bs biology thesis

BS Thesis Guidelines and Timeline

Bachelor of science in biological sciences.

Bachelor of Science (BS): The BS is designed for students who wish to delve more deeply into the field of their major through additional electives, participation in scientific research, and completion of a BS thesis that summarizes their research. Successful BS students will (1) learn how scientists design and conduct scientific experiments; (2) collect data as part of a research effort; (3) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of that data; (4) interpret the data in the context of a specific scientific discipline; and (5) describe their work in a BS Thesis

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biological Sciences in any of the tracks by:

(1) completing three upper-level elective courses in Biological Sciences beyond those required for the BA degree, including BIOS 28900 Undergraduate Bachelor of Science Research (or both quarters of BIOS 00296 Undergraduate Honors Research if also pursuing Biology Research Honors)

(2) writing a BS thesis under the supervision of an adviser who is a member of the Biological Sciences Division research faculty.

Guidelines and Timeline for the BS in Biological Sciences

If you are participating in the BSCD honors program or a specialization that requires a thesis, you do not need to prepare a separate proposal (or thesis) for the BS degree, but you should submit copies of these materials to the BS program. Honors and specialization students are required to submit the BS Faculty Consent form in Spring of the 3rd year as directed below. You should adhere to the honors or specialization guidelines as you prepare your proposal, select faculty readers, and write your thesis. BS students who are writing a specialization thesis but are not in the BSCD Honors program are required to register for the BS research course (BIOS 28900) as directed below.

Spring of 2nd year

Declare your major as BA or BS in Biological Sciences. Remember that, in addition to the thesis, a BS requires three upper-level BIOS courses (numbered BIOS 21xxxx through 28xxx) beyond the five required for the BA degree. One of these courses must be BIOS 28900 unless you are taking BIOS 00296 for Research Honors.

Autumn of 3rd year

Start looking for a member of the BSD research faculty to serve as your thesis adviser and start developing ideas for your thesis research.

Description of the BS thesis

BS students will write a thesis based on original research. The topic must be a current issue in Biology, including basic science, medicine, and other applied fields, be described in a compelling thesis proposal, and be supported by a willing and appropriate Mentor. In most cases the thesis will present and analyze primary data collected by the student during their time in a mentor's lab. Students may also conduct critical and novel analysis of existing primary data (e.g., a critique of a healthcare policy such as methadone maintenance, a meta-analysis of recent clinical trials of antidepressants, or an argument against punctuated equilibria based on a fossil collection or genomic data). In either case, the work must be hypothesis driven and present evidence that tests the hypothesis. Topics related to global and public health will be accepted only for majors in the global and public health track. Please contact Chris Andrews if you have questions about the appropriateness of your topic. The thesis should follow the format of a published paper in a target journal appropriate for your topic but should include more extensive literature review and context in the introduction and conclusion. A typical BS thesis is approximately 30 pages of double-spaced text (not including figures, tables and references).

Spring of 3rd year

To declare your interest in pursuing the BS in Biological Sciences, please submit the BS Faculty Consent Form by 11:59 PM on Friday of finals week. If you have not already done so, please make sure you have officially declared your major as a BS in Biological Sciences so your college adviser can correctly slot courses into your degree program.

All BS students who will not be registered for BIOS 00296 (Undergraduate Honors Research) must register to take the BS research course (BIOS 28900 Undergraduate BS Research) in Autumn of their 4th year. We will add BIOS 00296 students to the BIOS 28900 Canvas site as unregistered students so they will receive announcements and can submit their materials for the BS degree. BS students who are writing a specialization thesis but are not in the BSCD Honors program are required to register for BIOS 28900.

Summer between 3rd and 4th year

BS students will typically conduct the bulk of their thesis research during this summer.

Autumn of 4th year

Unless you are in the BSCD Honors program and registered for BIOS 00296, make sure you are registered for the BS research course (BIOS 28900, Undergraduate BS Research) and have access to the associated Canvas site. BS students who are writing a specialization thesis but are not in the BSCD Honors program are required to register for the BS research course.

Submit a 1-2 page (single-spaced) thesis proposal (approved by your thesis adviser) as an assignment on the BIOS 28900 Canvas site by the end of Week 1.

Minimally, this proposal should include:

Winter of 4th year (by end of quarter)

During finals week , submit the names and e-mail addresses of two faculty readers from BSD research departments (other than your thesis adviser) to review your thesis in the spring. You will submit these names as an assignment on the BIOS 28900 Canvas site.

Spring of 4th year

By 11:59 PM on Friday of Week 4

Submit your thesis to your thesis adviser, who must approve it before you send it to readers for review. You do not need to submit this version of the thesis to the BSCD. This checkpoint allows your adviser to confirm that your thesis is in acceptable shape to send to readers.

By 11:59 PM on Friday of Week 5

Submit your thesis, approved by your thesis adviser, to your two faculty readers, along with the faculty review form (make a copy of the review form to share with readers here ). You should request that these readers return their reviews to you by Wednesday of Week 7 so you have time to respond to their feedback by the final deadline at the end of Week 8.

Between Weeks 7 and 8

In collaboration with your thesis adviser, revise your thesis in accordance with the feedback from your faculty reviewers. Both your thesis adviser and your two readers must sign off on the revisions before your final submission.

By 11:59 PM on Friday of Week 8

Submit the final version of the approved thesis, with confirmation of approval by your thesis adviser and two additional readers. You may collect signatures on a cover page ( here's the TEMPLATE) or ask your adviser and readers to provide confirmation of approval by email to: [email protected].

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MAJOR

Senior thesis examples.

Graduating seniors in Biological Sciences have the option of submitting a senior thesis for consideration for Honors and Research Prizes . Below are some examples of particularly outstanding theses from recent years (pdf):

Sledd Thesis

Thesis Guidelines

A thesis for Distinction in Biology should be a presentation, written primarily for the non-specialist reader, of the significance, results and conclusions of a productive research project. The thesis is a written exam to be evaluated by the Faculty in Biology and must answer the following questions: What did you do? Why did you do it? What is the significance of your results? What else would you do, were you to continue the project?

In answering the above questions, you have an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding and intellectual ownership of a project; not simply your productivity in the lab. The volume of results or completeness of the study is not critical for a successful thesis. Instead, we will be looking for the following:

a statement of a general aim, i.e. a meaningful question of biological importance;
a review of appropriate literature as a means to define the terms and context of the general aim;
presentation of a set of specific aims or experimental approaches to specific hypotheses;
presentation of results and their meaning;
discussion of the significance of the results in terms of the general aim;
a description of future directions for the project.

Format of the Thesis

The basic format of the thesis should resemble that of a scientific journal article and should include the following sections: Introduction & Background; Methods; Results; Discussion; and References. In some instances, it may be useful to sub-divide the Methods & Results section to reflect and correspond to each separate "Specific Aim". However, if you chose to take this route, remember that there should still be a general Introduction and Discussion sections that address the project as a whole. The thesis should not consist of several "mini-papers" stapled together.

1. Introduction Section

The introduction & background section should provide the non-specialist with a clear understanding of the subject and the nature and rationale for the specific project (i.e. general & specific aims). As part of writing for a non-specialist, be sure to include definitions of any specialized terms that are critical to your work. The thesis should be completely free of unexplained jargon!

Begin with an explicit statement of your general aim (hypothesis). A review of pertinent literature then serves to define the context and import of your general aim. Alternatively, the statement of the general aim may follow logically from the review of literature. Typically, this section will be longer and more comprehensive than that found in an article for publication. It will be followed by a listing of your specific aims and a brief explanation of why you chose the specific experimental approaches for each.

2. Methods & Results Section

The presentation of methods and results may follow the format recommended by your research supervisor for publication in an appropriate journal. However, limit your thesis to experiments and their results that are the product of your own work. It is strongly recommended that these sections be written in the first person to make clear that you are presenting your specific work.

If you must allude to work done by collaborators as part of your presentation, be sure to cite the precise source. For example: "The sample was collected using needle biopsy by Dr. So&So" or "There was a significant increase in activity as compared to control experiments performed earlier by Dr. What's-her-name". In general, comparison of your results with the results of others should be reserved for the Discussion.

In some projects, methods and results may involve proprietary information (eg, drugs under development), or information intended for later publication. Your thesis will only be shared only with your thesis committee the Department of Biology. It will not be ‘published’ in a publication, nor posted to a searchable web site without approval of the student and PI, and your poster will only be displayed at the poster session on campus. However, you should consult with your PI before including any sensitive names or data in your thesis or poster. You may ‘anonymize’ the names of reagents or genes, if need be. It is not uncommon that some projects will still be in preliminary stages, with little in the way of reportable results, by the deadlines specified for submission of your thesis and poster. This does not automatically disqualify a thesis for distinction, as progress in a research project varies on a case by case basis. Consult with your Biology thesis committee (i.e, your faculty reader or the DUS) to discuss the best way to structure your methods and results section if this is the case.

3. Discussion Section

The Discussion Section should provide the non-specialist with a clear interpretation of the experimental results. Avoid simple repetition of the results, focusing instead on their significance in the context of the general aim and the findings of others. It is perfectly okay to be speculative here - this is your opportunity to demonstrate that you are really thinking about the big picture.

Devote a portion of this section to addressing future directions for your project. You should comment on how any uncertainties in your results might be resolved. In addition, you should suggest additional experiments and approaches that you might take if you were to continue the project.

Your Faculty Reader should provide feedback on an initial draft of the thesis submitted by the first draft deadline. The Faculty Evaluation Form will give you a sense of how your Reader will evaluate your draft. Expanded guidelines and evaluation rubric can be found as part of the Biology Thesis Assessment Protocol: Thesis Evaluation Rubric (PDF) .

Submission Guidelines

The format of the final copy should follow these guidelines:

Cover Page ( sample ): Title; student's name; supervisor's name; date of submission; 3 signature lines at bottom right (Research Supervisor, DUS, Reader). Please follow the format and language of the sample.
Abstract Page: single-spaced, no page number
Text, figures and references: double-spaced, page numbers centered at the bottom
It is preferred that figures are imbedded within the document instead of all at the end
Hardcopy should be printed single-sided with any color figures, pictures, etc. printed in color (or if that's an issue, follow up a B&W hardcopy with an electronic copy in color to your reader)

Sample Theses

Examples of Distinction papers from previous years are available for examination in the Undergraduate Studies Office (Rm 135 BioSci). Several samples are also available below as PDF files.

Tracing the origins of antimalarial resistance in Plasmodium vivax
Interaction network optimization improves the antimicrobial efficacy of phage cocktails
Identifying how ufmylation of RAB1B regulates IFN-β signaling

Additional Resources

Library Resources for Students Writing Theses
Biology Writes is a program designed to support all writers and help improve their writing skills and productivity. The Biology Writes program offers writing resources, Q&As about writing, one-on-one consultations, and more.
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Department Website: https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/biological-sciences-collegiate-division

Program of Study

Biology is the study of life, past and present. Our curriculum offers courses in many fields, from theoretical to experimental biology, and from molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying life to the complex interactions of organisms in ecosystems. As a major research institution, the University of Chicago focuses all courses in the Biological Sciences Collegiate Division on scientific reasoning, research, and discovery. The goals of the Biological Sciences curriculum are to give students (1) an understanding of currently accepted concepts in biology and the experimental support for these concepts, and (2) an appreciation of the gaps in our current understanding and the opportunities and tools available for new discoveries. A major in Biological Sciences can prepare students for careers in a wide range of areas, including health professions, basic or applied research in academia or industry, education, and policy related to human, animal, and planetary health.

Students can choose from multiple tracks to complete the Major in Biological Sciences:

Biology Track (BA and BS) : Majors in the Biology Track take a series of foundational courses that span biological knowledge across fields and scales. They may then explore the breadth of biology with free electives to complete the major OR they may specialize in one area of biology through a focused selection of electives. Specializations are listed below and will be recognized on student transcripts (e.g., Biological Sciences – Specialization: Immunology). Research opportunities , internships , and courses at the Marine Biological Laboratory and Paris campuses are available for students in this track. See bscd.uchicago.edu for more information about research opportunities.

Paths through the Biology Track:

Biological Sciences – No Specialization (free choice of BIOS electives)

Biological Sciences – Cancer Biology Specialization

Biological Sciences – Cellular and Molecular Biology Specialization

Biological Sciences – Developmental Biology Specialization

Biological Sciences – Endocrinology Specialization

Biological Sciences – Genetics Specialization

Biological Sciences – Immunology Specialization

Biological Sciences – Microbiology Specialization

Interdisciplinary Biology Tracks (BA and BS) : Increasingly, the biological sciences are incorporating knowledge and tools from physics, chemistry, computer science, statistics, public health, technological sciences, and the study of culture and society. Each Interdisciplinary Biology Track requires unique foundational courses that reflect these intersections. These tracks also allow students to choose electives from multiple departments to complete the major. Research opportunities, internships, and courses at the MBL and Paris campuses are available for students in these tracks. Interdisciplinary tracks are available in the following areas and will be recognized on student transcripts (e.g., Biological Sciences – Interdisciplinary Focus: Global and Public Health).

Interdisciplinary Biology Tracks:

Biological Sciences – Ecology and Evolution
Biological Sciences – Global and Public Health
Biological Sciences – Computational Biology

Several types of degrees can be earned in all tracks:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) : The BA is designed for students who wish to gain extensive training in the field of biology but also retain the flexibility to take elective courses outside the major. Scientific research is required for some tracks , but a thesis is not required to obtain a BA (although a thesis is required for some specializations; see details below).

Bachelor of Science (BS) : The BS is designed for students who wish to delve more deeply into the field of their major through additional electives and completion of a BS thesis. Successful BS students will (1) learn how scientists design and conduct scientific experiments; (2) collect data as part of a research effort; (3) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of that data; (4) interpret the data in the context of a specific scientific discipline; and (5) describe their work in a BS Thesis.

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science with Research Honors ( Research Honors ): Biology Research Honors is reserved for students who excel in the coursework of the major and have completed original research of high quality suitable for inclusion in a professional publication. Successful Research Honors students will (1) gain a scholarly understanding of a specific area of biology; (2) conduct scientific experiments, collect original data, analyze that data using appropriate statistics, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the data; (3) interpret their findings in the context of their field; (4) describe their work in an Honors Thesis; and (5) present and defend their work in an oral presentation.

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science with Scholar Honors ( Scholar Honors ): Scholar Honors recognizes exceptional academic performance including submission and acceptance of a scholarly thesis.

General Education Requirements for the Biological Sciences

Students in all tracks must take 200 units of Biological Sciences, 200 units of Mathematics, and 200 units of Chemistry from the selected list described below.

Biological Sciences General Education Courses

Students majoring in Biological Sciences choose one of the following options:

A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology test AND three quarters of the Advanced Biology Fundamentals Sequence (BIOS 20234-20236) (see Advanced Placement Credit below).

A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology test will fulfill the general education requirement in the biological sciences ONLY for students who complete three quarters of the Advanced Biology Fundamentals Sequence.

Note: There are two additional options for completing the general education requirement for students who are NOT Biological Sciences majors:

1. A two-quarter general education sequence for non-majors

2. The Health Professions Preparation Sequence for Non-Majors ( BIOS 20170 Microbial and Human Cell Biology- BIOS 20175 Biochemistry and Metabolism)

Mathematics General Education Courses

Chemistry General Education Courses

Advanced Placement Credit

Students with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology test who complete the first three quarters of the Advanced Biology Fundamentals Sequence will be awarded three credits toward the Biological Sciences major and credit for completing the general education requirement in the Biological Sciences. This option is especially appropriate for students who plan to major in Biological Sciences and prepare for a career in research, but it is open to all qualified students.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biological Sciences

All Tracks require students to take 1600 units.

The basic degree in Biological Sciences is the BA. Students can qualify for a BA by following one of several tracks:

1) Biology Track – Provides a comprehensive education in biology across scales, focusing on the research that leads to discovery. Students may explore the breadth of biological science or choose to specialize in a particular area.

2) Interdisciplinary Track – Ecology and Evolution – Provides an in-depth education in ecology and evolution through course work, field work, advanced statistical skills, and research. Coursework opportunities at the Marine Biological Laboratory are particularly suited for this track.

3) Interdisciplinary Track – Global and Public Health – Provides a cross-cutting education through coursework and research in the biology of disease, as well as economic and social factors influencing health outcomes worldwide. Coursework offered in Paris is particularly suited for this track.

4) Interdisciplinary Track – Computational Biology – Provides an interdisciplinary education in biology and the design and use of computational tools that can be used to address biological questions.

To qualify for a BA in one of these tracks, students must satisfy the general education requirements in biology, chemistry, and mathematics as described above AND:

1) complete the required foundational courses, termed “Fundamentals Sequence”, for the track chosen;

2) complete the required physical and mathematical sciences courses for the track chosen;

3) complete appropriate upper-level electives for the track chosen.

Biology Track

Fundamentals Sequence Requirement

Students completing the major in the Biology Track will choose one of the following Fundamentals sequences:

1. Fundamentals of Biological Science sequence —begins in the Winter Quarter of the first year and is structured to provide students with a broad-based understanding of contemporary biology. Note that BIOS 20151 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Basic) / BIOS 20152 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Advanced) , and BIOS 20153 Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology fulfill the general education requirement in biological sciences and are not counted towards the major.

2. Advanced Biology sequence —begins in the Autumn Quarter of first year and requires a high level of preparedness in Biology as well as a deep interest in research. The sequence is open to students who have achieved a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology test or by consent. + Students seeking consent should contact Michael Glotzer ( [email protected] ).

After completion of three quarters of a Fundamentals Sequence, students begin taking upper-level elective courses in the biological sciences and may start a specialization.

Physical and Mathematical Sciences Requirement

Students completing the major in the Biology Track are required to take courses in mathematical and physical sciences as follows:

NOTE 1: The Biology Track does NOT require the third quarter of calculus. Students MUST take BIOS 20151 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Basic) or BIOS 20152 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Advanced), and students in the Advanced Biology sequence MUST take BIOS 20236 Biological Dynamics. NO Mathematics courses may be substituted for these requirements.

NOTE 2: Students planning to apply to medical school should be aware of individual medical school admissions requirements and should tailor their program accordingly with the help of UChicago Careers in Healthcare .

Upper-Level Elective Requirements

Students completing the major in the Biology Track must take five upper-level courses (course numbers BIOS 21000 to 28999) to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree. These courses may be selected by the student or in consultation with the BSCD Senior Advisers (Megan McNulty, [email protected] ; Chris Andrews, [email protected] ).

If the student following the Biology Track chooses to focus their coursework in a specific area, they can complete a specialization. In this case, courses should be chosen in consultation with the specialization adviser (listed below).

NOTE: BIOS 00199 Undergraduate Research , BIOS 00206 Readings: Biology , and BIOS 00299 Advanced Research: Biological Sciences may not be used to meet requirements for the Biological Sciences degree.

Summary of Requirements for a BA in Biological Sciences: Biology Track

Specialization programs in the biological sciences.

Specializations represent recommended programs of study for students interested in one particular field within the biological sciences. Students who wish to complete a specialization should discuss their plans with the specialization director by Spring Quarter of their second year. Students may complete only one specialization. All courses must be taken for a quality grade in order to count toward a specialization.

Specialization in Cancer Biology Specialization in Cellular and Molecular Biology Specialization in Developmental Biology Specialization in Endocrinology Specialization in Genetics Specialization in Immunology Specialization in Microbiology

NOTE: Beginning with the entering class of Autumn Quarter 2022, the Specializations in Global Health Sciences and Ecology and Evolution will no longer be available. * Beginning with the entering class of Autumn Quarter 2023, the Specialization in Quantitative Biology will no longer be available. ** Students interested in focusing their major coursework in one of these fields can pursue an Interdisciplinary Biology track in Global and Public Health, Ecology and Evolution, or Computational Biology.

Specialization in Cancer Biology

Students who complete the requirements detailed below will be recognized as having completed a Specialization in Cancer Biology.

To be eligible to carry out a Specialization in Cancer Biology, students must average a B grade in one of the Fundamentals Sequences.

