What makes humans different from fruit flies? Why does your brain have neurons and not liver cells? This course is all about the answer to these questions: It's the genes! This course covers the chemical make-up of genes, how they're passed on through generations, how they're expressed and how that expression is regulated, how disruption in the structure and expression of genes arise and how those disruptions lead to cellular defects and disease. Prerequisite: Must have completed BIOL 2100 or BME 2104 and either CHEM 1410 or CHEM 1810.  BIOL 3010 is not repeatable. 

Studies the genetics and cell biology of the vertebrate immune system, with a focus on adaptive immunity. Classic and current experimental systems are emphasized. Prerequisite: Must have completed or be currently taking BIOL 2010 or BIOL 2100 or BME 2104

Biochemistry underlies nearly every biological process, from environmental science to medicine. When living systems are in chemical and energetic balance, organisms thrive. When they're out of balance, as in disease or unpredictable environments, life is compromised. This course will explain how simple chemical and physical principles apply to the major classes of biological macromolecules that maintain life.Prerequisite: BIOL 2010 or BIOL 2100 or BME 2104 and BIOL 2020 or BIOL 2040 and either CHEM 2410 or CHEM 1820

Emphasis on the functions and integration of human nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and renal systems in maintaining homeostasis, and by extension, health. Normal function, from cells to organs, of each system provides a foundation for study of mechanisms that lead to dysfunction and the identification of potential therapeutic targets and strategies.

In this course, we'll dive into our current understanding of the evolution and ecology of parasitic interactions through primary literature, modeling, and experimental design. Throughout, we will focus on generating and testing hypotheses, evaluating theoretical models with evidence, drawing parallels between diverse domains of life, and connecting evolutionary and ecological ideas to today's past, present, and future epidemics.

Microbes rule. This course will teach microbial genomics using the cutting edge next-generation DNA sequencing technology and its applications to study microbes around us. Topics covered include microbial genomics, DNA sequencing and sequence analysis.

The evolutionary history of a population can be studied by examining patterns of genetic variation among individuals. Using information about genetic variation, we can infer historical evolutionary events like migration and adaptation. In this lab course, you will learn to utilize genomic data to conduct evolutionary inference. We will learn fundamentals of population genetics, bioinformatic skills, and research methods applied to real short-read sequencing data.

This course will provide an in-depth exploration of the field of regenerative biology, focusing on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tissue regeneration and repair in animals. We will explore the cellular basis of different types of regeneration and search for shared molecular mechanisms. With an eye towards the future, we¿ll also explore the implications for advancing regenerative medicine.

This course introduces students to foundational and modern neuroscience research techniques through laboratory investigations. Neuroscience is explored at the molecular, systems, and behavioral level. Topics covered include neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, biopotentials, development, histology, and microscopy. An emphasis is placed on structure-function relationships, experimental design, and application of techniques in research.

This course for advanced undergrads will focus mainly on research about Alzheimer's disease, and will meet once/week for 3 hours. The first 3 weeks will be primarily didactic, and the remainder of the course will be a "journal club" in which primary research paper discussions will be led by teams of students. Assessments will be based on how well students lead and participate in discussions, and on exams.