of animal behavior. Covers classical ethological research of Lorenz and others and modern research on the molecular basis of behavior, especially in model systems. Behaviors studied include reproductive behavior, rhythmic behavior, learning and memory, and feeding behavior.
Neuronal Plasticity
BIOL-GA 1101 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, 22 or BIOL-UA 100. Azmitia. 4 points.
Introductory survey of neuronal plasticity and the principles of neuroanatomy, pharmacology, and development of the brain and spinal cord. Presents various forms of plasticity from regeneration to neuronal transplantation. Topics include dynamic instability, addiction, depression, hibernation, spinal injury, and Alzheimer’s disease. Covers the role of neurotransmitters and growth factors in regulating brain plasticity. Stresses interactions between neurons, astroglial cells, and other nonneuronal cells. Summarizes animal and human studies of functional and structural recovery.
Advanced Genetics
BIOL-GA 1126 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 30 or equivalent, and permission of the instructor. 4 points.
In-depth study of experimental genetics from Mendel to the present, emphasizing methods and data by which genetic principles were developed and the genetic approach to biological research. Covers classic experiments on patterns of inheritance, chromosomes and genetic linkage, genetic variability, mutagenesis, DNA as the genetic material, and the nature of the genetic code. Special topics from both classic and recent literature include (but are not limited to) genetic screens, epistasis analysis, suppressors/enhancers, and mosaic analysis.
Bioinformatics and Genomes
BIOL-GA 1127 Prerequisites: Calculus I and II, demonstrated interest in computation, and permission of the instructor. Bonneau. 4 points.
The recent explosion in the availability of genome wide data such as whole genome sequences and microarray data led to a vast increase in bioinformatics research and tool development. Bioinformatics is becoming a cornerstone for modern biology, especially in fields such as genomics. It is thus crucial to understand the basic ideas and to learn fundamental bioinformatics techniques. The emphasis of this course is on developing not only an understanding of existing tools but also the programming and statistics skills that allow students to solve new problems in a creative way.
Systems Biology
BIOL-GA 1128 Prerequisites: BIOL-UA 21, 22. Lecture. Piano, Rockman. 4 points.
Introduction to genomic methods for acquiring and analyzing genomic DNA sequence. Topics: genomic approaches to determining gene function, including determining genome-wide expression patterns; the use of genomics for disease-gene discovery and epidemiology; the emerging fields of comparative genomics and proteomics; and applications of genomics to the pharmaceutical and agbiotech sectors. Throughout the course, the computational methods for analysis of genomic data are stressed.
Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics
BIOL-GA 1129 Prerequisites: BIOL-GA 1069, BIOL-UA 30, and permission of the instructor. Borowsky, Purugganan. 4 points.
Explores the genetic and genomic mechanisms underlying evolutionary change. Emphases are on complex trait evolution and its quantitative analysis, and the impact of modern mapping and genomic techniques on evolutionary biology. Topics include, but are not limited to, the genetics of adaptation and character regression; the evolution of complex characters and traits such as organ systems, the senses, and patterns of behavior; and methods for the study of quantitative trait locus (QTL) variation and multifactorial systems.
Applied Genomics: Introduction to Bioinformatics and Network Modeling
BIOL-GA 1130 Open to upper-level undergraduate students. Birnbaum, Siegal. 4 points.
This course introduces fundamental methods of analyzing large data sets from genomics experiments. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on computational training, and in-depth discussions of current scientific papers, students learn the conceptual foundations of basic analytical methods, the computational skills to implement these methods, and the reasoning skills to read critically the primary literature in genomics. Analysis focuses on data from genome wide studies of gene expression using microarrays and from genome wide studies of molecular interactions. Methods covered include clustering, multiple-hypothesis testing, and network inference. A large part of the course is dedicated to students completing an individual project that is tailored to meet their background and training.
Biophysical Modeling of Cells and Populations
BIOL-GA 1131 Open to upper-level undergraduate students. Kussel. 4 points.
This course develops the biophysical approach to modeling biological systems, applied to classic problems of molecular biology, as well as to systems of recent interest. The course is organized in a bottom-up way, beginning with models of cooperativity in binding and of promoter recognition and activation, proceeding through models of simple and complex networks, and working toward a population-level description of various systems. Diverse biological examples are presented to illustrate key concepts in biophysical modeling.
Mathematics in Medicine and Biology
BIOL-GA 1501 Identical to MATH-UA 30. Prerequisite: one semester of calculus or permission of the instructor. Peskin, Tranchina. 4 points.
Discussion of topics of medical importance using mathematics as a tool: control of the heart, optimal principles in the lung, cell membranes, electrophysiology, countercurrent exchange in the kidney, acid-base balance, muscle, cardiac catheterization, and computer diagnosis. Material from the physical sciences and mathematics is introduced and developed.
Computers in Medicine and Biology
BIOL-GA 1502 Identical to MATH-UA 32. Prerequisite: BIOL-GA 1501 or permission of the instructor. Recommended: familiarity with a programming language such as Fortran or BASIC. Peskin, Tranchina. 4 points.
Introduces students of biology or mathematics to the use of computers as tools for modeling physiological phenomena. Each student constructs two computer models selected from the following: circulation, gas exchange in the lung, control of cell volume, and the renal countercurrent mechanism.