Students who plan to specialize in cancer biology are advised to begin the required specialization courses in their second or third year in the College. Students who elect to specialize should email Dr. Kay F. Macleod ( [email protected] ), providing contact information, name and contact for your College adviser, a copy of your most recent grade transcript, and a half-page summary of why you are interested in the Specialization in Cancer Biology and what your long-term career goals are. An annual overview meeting is organized for the fall of each year at which advice will be provided on the objectives of the specialization, the importance of each of the courses, and guidelines on how to identify labs in which individual research projects can be carried out. Interested students are encouraged to attend and to bring forward any questions about requirements and research options at this meeting.

Course Work. The following courses are required for a Specialization in Cancer Biology. To continue in the specialization, students must achieve an A or a B grade in both courses.

To complete the Specialization in Cancer Biology, students should also take one of the following two courses in either their third or fourth year, having successfully completed BIOS 25108 and BIOS 25308 above, and started work in their chosen research laboratory.

To complete the Specialization in Cancer Biology, students will also carry out individual guided research in a cancer research laboratory and attend cancer biology-related seminars. Participation in the research component of the Specialization in Cancer Biology is by invitation only and is based on:

(1) performance in the above-mentioned courses, (2) identification of a research project and mentor, (3) submission of a research abstract for consideration by the end of the Winter Quarter of their junior year to the Director of the Specialization in Cancer Biology (Dr. Kay Macleod).

Laboratory Research: Independent research projects performed by students in the Specialization in Cancer Biology must be approved by the Director of the Specialization (Dr. Kay Macleod) and to be of sufficiently high standard to qualify as a senior honors project and ideally to produce data that contributes to peer-reviewed publication.

Students are encouraged to begin their research project no later than the Spring/Summer Quarter of their junior year.

Specialization in Cellular and Molecular Biology

Biological Sciences majors can complete the Specialization in Cellular and Molecular Biology by either:

1. Successful completion of CHEM 22200 Organic Chemistry III or CHEM 23200 Honors Organic Chemistry III plus four upper-level BIOS courses selected from the list below.

2. Successful completion of CHEM 22200 Organic Chemistry III or CHEM 23200 Honors Organic Chemistry III plus three upper-level BIOS courses selected from the list below and completion of a senior thesis on an independent research project. This project must either (1) satisfy the requirements for the BSCD Honors program, (2) satisfy the requirements for a BS in Biological Sciences, or (3) be approved by the directors of the specialization no later than Spring Quarter of the third year.

Please consult Chris Andrews ( [email protected] ) or Megan McNulty ( [email protected] ) for approval of research projects or to request approval for any non-listed course with significant content in cellular and molecular biology.

Specialization in Developmental Biology

Students majoring in Biological Sciences who complete the requirements detailed below will be recognized as having completed a Specialization in Developmental Biology.

The following requirements must be met:

1. Successful completion of BIOS 20189 Fundamentals of Developmental Biology or BIOS 20236 Biological Dynamics plus five upper-level courses selected from the list below.

2. Successful completion of BIOS 20189 Fundamentals of Developmental Biology or BIOS 20236 Biological Dynamics plus three upper-level courses selected from the list below and completion of a senior thesis on an independent research project. This project must either (1) satisfy the requirements for the BSCD Honors program, (2) satisfy the requirements for a BS in Biological Sciences, or (3) be approved by the directors of the specialization no later than Spring Quarter of the third year.

Please consult Akira Imamoto ( [email protected] ) for approval of research projects or to request approval for any non-listed course with significant content in developmental biology.

Three of the following (with research thesis) or five of the following (without research thesis).

Specialization in Endocrinology

Students majoring in Biological Sciences who complete the requirements detailed below will be recognized as having completed a Specialization in Endocrinology. Students who complete the specialization will be well-versed in all aspects of endocrinology, ranging from basic cell signaling to the integration of endocrine systems and their dysregulation in human disease. Students must take three introductory courses listed below plus two additional courses from the elective list. The prerequisite for these courses is completion of the Fundamentals Sequence. It is strongly recommended that students complete a Biochemistry course before enrolling; however, the introductory courses can be completed as Endocrinology I–II-III or Endocrinology II-III-I.

Introductory Courses

Elective Courses

The Specialization in Endocrinology is administered by the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, the Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, and the NIH-funded Diabetes Research and Training Center. For more information, consult Matthew Brady ( [email protected] ).

Specialization in Genetics

Students majoring in Biological Sciences who complete the requirements below will be recognized as having completed a Specialization in Genetics. Students must either:

1. Complete five courses from the categories listed below, including at least one from each category.

2. Complete three courses chosen from the categories listed below, including one course in each category, and complete a senior thesis or an independent research project. This project must either (1) satisfy the requirements for the BSCD honors program, (2) satisfy the requirements for a BS in Biological Sciences, or (3) be approved by the directors of the specialization no later than Spring Quarter of the third year.

Please consult Megan McNulty ( [email protected] ) or Chris Andrews ( [email protected] ) for more information.

Specialization in Immunology

Students majoring in Biological Sciences will be recognized as having completed a Specialization in Immunology if they complete the following: (1) three of the four courses listed below, and (2) either two additional courses, selected in consultation with the director of the specialization, or a research project, approved by the director of the specialization.

For more information, students should consult with Bana Jabri ( [email protected] ).

Accelerated Program in Immunology

The University of Chicago Graduate Program in Immunology permits undergraduate students who have demonstrated outstanding potential for graduate studies in biology to begin graduate school during their fourth year in the College. This is a competitive merit-award program.

Because of the accelerated nature of the curriculum, applicants must have outstanding academic credentials (i.e., GPA typically in the range of 3.7 and GRE scores typically not less than 1400). Eligible students also have a clear understanding of their motivation for immunology. Laboratory experience is not mandatory but highly encouraged.

Candidates will apply to the Graduate Program in Immunology at the University of Chicago during their third year in the College. Eligible students must have completed thirty-three credits (of the forty-two required for a degree in the College) by the end of their third year. These thirty-three credits must include all fifteen general education requirements and one-half of the requirements for their major.

For further information, contact Bana Jabri ( [email protected] ).

Specialization in Microbiology

Students majoring in Biological Sciences who complete the requirements detailed below will be recognized as having completed a Specialization in Microbiology. Students must take the three courses listed below and either two additional courses or a research project. With prior approval from the director of the specialization, students may substitute BIOS 25206 Fundamentals of Bacterial Physiology and BIOS 25216 Molecular Basis of Bacterial Disease with GEOS 26650 Environmental Microbiology and BIOS 27811 Global Health Sciences II: Microbiology .

Students are encouraged to begin this sequence in Autumn Quarter of their third year, carry out individual guided research, participate in the honors research program, and attend the Microbiology Seminar series ( micro.uchicago.edu/events ).

For additional information, please contact the director of the specialization, Dominique Missiakas ( [email protected]) .

Interdisciplinary Biology Tracks

Ecology and evolution track.

Students completing the Biological Sciences major in the Ecology and Evolution Track must choose one of the following Fundamentals sequences:

1. Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution sequence —begins in the Winter Quarter of the first year and is structured to provide students with a foundation for interdisciplinary study in this field. Note that BIOS 20151 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Basic) / BIOS 20152 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Advanced) and BIOS 20153 Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology fulfill the general education requirement in biological sciences and are not counted towards the major.

2. Advanced Biology Ecology and Evolution Fundamentals sequence —begins in the Autumn Quarter of first year and requires a high level of preparedness in biology as well as a deep interest in research. The sequence is open to students who have achieved a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology test or by consent. + Students seeking consent should contact Michael Glotzer ( [email protected] ).

Field Ecology Requirement

In addition, students following either the Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution sequence or the Advanced Biology Ecology and Evolution Fundamentals sequence must complete the sequence with one of the following field ecology courses:

Students completing the Biological Sciences major in the Ecology and Evolution track must take:

* Students can satisfy this requirement with quantitative upper-level BIOS courses or courses from other departments (e.g., MATH, PHYS, STAT, or CMSC). Biological Sciences majors pursuing this track should confirm their quantitative course selections with Senior Biology Advisor Chris Andrews ( [email protected] ).

NOTE 1: The Ecology and Evolution Track does NOT require the third quarter of calculus. Students MUST take BIOS 20151 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Basic) or BIOS 20152 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Advanced), and students in the Advanced Biology sequence MUST take BIOS 20236 Biological Dynamics. NO Mathematics courses may be substituted for these requirements.

Students completing the Biological Sciences major in the Ecology and Evolution Track must take five upper-level courses (BIOS 21000 to 28999) after the Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution sequence to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree; three of these electives must be in the area of ecology, evolution, genetics, or behavior (notated with an E after the course title in the catalog).

Four upper-level electives are required for students who have completed the Advanced Biology Ecology and Evolution Fundamentals sequence ; three of these electives must be in the area of ecology, evolution, genetics or behavior (notated with an E after the course title in the catalog).

NOTE: BIOS 00199 Undergraduate Research, BIOS 00206 Readings: Biology, and BIOS 00299 Advanced Research: Biological Sciences may not be used to meet requirements for the Biological Sciences degree. Courses listed under the heading Specialized Courses (course numbers in the 29000 range) may not be used to meet requirements for the Biological Sciences degree.

Additional Requirements: Completion of the major through this track requires one quarter of independent field or research work in the area of Ecology and Evolution (approval of the Ecology and Evolution Track Director Cathy Pfister ( [email protected] ) or Chris Andrews ( [email protected] ) is required).

Research opportunities of particular interest to students in this track can be found on the Interdisciplinary Biology Ecology and Evolution page.

Summary of Requirements: Ecology and Evolution Track

For further questions about this track please contact Ecology and Evolution Track Director Cathy Pfister ( cpfi[email protected] ) or Chris Andrews ( [email protected] ).

Global and Public Health Track

Students completing the Biological Sciences major in the Global and Public Health Track must choose one of the following Fundamentals sequences:

1. Fundamentals of Global and Public Health sequence —begins in the Winter Quarter of the first year and is structured to provide students with a foundation for interdisciplinary study in this field. Note that BIOS 20151 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Basic) / BIOS 20152 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Advanced) and BIOS 20153 Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology fulfill the general education requirement in the biological sciences and are not counted towards the major.

*# BIOS 20151/BIOS 20152 and BIOS 20153 fulfill the general education requirement in the biological sciences and are prerequisites for the rest of the courses in the Fundamentals Sequence. BIOS 20151 may be taken simultaneously with BIOS 20186.

2. Advanced Biology Global and Public Health Fundamentals sequence —begins in the Autumn Quarter of the first year and requires a high level of preparedness in biology as well as a deep interest in research. The sequence is open to students who have achieved a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology test or by consent.* Students seeking consent should contact Michael Glotzer ( [email protected] ).

In addition, students following either the Fundamentals of Global and Public Health Sequence or the Advanced Biology Global and Public Health Sequence must complete the sequence with the following courses:

The Chicago series of foundational courses in Global and Public Health:

The Paris series of foundational courses in Global and Public Health (offered during Winter Quarter) † :

Students pursuing the major in the Global and Public Health Track will complete the following:

NOTE 1: The third quarter of Calculus is NOT required for the Global and Public Health Track. Students MUST take BIOS 20151 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Basic) or BIOS 20152 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Advanced), and students in the Advanced Biology sequence MUST take BIOS 20236 Biological Dynamics. NO Mathematics courses may be substituted for these requirements.

Students completing the major in the Global and Public Health Track must take eight upper-level electives distributed as follows: Four upper-level BIOS courses (BIOS 21000 to 28999) and four courses from the approved non-BIOS course list (see list below). Two of the BIOS electives must be in the area of global and public health (notated with a GP after the course title in the catalog).

Students who have completed the Advanced Biology Global and Public Health sequence must take three BIOS upper-level electives , two of which must be in the area of global and public health (notated with a GP after the course title in the catalog).

Note: Students in this track can use BIOS 20200 Introduction to Biochemistry as one of the BIOS upper-level electives and CHEM 22000 Organic Chemistry I as one of the non-BIOS upper-level electives.

Non-BIOS upper-level electives:

Additional Requirements : One quarter of independent field or research work in the area of Global and Public Health (approval of the Track Director Kathleen Beavis is required [email protected] ).

Research opportunities of particular interest to students in this track can be found on the Interdisciplinary Biology Track Global and Public Health page.

Summary of Requirements: Global and Public Health Track

Honors for the Global and Public Health Track

Students wishing to complete an honors thesis should see Honors . When appropriate for their research topic and methods, students in this track may instead enroll in SOCI 29998 Sociology BA Thesis Seminar with approval.

For questions about this track, please contact Global and Public Health Track Director Kathleen Beavis ( [email protected] ) or the Senior Biology Advisors .

Computational Biology Track

Students completing the Biological Sciences major in the Computational Biology Track must choose one of the following Fundamentals sequences:

1. Fundamentals of Computational Biology sequence —begins in the Winter Quarter of the first year and is structured to provide students with a foundation for interdisciplinary study in this field. Note that BIOS 20151 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Basic) / BIOS 20152 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Advanced) and BIOS 20153 Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology fulfill the general education requirement in the biological sciences and are not counted towards the major.

2. Advanced Computational Biology Fundamentals sequence —begins in the Autumn Quarter of the first year and requires a high level of preparedness in biology as well as a deep interest in research. The sequence is open to students who have achieved a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology test or by consent. * Students seeking consent should contact Michael Glotzer ( [email protected] ).

In addition, students following either the Fundamentals of Computational Biology Sequence or the Advanced Computational Biology Sequence must complete the sequence with the following courses in computer programming:

Two courses in computer programming:

One course in Computational Approaches to Biological Problems †:

Physical Sciences Requirements

Upper-Level Elective Requirements

Students completing the major in the Computational Biology Track must take five upper-level electives distributed as follows: Three upper-level BIOS courses in the area of computational biology (annotated CB ) and two courses from the approved non-BIOS course list (see list below).

Students who have completed the Advanced Computational Biology Fundamentals sequence must take two BIOS upper-level courses in the area of computational biology (annotated CB).

Other courses from quantitative programs may be counted by consent of the Track Director Anindita Basu ( oni[email protected] ) and Dmitry Kondrashov ( [email protected] ).

Additional Requirements : One quarter of independent field or research work in the area of Computational Biology is required. This requirement can be fulfilled by approved independent research with a faculty mentor or by completion of DATA 27100 Data Science Clinic I or DATA 27200 Data Science Clinic II . More information on track-specific opportunities can be found on the Interdisciplinary Biology Computational Biology page. For approval of independent research, contact Track Directors Dmitry Kondrashov ( [email protected] ) and Anindita Basu ( [email protected] ).

Summary of Requirements: Computational Biology Track

For questions about this track, please contact the Track Directors Dmitry Kondrashov ( [email protected] ) and Anindita Basu ( [email protected] ) or the Biology Advisors .

Program Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biological Sciences in any of the tracks by:

(2) writing a BS thesis under the supervision of an adviser who is a member of the Biological Sciences Division research faculty. The topic of the BS thesis must be appropriate for the track chosen.

Students completing the honors program or a specialization in the Biology Track that requires a senior thesis can submit the same thesis for the BS degree. Candidates must declare their intent by submitting a faculty consent form no later than the end of the Spring Quarter of their third year in the College. Details of the BS degree and a timeline for completion of requirements are provided on the BSCD website, bscd.uchicago.edu .

Honors in Biological Sciences can be earned via one of two ways.

Research Honors: Emphasizes exceptional achievement in a program of original research (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 or above), plus submission and acceptance of an in-depth research thesis.

Scholar Honors: Recognizes exceptional academic performance (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75 or above), including submission and acceptance of a scholarly thesis.

Both programs require formal declarations of intent to seek honors by the candidates. The details of each program are provided on the BSCD website . Candidates must apply for either program no later than the beginning of Spring Quarter of their third year in the College.

Research Opportunities

Students in all tracks are encouraged to carry out individual guided research in an area of their interest. A student may propose an arrangement with any faculty member in the Biological Sciences Division to sponsor and supervise research. Students may register for BIOS 00199 Undergraduate Research or BIOS 00299 Advanced Research: Biological Sciences at any time if they want to receive course credit for their research work, but this is not required. (Please note that there are required research courses for the BS and Research Honors programs.) For more information, see bscd.uchicago.edu/content/undergrad-research or contact Paul Strieleman ( [email protected] ). NOTE: Course credit cannot be given for work that is compensated by a salary. BIOS 00199 and BIOS 00299 may not be used to meet the requirements of the Biological Sciences degree.

Students interested in research are also encouraged to work in a research lab over the summer. In addition to individual arrangements with faculty, students may take advantage of fellowship programs. Application deadlines for fellowships range from mid-February to early April. Please see bscd.uchicago.edu/content/undergrad-research for more information about fellowship opportunities and funding for research in the Biological Sciences at the University of Chicago, or the College Center for Research and Fellowships ( ccrf.uchicago.edu ), and Career Advancement for a searchable database of internal and external research and fellowship opportunities.

Prospective biology majors interested in learning more about the variety of labs conducting biological research on campus can attend one or more quarters of BIOS 10098 Pizza with the PIs: Introduction to Biology Research at The University of Chicago .

BIOS 10098. Pizza with the PIs: Introduction to Biology Research at The University of Chicago. 000 Units.

This is an optional, non-credit course for students interested in carrying out research at the University of Chicago. It provides students with an opportunity to get to know the research faculty, identify potential labs to join, and be inspired by the research advances happening on our campus. Each week, a different faculty member from any of the various departments in the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) will present their own research work in a 50 minute, lunch-time seminar. Registration for the course is required to be able to attend these seminars. Pizza will be served.

Instructor(s): N. Bhasin Terms Offered: Spring Winter Prerequisite(s): This course is for prospective biology majors only. Students should have attended, or be enrolled in, at least one quarter of any Fundamentals sequence in biology. Note(s): This course is non-credit. Students will get a grade of P/F based on attendance at 7 out of 9 weekly seminars. This course can be taken along-with 4 other regular courses and the grade of P/F from this course will not affect student GPA. This course does not confer any credit towards the biology major, biology minor, or general education requirement in biology.

Minor in Biological Sciences

Students who wish to complete a Minor in Biological Sciences should meet with one of the BSCD Senior Advisers, Chris Andrews ( [email protected] ) or Megan McNulty ( [email protected] ), by the Spring Quarter of their second year in order to obtain formal consent and to plan out the appropriate program of study.

A student may earn a Minor in Biological Sciences with the following coursework:

General Education Requirement in the Biological Sciences

Two quarters of one of the following sequences:

Fundamentals in Biological Sciences Sequence

Health Professions Preparation Sequence

General Education Sequence for Non-Majors

Note: It is recommended that students minoring in the Biological Sciences take BIOS 20153 and BIOS 20151 (or BIOS 20152 ) to fulfill their general education requirement, as these offer the best preparation for the fundamentals sequence courses and the upper-level electives. However, any of the courses above will be accepted.

General Education Requirement in the Physical Sciences

Three courses from the Fundamentals in Biological Sciences Sequence:

Three courses from the Health Professions Preparation Sequence :

Upper-Level Electives Requirement

Four upper-level electives (BIOS 21000-28999).

No course in the minor can be double counted with the student's major(s) or with other minors, nor can they be counted toward general education requirements. More than half of the requirements for the minor must be met by registering for courses with University of Chicago course numbers. All courses for the minor must be taken for quality grades.

Grading and Academic Honesty

Students must receive quality grades in all courses that fulfill requirements for the BA or BS degree in Biological Sciences.

Academic dishonesty is a matter of grave concern to the faculty of the Biological Sciences Collegiate Division and will not be tolerated. Students should become familiar with the guidelines presented in Doing Honest Work in College by Charles Lipson and consult with each of their instructors to make sure they understand the specific expectations of each course. Consequences of academic dishonesty (including plagiarism) may include suspension or expulsion from the University.

Biological Sciences (BIOS) Courses

Students must confirm their registration with their instructors by the second class meeting or their registration may be canceled.

In the following course descriptions:

L indicates courses with a laboratory.

E indicates a course that can be counted towards a degree in Biological Sciences through the Ecology and Evolution Track.

GP indicates a course that can be counted towards a degree in Biological Sciences through the Global and Public Health Track.

