Education

2010 Spring Term

BIOLOGY 48/PUBPOL 48 Genetics, Genomics & Society*
Alison Hill
W-F 10:05 – 11:20am
Introduction to the foundation of genomic sciences with an emphasis on recent advances and their social, ethical and policy implications. Foundational topics including DNA, proteins, genome organization, gene expression, and genetic variation will be interwoven with contemporary issues emanating from the genome revolution such as pharmacogenetics, genetic discrimination, genomics of race, genetically modified crops, and genomic testing. Genomic sciences and policy science applied to present and future societal, and particularly ethical, concerns related to genomics. Intended for non-Biology majors. Not open to students who have taken Biology 118.

BIOLOGY 147 Intro to Systems Biology*
Philip Benfey
M-W 11:40am – 12:55pm
Introduction to concepts and applications of Systems Biology. Identification of molecular interactions that underlie cellular function using high dimension data acquired through high-throughput approaches. Intended for students with prior training in quantitative fields (computer science, math, physics, statistics, engineering). Includes small group projects in Systems Biology. Students with prior training in biological sciences will register for Computer Science 111.

BIOLOGY 187 Evolutionary Genetics*#
Tom Mitchell-Olds and Mohamed Noor
T-Th 2:50pm – 4:05pm
Introduction to the principles of evolutionary genetics. Genetic variation, neutral theory, natural selection, human population genetics, phylogenetic reconstruction, evolutionary genomics, and evolutionary bioinformatics.

BIOLOGY 274/BAA 274 Human Evolutionary Genomics*
Greg Wray
T-Th 11:40am – 12:55pm
Human evolutionary history as studied from the perspective of the genome. Nature of contemporary genomic data and how they are interpreted in the context of the fossil record, comparative anatomy, psychology, and cultural studies. Examination of both the origin of modern humans as a distinct species and subsequent migration across the world. Emphasis on language, behavior, and disease susceptibility as traits of particular evolutionary interest. Prerequisite: Biology 118 or equivalent course

BIOLOGY 281S Systems Biology Colloquium*
Steve Haase
M-W 2:50 – 4:05pm
Lectures, seminars, and discussion of current topics in systems biology. Introduction to both experimental and quantitative approaches to understanding the function of biological networks. Weekly lectures by experts in the field.

COMPSCI 160 Introduction to Computational Genomics*#
David Corcoran
T-Th 4:25 – 5:40pm
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 to learn computational approaches to genomics as well as to develop practical experience with handling, analyzing, and visualizing information at a genome-scale.

GENOME 138S - 01/PUBPOL 133S-01 Influential Scientists and Policy Leaders in Science Policy*
Susanne Haga
Th 1:15PM - 3:45PM
Explores role of scientist and non-scientist policy-makers and elected officials who have substantially shaped U.S. science research and application of scientific discoveries throughout the 20th century from within and outside the federal government. Science policies examined in larger context of political, cultural, and social events.

GENOME 148 Genome Sciences and Society*
Hunt Willard
W-F 10:05 – 11:20am
This course will run in parallel with Genome Sciences and Policy 48. Building from material taught in Biology 118 and/or Biology 195S, this course will focus on the contemporary study of the human genome particularly in regard to structural and functional genomics and genome variation interwoven with contemporary social and policy issues emanating from the Genome Revolution such as pharmacogenetics, genetic discrimination, genomics of race, genetically modified organisms, and genomic testing. Students will develop a final paper addressing the science and societal impact of a genomics topic. Prerequisites: Biology 118 or Biology 195S, or with consent of instructor.

GENOME 191 Research Independent Study*
Departmental
TBD
Individual research in a genome sciences and/or policy topic of special interest, under the supervision of a faculty member, the major product of which is a substantive paper or written report containing significant analysis and interpretation of a previously approved topic.

GENOME 198S Genome Sciences and Policy Capstone*
Hunt Willard and Bob Cook-Deegan
Th 6:00 – 8:30pm
Create and apply knowledge gained through certificate course work and research experiences in an intensive, interdisciplinary, small group setting. Students work in small teams learning to analyze current issues in genome sciences and policy and to consider the issue from scientific, social, and ethical perspectives. Teams will present their research as an oral final project. Consent of Director of Genome Sciences and Policy program required. Open only to students in the Genome Sciences and Policy program. Instructor consent required.

HOUSECS 79 - 09 From Science to Society: Decoding your Genome
Student instructors: Brandon Ruderman and Jason Klein
Faculty mentors: Hunt Willard and Tomalei Vess
This course will examine the context of the Genome Revolution and its growing impact on society. Emphasis will be placed on the connection between genetic and genomic research and our everyday lives. Students will learn some of the basic principles underlying the science and will discover the ways in which research in genetics and genomics intersects with history, identity, ancestry, religion, sports, art, conservation, medicine, and policy. Genetics and genomics in the media will provide focus to weekly discussions while supplemental materials will offer background in the science. Each class will engage an expert in a relevant field to enrich the discussion, offer additional perspectives, and assist in the accurate description of the science.

PHIL 118 Issues in Medical Ethics*
Allen Buchanan
T-Th 2:50 – 4:05pm
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.

PUBPOL 196S.05 Science in the Media*
Misha Angrist
W-F 10:05am – 11:20am
We will examine different modes of science writing, different outlets for publication, and the peculiar editorial demands each places on the writer. We will consider multiple narrative approaches and various traps into which science writers may fall. Our first goal is to read broadly and deeply with particular attention to science stories as told by the best practitioners in the field. Our second goal is to write: about what we’ve read, about scientists we’ve talked to and the science they do, and about the meaning of it all to a public that is simultaneously bombarded by, fascinated with and alienated from science.

PUBPOL 240/CBB 212 Responsible Genomics*
Bob Cook-Deegan
T 4:25pm – 6:55pm
Survey of ethical, social, economic, and legal issues in genomics. Introduction to ethical reasoning and examination of selected issues calling for such analysis, including: special procedures for research involving human participants, (2) respect for privacy and confidentiality of genetic information; (3) historical and political background of health research funding, and (4) public-private research interactions such as intellectual property and conflict of interest.

PSY 203S Gene-Environment Interplay*
Terrie Moffitt/Avshalom Caspi
T 4:25 – 6:55pm
Introduces students to an emerging topic in behavioral science: the interaction between genes and environments. Evaluates research showing that genes influence susceptibility to the environmental causes of abnormal behavior, and research showing that genes' connections to behaviors depend on environmental experiences. Readings are primary journal articles. Topics include the design and analysis of genetic research into mental disorders, and ethical issues stemming from genetic research into human behavior. Prior coursework in statistics/research methods, genetics, and/or abnormal psychology is desirable. Consent of instructor required.

* indicates course fulfills GENOME Certificate requirement

# indicates course fulfills MBS Certificate requirement