Education

2010 Fall Term

BIOLOGY 174/PHIL 114 Philosophy of Biology*
Daniel McShea and Robert Brandon
MW 1:15 – 2:30 pm
An introduction to conceptual and methodological issues raised in contemporary biology, including teleology, reductions, the units of selection, and the structure of evolutionary theory. Prerequisites: Biology 25.

BIOLOGY 280S - 01 Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology*
Tai-Ping Sun
Tu 1:15 – 3:45 pm
Applications of recombinant DNA in medicine and in agriculture. Topics include diagnosis of genetic diseases, gene therapy, drugs for AIDS and cancer, DNA fingerprinting, cloning of mammals, phytoremediation, crop improvement, and pharmaceutical protein production in transgenic plants and animals. Social and environmental impacts of biotechnology. Prerequisites: Biology 101L or 118 and 119 or consent of instructor.

BME 258L.01/CBB 222 Genome Science & Technology Lab*
MW 2:50 – 4:05 pm
Jingdong Tian
Hands-on experience on using and developing advanced technology platforms for genomics and proteomics research. Experiments may include nucleic acid amplification and quantification, lab-on-chip, bimolecular separation and detection, DNA sequencing, SNP genotyping, microarrays, and synthetic biology techniques. Laboratory exercises and designing projects are combined with lectures and literature reviews. Prior knowledge in molecular biology and biochemistry is required. Instructor consent required.

BME 265 - 06 Advanced Topics in Biomedical Engineering: Modeling and Engineering Gene Circuits*
Lingchong You
TuTh 2:50 - 4:05 pm
Advanced subjects related to programs within biomedical engineering tailored to fit the requirements of a small group. Consent of instructor required.

COMPSCI 160 Introduction to Computational Genomics*
Alexander Hartemink
WF 10:05 – 11:20 am
A computational perspective on the analysis of genomic and genome-scale information. Focus on exploration and analysis of large genomic sequences, but also attention to issues in structural and functional genomics. Topics include genome sequence assembly, local and global alignment, gene and motif finding, protein threading and folding, and the clustering and classification of genes and tissues using gene expression data. Students learn computational approaches to genomics as well as to develop practical experience with handling, analyzing, and visualizing information at a genome-scale.

GENOME 158S-03/AAAS 159S Race, Genomics, and Society*
Charmaine Royal
MW 11:40 am - 12:55 pm
Integrated analysis of historical and contemporary aspects of race and genetics/genomics. Focus on relevant applications in science, medicine, and society; develop skills required for scientific, sociopolitical, cultural, psychosocial, and ethical evaluation of issues. Topics include: introduction to population genetics/genetic variation; concepts and definitions of race; overview of bioethics; social and political history of race; genomics and health disparities; race, ancestry, and medical practice; genealogy, genetic ancestry, and identity; public perceptions of race and genetics/genomics.

PHIL 118 Issues in Medical Ethics*
John Park
MW 10:05 - 11:20 am
Ethical issues arising in connection with medical practice and research and medical technology. Definition of health and illness; experimentation and consent; genetic counseling and biological engineering; abortion, contraception, and sterilization; death and dying; codes of professional conduct; and the allocation of scarce medical resources. Prerequisite: for freshmen, previous philosophy course and consent of instructor.

* indicates course fulfills GENOME Certificate requirement