CB indicates a course that can be counted towards a degree in Biological Sciences through the Computational Biology Track.

Health Professions Preparation Sequence for Non-Majors

This sequence (BIOS 20170- BIOS 20175) is an integrated set of biology courses designed to prepare non-biological sciences majors for application to medical school. This sequence cannot substitute for the Fundamentals Sequence in any of the tracks in the Biological Sciences major but can be used to fulfill requirements in the Biological Sciences Minor. However, completion of the Health Professions Preparation Sequence qualifies a student to take upper-level BIOS elective courses.

BIOS 20170. Microbial and Human Cell Biology. 100 Units.

This course is the entry point into an integrated biology sequence designed to prepare non-biology majors for application to schools in the health professions. We explore topics in human cell biology within the context of evolutionary biology, chemistry, microbiology, and medicine. We pay special attention to the influence of prokaryotes on the history of life and to the ecological interactions between humans and their microbiota, which have major implications for human health and disease. Students read and discuss papers from the scientific literature, attend discussions and gain experience with microbiological basic microscopy techniques in lab.

Instructor(s): C. Andrews, R. Zaragoza Terms Offered: Winter. L. Prerequisite(s): This sequence is open only to students who are not planning to major in Biological Sciences or Biological Chemistry and cannot be applied to either of these majors. It is recommended that students start the sequence in their first or second year.

BIOS 20171. Human Genetics and Developmental Biology. 100 Units.

This course covers the fundamentals of genetics, with an emphasis on human traits and diseases. Topics include Mendelian genetics, simple and complex traits, genetic diseases, the human genome, and testing for human traits and diseases. After establishing a foundation in genetics, we will discuss mechanisms underlying differentiation and development in humans. We will focus on events that lead to gastrulation and the establishment of the body plan (how humans develop from an un-patterned egg into a recognizable human form). Other topics may include limb development and stem cell biology.

Instructor(s): O. Pineda-Catalan, R. Zaragoza Terms Offered: Spring. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20170; must be taken concurrently with BIOS 20172.

BIOS 20172. Mathematical Modeling for Pre-Med Students. 100 Units.

This course covers mathematical approaches in biology and medicine, including basic statistics and hypothesis testing, mathematical modeling of biological systems, and an introduction to bioinformatics. Students will apply what they learn as they analyze data and interpret primary papers in the biological and clinical literature. BIOS 20172 lays the foundation for biomathematical approaches explored during subsequent courses in the BIOS 20170s sequence.

Instructor(s): E. Haddadian Terms Offered: Spring. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20170, concurrent enrollment in BIOS 20171

BIOS 20173. Perspectives of Human Physiology. 100 Units.

This course will explore the structure and function of the human body as a set of integrated, interdependent systems. We will continue the cellular, genetic, and developmental themes of the previous courses to explore the emergent functions of the human body, from cells to systems. The laboratory exercises will allow the students to experience the concepts discussed in lecture in a way that introduces them to the methods of academic research, including the application of mathematical models to physiological questions. Students will be asked to serve as test subjects in several of the laboratory exercises. Required weekly discussions include student presentations on papers from the scientific literature.

Instructor(s): C. Andrews, R. Zaragoza Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20170, BIOS 20171, BIOS 20172

BIOS 20175. Biochemistry and Metabolism. 100 Units.

The course introduces cellular biochemical metabolism. The chemical characteristics, biochemical properties, and function of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids are introduced. Basic protein structure and enzyme kinetics including basic allosteric interactions are considered. The integration of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in cellular intermediary metabolism is examined including pathway regulation and bioenergetics. Adaptation of the pathways to changes in nutritional or disease state is used to highlight interrelationships in cellular metabolism.

Instructor(s): P. Strieleman Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20170, BIOS 20171, BIOS 20172, BIOS 20173

Fundamentals Sequence Courses for Biological Sciences Majors

Students registering for Fundamentals Sequence courses in the Biological Sciences major must have completed or placed out of general or honors chemistry or be enrolled concurrently in general or honors chemistry.

BIOS 20151. Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Basic) 100 Units.

The goal for this course is to give future biologists the quantitative tools to fully participate in modern biological research. These include descriptive statistics, linear regression, stochastic independence and hypothesis testing, Markov models and stationary probability distributions, solutions of linear differential equations, equilibria and stability analysis of nonlinear differential equations. The ideas are applied to different areas of biology, e.g. molecular evolution, allometry, epidemiology, and biochemistry, and implemented by students in computer assignments using the R computational platform.

Instructor(s): Section 1: D. Kondrashov; Section 2: A. Basu Terms Offered: Spring. L. Prerequisite(s): Two quarters of calculus of any sequence (MATH 13200 or 15200 or 16200). First-year Biology Major standing only. Note(s): This course is required to partially fulfill the general education requirement in biology for Biological Sciences majors in all tracks, except for students taking BIOS 20152 and students in the Advanced Biology sequence. This course cannot be used as a Topics course for the general education requirement for non-Biological Sciences majors.

BIOS 20152. Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology (Advanced) 100 Units.

This is a more advanced version of 20151, intended for students with greater mathematical maturity. In addition to the topics covered in the regular version, students will learn about nonlinear least-squares fitting, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, bifurcations and bistability in differential equations. Additional applications will include phylogenetic distance and systems biology.

Instructor(s): D. Kondrashov Terms Offered: Winter. L. Prerequisite(s): MATH placement of 15200 or higher OR either MATH 15200 or MATH 16200 and second-year standing or higher. Note(s): This course can replace BIOS 20151 to partially fulfill the general education requirement in biology for Biological Sciences majors in all tracks. This course cannot be used as a Topics course for the general education requirement for non-Biological Sciences majors.

BIOS 20153. Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. 100 Units.

This course surveys the basic principles of ecology and evolutionary biology to lay the foundation for further study in all fields of biology. Broad ecological concepts, such as population growth, disease dynamics, and species interactions, will be explored through a combination of published data, simulations, and mathematical models. The emphasis is placed on "ecological thinking". Essential topics in the modern study of evolutionary biology will be covered with a focus on both theory and empirical examples. Examples of topics include history of evolutionary thought, evidence for evolution, mechanisms of microevolution, phylogenetics, molecular evolution, and speciation.

Instructor(s): M. Kronforst, C. Brook, C. Andrews, A. Hunter. Terms Offered: Winter. L. Note(s): This course is required to partially fulfill the general education requirement in biology for Biological Sciences majors in all tracks, except for students taking the Advanced Biology sequence.

BIOS 20186. Fundamentals of Cell and Molecular Biology. 100 Units.

This course is an introduction to molecular and cellular biology that emphasizes the unity of cellular processes amongst all living organisms. Topics are the structure, function, and synthesis of nucleic acids and protein; structure and function of cell organelles and extracellular matrices; energetics; cell cycle; cells in tissues and cell-signaling; temporal organization and regulation of metabolism; regulation of gene expression; and altered cell functions in disease states.

Instructor(s): Section 1: B. Glick, D. Kovar, C. Schonbaum; Section 2: R. Fehon, D. Pincus, P. Smith Terms Offered: Spring. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20153 & at least concurrent registration in 20151 or 20152 or similar math prep. Avg. grade of C or higher in, and completion of, CHEM 10100-10200 or 11100-11200 or 12100-12200, a 5 on the AP Chem. exam, or consent. Reg. by lab sec. Note(s): NSCI majors and other students may take BIO20186 without BIOS 20151/20152, 20153 unless they plan to pursue a double major in Biological Sciences. All students in BIOS 20186 will be expected to possess the competency in mathematical modeling of biological phenomena covered concurrently in BIOS 20151 or BIOS 20152.

BIOS 20187. Fundamentals of Genetics. 100 Units.

The goal of this course is to integrate recent developments in molecular genetics into the structure of classical genetics with an emphasis on recent advances in genetics and genomics. Topics include Mendelian inheritance, genotype-phenotype relationships, linkage analysis, modern gene mapping techniques, gene expression, model systems genetics and analysis of genetic pathways.

Instructor(s): Section 1: D. Missiakis, A. Brock. Section 2: J. Malamy, H-C. Lee, C. Schonbaum. Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20186

BIOS 20188. Fundamentals of Physiology. 100 Units.

This course focuses on the physiological problems that animals (including humans) face in natural environments; solutions to these problems that the genome encodes; and the emergent physiological properties of the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organismal levels of organization. Lectures and labs emphasize physiological reasoning, problem solving, and current research.

Instructor(s): Winter: J. Kennedy; Spring: D. McGehee, C. Andrews Terms Offered: Spring Winter. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235

BIOS 20189. Fundamentals of Developmental Biology. 100 Units.

This course covers both the classical experiments that contributed to our understanding of developmental biology and the recent explosion of information about development made possible by a combination of genetic and molecular approaches. Examples from both vertebrate and invertebrate systems are used to illustrate underlying principles of animal development.

Instructor(s): Winter: R. Ho, S. Horne-Badovinac, C. Schonbaum. Spring: W. Du, A. Imamoto, A. Brock. Terms Offered: Spring Winter. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20187.

BIOS 20200. Introduction to Biochemistry. 100 Units.

This course meets the biochemistry requirement in the Biological Sciences major. This course examines the chemical nature of cellular components, enzymes, and mechanisms of enzyme activity, energy interconversion, and biosynthetic reactions. Strong emphasis is given to control and regulation of metabolism through macromolecular interactions.

Instructor(s): M. Makinen, P. Strieleman, M. Zhao. L. Terms Offered: Autumn Spring. L. Prerequisite(s): Completion of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence with an average grade of C and CHEM 22000-22100/23100 with an average grade of C. Note(s): GP.

BIOS 20196. Ecology and Conservation. 100 Units.

This course focuses on the contribution of ecological theory to the understanding of current issues in conservation biology. We emphasize quantitative methods and their use for applied problems in ecology (e.g., risk of extinction, impact of harvesting, role of species interaction, analysis of global change). Course material is drawn mostly from current primary literature; lab and field components complement concepts taught through lecture. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20150, BIOS 20151 or BIOS 20152 Note(s): BIOS 20196 is identical to the previously offered BIOS 23251. Students who have taken BIOS 23251 should not enroll in BIOS 20196. Equivalent Course(s): ENSC 24400

Instructor(s): C. Pfister, E. Larsen Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20151 or BIOS 20152 Note(s): BIOS 20196 is identical to the previously offered BIOS 23251. Students who have taken BIOS 23251 should not enroll in BIOS 20196. Equivalent Course(s): ENSC 24400

BIOS 20198. Biodiversity. 100 Units.

Section 1. Students will review the three biodiversity levels, i.e., genetic, species, and ecosystem, using a systemic approach to appraise the complex network of interactions among living organisms on our planet. During the course, students will survey the main taxonomic groups, such as archaea, bacteria, single-celled eukaryotes, fungi, plants, and animals, to identify their defining characteristics, describe their evolutionary origin, and evaluate their role in ecosystems. Students will integrate knowledge and analytical tools to assess the biodiversity in their neighborhoods, as well as differentiate parameters that impact distribution and abundance of organisms in their local ecosystems. Section 2. This course presents an overview of the diversity of living organisms, including archaea, bacteria, single-celled eukaryotes, fungi, plants, and animals, with an emphasis on their evolutionary histories, relationships, and the biological and evolutionary implications of the characteristic features of each group. We will explore how these different lineages have evolved remarkable solutions to challenges in locomotion, metabolism, and life in extreme environments. Work in the lab will take advantage of the diversity of organisms that live around, or are maintained at, the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, MA.

Instructor(s): Section 1: O. Pineda, C. Andrews; Section 2: A. Gillis, O. Pineda Terms Offered: Spring. L. Section 1 will be taught on the Chicago campus. Section 2 will be taught during Spring Quarter at MBL in Woods Hole, MA (https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/mbl-spring-quarter-biology) Prerequisite(s): PQ: BIOS 20153 for Biological Sciences majors; not required for GeoSci majors or students taking BIOS 20198 as part of a general education sequence

Advanced Biology Fundamentals Sequence

This is an accelerated four-quarter Fundamentals sequence (BIOS 20234-20236 and BIOS 20188) designed for motivated first-year students with exceptionally strong science and mathematics backgrounds and an intense interest in research in the biological sciences. A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology test or consent is required; students seeking consent should contact Michael Glotzer ( [email protected] ). Successful students usually also have strong preparation in biology, chemistry, and calculus as well as some experience in computer programming. Students are expected to devote significant time to this sequence (minimum four to eight hours/week for reading primary literature and background information and for working problem sets, in addition to attendance at lectures and participation in laboratory exercises and discussion sections). Upon completion of the first three quarters of the Advanced Biology sequence, students will have three credits towards the Biological Sciences major and they will have met the general education requirement in the biological sciences.

Note: Biological Sciences majors who opt not to complete the sequence after the first quarter ( BIOS 20234 Molecular Biology of the Cell ) should take BIOS 20151 / BIOS 20152, which will be applied to their general education requirement in the Biological Sciences along with their AP Biology credit. BIOS 20234 would be counted as a credit towards the Biological Sciences major. Students would then complete the major by following the requirements for either the Biology Track or an Interdisciplinary Biology Track.

Note: Students who complete the Advanced Biology sequence but do not have a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology exam will need to take one additional course to fulfill the general education requirement in the Biological Sciences. Students should consult with BSCD Senior Advisers (Megan McNulty, [email protected] , and Chris Andrews, [email protected] ) to select an appropriate course.

BIOS 20234. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 100 Units.

This course covers the fundamentals of molecular and cellular biology. Topics include protein structure and function; DNA replication, repair, and recombination; transcription, translation, control of gene expression; cytoskeletal dynamics; protein modification and stability; cellular signaling; cell cycle control; mitosis; and meiosis.

Instructor(s): M. Glotzer, A. Ruthenburg, N. Bhasin. L. Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Score of 4 or 5 on the AP biology test or consent. Note(s): To continue in the sequence, students must receive a minimum grade of B- in BIOS 20234

BIOS 20235. Biological Systems. 100 Units.

Students preparing for the health professions must take BIOS 20235 and 20188 in sequence. This course builds upon molecular cell biology foundations to explore how biological systems function. Topics include classical and molecular genetics, developmental signaling networks, genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and biological networks.

Instructor(s): I. Rebay, M, Pascual, N. Bhasin. L. Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): A grade of B- or above in BIOS 20234

BIOS 20236. Biological Dynamics. 100 Units.

This class introduces the use of quantitative approaches to study biological dynamics. Deeper exploration of cellular and developmental processes introduced in BIOS 20234 and BIOS 20235 will emphasize the use of quantitative analysis and mathematical modeling to infer biological mechanisms from molecular interactions. The lab portion of the class will introduce basic approaches for simulating biological dynamics using examples drawn from the lectures.

Instructor(s): E. Munro, M. Rust. Terms Offered: Spring. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20234 and BIOS 20235 with a minimum grade of B- in each course.

Upper-level Elective Courses

Course numbers 21000-28999 .

These courses assume mastery of the material covered in the Fundamentals Sequences and explore specific areas of biology at an advanced level. In most cases, students will be reading primary scientific literature. Students who have not yet completed the Fundamentals Sequence should consult with the course instructor and the BSCD Senior Advisers before registering for an upper-level elective course. Students must confirm their registration with their instructors by the second class meeting or their registration may be canceled.

BIOS 21216. Introduction to Statistical Genetics. 100 Units.

This course focuses on genetic models for complex human disorders and quantitative traits. Topics covered also include linkage and linkage disequilibrium mapping and genetic models for complex traits, and the explicit and implicit assumptions of such models.

Instructor(s): Xin He, Hae Kyung Im Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): For Biological Sciences majors: Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence Note(s): E. GP. CB. Equivalent Course(s): HGEN 47100

BIOS 21229. Genome Informatics: How Cells Reorganize Genomes. 100 Units.

This course deals with the molecular and cellular basis of genetic change. We discuss DNA repair functions, mutator loci, induced mutation, mechanisms of homologous recombination and gene conversion, site-specific recombination, transposable elements and DNA rearrangements, reverse transcription and retrotransposons, transposable vector systems for making transgenic organisms, and genetic engineering of DNA sequences in antibody formation. Discussion section required.

Instructor(s): J. Shapiro Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence including BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235 Note(s): E.

BIOS 21236. Genetics of Model Organisms. 100 Units.

A small number of organisms have been chosen for extensive study by biologists. The popularity of these organisms derives largely from the fact that their genomes can be easily manipulated, allowing sophisticated characterization of biological function. This course covers modern methods for genetic analysis in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), plants (Arabidopsis thaliana), and mice (Mus musculus). Case studies demonstrate how particular strengths of each system have been exploited to understand such processes as genetic recombination, pattern formation, and epigenetic regulation of gene expression.

Instructor(s): D. Bishop, H-C. Lee, E. Ferguson, X. Zhang. Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence including BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235 Note(s): E.

BIOS 21237. Developmental Mechanisms. 100 Units.

This course provides an overview of the fundamental questions of developmental biology, with particular emphasis on the genetic, molecular and cell biological experiments that have been employed to reach mechanistic answers to these questions. Topics covered will include formation of the primary body axes, the role of local signaling interactions in regulating cell fate and proliferation, the cellular basis of morphogenesis, and stem cells.

Instructor(s): E. Ferguson, R. Fehon Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): For undergraduates only: Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence including BIOS 20189, or BIOS 20235. AND CONSENT OF INSTRUCTOR Equivalent Course(s): DVBI 36400, MGCB 36400

BIOS 21238. Cell Biology II. 100 Units.

This course covers the mechanisms with which cells execute fundamental behaviors. Topics include signal transduction, cell cycle progression, cell growth, cell death, cancer biology, cytoskeletal polymers and motors, cell motility, cytoskeletal diseases, and cell polarity. Each lecture will conclude with a dissection of primary literature with input from the students. Students will write and present a short research proposal, providing excellent preparation for preliminary exams.

Instructor(s): M. Glotzer, D. Kovar Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): For undergraduates: Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence. Equivalent Course(s): MGCB 31700, DVBI 31700, BCMB 31700

BIOS 21249. Organization, Expression, and Transmission of Genome Information. 100 Units.

This seminar course examines how genomes are organized for coding sequence expression and transmission to progeny cells. The class discusses a series of key papers in the following areas: bacterial responses to external stimuli and genome damage, control of eukaryotic cell differentiation, complex loci regulating developmental expression in animals, centromere structure and function, position effect variegation, chromatin domains, chromatin remodeling, RNAi, and chromatin formatting.

Instructor(s): J. Shapiro Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence. Recommended for Advanced Biology students Note(s): E.

BIOS 21306. Human Genetics and Evolution. 100 Units.

The goal of this course is to provide an evolutionary perspective on the molecular genetic bases of human diseases and non-clinical human traits. The course covers fundamental concepts and recent progress in Mendelian and complex trait mapping as well as evolutionary principles as they apply to genomics analyses of DNA sequence variation in human populations. These topics will be introduced through lectures and will be complemented by discussion and student presentations of original research papers.

Instructor(s): Y. Li Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Fundamentals Sequence including BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235. Note(s): E. GP.

BIOS 21317. Topics in Biological Chemistry. 100 Units.

Required of students who are majoring in biological chemistry. This course examines a variety of biological problems from a chemical and structural perspective, with an emphasis on molecular machines. Topics include macromolecular structure-function relationships, DNA synthesis and repair, RNA folding and function, protein synthesis, targeting and translocation, molecular motors, membrane proteins, photosynthesis, and mechanisms of signal transduction. Computer graphics exercises and in-class journal clubs complement the lecture topics.

Instructor(s): P. Rice, R. Keenan Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence and BIOS 20200.

BIOS 21328. Biophysics of Biomolecules. 100 Units.

This course covers the properties of proteins, RNA, and DNA, as well as their interactions. We emphasize the interplay between structure, thermodynamics, folding, and function at the molecular level. Topics include cooperativity, linked equilibrium, hydrogen exchange, electrostatics, diffusion, and binding.

Instructor(s): Sosnick, T. Terms Offered: Spring Equivalent Course(s): BPHS 31000, BCMB 32200

BIOS 21349. Protein Structure and Functions in Medicine. 100 Units.

