2008 Spring Term
BIOLOGY 48/PUBPOL 48 Genetics, Genomics & Society*
Haga and Hill W-F 11:40am – 12:55pm
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 118 Genetics and Molecular Biology#
Haase and Mitchell-Olds Multiple Sections
Explores flow of information from gene to phenotype. Social implications of modern genetic analysis and the genomic revolution. Topics include: organization and stability of genomes from bacteria to higher vertebrates (humans), conversion of the genetic code into a functioning organism, classical transmission (Mendelian) genetics and its relevance to human hereditary disorders, content of the genome and social implications of genetic knowledge including issues of genetic privacy, eugenics, genetically modified organism, and cloning. Prerequisite: Biology 25L or equivalent; Chemistry 22L or equivalent.
BIOLOGY 147 Intro to Systems Biology
Benfey M-W 2:50pm – 4:50pm
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*
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 271 Genomics*
Spana W-F 11:40am – 12:55pm
Introduction to the field of genomics. Genomic techniques including genome sequencing, microarray analysis, proteomics, and bioinformatics; applications of genomics to understanding biological problems including biological networks, human origins, evolution; applications to medicine and agriculture. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisites: Biology 118 or consent of instructor.
BAA 274/BIOLOGY 274 Human Evolutionary Genomics
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 289S Adv. Topics in Genome Sci. Research*
Willard M 2:50pm – 5:20pm
Exploration of current experimental and computational approaches in genomics and genetics and their applications to contemporary research questions. Formulation and design of interdisciplinary research plans with discussion of implications for biology, medicine and society. Utilizing primary scientific literature, students write critical reviews and research proposals. Prerequisite: Biology 195S (Genomes, Biology, Medicine), 118, 119 or 271, or consent of instructor. Recommended co- or prerequisite: independent study in genomics or computational biology.
COMPSCI 160 Intro to Computational Genomics* #
Hartemink W-F 10:05am – 11:20am
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.
MBS 100S Intro to Modeling Bio Systems#
Reed T-Th 8:30am – 9:45am
Introduction to techniques used in the construction, analysis, and evaluation of mathematical models for biological systems. Includes lectures on genetic, biochemical, physiological, and/or ecological systems. Building on these concepts, students will select a topic to research and present both orally and in a substantive paper demonstrating application of mathematical and computational approaches to biological/biomedical questions. Required course for Modeling Biological Systems certificate. Prerequisite: Mathematics 108 or 131 or consent of instructor required.
PUBPOL 196S.05 Science in the Media*
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*
Cook-Deegan T 3:05pm – 5:35pm
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.
* indicates course fulfills GENOME Certificate requirement
# indicates course fulfills MBS Certificate requirement