This course explores how molecular machinery works in the context of medicine (vision, fight or flight, cancer, and action of drugs). We first explore the physical and biochemical properties of proteins in the context of cellular signaling. We then examine how proteins and other cellular components make up the signal transduction pathway of humans and conduct their biological functions. The course engages students to strengthen their scientific communication and teaching skills via the in-class podcast, oral examinations, computer-aided structural presentations, student lectures, and discussions.

Instructor(s): W-J. Tang Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence. Biochemistry strongly recommended. Equivalent Course(s): CABI 31900, NURB 33500

BIOS 21356. Vertebrate Development. 100 Units.

This advanced-level course combines lectures, student presentations, and discussion sessions. It covers major topics on the developmental biology of embryos (e.g. formation of the germ line, gastrulation, segmentation, nervous system development, limb pattering, organogenesis). We make extensive use of the primary literature and emphasize experimental approaches including embryology, genetics, and molecular genetics.

Instructor(s): V. Prince, P. Kratsios. Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): For Biological Sciences majors: Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence including BIOS 20189 or BIOS 20190 Equivalent Course(s): MGCB 35600, ORGB 33600, DVBI 35600

BIOS 21358. Simulation, Modeling, and Computation in Biophysics. 100 Units.

This course develops skills for modeling biomolecular systems. Fundamental knowledge covers basic statistical mechanics, free energy, and kinetic concepts. Tools include molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, random walk and diffusion equations, and methods to generate random Gaussian and Poisson distributors. A term project involves writing a small program that simulates a process. Familiarity with a programming language or Mathlab would be valuable.

Instructor(s): B. Roux Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence, BIOS 20200 and BIOS 26210-26211, or consent from instructor Note(s): CB Equivalent Course(s): CPNS 31358, BCMB 31358, CHEM 31358

BIOS 21360. Advanced Molecular Biology. 100 Units.

This course covers genome structures, transcription of DNA to RNA, messenger RNA splicing, translation of RNA to protein, transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulations, non-coding RNA functions, epigenetics and epi-transcriptomics. Basic methods in molecular biology will also be covered. The course also includes special, current topics on genomics, single molecule studies of gene expression, epi-transcriptomics, and others.

Instructor(s): J. Fei, T. Pan. Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence including BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235 and Organic Chemistry, or consent of instructor.

BIOS 21415. Stem Cells in Development and Diseases. 100 Units.

This course will provide a survey of concepts and biology of stem cells based on experimental evidence for their involvement in developmental processes and human diseases. Topics will discuss classic models as well as recent advance made in the biomedical research community.

Instructor(s): A. Imamoto, X. Wu Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence, including BIOS 20186 and BIOS 20187

BIOS 21416. Stem Cells and Regeneration. 100 Units.

The course will focus on the basic biology of stem cells and regeneration, highlighting biomedically relevant findings that have the potential to translate to the clinic. We will cover embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, as well as adult stem cells from a variety of systems, both invertebrate and vertebrates.

Instructor(s): H. Marlow, E. Ferguson, V. Prince, J. Cunningham, Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): For undergraduates only: Three quarters of a Biological Sciences fundamentals Sequence Equivalent Course(s): DVBI 36200

BIOS 21506. Biological Physics. 100 Units.

This course is an introduction to the physics of living matter. Its goal is to understand the design principles from physics that characterize the condensed and organized matter of living systems. Topics include: basic structures of proteins, nucleotides, and biological membranes; application of statistical mechanics to diffusion and transport; hydrodynamics of low Reynolds number fluids; thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium; physical chemistry of binding affinity and kinetics; solution electrostatics and depletion effect; biopolymer mechanics; cellular mechanics and motions; molecular motors.

Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): PHYS 13300 or PHYS 14300 Note(s): Students majoring in Physics may use this course either as a Physics elective OR as a upper level elective in the Biological Sciences major. Equivalent Course(s): PHYS 25500

BIOS 21507. Stem Cell Biology, Regeneration, and Disease Modeling. 100 Units.

In this course, students will gain an understanding of the science and application of tissue engineering, a field that seeks to develop technologies for restoring lost function in diseased or damaged tissues and organs. The course will first introduce the underlying cellular and molecular components and processes relevant to tissue engineering: extracellular matrices, cell/matrix interactions such as adhesion and migration, growth factor biology, stem cell biology, inflammation, and innate immunity. The course will then discuss current approaches for engineering a variety of tissues, including bone and musculoskeletal tissues, vascular tissues, skin, nerve, and pancreas. Students will be assessed through in-class discussions, take-home assignments and exams, and an end-of-term project on a topic of the student's choice.

Instructor(s): Huanhuan Chen Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20186 or BIOS 20234 Note(s): CB Equivalent Course(s): MENG 33110, MENG 23110, MPMM 34300

BIOS 21510. Chromatin & Epigenetics. 100 Units.

This course presents the dynamic nature of the physiological genome - an exquisitely regulated macromolecular polymer termed chromatin - that gives rise to hundreds of cellular identities, each adaptable to various environmental milieu. Students will explore the mechanisms and determinants that shape distinct chromatin conformations and their influences on gene expression and cell fate. Topics include histone modifications, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, Polycomb, heterochromatin, topologically associating domains, phase transition, and non-coding RNA. Students will apply their knowledge to understand the role of chromatin structure in development (e.g. lineage specification), disease (e.g. cancer) and potential therapeutics (e.g. cellular reprogramming). Students will leave the course with an in-depth knowledge of cutting-edge epigenetic methodologies as well as the ability to critically evaluate primary literature and propose original scientific research.

Instructor(s): Koh, A. Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence Equivalent Course(s): IMMU 33000

BIOS 22233. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy. 100 Units.

This course covers the structure and function of major anatomical systems of vertebrates. Lectures focus on vertebrate diversity, biomechanics, and behavior (from swimming and feeding to running, flying, seeing, and hearing). Labs involve detailed dissection of animals (muscles, organs, brains) and a focus on skull bones in a broad comparative context from fishes to frogs, turtles, alligators, mammals, birds, and humans. Field trip to Field Museum and visit to medical school lab for human dissection required.

Instructor(s): M. Westneat. L. Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence. Note(s): Offered Winter during odd years. E. Equivalent Course(s): ORGB 32233

BIOS 22245. Biomechanics: How Life Works. 100 Units.

This course will explore form and function in a diversity of organisms, using the principles of physics and evolutionary theory to understand why living things are shaped as they are and behave in such a diversity of ways. Biomechanics is at the interface of biology, physics, art, and engineering. We will study the impact of size on biological systems, address the implications of solid and fluid mechanics for organismal design, learn fundamental principles of animal locomotion, and survey biomechanical approaches. Understanding the mechanics of biological organisms can help us gain insight into their behavior, ecology and evolution.

Instructor(s): M. Westneat Terms Offered: Spring. L. Spring. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence. Physics useful. Note(s): This course will include a lab and will alternate years with BIOS 22233. E. Equivalent Course(s): ORGB 32245, EVOL 32245

BIOS 22250. Chordates: Evolution and Comparative Anatomy. 100 Units.

Chordate biology emphasizes the diversity and evolution of modern vertebrate life, drawing on a range of sources (from comparative anatomy and embryology to paleontology, biomechanics, and developmental genetics). Much of the work is lab-based, with ample opportunity to gain firsthand experience of the repeated themes of vertebrate body plans, as well as some of the extraordinary specializations manifest in living forms. The instructors, who are both actively engaged in vertebrate-centered research, take this course beyond the boundaries of standard textbook content.

Instructor(s): M. Coates Terms Offered: Winter. L. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence, including BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235 Note(s): Offered Winter during even years. E. Equivalent Course(s): ORGB 30250, EVOL 30200

BIOS 22260. Vertebrate Structure and Function. 100 Units.

This course is devoted to vertebrate bones and muscles, with a focus on some remarkable functions they perform. The first part takes a comparative look at the vertebrate skeleton via development and evolution, from lamprey to human. The major functional changes are examined as vertebrates adapted to life in the water, on land, and in the air. The second part looks at muscles and how they work in specific situations, including gape-feeding, swimming, leaping, digging, flying, and walking on two legs. Dissection of preserved vertebrate specimens required.

Instructor(s): P. Sereno. L. Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence and consent of instructor. See also http://paulsereno.uchicago.edu/fossil_lab/classes/vertebrate_structure_and_function for more information. Note(s): E.

BIOS 22265. Human Origins: Milestones in Human Evolution and the Fossil Record. 100 Units.

This course aims at exploring the fundamentals of human origins by tracking the major events during the course of human evolution. Starting with a laboratory based general introduction to human osteology and muscle function, the latest on morphological and behavioral evidence for what makes Homo sapiens and their fossil ancestors unique among primates will be presented. Our knowledge of the last common ancestor will be explored using the late Miocene fossil record followed by a series of lectures on comparative and functional morphology, adaptation and biogeography of fossil human species. With focus on the human fossil record, the emergence of bipedalism, advent of stone tool use and making, abandonment of arboreality, advent of endurance walking and running, dawn of encephalization and associated novel life histories, language and symbolism will be explored. While taxonomic identities and phylogenetic relationships will be briefly presented, the focus will be on investigating major adaptive transitions and how that understanding helps us to unravel the ecological selective factors that ultimately led to the emergence of our species. The course will be supported by fresh data coming from active field research conducted by Prof. Alemseged and state of the art visualization methods that help explore internal structures. By tracing the path followed by our ancestors over time, this course is directly relevant to reconnoitering the human condition today and our place in nature.

Instructor(s): Z. Alemseged. L. Terms Offered: Autumn. Offered every other Autumn, even years. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence, or consent of Instructor. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): ANTH 28110, ORGB 33265

BIOS 22270. Bones and Genes: The Story of Homo Sapiens. 100 Units.

The primary aim of this course is to explore the biological and behavioral makings of our species, anatomically modern Homo sapiens, by considering hypotheses, models, evidence, and the latest consensus from the complementary fields of paleoanthropology and genetics. The course is divided into two blocks, one focusing on our origins and the other on migrations across the globe. After a brief introduction to the human skeleton, students will learn about the pool of potential direct ancestors that lived before Homo sapiens emerged 300,000 year ago, as well as the environmental and cultural environments that may have led to the arrival of our species. This will be complemented by an evaluation of competing genetic models for the origin of our species and evidence for genetic intermixing with archaic humans such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. We will, then, follow modern humans out of Africa and study the fossil, archaeological, and genetic evidence for the peopling of the planet and adaptations to novel environments. Finally, the contributions of paleoanthropology and genetics to our understanding of behavior, cognition, physical traits/phenotypes, diet, and disease evolution will be explored. Complementary laboratory and discussion sessions will expose students to state-of-the-art methods and current research endeavors in these fields.

Instructor(s): M. Raghavan, Z. Alemseged. Terms Offered: Spring. L. This course will be taught during even years. Prerequisite(s): BIOS Majors: Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence. Also open to students in Anthropology and Genetics with an interest in human evolution, or consent of instructors. Note(s): E.

BIOS 22306. Evolution and Development. 100 Units.

The course will provide a developmental perspective on animal body plans in phylogenetic context. The course will start with a few lectures, accompanied by reading assignments. Students will be required to present a selected research topic that fits the broader goal of the course and will be asked to submit a referenced written version of it after their oral presentation. Grading will be based on their presentation (oral and written) as well as their contributions to class discussions. Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduates may enroll with the consent of the instructor.

Instructor(s): U. Schmidt-Ott Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduates may enroll with the consent of the instructor. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): DVBI 33850, EVOL 33850, ORGB 33850

BIOS 23100. Dinosaur Science. 100 Units.

This introductory-level (but intensive) class includes a ten-day expedition to South Dakota and Wyoming (departing just after graduation). We study basic geology (e.g., rocks and minerals, stratigraphy, Earth history, mapping skills) and basic evolutionary biology (e.g., vertebrate and especially skeletal anatomy, systematics and large-scale evolutionary patterns). This course provides the knowledge needed to discover and understand the meaning of fossils as they are preserved in the field, which is applied to actual paleontological sites. Participants fly from Chicago to Rapid City, and then travel by van to field sites. There they camp, prospect for, and excavate fossils from the Cretaceous and Jurassic Periods. Field trip required.

Instructor(s): P. Sereno. L. Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor, three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence and a prior course in general science, preferably geology. See also http://paulsereno.uchicago.edu/fossil_lab/classes/dinosaur_science for more information. Note(s): E.

BIOS 23232. Ecology and Evolution in the Southwest. 100 Units.

This lecture course focuses on the ecological communities of the Southwest, primarily on the four subdivisions of the North American Desert, the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, Mohave, and Great Basin Deserts. Lecture topics include climate change and the impact on the flora and fauna of the region; adaptations to arid landscapes; evolutionary, ecological, and conservation issues in the arid Southwest, especially relating to isolated mountain ranges; human impacts on the biota, land, and water; and how geological and climatic forces shape deserts.

Instructor(s): E. Larsen Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence, or consent of instructor Note(s): E.

BIOS 23233. Ecology and Evolution in the Southwest:Field School. 100 Units.

This lecture/lab course is the same course as BIOS 23232, but includes a lab section preparatory to a three-week field trip at end of Spring Quarter, specific dates to be announced. Our goal in the lab is to prepare proposals for research projects to conduct in the field portion of this course. Field conditions are rugged. Travel is by fifteen-passenger van. Lodging during most of this course is tent camping on developed campsites.

Instructor(s): E. Larsen Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence and consent of instructor Note(s): E.

BIOS 23247. Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology: Approaches to the Past. 100 Units.

This course is intended to provide students with a thorough understanding of bioanthropological, osteological and forensic methods used in the interpretation of past and present behavior by introducing osteological methods and anthropological theory. In particular, lab instruction stresses hands-on experience in analyzing human remains, whereas seminar classes integrate bioanthropological theory and its application to specific archaeological and forensic cases throughout the world. At the end of this course, students will be able to identify, document, and interpret human remains from archaeological and forensic contexts. Lab and seminar-format classes each meet weekly.

Note(s): This course qualifies as a Methodology selection for Anthropology majors. Equivalent Course(s): LACS 38400, LACS 28400, ANTH 28400, ANTH 38800

BIOS 23248. Primate Behavior and Ecology. 100 Units.

This course explores the behavior and ecology of nonhuman primates with emphasis on their natural history and evolution. Specific topics include methods for the study of primate behavior, history of primate behavior research, socioecology, foraging, predation, affiliation, aggression, mating, parenting, development, communication, cognition, and evolution of human behavior.

Instructor(s): D. Maestripieri Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Completion of the first three quarters of a Biological Sciences fundamentals sequence. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): CHDV 34300, CHDV 21800, EVOL 37300

BIOS 23249. Animal Behavior. 100 Units.

This course introduces the mechanism, ecology, and evolution of behavior, primarily in nonhuman species, at the individual and group level. Topics include the genetic basis of behavior, developmental pathways, communication, physiology and behavior, foraging behavior, kin selection, mating systems and sexual selection, and the ecological and social context of behavior. A major emphasis is placed on understanding and evaluating scientific studies and their field and lab techniques.

Instructor(s): J. Mateo (odd years) Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence. Note(s): CHDV Distribution: A E. Equivalent Course(s): PSYC 23249, CHDV 23249

BIOS 23254. Mammalian Ecology. 100 Units.

This course introduces the diversity and classification of mammals and their ecological relationships. Lectures cover natural history, evolution, and functional morphology of major taxonomic groups. Lab sessions focus on skeletal morphology, identifying traits of major taxonomic groups, and methods of conducting research in the field. Participation in field trips, occasionally on Saturday, is required.

Instructor(s): E. Larsen Terms Offered: Spring. L. Offered every other year in odd years. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence and third-year standing or consent of instructor. Note(s): E.

BIOS 23261. Invertebrate Paleobiology and Evolution. 100 Units.

This course provides a detailed overview of the morphology, paleobiology, evolutionary history, and practical uses of the invertebrate and microfossil groups commonly found in the fossil record. Emphasis is placed on understanding key anatomical and ecological innovations within each group and interactions among groups responsible for producing the observed changes in diversity, dominance, and ecological community structure through evolutionary time. Labs supplement lecture material with specimen-based and practical application sections. An optional field trip offers experience in the collection of specimens and raw paleontological data. Several "Hot Topics" lectures introduce important, exciting, and often controversial aspects of current paleontological research linked to particular invertebrate groups. (L)

Instructor(s): M. Webster Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): GEOS 13100 and 13200 or equivalent; completion of the general education requirement in the Biological Sciences, or consent of instructor; students majoring in Biological Sciences only. Equivalent Course(s): GEOS 36300, EVOL 32400, GEOS 26300

BIOS 23262. Mammalian Evolutionary Biology. 100 Units.

This course examines mammalian evolution-the rise of living mammals from ancient fossil ancestors stretching back over 300 million years. Lectures focus on the evolutionary diversification of mammals, including anatomical structure, evolutionary adaptations, life history, and developmental patterns. Labs involve detailed comparative study of mammalian skeletons, dissection of muscular and other systems, trips to the Field Museum to study fossil collections, and studies of human anatomy at the Pritzker School of Medicine. Students will learn mammalian evolution, functional morphology, and development, and will gain hands-on experience in dissection. Taught by instructors who are active in scientific research on mammalian evolution, the course is aimed to convey new insights and the latest progress in mammalian paleontology, functional morphology, and evolution. Prerequisite(s): Second-year standing and completion of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence; or GEOS 13100-13200 or GEOS 22300, or consent of instructors.

Instructor(s): Z. Luo, K. Angielczyk Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence or consent of instructors. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): EVOL 31201, ORGB 31201

BIOS 23266. Evolutionary Adaptation. 100 Units.

This course deals with the adaptation of organisms to their environments and focuses on methods for studying adaptation. Topics include definitions and examples of adaptation, the notion of optimization, adaptive radiations, the comparative method in evolutionary biology, and the genetic architecture of adaptive traits. Students will draw on the logical frameworks covered in lecture as they evaluate primary papers and prepare two writing assignments on an adaptive question of their choice.

Instructor(s): C. Andrews Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence including BIOS 20153 and BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20234 and 20235 or BIOS 20170 and 20171 or consent of instructor. Note(s): E.

BIOS 23289. Marine Ecology. 100 Units.

This course provides an introduction into the physical, chemical, and biological forces controlling the function of marine ecosystems and how marine communities are organized. The structures of various types of marine ecosystems are described and contrasted, and the lectures highlight aspects of marine ecology relevant to applied issues such as conservation and harvesting.

Instructor(s): T. Wootton Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence and prior introductory course in ecology or consent of instructor. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): ENST 23289

BIOS 23299. Plant Development and Molecular Genetics. 100 Units.

Genetic approaches to central problems in plant development will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on embryonic pattern formation, meristem structure and function, reproduction, and the role of hormones and environmental signals in development. Lectures will be drawn from the current literature; experimental approaches (genetic, cell biological, biochemical) used to discern developmental mechanisms will be emphasized. Graduate students will present a research proposal in oral and written form; undergraduate students will present and analyze data from the primary literature, and will be responsible for a final paper.

Instructor(s): J. Greenberg Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): For undergraduates only: Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence including BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): DVBI 36100, ECEV 32900, MGCB 36100

BIOS 23404. Reconstructing the Tree of Life: An Introduction to Phylogenetics. 100 Units.

This course is an introduction to the tree of life (phylogeny): its conceptual origins, methods for discovering its structure, and its importance in evolutionary biology and other areas of science. Topics include history and concepts, sources of data, methods of phylogenetic analysis, and the use of phylogenies to study the tempo and mode of lineage diversification, coevolution, biogeography, conservation, molecular biology, development, and epidemiology. One Saturday field trip and weekly computer labs required in addition to scheduled class time. This course is offered in alternate (odd) years.

Instructor(s): R. Ree.; A. Hipp Terms Offered: Autumn. This course is offered in alternate (odd) years. L. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence or consent of instructor Note(s): E. CB. Equivalent Course(s): EVOL 35401

BIOS 23406. Biogeography. 100 Units.

In this course, we examine the uneven distribution of life on Earth and how ecology, evolution, and Earth sciences help us understand its past, present, and future. Topics include diversity gradients and hotspots, islands, methods for inferring the boundaries and histories of biotas, models and laws in biogeography, and the relevance of biogeography in the Anthropocene.

Instructor(s): J. Bates (odd years- Autumn); R. Ree (odd years- Winter) Terms Offered: Autumn Winter. Offered during odd calendar years only, Winter & Autumn. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence and a course in either ecology, evolution, or earth history; or consent of instructor Note(s): E. GP. Equivalent Course(s): ENST 25500, GEOG 25500, GEOG 35500, EVOL 45500

BIOS 23409. The Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases. 100 Units.

Understanding the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases is crucial for both human health and for preservation of the natural environment. In this course, we combine mathematical modeling with ecological and evolutionary analyses to understand how fundamental mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions are translated into disease dynamics and host-pathogen co-evolution.

Instructor(s): G. Dwyer Terms Offered: Spring. L. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence and Integral calculus. Note(s): E. GP. CB.

BIOS 23410. Complex Interactions: Coevolution, Parasites, Mutualists, and Cheaters. 100 Units.

This course emphasizes the enormous diversity of interactions between organisms. It is an introduction to the biology and ecology of parasitic and mutualistic symbiotic associations and their evolution. Topics include endosymbioses and their impact on the evolution of photosynthetic organisms, bacterial symbioses (e.g., nitrogen fixation), symbioses that fungi evolved with plants and animals (e.g., endophytes, mycorrhizae, lichens), pollination biology, insect-plant associations, and associations of algae with animals. Methods to elucidate the evolution of these associations are discussed with a focus on coevolutionary events and the origin of cheaters.

Instructor(s): T. Lumbsch Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence. Note(s): E.

BIOS 23413. Quantitative Microbial Ecology. 100 Units.

Microbes live in nearly every niche on the planet from our bodies to the soil beneath our feet. In all of these habitats, microbes live in communities that harbor staggering complexity with thousands of species possessing almost unimaginable variation in traits and interactions. From all of this complexity emerge global nutrient cycles, the functional microbiota within higher organisms, and many industrial processes upon which life depends. In recent years ecologists and microbiologists have joined forces with physicists, engineers, chemists, and computer scientists to try and build quantitative and predictive formalisms to understand these systems. This course gives students a front-row seat to this emerging field through a "physics-style approach" to understand the structure, dynamics, and function of complex communities of microbes. We engage with the general principles of microbial physiology. These considerations connect our inquiry to consumer-resource models and computational studies of resource-mediated interactions in microbial communities.

Instructor(s): Seppe Kuehn Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Calculus. Basic familiarity with programming in Python, Matlab or R is beneficial but not required. Biology majors: Completion of three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence. Equivalent Course(s): ECEV 36500

BIOS 24130. Systems Neuroscience. 100 Units.

This course covers vertebrate and invertebrate systems neuroscience with a focus on the anatomy, physiology, and development of sensory and motor control systems. The neural bases of form and motion perception, locomotion, memory, and other forms of neural plasticity are examined in detail. We also discuss clinical aspects of neurological disorders.

Instructor(s): J. MacLean Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): NSCI 20101, NSCI 20111 or consent of instructors Equivalent Course(s): NSCI 20130, PSYC 24010

BIOS 24217. Conquest of Pain. 100 Units.

This course examines the biology of pain and the mechanisms by which anesthetics alter the perception of pain. The approach is to examine the anatomy of pain pathways both centrally and peripherally, and to define electrophysiological, biophysical, and biochemical explanations underlying the action of general and local anesthetics. We discuss the role of opiates and enkephalins. Central theories of anesthesia, including the relevance of sleep proteins, are also examined.

Instructor(s): K. Ruskin Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence, CHEM 2200-22100-22200 or BIOS 20200 and prior course in neurobiology or physiology is recommended. Equivalent Course(s): NSCI 22450

BIOS 24231. Methods in Computational Neuroscience. 100 Units.

Topics include (but are not limited to): relating neural data to behavior, Signal Detection theory, models of vision and artificial neural networks, Information Theory, Generalized Linear Models, dimensionality reduction, classification, and clustering.

Instructor(s): M. Kaufman Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): For Neuroscience Majors: NSCI 20130, BIOS 26210 and BIOS 26211 which must be taken concurrently, or consent of instructor. Note(s): CB. Equivalent Course(s): NSCI 23700, PSYC 24231, CPNS 34231

BIOS 24248. Biological Clocks and Behavior. 100 Units.

This course will address physiological and molecular biological aspects of circadian and seasonal rhythms in biology and behavior. The course will primarily emphasize biological and molecular mechanisms of CNS function, and will be taught at a molecular level of analysis from the beginning of the quarter. Those students without a strong biology background are unlikely to resonate with the course material.

Instructor(s): B. Prendergast Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): A quality grade in PSYC 20300 Introduction to Biological Psychology. Additional biology courses are desirable. Completion of Core biology will not suffice as a prerequisite. Equivalent Course(s): HLTH 21750, NSCI 21400, PSYC 21750

BIOS 24251. Neurons and Glia: A Cellular and Molecular Perspective. 100 Units.

This course will be an interactive, in-depth analysis of the cell biology of neurons and glia. We will learn and discuss the latest techniques used, for example, to study the structure and function of neuronal proteins. In this way we will illuminate the central concepts that define our understanding of the cell and molecular biology of neurons and glia. The course will consist of lectures and critical reading of contemporary literature.

Instructor(s): R. Carrillo; W. Green Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Neuroscience Majors: NSCI 20101-20130 (Fundamental Neuroscience Sequence) Biological Sciences Majors: NSCI 20101-20130, or three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence Equivalent Course(s): NURB 34810, NSCI 23810

BIOS 24408. Modeling and Signal Analysis for Neuroscientists. 100 Units.

The course provides an introduction into signal analysis and modeling for neuroscientists. We cover linear and nonlinear techniques and model both single neurons and neuronal networks. The goal is to provide students with the mathematical background to understand the literature in this field, the principles of analysis and simulation software, and allow them to construct their own tools. Several of the 90-minute lectures include demonstrations and/or exercises in Matlab.

Instructor(s): W. van Drongelen Terms Offered: Spring. L. Prerequisite(s): Undergraduates: Biology Major - BIOS 26210 and 26211, or consent of instructor. Neuroscience Major - NSCI 20130, BIOS 26210 and 26211, or consent of instructor. Note(s): CB. Equivalent Course(s): NSCI 24000, CPNS 32111

BIOS 25108. Cancer Biology. 100 Units.

This course covers the fundamentals of cancer biology with a focus on the story of how scientists identified the genes that cause cancer. The emphasis is on "doing" science rather than "done" science: How do scientists think, how do they design experiments, where do these ideas come from, what can go wrong, and what is it like when things go right? We stress the role that cellular subsystems (e.g., signal transduction, cell cycle) play in cancer biology, as well as evolving themes in cancer research (e.g., ongoing development of modern molecular therapeutics).

Instructor(s): S. E. Elf; A. Muir Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence. Note(s): GP.

BIOS 25109. Topics in Reproduction and Cancer. 100 Units.

This course focuses on several aspects of the molecular and cellular biology of human reproduction. We also discuss the basis of chemical/viral carcinogenesis and the progression, treatment, and prevention of cancer. The role of steroid hormones and their receptors in the control of growth, development, and specialized cell function is discussed in the context of normal and abnormal gene expression in human development and disease. Key historical events, research approaches, utilization of knowledge, recent advances in drug design and herbal medicines, and philosophies of scientific research are also covered.

Instructor(s): G. Greene, L. Becker Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): For Biology majors: Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence including BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235 and Biochemistry, or consent of Instructor. Note(s): GP.

BIOS 25126. Animal Models of Human Disease. 100 Units.

This course introduces the use of animals in biomedical research for the purposes of understanding, treating, and curing human disease. Particular emphasis is placed on rodent models in the context of genetic, molecular, and immunologic manipulations, as well as on the use of large animal surgical models. University veterinarians also provide information regarding humane animal care.

Instructor(s): K. Luchins, A. Ostdiek Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence including a course in genetics, or consent of instructor Note(s): GP.

BIOS 25206. Fundamentals of Bacterial Physiology. 100 Units.

This course meets one of the requirements of the microbiology specialization. This course introduces bacterial diversity, physiology, ultra-structure, envelope assembly, metabolism, and genetics. In the discussion section, students review recent original experimental work in the field of bacterial physiology.

Instructor(s): L. Comstock Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence, or consent of instructor Note(s): GP. Equivalent Course(s): MICR 30600

BIOS 25207. Fundamentals and Applications of the Human Microbiota. 100 Units.

Thousands of microbes colonize the human body to collectively establish the human microbiota. Research findings over the past two decades have led to a growing appreciation of the importance of the microbiota in various facets of human health. This course will explore the human microbiota through a critical review of the primary scientific literature. The first portion of the course will cover distinct ways by which the human microbiota impacts mammalian health. The second part of the course will focus on established and developing microbiota-targeting biotechnologies. Students will leave the course with a general understanding of the current state of human microbiota research and its therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Instructor(s): S. Light, M. Mimee Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence. Third or fourth year standing or consent of instructor. Note(s): GP. Equivalent Course(s): MICR 38000, MENG 23210, MENG 33210

BIOS 25216. Molecular Basis of Bacterial Disease. 100 Units.

This course meets one of the requirements of the microbiology specialization. This lecture/discussion course involves a comprehensive analysis of bacterial pathogens, the diseases that they cause, and the molecular mechanisms involved during pathogenesis. Students discuss recent original experimental work in the field of bacterial pathogenesis.

Instructor(s): J. Chen Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence. Note(s): GP. Equivalent Course(s): MICR 31600

BIOS 25226. Endocrinology I: Cell Signaling. 100 Units.

The subject matter of this course considers the wide variety of intracellular mechanisms that, when activated, change cell behavior. We cover aspects of intracellular signaling, the latter including detailed discussions of receptors, G-proteins, cyclic nucleotides, calcium and calcium-binding proteins, phosphoinositides, protein kinases, and phosphatases.

Instructor(s): M. Brady. Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence and BIOS 20200. Equivalent Course(s): NPHP 33600

BIOS 25227. Endocrinology II: Systems and Physiology. 100 Units.

Endocrinology is the study of hormones, which are chemical messengers released by tissues that regulate the activity of other cells in the body. This course covers the classical hormone systems, including hormones regulating metabolism, energy mobilization and storage, calcium and phosphate metabolism, reproduction, growth, "fight or flight," and circadian rhythms. We focus on historical perspective, the mechanisms of action, homeostatic regulation, and relevant human diseases for each system.

Instructor(s): M. Brady, R. Cohen Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Completion of the first three quarters of a Biological Fundamentals Sequence. Note(s): GP.

BIOS 25228. Endocrinology III: Human Disease. 100 Units.

A Fundamentals Sequence (BIOS 20180s or 20190s, or AP 5 sequence) and BIOS 25227 recommended but not required. This course is a modern overview of the patho-physiologic, genetic, and molecular basis of human diseases with nutritional perspectives. We discuss human diseases (e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, alopecia).

Instructor(s): Y. C. Li Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence is required and BIOS 25227 is strongly recommended. Note(s): GP.

BIOS 25256. Immunobiology. 100 Units.

This comprehensive survey course presents an integrated coverage of the tactics and logistics of innate and adaptive immunity in mammalian organisms. It conveys the elegance and complexity of immune responses against infectious agents. It introduces their implications in autoimmune diseases, cancer and organ transplantation and presents some of the emerging immunotherapeutics that are transforming health care. Prior knowledge of microbiology (e.g., BIOS 25206) will be advantageous. Prerequisite(s): Completion of a Biological Sceinces Fundamentals Sequence which includes, Cell, Genetics, Developmental Biology, and Physiology

Instructor(s): A. Bendelac, M. Alegre Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence including BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235, and BIOS 20188 and BIOS 20189 Note(s): GP.

BIOS 25258. Immunopathology. 100 Units.

Five examples of diseases are selected each year among the following categories: autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, infection immunity, immunodeficiencies and gene therapy, and transplantation and tumor immunology. Each disease is studied in depth with general lectures that include, where applicable, histological analysis of diseased tissue samples and discussions of primary research papers on experimental disease models. Special emphasis is placed on understanding immunopathology within the framework of general immunological concepts and on experimental approaches to the study of immunopathological models.

Instructor(s): B. Jabri Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): BIOS 25256 with a grade of B or higher. Note(s): GP. Equivalent Course(s): PATH 30010, IMMU 30010

BIOS 25260. Host Pathogen Interactions. 100 Units.

This course explores the basic principles of host defense against pathogens, including evolutionary aspects of innate and adaptive immunity and immune evasion strategies. Specific examples of viral and bacterial interactions with their hosts are studied in depth. A review of immunological mechanisms involved in specific cases is incorporated in the course.

Instructor(s): A. Chervonsky Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): BIOS 25206 and BIOS 25256 Note(s): GP. Equivalent Course(s): MICR 31200, IMMU 31200

BIOS 25266. Molecular Immunology. 100 Units.

This discussion-oriented course examines the molecular principles of immune recognition. We explore the roles of protein modification, protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions in the discrimination between self and non-self, and study the molecular fundamentals of cell stimulation and signaling. Primary literature focused on molecular research of the immune system is integrated with lectures on commonly used biochemical, structural and immunological techniques used in the research papers examined.

Instructor(s): E. Adams Terms Offered: Spring. Offered in odd years Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20200 or 25256, or consent of instructor. Offered during odd years. Equivalent Course(s): IMMU 30266

BIOS 25268. Barrier Immunity. 100 Units.

Nowhere is the body's immune system so critical in saving an organism from death as at barrier sites, where we are directly exposed to the external environment. However, inflammatory responses to exclude pathogens and toxins need to be balanced with tolerance to benign agents like our microbiome or food, and a homeostatic role of the immune system in tissue repair. Failure to make the right call on defensive versus immunosuppressive reactions leads to severe pathologies such as chronic inflammation, allergies, autoimmunity and cancer. These challenges are met by a plethora of innate and adaptive immune cells, some exclusively found at barriers. Complexity is added by local challenges due to tissue location and function. The fascinating uniqueness of Barrier Immunity is the subject of this course. Using primary literature as a basis, expert faculty will help explore how the immune systems of the intestine, the lung, the skin and the vaginal tract deal with maintaining defense while not jeopardizing tissue function in men and mice. We will then study the immunological diseases at barriers, what makes a site prone to tissue-specific pathologies, and how a barrier dysfunction may lead to systemic immune diseases. A particular focus will be the critical role of the local microbiome in preventing or promoting barrier pathology. The course will also stimulate thought on the evolution of a complex immune system, the origin of diseases and disease tolerance.

Instructor(s): D. Esterhazy Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): BIOS 25256 with a grade of B+ or better, or consent if grade lower than B+. Note(s): GP. Equivalent Course(s): IMMU 35000

BIOS 25287. Introduction to Virology. 100 Units.

This class on animal viruses considers the major families of the viral kingdom with an emphasis on the molecular aspects of genome expression and virus-host interactions. Our goal is to provide students with solid appreciation of basic knowledge, as well as instruction on the frontiers of virus research.

Instructor(s): T. Golovkina Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence and third- or fourth-year standing Note(s): GP. Equivalent Course(s): MICR 34600

BIOS 25308. Heterogeneity in Human Cancer: Etiology and Treatment. 100 Units.

This course addresses the importance of understanding human tumor heterogeneity (organ site by organ site) in terms of predicting whether tumors will progress to malignancy and how tumors will respond to standard treatments or require tailored molecular therapeutics. Alternating lecture and discussion lectures will explore and tease apart the controversies in the field that limit progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. At the end of the course, students should have an in-depth understanding of the complexities, challenges and opportunities facing modern cancer researchers and clinical oncologists and be able to discuss novel scientific approaches to solving these issues.

Instructor(s): K. MacLeod Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): A grade of B or better in BIOS 25108 Note(s): GP.

BIOS 25326. Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis. 100 Units.

The tumor microenvironment regulates disease progression and chemoresistance in most cancers. This course addresses the functional contribution of the different cellular and non-cellular constituents of the tumor that surround the malignant cancer cells in cancer progression and metastasis. We will thoroughly discuss the function of stroma, inflammation, tumor senescence, immunity and the interactome in cancer progression and metastasis. Moreover, we will evaluate the translational impact of targeting the tumor microenvironment. Laboratory studies will introduce key techniques and organotypic model systems to elucidate these functions. At the end of the course, students should be able to understand the biology behind cancer metastasis and to evaluate manuscripts reporting novel findings in cancer biology. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 25108 and BIOS 25308

Instructor(s): H. Kenny, E. Lengyel Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence. Note(s): Three optional weekend, one-day workshops will be offered during the quarter. This course qualifies in the Cancer Specialization.

BIOS 25327. Health Disparities in Breast Cancer. 100 Units.

Across the globe, breast cancer is the most common women's cancer. In the last two decades, there have been significant advances in breast cancer detection and treatment that have resulted in improved survival rates. Yet, not all populations have benefited equally from these improvements, and there continues to be a disproportionate burden of breast cancer felt by different populations. In the U.S., for example, white women have the highest incidence of breast cancer but African-American women have the highest breast cancer mortality overall. The socioeconomic, environmental, biological, and cultural factors that collectively contribute to these disparities are being identified with a growing emphasis on health disparities research efforts. In this 10-week discussion-based course students will meet twice weekly and cover major aspects of breast cancer disparities.

Instructor(s): E. Dolan, S. Conzen Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): BIOS 25108 Note(s): GP. Equivalent Course(s): GNSE 30408, HLTH 20400, GNSE 20408, CCTS 20400, CCTS 40400

BIOS 25328. Cancer Genetics and Genomics. 100 Units.

Unprecedented technological progress over the last decade, especially high throughput sequencing technologies, has transformed the basic and translational research of cancer as well as other diseases. In this course, we will introduce the current state of the field, discuss how germline and somatic factors drive cancer initiation and progression, and demonstrate how to use omics data to advance our understanding of cancer. We will review recent literature in cancer genetics and genomics, learn about the standing questions in the field, and practice the analytical techniques to address these questions. Computational exercises will be an integral part of the course and provide you with a hand-on experience of state-of-the-art techniques.

Instructor(s): H.K. Im, L. Yang Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20187, BIOS 20152 or equivalent Note(s): CB.

BIOS 26120. An Introduction to Bioinformatics and Proteomics. 100 Units.

Modern biology generates massive amounts of data; this course is devoted to biological information and the models and techniques used to make sense of it. Students learn about biological databases, algorithms for sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree building, and systems biology. They will also learn about the basics of large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. Students will be introduced to basics of high performance computation (HPC) and its application to the field of bioinformatics. They will learn how to use our in-house Super Computer to process and analyze next generation sequencing data. Using state of the art tools, students will align and genotype a group of genes in order to identify disease-relevant variants. The course will be taught as a hands on computer approach (a computation background would be helpful, but not needed).

Instructor(s): E. Haddadian Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence or BIOS 20172 or consent of Instructor. No computation background required. Note(s): CB.

BIOS 26121. Introduction to Transcriptomics. 100 Units.

Transcriptomics is the study of the transcriptome -the complete set of RNA or transcripts that are produced by the genome, using high-throughput methods. In this course, students will learn about modern techniques used to capture and analyze mRNA and the connections of transcriptomics to epi-genomics (study of the epi-genome) and proteomics (study of proteins). The course will be divided into three parts: 1) Introduction of technologies that generate transcriptomics data, 2) Statistical analysis of the data, and 3) Case studies and applications. A range of topics relevant to the current practices in the field will be discussed, including introduction to microarrays, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), bulk and single-cell RNA processing, machine learning techniques used in data analyses, data pre-processing, differential expression analysis, and correcting batch effects and other experimental artifacts. Students will obtain hands-on experience in downloading public-domain data and performing analyses using different packages written in R and Python. After taking the class, students will have a working knowledge of the field and acquire experience in RNA-seq data analyses that are currently used in research labs. We will also organize visits to research laboratories and sequencing facility for the students to observe experimental workflows used in cutting-edge research.

Instructor(s): A. Basu, M. Chen Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20151 Intro to Quantitative Modeling or BIOS 20152 Intro to Quantitative Modeling (Adv.) Note(s): CB.

BIOS 26210-26211. Mathematical Methods for Biological Sciences I-II.

The following two courses are intended to be taken as a sequence.

BIOS 26210. Mathematical Methods for Biological Sciences I. 100 Units.

This course builds on the introduction to modeling course biology students take in the first year (BIOS 20151 or 152). It begins with a review of one-variable ordinary differential equations as models for biological processes changing with time, and proceeds to develop basic dynamical systems theory. Analytic skills include stability analysis, phase portraits, limit cycles, and bifurcations. Linear algebra concepts are introduced and developed, and Fourier methods are applied to data analysis. The methods are applied to diverse areas of biology, such as ecology, neuroscience, regulatory networks, and molecular structure.The students learn to implement the models using Python in the Jupyter notebook platform.

Instructor(s): D. Kondrashov Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20151 or BIOS 20152 or equivalent quantitative experience by consent of instructor, and three courses of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence or consent of the instructor. Equivalent Course(s): PSYC 36210, CPNS 31000

BIOS 26211. Mathematical Methods for Biological Sciences II. 100 Units.

This course is a continuation of BIOS 26210. The topics start with optimization problems, such as nonlinear least squares fitting, principal component analysis and sequence alignment. Stochastic models are introduced, such as Markov chains, birth-death processes, and diffusion processes, with applications including hidden Markov models, tumor population modeling, and networks of chemical reactions. In computer labs, students learn optimization methods and stochastic algorithms, e.g., Markov Chain, Monte Carlo, and Gillespie algorithm. Students complete an independent project on a topic of their interest.

Instructor(s): D. Kondrashov Terms Offered: Winter. L. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 26210 or equivalent. Note(s): CB. Equivalent Course(s): CPNS 31100, PSYC 36211

BIOS 26318. Fundamentals of Biological Data Analysis. 100 Units.

This course is intended for students who have original data from a research project and are looking to produce a thesis or publication. Students will learn to organize, process, visualize, and make inferences from biological data sets using the data processing tools of R. We will review statistics concepts, such as probability distributions, linear and nonlinear fitting, estimation and hypothesis testing, and introduce new concepts relevant for the specific research questions identified by the students. The end result will be a written report that can function as a methods and results section of a research publication and contains high-quality graphics.

Instructor(s): D. Kondrashov, S. Allesina Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence, STAT 22000 or higher, and fourth-year standing, or consent of Instructor. Primarily intended for students that have a data set from original research. Note(s): CB.

BIOS 26403. Quantitative Immunobiology. 100 Units.

The science of immunology was born at the end of the 19th century as a discipline focused on the body's defenses against infection. The following 120+ years has led to the discovery of a myriad of cellular and molecular players in immunity, placing the immune system alongside the most complex systems such as Earth's global climate and the human brain. The functions and malfunctions of the immune system have been implicated in virtually all human diseases. It is thought that cracking the complexity of the immune system will help manipulate and engineer it against some of the most vexing diseases of our times such as AIDS and cancer. To tackle this complexity, immunology in the 21st century - similar to much of the biological sciences - is growing closer to mathematics and data sciences, physics, chemistry and engineering. A central challenge is to use the wealth of large datasets generated by modern day measurement tools in biology to create knowledge, and ultimately predictive models of how the immune system works and can be manipulated. The goal of this course is to introduce motivated students to the quantitative approaches and reasoning applied to fundamental questions in immunology.

Instructor(s): Nicolas Chevrier Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Completion of the first two quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence. Knowledge of R is recommended but not required. Courses in immunology and microbiology are an advantage but not required (e.g., BIOS 25256 Immunobiology; BIOS 25206 Fundamentals of Bacterial Physiology). Note(s): CB Equivalent Course(s): MENG 33300, IMMU 34800, MENG 23300

BIOS 26404. Quantitative Genetics for the 21st Century. 100 Units.

This course has three parts. In the first four weeks, we take a deep look at some fundamentals of quantitative genetics, focusing on underlying mathematical theory and causal interpretations of basic quantitative genetic models. These include the breeder's equation and related descriptions of the response to natural selection, various methods of estimating heritability, GWAS methods accounting for environmental effects, and explicit causal inference methods like Mendelian randomization. In the next three weeks of the course, we discuss the scientific opportunities and pitfalls of applying these fundamental quantitative genetic tools in challenging settings. This section covers phenotypic prediction with polygenic scores, inferences about quantitative trait evolution, and the application of quantitative genetic tools to complex social traits like educational attainment. Finally, in the third section we examine the relationship between race, genetics, and complex traits. In this section we discuss definitions of race and how they are (or are not) related to genetics, as well as ongoing legitimate scientific debates over how racial classifications are used in medicine. We will also critique pseudoscientific arguments about the relationship between race, genetics and complex traits.

Instructor(s): Jeremy Berg, Andrew Dahl Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): R/Python proficiency. Equivalent Course(s): HGEN 47800

BIOS 27710-27711-27712-27713-27714-27715. MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY SEMESTER IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE.

Marine Biological Laboratory Semester in Environmental Science Sequence (SES). Courses BIOS 27710-27715 are the College designations for the Semester in Environmental Science that is taught at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Registration in BIOS 27710, 27711, and 27712, plus one of BIOS 27713, 27714, or 27715 is required. Admission to the Semester in Environmental Science program is by application, which must be received by the MBL in March of the year preceding the start of the semester. Admissions decisions will be mailed in April. Note that these courses start at the beginning of September, typically four weeks prior to the start of the College’s Autumn Quarter and are completed by the end of Autumn Quarter. More information on the course content and the application process can be found at https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/semester-environmental-science.

BIOS 27710. Ecology - Marine Biological Laboratory. 100 Units.

This course examines the structure and functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems including the application of basic principles of community and ecosystem ecology. The course also examines contemporary environmental problems such as the impacts of global and local environmental change on community composition and food webs within forest, grassland, marsh and nearshore coastal ecosystems on Cape Cod. This course examines the structure and functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems including the application of basic principles of community and ecosystem ecology. The course also examines contemporary environmental problems such as the impacts of global and local environmental change on community composition and food webs within forest, grassland, marsh and nearshore coastal ecosystems on Cape Cod.

Instructor(s): Marine Biological Laboratory Staff Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): Consent only. Admission by application to the Semester in Environmental Science program at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA; concurrent registration in BIOS 27711 and BIOS 27712 along with one of BIOS 27713, BIOS 27714 or BIOS 27715. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): ENSC 24100

BIOS 27711. Biogeochemical Analysis in Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems Marine Biological Laboratory. 100 Units.

This course examines the interface of biological processes with chemical processes in ecological systems. Course content emphasizes aquatic chemistry and the role of microbes in the cycling of nitrogen, carbon, and other elements. Effects of global changes on chemical cycling are emphasized.

Instructor(s): Marine Biological Laboratory Staff. Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): Consent only. Admission by application to the Semester in Environmental Science program at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA; concurrent registration in BIOS 27710 and BIOS 27712 along with one of BIOS 27713, BIOS 27714 or BIOS 27715. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): ENSC 23820

BIOS 27712. Independent Undergraduate Research in Environmental Sciences Marine Biological Laboratory. 100 Units.

This course is the culmination of the Semester in Environmental Science at the Marine Biological Laboratory. An independent research project, on a topic in aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem ecology, is required. Students will participate in a seminar for scientific communication as well as submit a final paper on their project.

Instructor(s): Marine Biological Laboratory Staff Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): Consent only. Admission by application to the Semester in Environmental Science program at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA; concurrent registration in BIOS 27710 and BIOS 27711 along with one of BIOS 27713, BIOS 27714 or BIOS 27715. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): ENSC 29800

BIOS 27713. Quantitative Environmental Analyses Marine Biological Laboratory. 100 Units.

This course emphasizes the application of quantitative methods to answering ecological questions. Students apply mathematical modeling approaches to simulating biological and chemical phenomena in terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Instructor(s): Marine Biological Laboratory Staff Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): Consent Only. Admission by application to the Semester in Environmental Science program at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA; concurrent registration in BIOS 27710, BIOS 27711 and BIOS 27712. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): ENSC 28100

BIOS 27714. Methods in Microbial Ecology - Marine Biological Laboratory. 100 Units.

This course explores the biology of microbes found in the environment, including relationships with the physical, chemical, and biotic elements of their environment. Emphasis is placed on understanding the science underlying the various methodologies used in the study of these organisms and systems. In the laboratory, students will work with the latest techniques to measure microbial biomass, activity, extracellular enzymes, and biogeochemical processes. Students are also introduced to molecular methods for assessing microbial genomic diversity.

Instructor(s): Marine Biological Laboratory Staff Terms Offered: Autumn. L. Prerequisite(s): Consent only. Admission by application to the Semester in Environmental Science program at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA; concurrent registration in BIOS 27710, BIOS 27711 and BIOS 27712. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): ENSC 24200

BIOS 27715. Roles of Animals in Ecosystems Marine Biological Laboratory. 100 Units.

This course addresses the question, How do animals, including man, affect the structure and function of ecosystems. The course takes an interdisciplinary approach focused on the interactions of animal diversity, migration patterns, population dynamics, and behavior with biogeochemical cycles, productivity, and transport of materials across ecosystems. This course is an elective option within the Semester in Environmental Science program at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA.

Instructor(s): Marine Biological Laboratory Staff Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Consent only. Admission by application to the Semester in Environmental Science program at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA; concurrent registration in BIOS 27710, BIOS 27711, and BIOS 27712. Note(s): E. Equivalent Course(s): ENSC 24300

BIOS 27720-27723-27725. SEPTEMBER COURSES AT MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, WOODS HOLE.

The September courses combine lecture with hands-on learning and development of independent research ideas and projects. All are taught by University of Chicago or MBL faculty, and take advantage of the unique research strengths and the natural environmental resources found at MBL. These are intensive, three-week-long courses that meet for up to eight hours per day for 5–6 days per week, combining morning lectures with afternoon labs and fieldwork. Each student can only enroll in one course at a time. The September courses at MBL have no pre-requisites, and can count either to fulfill the general education requirement in Biology OR as an upper-level elective. Also offered in this program is HIPS 18507 Science, Culture, and Society III: From Natural History to Biomedicine. More information, including application details and program fees, can be found at https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/mbl-september-courses. The MBL September courses end before classes commence in Chicago.

BIOS 27720. Microbiomes Across Environments. 100 Units.

Microbiomes Across Environments provides a comprehensive introduction to microbiome research, tools and approaches for investigation, and a lexicon for biological understanding of the role of microbial communities in environmental and host environments. Microbiome science is an emerging field that bridges disciplines, merging microbiology with genomics, ecosystem science, computation, biogeochemistry, modeling, medicine and many others, including architecture, social science, chemistry and even economics. In this course we will uncover the vast biochemical and metabolic diversity of the microbial world by examining life in coastal and marine systems, (including) host-associated contexts. Students will develop or strengthen biological field/lab techniques, analyze and compare data prepared from student-collected samples, and will integrate fundamental knowledge, modeling, and theory as it pertains to microbiome research.

Instructor(s): D. Mark-Welch, E. L. Peredo. Terms Offered: Summer. L. September term. Note(s): This course will be given at Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. E.GP.

BIOS 27723. Biodiversity and Genomics: Exploring the Marine Animal Diversity of Woods Hole Using Molecular Tools. 100 Units.

In this course, student will have the opportunity to explore the large diversity of marine animal species in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and its surroundings. We will combine fieldwork with genomic and bioinformatic approaches to study different aspects of the evolution, ecology, taxonomy, physiology, and biogeography of marine animals in this unique location. Student will integrate knowledge and analytical tools from different biological disciplines to develop short research projects. During the three weeks of the course, student will have access to the Marine Biological Laboratory's collection of living marine animals, participate in ongoing research projects at MBL, and contribute data that will advance our understanding of marine biodiversity.

Instructor(s): O. Pineda-Catalan Terms Offered: Summer. L. September term. Note(s): This course will be given at Marine Biological Laboratories, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. E.

BIOS 27725. Biogeography and Distribution of Species. 100 Units.

Students will explore various aspects of the biota of the region surrounding the Marine Biology Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA. The focus of the course will be to examine various patterns in the distribution and abundance of the flora/fauna in the islands and associated mainland habitats over the course of 3 weeks through a combination of in class lectures and laboratory sessions, combined with field studies. Penikese Island will receive special focus for extensive inventory of the biota, to update previous contributions to the flora of the island and begin an inventory of mammals, birds, and invertebrates. Similar surveys will be made of nearby mainland habitats for biogeographic comparisons between island and mainland patterns of abundance.

Instructor(s): Larsen, E. Terms Offered: Summer. L. September term. Note(s): This course will be given at Marine Biological Laboratories, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. E.

BIOS 27724-27750-27751. BIOLOGY SPRING QUARTER COURSES AT MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.

These courses are part of an interdisciplinary four-course program given during Spring Quarter at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. BIOS 20198 Biodiversity (Section 2) will also be offered in this program. The non-BIOS courses in this program are PHYS 12400 Waves, Optics, and Modern Physics at MBL and ARTV 10100 Visual Language: On Images. For more information, see https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/mbl-spring-quarter-biology.

BIOS 27724. Introduction to Imaging for Biological Research. 100 Units.

Many breakthroughs in science have been made possible by revolutionary advances in our ability to visualize biological processes, and recent progress in microscopy has led to important breakthroughs in understanding life at the molecular, cellular, and organismal level. In this course, we will introduce the students to basic techniques in microscopy, starting with an opportunity for students to build their own simple microscopes, and then proceeding all the way to using state-of-the-art confocal, light sheet, and electron microscopes. Students will explore the challenges of sample preparation, of imaging processes in living cells, and in the computational analysis of imaging data. Throughout the course, students will be able to design their own experiments, and undertake a student-designed research project.

Instructor(s): Wolff, C., Kerr, L. Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Second-year standing or greater (or by consent). Note(s): Course meets for three weeks, (5-6 days/week, 8 hours per day), at Marine Biological Laboratories, in Woods Hole Massachusetts as part of Spring quarter at MBL. For more information see https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/mbl-spring-quarter-biology Equivalent Course(s): NSCI 21515

BIOS 27750. Stem Cells and Regeneration: from aquatic research organisms to mammals. 100 Units.

This course will focus on contemporary stem cell biology and regeneration with emphasis on molecular mechanisms and applications. The course will cover the history of stem cell discoveries through the latest advances, including genome-wide profiling, targeted gene editing, and other techniques used in stem cell and regeneration research. A portion of the course will consist of modules where specific stem cell types will be discussed together with relevant diseases they could impact (i.e. stem cells and neurodegeneration). A focus of the course will be around how discoveries in aquatic research organisms have driven the progress in regeneration biology. In this classroom and lab based course, students will have the opportunity to work on an independent research project under the supervision of a Resident Faculty at MBL. The lab portion of the course will introduce and provide hands-on experience on experimental approaches and techniques used in cell biology, development, and regeneration research. There will be a focus on microscopy (brightfield, fluorescence, high-resolution microscopy) and use of open source software to analyze images. There will be an introduction into the use of stains, antibodies, and genetically-encoded fluorescent markers to analyze cellular structures in aquatic organisms that include axolotls, Nematostella, worms, cephalopods and zebrafish. In addition, this course will provide hands-on experience through labs.

Instructor(s): K. Echeverri Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Second-year standing or greater (or by consent). Note(s): Course meets for three weeks. (5-6 days/wek, 8 hours per day) at Marine Biological Laboratories, in Woods Hole Massachusetts as part of the Spring Quarter at MBL. For more information see https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/mbl-spring-quarter-biology

BIOS 27751. Biological Oceanography. 100 Units.

This intensive four-week course addresses fundamental oceanographic processes that maintain and structure marine biodiversity and productivity, including physical oceanographic processes of dispersal and upwelling, environmental selection, biogeography, nutrient dynamics, primary production, and food web dynamics. Students will design an original research project during an initial week-long shore component at Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, MA, and then address their own questions by collecting samples and data aboard Sea Education Association (SEA)'s oceanographic research sailing vessel, the SSV Corwith Cramer, on a 10-day offshore voyage. At sea students will deploy oceanographic instruments, interpret various data streams, and work as research teams and watch members as they navigate and sail the vessel. During a final week-long shore component at MBL, students will analyze and interpret the data they collected and present their results in written and oral reports.

Instructor(s): SEA Staff. Terms Offered: Spring. MBL Spring Quarter- Biology. L. Prerequisite(s): Second-year standing or greater (or by consent). Note(s): Course meets for three weeks (5-6 days/week, 8 hours per day) at Marine Biological Laboratories, in Woods Hole Massachusetts as part of the Spring Quarter at MBL. For more information see https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/mbl-spring-quarter-biology E. Equivalent Course(s): ENSC 25000

BIOS 27752. Dynamic Camouflage: Behavior, Visual Perception and Neural Skin Patterning in Cephalopods. 100 Units.

This course takes an integrative approach to understanding a neurally controlled system of dynamic defense against visual predators. Camouflage is a widespread form of defense throughout the animal kingdom in every known habitat - land or sea. In the oceans, cephalopods (cuttlefish, octopus, squid) have evolved a sophisticated sensorimotor system called Rapid Adaptive Coloration, which can instantaneously change their total body appearance within a fraction of a second to range from highly camouflaged to startlingly conspicuous for a wide range of behaviors. The forms and functions of this dynamic system will be teased apart in integrative fashion in a top-down approach from ecology to organismal biology to organs, tissues and cells. The course touches on neural anatomy, sensation, visual perception (including psychophysics) and animal behavior. There are also applied biology aspects of this system that will be presented as well.

Instructor(s): R. Hanlon Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Acceptance into the MBL Neuroscience Spring Quarter Program Equivalent Course(s): NSCI 21530

BIOS 27810. Epidemiology and Population Health: Global Health Sciences I. 100 Units.

Epidemiology is the basic science of public health. It is the study of how diseases are distributed across populations and how one designs population-based studies to learn about disease causes, with the object of identifying preventive strategies. Epidemiology is a quantitative field and draws on biostatistical methods. Historically, epidemiology's roots were in the investigation of infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics. Since the mid-twentieth century, the scope of epidemiologic investigations has expanded to a fuller range of non-infectious diseases and health problems. This course will introduce classic studies, study designs, and analytic methods, and will include articles that approach epidemiology from the global context.

Instructor(s): D. Lauderdale. Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Completion of the three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence and completion of the quantitative requirements for the Biological Sciences Major. STAT 22000 or other introductory statistics highly desirable.

BIOS 27813. Cancer Concepts: Causes and Consequences. 100 Units.

The goal of this course is to build concepts and develop understanding of how cancers arise by addressing the genetic basis of cancer, in addition to the role of environmental stresses in tumorigenesis. Specifically, we will examine how genetic changes, infection, diet and stress all affect tumor cell stemness, tumor evolution & heterogeneity, tumor metabolism and drug resistance. We will focus in on the role of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in humans cancers as a means to dissect basic molecular mechanisms of cancer but also to explore how our understanding of HPV as an etiological factor in cancer has changed in recent years, how efforts to vaccinate against HPV serves as a paradigm (or not) for other cancers and the controversies surrounding all of the above. Finally, we will examine in more detail how obesity, altered metabolism and stress affect tumor metabolism, co-evolution of the tumor with its microenvironment, the gut microbiome and anti-tumor immunity, and how diet may be exploited to prevent cancers (or not). We will conclude with a discussion of possible future directions to better prevent and treat human cancers.

Instructor(s): K. Macleod Terms Offered: Winter. This course is offered in Paris, for more information see: https://study-abroad.uchicago.edu/paris-global-health Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence including BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235, or consent of Instructor. Note(s): GP.

BIOS 27815. Global Health Sciences II: Infectious Diseases. 100 Units.

This course will examine infectious diseases with global health impact, analyzing their historic and projected impact, biological foundations, and preventive control. Course topics include gastrointestinal infections (e.g., cholera, bacillary dysentery, typhoid fever, rotavirus infections), sexually transmitted diseases (HIV), infections transmitted via aerosol droplets (tuberculosis, meningitis), and vector borne diseases (e.g., malaria, typhus, dengue fever, plague). Special emphasis will be placed on emerging infectious diseases (Ebola, Coronavirus) and the role of vaccines and other strategies for infectious disease elimination (smallpox, polio, malaria, river blindness). The course encompasses lectures and student presentations. Students have the option to write a paper in lieu of a final exam

Instructor(s): Beavis, K; Tesic, V. Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence or consent of instructor. Note(s): This course is offered in Paris. For more information see: https://study-abroad.uchicago.edu/paris-global-health

BIOS 28101-28102. Science Communication.

The ability to communicate the importance, excitement, and rigor of science to the general public is a critical skill for scientists. By translating scientific research scientists can, among other things, shape public policy, create an informed voting population, and encourage funding for research. In these three courses, open to third- and fourth-year undergraduates, students will critically analyze different communication strategies and practice communicating science through assignments and interactive skill-building sessions. In BIOS 28101, students will translate primary research into written story form and publish their work on a digital platform. In BIOS 28102, students will communicate primary research by creating a TED Talk–style video. Students can take a single course or both courses. Either BIOS 28101 or BIOS 28102 (but not both) can be applied toward a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 28101. Science Communication: Writing a Digital Science Story. 100 Units.

Students will gain skills in written and digital communication, focusing on translating primary scientific research to a general audience. Students will learn what makes an engaging written article and how to write for the public without sacrificing scientific accuracy or complexity. We will explore platforms such as newspapers, magazines, blogs and social media. Students will work with faculty mentors to complete two written pieces that communicate research findings and their significance to a general audience. Student articles may be disseminated on the websites of the Illinois Science Council, Marine Biology Laboratory, the Institute for Translational Medicine, or the National Institutes of Health. Students will walk away with a polished, published work.

Instructor(s): S. Serritella, P. Mason Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of physical or biological (including neuroscience) sciences. Third- or fourth-year standing. This course does not satisfy the general education requirement in the physical sciences. Equivalent Course(s): PHSC 28101

BIOS 28102. Science Communication: Producing a Science Video Story. 100 Units.

Students will gain skills in oral communication and will apply these skills to produce a TED Talk-style video communicating primary research in a scientific area of the student's choice. The goal is effective, engaging communication of science to a general audience without sacrificing scientific accuracy or complexity. Students will work with faculty to write scripts and design visual and audio elements. The talks will be filmed and edited in collaboration with UChicago Creative, who will assist with visual aids and animation. Students will leave the course with a professionally produced video that they can use to advance their career and promote their topic. While this course naturally follows BIOS 28101, that course is not a pre-requisite.

Instructor(s): P. Mason, S. Serritella Terms Offered: Spring. Spring 2022. Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence. Third- or fourth-year standing. This course does not satisfy the general education requirement in the physical sciences. Equivalent Course(s): PHSC 28102

BIOS 28407. Genomics and Systems Biology. 100 Units.

This lecture course explores technologies for high-throughput collection of genomic-scale data, including sequencing, genotyping, gene expression profiling, and assays of copy number variation, protein expression and protein-protein interaction. In addition, the course will cover study design and statistic analysis of large data sets, as well as how data from different sources can be used to understand regulatory networks, i.e., systems. Statistical tools that will be introduced include linear models, likelihood-based inference, supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, methods for assessing quality of data, hidden Markov models, and controlling for false discovery rates in large data sets. Readings will be drawn from the primary literature. Evaluation will be based primarily on problem sets.

Instructor(s): Y. Gilad Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence including BIOS 20187 or BIOS 20235 and STAT 23400 or BIOS 26210 and BIOS 26211 Note(s): CB. Equivalent Course(s): HGEN 47300, IMMU 47300, BPHS 47300, CABI 47300

BIOS 28411. Quantitative Systems Biology. 100 Units.

This course aims to provide students with knowledge on the use of modern methods for the analysis, manipulation, and modeling of complex biological systems, and to introduce them to some of the most important applications in quantitative and systems biology. We will first survey theoretical concepts and tools for analysis and modeling of biological systems like biomolecules, gene networks, single cells, and multicellular systems. Concepts from information theory, biochemical networks, control theory, and linear systems will be introduced. Mathematical modeling of biological interactions will be discussed. We will then survey quantitative experimental methods currently used in systems biology. These methods include single cell genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analysis techniques, in vivo and in vitro quantitative analysis of cellular and molecular interactions, single molecule methods, live cell imaging, high throughput microfluidic analysis, and gene editing. Finally, we will focus on case studies where the quantitative systems approach made a significant difference in the understanding of fundamental phenomena like signaling, immunity, development, and diseases like infection, autoimmunity, and cancer.

Instructor(s): Savas Tay Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Completion of the first two quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence Equivalent Course(s): MENG 22300, MENG 32300

BIOS 28700. Biodiagnostics and Biosensors. 100 Units.

This course focuses on the biological and chemical interactions that are important for the diagnosis of diseases and the design of new assays. The principles and mechanisms of molecular diagnostics and biosensors, as well as their applications in disease diagnosis, will be discussed. Bioanalytical methods including electrochemical, optical, chemical separation, and spectroscopic will be described. Surface functionalization and biomolecular interactions will be presented for the development of protein and DNA based biosensor applications. The goals for the course are to introduce the fundamental mechanisms of bioanalytical methods/tools, examples of specific methods for diagnostic purposes, and analytical methods necessary for developing new precision medicine tools.

Instructor(s): Mustafa Guler Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): Completion of the first two quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence Equivalent Course(s): MENG 33140, MENG 23140

BIOS 28900. Undergraduate Bachelor of Science Research. 100 Units.

Students who are completing the Biological Sciences major with a BS degree must register for this course in the autumn of the fourth year (see guidelines at https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/bs-guidelines-and-timeline) unless they are enrolled in the research course for the BSCD Honors program (BIOS 00296. Undergraduate Honors Research.) We will hold four mandatory evening Zoom sessions in Autumn Quarter and four mandatory evening Zoom sessions in Winter Quarter. Students will receive a quality grade for the course upon submission of an approved BS thesis in Spring Quarter. BIOS 28900 can be counted as one upper-level elective toward the Biological Sciences major and may be counted among the three upper-level courses required for the BS. Participants will give short presentations on their thesis research during mandatory evening sessions. Students will receive a quality grade in this course based on their thesis proposal, their research presentation, and a progress report from their thesis advisers.

Instructor(s): C. Andrews Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): Students must be Biological Sciences majors pursuing the BS degree. This course is not open to students in the BSCD Honors program who are enrolled in BIOS 00296. (Undergraduate Honors Research).

Big Problems Courses

The following two courses are part of the Big Problems Curriculum franke.uchicago.edu/big-problems-courses .

BIOS 02280. Drinking Alcohol: Social Problem or Normal Cultural Practice? 100 Units.

Alcohol is the most widely used psychoactive agent in the world, and, as archaeologists have recently demonstrated, it has a very long history dating back at least 9,000 years. This course will explore the issue of alcohol and drinking from a trans-disciplinary perspective. It will be co-taught by an anthropologist/archaeologist with experience in alcohol research and a neurobiologist who has experience with addiction research. Students will be confronted with literature on alcohol research from anthropology, sociology, history, biology, medicine, psychology, and public health and asked to think through the conflicts and contradictions. Selected case studies will be used to focus the discussion of broader theoretical concepts and competing perspectives introduced in the first part of the course. Topics for lectures and discussion include: fermentation and the chemistry and pharmacology of alcohol; the early history of alcohol; histories of drinking in ancient, medieval, and modern times; alcohol and the political economy; alcohol as a cultural artifact; styles of drinking and intoxication; how is alcohol metabolized; addiction; how does alcohol affect sensations; social problems; alcohol and religion; alcohol and health benefits; comparative case studies of drinking.

Instructor(s): M. Dietler, W. Green Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Third or fourth-year standing. Note(s): This course does not meet requirements for the biological sciences major. Equivalent Course(s): ANTH 25310, BPRO 22800, HLTH 25310

BIOS 02490. Biology and Sociology of AIDS. 100 Units.

This interdisciplinary course deals with current issues of the AIDS epidemic.

Instructor(s): H. Pollack, J. Schneider Terms Offered: Not offered in 2023-2024 Prerequisite(s): Third- or fourth-year standing Note(s): This course does not meet requirements for the biological sciences major. Equivalent Course(s): SSAD 65100, BPRO 24900

Specialized Courses

These courses may not be used as upper-level electives in the Biological Sciences major, nor can they be used to satisfy the general education requirement in the biological sciences, unless otherwise indicated in the course description or approved through petition to the BSCD Senior Advisors. They may count as upper-level electives in certain Interdisciplinary Biology Tracks.

BIOS 29326. Introduction to Medical Physics and Medical Imaging. 100 Units.

This course covers the interaction of radiation with matter and the exploitation of such interactions for medical imaging and cancer treatment. Topics in medical imaging include X-ray imaging and radionuclide imaging, as well as advanced technologies that provide three-dimensional images, including X-ray computed tomography (CT), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasonic imaging.

Instructor(s): S. Armato, P. La Riviere Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): PHYS 23500. This course does not meet requirements for the Biological Sciences major. Students majoring in physics may use this course either as an elective or as one of the topics courses to meet the general education requirement in the Biological Sciences. Equivalent Course(s): MPHY 32600, MPHY 29326

BIOS 29814. Global Health Sciences III: Biological and Social Determinants of Health. 100 Units.

Global health is an interdisciplinary and empirical field, requiring holistic and innovative approaches to navigate an ever-changing environment in the pursuit of health equity. This course will emphasize specific health challenges facing vulnerable populations in low resource settings including in the United States and the large scale social, political, and economic forces that contribute to them through topical events and case studies. Students will study the importance of science and technology, key institutions and stakeholders; environmental impacts on health; ethical considerations in research and interventions; maternal and child health; health and human rights; international legal frameworks and global health diplomacy. Students will gain skills in technical writing as they construct position statements and policy briefs on global health issues of interest. Career opportunities in global health will be explored throughout the course.

Instructor(s): C. Olopade, O. Olopade Terms Offered: Winter. This course is offered every Winter quarter in Paris. Prerequisite(s): BIOS 27810 or consent of instructor. Note(s): This course counts towards the Biological Sciences major ONLY for students in the Global & Public Health Track. Equivalent Course(s): CCTS 22003, CCTS 42003

Independent Study and Research Courses

Bios 00199-00299.

Students pursuing independent research in the lab of a Biological Sciences Division faculty member may obtain credit by enrolling in the following courses. These courses cannot be counted toward the major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 00199. Undergraduate Research. 100 Units.

This course may be elected for up to three quarters. Before Friday of fifth week of the quarter in which they register, students must submit a one-page summary of the research that they are planning to their research sponsor and to the director of undergraduate research and honors. A detailed two to three page summary on the completed work must be submitted to the research sponsor and the Master of BSCD before Friday of examination week.

Instructor(s): BSCD Master Terms Offered: Autumn,Spring,Summer,Winter Prerequisite(s): Consent of research sponsor and the Master of BSCD. Note(s): Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. This course is graded P/F. This course does not meet requirements for the biological sciences major.

BIOS 00206. Readings: Biology. 100 Units.

Students may register for only one BIOS 00206 tutorial per quarter. Enrollment must be completed by the end of the second week of the quarter. This tutorial offers individually designed readings.

Terms Offered: Summer,Autumn,Winter,Spring Prerequisite(s): Consent of faculty sponsor Note(s): Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. This course is graded P/F. This course does not meet requirements for the biological sciences major.

BIOS 00296. Undergraduate Honors Research. 100 Units.

This course is required for students accepted into the BSCD Research Honors program. Students must register for this course both Autumn and Winter Quarters of their fourth year. This course can be counted toward the Biological Sciences major and may be counted among the three upper-level courses required for the BS. See also bscd.uchicago.edu/page/honors-biology. Quality grade. Prerequisite(s): Consent Only. Acceptance in BSCD Honors Research Program.

Instructor(s): S. Kron Terms Offered: Autumn,Winter Prerequisite(s): Consent Only. Acceptance in BSCD Honors Research Program.

BIOS 00299. Advanced Research: Biological Sciences. 100 Units.

Before Friday of fifth week of the quarter in which they register, students must submit a one-page summary of the research that they are planning to their research sponsor and to the director of undergraduate research and honors. A detailed two to three page summary on the completed work must be submitted to the research sponsor and the Master of BSCD before Friday of examination week. This course does may be counted as a general elective but does not meet requirements for the Biological Sciences major. In the first quarter of registration, students must submit College Reading and Research form to their research sponsor and the director of undergraduate research and honors.

Instructor(s): BSCD Master Terms Offered: Autumn,Spring,Summer,Winter Prerequisite(s): Fourth-year standing and consent of research sponsor and Master of BSCD. Note(s): Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. This course is graded P/F.

Graduate-Level Courses

Many graduate-level courses in the Division of the Biological Sciences are open to qualified College students. Students should consult their advisers, the BSCD office, or the various departments and committees in the division to identify appropriate courses.

BSCD Master Jocelyn Malamy BSLC 300 773.702.9270 Email

Undergraduate Primary Contacts

Senior Adviser Chris Andrews BSLC 306 773.702.1214 Email

Senior Adviser Megan McNulty BSLC 304 773.834.7744 Email

Administrative Contacts

Division Administrator Kila Roberts BSLC 328 773.702.7962 Email

Manager of Technology Kris McDonald BSLC 312 773.702.4937 Email

Secondary Contacts

Laboratory Manager Tristan M. Clark BSLC 336 773.702.1930 Email

Undergraduate Research and Honors D. Allan Drummond GCIS W234 773.834.2017 Email

Undergraduate Research Paul Strieleman BSLC 338 773.702.5076 Email

Preceptors/BA Advisors

Faculty Adviser, Cancer Specialization Kay Macleod GCIS W-338 773.834.8309 Email

Faculty Advisor, Developmental Biology Specialization Akira Imamoto GCIS W332 773.834.1258 Email

Faculty Adviser, Endocrinology Specialization Matthew Brady KCBD 8124 773.702.2346 Email

Faculty Adviser, Immunology Specialization Bana Jabri KCBD 9124 773.834.8632 Email

Faculty Adviser, Microbiology Specialization Dominique Missiakas HTRL, Argonne National Laboratory 773.842.2627 Email

Ecology and Evolution Track Co-Director Cathy Pfister Z401A 773.834.0071 Email

Ecology and Evolution Track Co-Director Chris Andrews BSLC 306 773.702.21214 Email

Global and Public Health Track Director Kathleen Beavis 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 0001 773.702.3689 Email

Computational Biology Track Co-Director Anindita Basu 5841 S. Maryland Ave., N417B 773.834.1512 Email

Computational Biology Track Co-Director Dmitry Kondrashov BSLC 301A 773.834.3387 Email

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Arts and Sciences > Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology > Theses and Dissertations

Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2022 2022.

Regulation of the Heat Shock Response via Lysine Acetyltransferase CBP-1 and in Neurodegenerative Disease in Caenorhabditis elegans , Lindsey N. Barrett

Determining the Role of Dendritic Cells During Response to Treatment with Paclitaxel/Anti-TIM-3 , Alycia Gardner

Cell-free DNA Methylation Signatures in Cancer Detection and Classification , Jinyong Huang

The Role Of Eicosanoid Metabolism in Mammalian Wound Healing and Inflammation , Kenneth D. Maus

A Holistic Investigation of Acidosis in Breast Cancer , Bryce Ordway

Characterizing the Impact of Postharvest Temperature Stress on Polyphenol Profiles of Red and White-Fruited Strawberry Cultivars , Alyssa N. Smith

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Multifaceted Approach to Understanding Acinetobacter baumannii Biofilm Formation and Drug Resistance , Jessie L. Allen

Cellular And Molecular Alterations Associated with Ovarian and Renal Cancer Pathophysiology , Ravneet Kaur Chhabra

Ecology and diversity of boletes of the southeastern United States , Arian Farid

CircREV1 Expression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer , Meagan P. Horton

Microbial Dark Matter: Culturing the Uncultured in Search of Novel Chemotaxonomy , Sarah J. Kennedy

The Multifaceted Role of CCAR-1 in the Alternative Splicing and Germline Regulation in Caenorhabditis elegans , Doreen Ikhuva Lugano

Unraveling the Role of Novel G5 Peptidase Family Proteins in Virulence and Cell Envelope Biogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus , Stephanie M. Marroquin

Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element Binding Protein 2 Alternative Splicing Regulates HIF1α During Chronic Hypoxia , Emily M. Mayo

Transcriptomic and Functional Investigation of Bacterial Biofilm Formation , Brooke R. Nemec

A Functional Characterization of the Omega (ω) subunit of RNA Polymerase in Staphylococcus aureus , Shrushti B. Patil

The Role Of Cpeb2 Alternative Splicing In TNBC Metastasis , Shaun C. Stevens

Screening Next-generation Fluorine-19 Probe and Preparation of Yeast-derived G Proteins for GPCR Conformation and Dynamics Study , Wenjie Zhao

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Understanding the Role of Cereblon in Hematopoiesis Through Structural and Functional Analyses , Afua Adutwumwa Akuffo

To Mid-cell and Beyond: Characterizing the Roles of GpsB and YpsA in Cell Division Regulation in Gram-positive Bacteria , Robert S. Brzozowski

Spatiotemporal Changes of Microbial Community Assemblages and Functions in the Subsurface , Madison C. Davis

New Mechanisms That Regulate DNA Double-Strand Break-Induced Gene Silencing and Genome Integrity , Dante Francis DeAscanis

Regulation of the Heat Shock Response and HSF-1 Nuclear Stress Bodies in C. elegans , Andrew Deonarine

New Mechanisms that Control FACT Histone Chaperone and Transcription-mediated Genome Stability , Angelo Vincenzo de Vivo Diaz

Targeting the ESKAPE Pathogens by Botanical and Microbial Approaches , Emily Dilandro

Succession in native groundwater microbial communities in response to effluent wastewater , Chelsea M. Dinon

Role of ceramide-1 phosphate in regulation of sphingolipid and eicosanoid metabolism in lung epithelial cells , Brittany A. Dudley

Allosteric Control of Proteins: New Methods and Mechanisms , Nalvi Duro

Microbial Community Structures in Three Bahamian Blue Holes , Meghan J. Gordon

A Novel Intramolecular Interaction in P53 , Fan He

The Impact of Myeloid-Mediated Co-Stimulation and Immunosuppression on the Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Adoptive T cell Therapy , Pasquale Patrick Innamarato

Investigating Mechanisms of Immune Suppression Secondary to an Inflammatory Microenvironment , Wendy Michelle Kandell

Posttranslational Modification and Protein Disorder Regulate Protein-Protein Interactions and DNA Binding Specificity of p53 , Robin Levy

Mechanistic and Translational Studies on Skeletal Malignancies , Jeremy McGuire

Novel Long Non-Coding RNA CDLINC Promotes NSCLC Progression , Christina J. Moss

Genome Maintenance Roles of Polycomb Transcriptional Repressors BMI1 and RNF2 , Anthony Richard Sanchez IV

The Ecology and Conservation of an Urban Karst Subterranean Estuary , Robert J. Scharping

Biological and Proteomic Characterization of Cornus officinalis on Human 1.1B4 Pancreatic β Cells: Exploring Use for T1D Interventional Application , Arielle E. Tawfik

Evaluation of Aging and Genetic Mutation Variants on Tauopathy , Amber M. Tetlow

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Investigating the Proteinaceous Regulome of the Acinetobacter baumannii , Leila G. Casella

Functional Characterization of the Ovarian Tumor Domain Deubiquitinating Enzyme 6B , Jasmin M. D'Andrea

Integrated Molecular Characterization of Lung Adenocarcinoma with Implications for Immunotherapy , Nicholas T. Gimbrone

The Role of Secreted Proteases in Regulating Disease Progression in Staphylococcus aureus , Brittney D. Gimza

Advanced Proteomic and Epigenetic Characterization of Ethanol-Induced Microglial Activation , Jennifer Guergues Guergues

Understanding immunometabolic and suppressive factors that impact cancer development , Rebecca Swearingen Hesterberg

Biochemical and Proteomic Approaches to Determine the Impact Level of Each Step of the Supply Chain on Tomato Fruit Quality , Robert T. Madden

Enhancing Immunotherapeutic Interventions for Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia , Kamira K. Maharaj

Characterization of the Autophagic-Iron Axis in the Pathophysiology of Endometriosis and Epithelial Ovarian Cancers , Stephanie Rockfield

Understanding the Influence of the Cancer Microenvironment on Metabolism and Metastasis , Shonagh Russell

Modeling of Interaction of Ions with Ether- and Ester-linked Phospholipids , Matthew W. Saunders

Novel Insights into the Multifaceted Roles of BLM in the Maintenance of Genome Stability , Vivek M. Shastri

Conserved glycine residues control transient helicity and disorder in the cold regulated protein, Cor15a , Oluwakemi Sowemimo

A Novel Cytokine Response Modulatory Function of MEK Inhibitors Mediates Therapeutic Efficacy , Mengyu Xie

Novel Strategies on Characterizing Biologically Specific Protein-protein Interaction Networks , Bi Zhao

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Characterization of the Transcriptional Elongation Factor ELL3 in B cells and Its Role in B-cell Lymphoma Proliferation and Survival , Lou-Ella M.m. Alexander

Identification of Regulatory miRNAs Associated with Ethanol-Induced Microglial Activation Using Integrated Proteomic and Transcriptomic Approaches , Brandi Jo Cook

Molecular Phylogenetics of Floridian Boletes , Arian Farid

MYC Distant Enhancers Underlie Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility at the 8q24.21 Locus , Anxhela Gjyshi Gustafson

Quantitative Proteomics to Support Translational Cancer Research , Melissa Hoffman

A Systems Chemical Biology Approach for Dissecting Differential Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Clinical Kinase Inhibitors in Lung Cancer , Natalia Junqueira Sumi

Investigating the Roles of Fucosylation and Calcium Signaling in Melanoma Invasion , Tyler S. Keeley

Synthesis, Oxidation, and Distribution of Polyphenols in Strawberry Fruit During Cold Storage , Katrina E. Kelly

Investigation of Alcohol-Induced Changes in Hepatic Histone Modifications Using Mass Spectrometry Based Proteomics , Crystina Leah Kriss

Off-Target Based Drug Repurposing Using Systems Pharmacology , Brent M. Kuenzi

Investigation of Anemarrhena asphodeloides and its Constituent Timosaponin-AIII as Novel, Naturally Derived Adjunctive Therapeutics for the Treatment of Advanced Pancreatic Cancer , Catherine B. MarElia

The Role of Phosphohistidine Phosphatase 1 in Ethanol-induced Liver Injury , Daniel Richard Martin

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Changing the Pathobiological Paradigm in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: The NLRP3 Inflammasome Drives the MDS Phenotype , Ashley Basiorka

Modeling of Dynamic Allostery in Proteins Enabled by Machine Learning , Mohsen Botlani-Esfahani

Uncovering Transcriptional Activators and Targets of HSF-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans , Jessica Brunquell

The Role of Sgs1 and Exo1 in the Maintenance of Genome Stability. , Lillian Campos-Doerfler

Mechanisms of IKBKE Activation in Cancer , Sridevi Challa

Discovering Antibacterial and Anti-Resistance Agents Targeting Multi-Drug Resistant ESKAPE Pathogens , Renee Fleeman

Functional Roles of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Bone Metastatic Prostate Cancer , Jeremy S. Frieling

Disorder Levels of c-Myb Transactivation Domain Regulate its Binding Affinity to the KIX Domain of CREB Binding Protein , Anusha Poosapati

Role of Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1 in Ovarian Cancer Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Drug Sensitivity , Chase David Powell

Cell Division Regulation in Staphylococcus aureus , Catherine M. Spanoudis

A Novel Approach to the Discovery of Natural Products From Actinobacteria , Rahmy Tawfik

Non-classical regulators in Staphylococcus aureus , Andy Weiss

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

In Vitro and In Vivo Antioxidant Capacity of Synthetic and Natural Polyphenolic Compounds Identified from Strawberry and Fruit Juices , Marvin Abountiolas

Quantitative Proteomic Investigation of Disease Models of Type 2 Diabetes , Mark Gabriel Athanason

CMG Helicase Assembly and Activation: Regulation by c-Myc through Chromatin Decondensation and Novel Therapeutic Avenues for Cancer Treatment , Victoria Bryant

Computational Modeling of Allosteric Stimulation of Nipah Virus Host Binding Protein , Priyanka Dutta

Cell Cycle Arrest by TGFß1 is Dependent on the Inhibition of CMG Helicase Assembly and Activation , Brook Samuel Nepon-Sixt

Gene Expression Profiling and the Role of HSF1 in Ovarian Cancer in 3D Spheroid Models , Trillitye Paullin

VDR-RIPK1 Interaction and its Implications in Cell Death and Cancer Intervention , Waise Quarni

Regulation of nAChRs and Stemness by Nicotine and E-cigarettes in NSCLC , Courtney Schaal

Targeting Histone Deacetylases in Melanoma and T-cells to Improve Cancer Immunotherapy , Andressa Sodre De Castro Laino

Nonreplicative DNA Helicases Involved in Maintaining Genome Stability , Salahuddin Syed

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Functional Analysis of the Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility Locus at 9p22.2 Reveals a Transcription Regulatory Network Mediated by BNC2 in Ovarian Cells , Melissa Buckley

Exploring the Pathogenic and Drug Resistance Mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus , Whittney Burda

Regulation and Targeting of the FANCD2 Activation in DNA Repair , Valentina Celeste Caceres

Mass Spectrometry-Based Investigation of APP-Dependent Mechanisms in Neurodegeneration , Dale Chaput

High-throughput Screening of Age-related Changes in Caenorhabditis elegans , Neil Copes

Promoting Genome Stability via Multiple DNA Repair Pathways , Scott Cukras

Strategies for Preventing Age and Neurodegenerative Disease-associated Mitochondrial Dysfunction , Vedad Delic

Genomic Aberrations at the 3q and 14q loci: Investigation of Key Players in Ovarian and Renal Cancer Biology , Punashi Dutta

The effects of supplemented metabolites on lifespan and stress response pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans , Clare B. Edwards

Targeting T-bet for Prevention of Graft-Versus-Host Disease and Leukemia Relapse after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Jianing Fu

The Role of BRCT-Containing Proteins BRCA1 and PAXIP1 in Cancer , Ankita Jhuraney

Structure-Function Analysis of the DNA Damage Repair Complex STR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae , Jessica Ashley Kennedy

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Thesis Helpers

Find the best tips and advice to improve your writing. Or, have a top expert write your paper.

100 Best Biology Topics For Academic Writing

The importance of choosing interesting biology research topics comes down to the impact your assignments will make on your audience. In most cases, you will be writing with only one reader in mind – the instructor. And as this person likely sees hundreds of biology topics each school year you need to make sure you stand out as much as possible. Here are 100 biology topics for research that are sure to get your work noticed and improve your chances of earning a top grade. You can also check out our bioethics topics .

Biology Topics for High School

If you are looking for easy biology research topics for high school assignments, these ideas will meet most requirements without causing too much stress:

Can Ebola be used as a biological weapon?
How do biological genes affect depression?
Are genetically modified foods safe for humans?
Is human cloning a moral issue?
How does cloning affect health medicine?

Hot Topics in Biology

This is a list of the current “hot” topics in the field and will certainly capture your audience’s attention:

Why are abortion issues so controversial in the U.S.?
How has gene molecular biology shifted in the last decade?
Can enhanced antibodies help curb COVID-19 cases?
Is immortality a realistic goal for humans?
Why is abortion a bigger issue in the U.S. than in Europe?

Very Interesting Biology Topics

These current topics in developmental biology cover the most interesting ideas in this growing area of science:

Can people rely on their dreams when making recollections?
Does the Covid-19 pandemic affect medical funding?
What is the difference between cellular function and structure?
What is the difference between natural and planned selection?
In what ways did evolution theory chance biology science?

Biology Research Paper Topics

Biology research is an area of study that is constantly changing. New studies come up every year and it’s important to stay up-to-date with the following issues:

What are animals that don’t die of natural causes?
What is the origin of human cloning?
What are the basic principles of cloning in humans?
Is it possible for domestic wild animals?
Does human genetics cause obesity?

Current AP Biology Topics

AP tests have focused a lot on evolutionary biology research paper topics and this set of questions will help you prepare for the advanced placement test:

Medicinal marijuana as a means to aid pain?
How does rapid plan DNA change affect humans?
What is cell tissue engineering?
What are the most promising regenerative medicine treatments?
What is meant by therapeutic cloning?

Molecular Biology Topics

Need topics on molecular biology issues? These five topics represent the latest research on this subject:

Are humans naturally frugivores or omnivores?
What are the ethical issues surrounding cloning?
What are the biological reasons behind food intolerances?
How can hypertrophy be enhanced in the body?
What impact on the cellular level do sunburns have?

Biology IA Topics for 2010

The following good research topics for biology are excellent for students that do not have the time to conduct in-depth research:

Does following a paleo diet help athletes perform?
Does drinking more water prevent serious sunburns?
What are the three evolutionary branches?
How does sleep and wake cycles affect learning?
In what ways is the brain affected by music?

Biology Topics for Presentation

How is metabolism affected by physical exercise?
Describe the study of behavior in birds.
Are bees in veritable danger of becoming extinct?
What impact does deforestation have on the biosphere?
Is it possible for the brain to heal itself?

Biology Debate Topics

These topics in biology are perfect for anyone who wants to leave a lasting impression on the reader:

Research Topics in Biology for Undergraduates

This group of interesting biology topics for presentation deals with what we use to understand how humans act and react:

Biology Project Topics

These topic ideas can also make a great impression on your teacher, even though they are not controversial.

Marine Biology Topics

These marine biology research topics are ideal for college-level students and up:

Biology Topics to Write About

These ideas cover a wide range of study areas perfect for a graduate course where students can introduce biology issues:

Cell Biology Research Topics

These excellent human biology topics are ideal of long research projects in college or graduate school:

Biology Paper Topics

These ideas focus on the changing ways that media has changed the way we handle global affairs in biology:

Biology Research Topics for College Students

Looking for exciting cell biology topics? This collection is great for college students getting into this field of study:

Biology Topics List

This list of topics in biology caters to the college undergraduate community of students:

Controversial Biology Topics

Controversy can turn heads and these cool biology topics will attract your readers’ attention:

Biology Essay Topics

These five biology research topics are for graduate-level students, catering specifically to those in top programs around the country:

Choosing original and interesting topics is the key to writing a great biology thesis or research paper. We understand that this doesn’t always come easy to students – no matter what their educational level – so we’ve created this list to inspire ideas or to be used as-is. If you need fresh biology research topics you may want to contact our support staff for ideas catered towards your specific assignment needs.

Make PhD experience your own

Biology (MS)

Master of Science in Biology Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA) Department: Biology Program Website Academic Plan Code(s): BIOLMS_THE, BIOLMS_NTH, BIOLMS_NAC

Program Information

The degree program is available to qualified individuals possessing a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. A biology undergraduate major is preferred. However, other majors containing sufficient biology, chemistry and math may be acceptable.

The Department of Biology offers master's degrees with programs of study tailored to the needs and interests of a diverse student population. Students may enroll on a full or part-time basis. The Department of Biology offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option is generally chosen by students with career goals which include a research emphasis. Students choosing this option take coursework and carry out an intensive independent research project under the supervision of a member of the Graduate Faculty, culminating in a written thesis based upon the research project. The non-thesis option is usually chosen by those who wish to advance their knowledge of biology but are not sure of a specific career goal or do not anticipate a research emphasis in their future.

Accelerated BA-BS/MS in Biology

Students who wish to pursue an accelerated non-thesis master's degree in Biology (BA-BS/MS) will be allowed to apply up to nine (9) credit hours of coursework taken for graduate credit while enrolled as an undergraduate. An additional 24 credit hours of graduate coursework will constitute the minimum number of credit hours for obtaining the non-thesis masters in the accelerated program.

Admission Requirements

Program admission requirements and application requirements can be viewed on the Department of Biology website . Questions can be addressed to or further information obtained from the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Sarah Emery, at (502) 852-5940 or [email protected] .

The following requirements/standards apply to applicants to the MS program in the Department of Biology:

The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree with a major in Biology or an acceptable sub-discipline, with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
While there is no minimum requirement for GRE scores, competitive students usually have scores around the 50th percentile or better on the general GRE test (verbal + quantitative). MCAT or DAT test scores at similar percentiles are also acceptable. NOTE: SUBMISSION OF GRE SCORES IS OPTIONAL FOR ALL APPLICANTS THROUGH SPRING 2024. WE SUGGEST ONLY SUBMITTING SCORES IF THEY WILL HELP PROVIDE A MORE HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE TO YOUR APPLICATION. GRE SCORES ARE NOT USED FOR FUNDING DECISIONS.
For foreign students, a TOEFL score of 83 on the internet-based exam, at least 6.5 on the IELTS exam is required or Duolingo score of 105 (students holding a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States or other English-speaking country are exempt from this requirement).

Deadline for Completed Applications

July 1 for Fall admission
November 1 for Spring admission.

Application Materials

Applications will be complete when the following materials have been received (final action on applications will not be taken until complete):

A completed graduate application form and fee
Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework. All academic credentials not in English must be accompanied with a notarized verbatim English translation in addition to official transcripts. If you studied outside of the United States, you are required to submit your academic records to a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) verified credential evaluation service for a course-by-course evaluation to determine that your degree is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.
Official GRE, MCAT or DAT exam scores (optional)
Two or more letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic performance and capabilities
Official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores if required.

Official documentation should be sent to the Graduate School and a copy to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Biology

A completed Department Application Form (this form is submitted electronically when completed).

Program Requirements

Ms in biology and accelerated ba-bs/ms in biology.

Thesis option students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours; non-thesis option students must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours.

A minimum of 12 (thesis option) or 17 (non-thesis option) credit hours, exclusive of thesis credit, must be in courses at the 600 level. Students intending to seek a PhD degree later are advised to take as many of their courses as possible at the 600 level or above.

Thesis Option

Non-thesis option.

Courses to be selected by student's committee: one course from each of two (thesis option) or three (non-thesis option) Background Coursework categories.

The University of Louisville is committed to and will provide equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy or veteran status.

Every effort has been made to make the catalog accurate as of the date of publication. However, the University of Louisville reserves the right to change programs of study, academic policies, academic requirements, fees, course information, procedures for the confirmation of degrees, or the announced academic calendar and related deadlines without prior notice. Copyright © 2023-2024, University of Louisville. All rights reserved.

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Master of Science (MS) in Biology

The Department of Biology offers three tracks that lead to the MS: a coursework track, a scholarly paper track, and a research thesis track. The coursework track can be completed in one year and the scholarly paper track can be completed in a year and a summer. The research thesis track typically requires two years to complete. In all three tracks, students are assigned faculty advisors in their subfield of interest during the first semester in the program.

Upon completion of the master’s program, students should be prepared for further graduate training or for eventual employment in teaching and/or research positions in academia, industry, government, or nonprofit agencies. The program accepts post-bachelor’s applicants with degrees in related disciplines where the focus has been on biology or a relevant field. Students with prior graduate work may be able to transfer course credits. See the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) Transfer of Credits policy for more details.

How to Apply Frequently Asked Questions Request More Information

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate academic mastery in one of three areas of Biology: Ecology, Behavior, Evolution, & Marine Biology; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology.

2. Attain expertise in a specific field of study within one of three broad subject areas represented in the department: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior, & Marine Biology; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology

3. Attain skills and qualifications needed for employment in an academic, government, or private sector position related to the life sciences.

Coursework Track Requirements

Students must complete 32 credits of 500-level and above coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. All credits must be lecture, laboratory, or seminar courses. These courses will be selected under the mentorship of the faculty member who is serving as the student’s primary advisor. The full list of Biology courses can be found here .

Scholarly Paper Track Requirements

Course requirements.

Students must complete 32 credits of 500-level and above coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Ordinarily, these courses will be selected under the mentorship of the faculty member who is serving as the student’s primary scholarly literature-based paper reader (see below). At least 28 of these graduate level credits must come from formal course work (i.e., cannot include credits from a research course). Up to 4 credits can be Readings in Biology (BI 701 / 702 ). The full list of Biology courses can be found here .

SCHOLARLY PAPER

In addition to the course requirements listed above, the student must complete a scholarly literature-based paper, based on recent literature and with adequate bibliography. The scholarly paper will generally be approximately 30–80 pages on a selected research topic in current biology and will usually include several chapters and extensive literature references. This paper will be written in consultation with a faculty member from the Biology Department who will serve as the primary reader. The scholarly paper is presented for approval by the student’s faculty committee of two readers. A final copy must be given to all committee members, the Department, and one copy should be kept by the student. This paper is not submitted to GRS.

Research Thesis Track Requirements

Students must complete 32 credits of 500-level and above coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. At least 20 of these credits must come from formal course work (i.e., cannot include credits from a research course). Up to 12 credits can be Readings in Biology (BI 701 / 702 ) or Master’s Research in Biology ( BI 595 ). Courses will be selected under the mentorship of the student’s faculty advisor and will vary depending on program discipline. Please refer to the Graduate Program Guide for more details. The full list of Biology courses can be found here .

Cell & Molecular Biology

CAS BI 552 Molecular Biology (4 credits)
GRS BI 621 Biochemistry I (4 credits)
One Cell Biology course (4 credits)
Electives and Research (20 credits, 500-level and above)

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology

MS in Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology coursework is highly variable. Students, in consultation with advisors, develop a plan of coursework and research.

Neurobiology

GRS BI 755 Cellular and Systems Neuroscience (4 credits)
GRS BI 756 Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience or BI 741 Neural Systems: Functional Circuit Analysis (4 credits)
GRS NE 500 Frontiers of Neuroscience (2 credits)
GRS NE 501 Frontiers of Neuroscience (2 credits)

THESIS PROJECT

In addition to the requirements listed above, the student must complete a program of research acceptable to their thesis committee that leads to the preparation of a thesis. This thesis must be approved by a committee of three faculty members that includes at least two faculty members from the Biology Department. The final reader-approved thesis must be submitted to the Electronics Thesis and Dissertations (ETD) Administrator for final approval by the graduate school before the date posted on the GRS submission calendar. More information about thesis formatting and submission can be found on the GRS website .

Time Limits

Officially, the master’s degree requirements for all three tracks must be completed within three years from the date of first registration. However, students may apply to the Graduate School for extensions past the three-year deadline. MS degrees are conferred in May, August, or January, as specified on the GRS website .

The Biology Department does not guarantee financial support for MS students, although there are often Teaching Assistant positions available for MS students that provide $6,000 per semester.

Incoming MS students are also eligible for nomination for a Robert E. Hausman Scholarship in the $10,000-$25,000 range, to be split evenly across the student’s first two semesters. Continuing students have the opportunity to be awarded a scholarship in the $2,500-$5,000 range. There is currently no application process—all MS students are automatically considered and are reviewed by a committee. The Department anticipates offering 2-5 Robert E. Hausman Scholarships to incoming students annually.

More information on the cost of attendance and financial aid is available on the GRS website.

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Current Masters Students

Requirements for the M.S. Degree

Qualified students can earn the MS degree within 3-5 quarters following receipt of the BS degree. Students enrolled in this program receive an advanced research experience by completing at least six contiguous quarters of biological research in one of the excellent research labs at UC San Diego. In addition, BS/MS students complete 12 units of graduate-level courses in Biology, Medicine, or other disciplines related to their thesis project. Students complete their degree requirements by writing and defending a Master's thesis.

Biology MS students should not rely on the graduate degree audit to track degree progress. Students may review the information below to confirm research and coursework requirements for the BS/MS program.

Consecutive Research

BS/MS students complete 6 consecutive quarters of research between the undergraduate and graduate programs.

At least three complete, separate, and consecutive quarters of residency must be completed as a graduate student. These will commence immediately following the quarter in which the BS degree is awarded. Note, graduate students may not receive credit during the summer for research.
All research must be completed within the same lab, with the same thesis advisor.
Undergraduate research is measured through enrollment in BISP 199, BISP 196, or BISP 193. Undergraduate research used to satisfy degree requirements cannot be used to satisfy the BS/MS research requirement.
Graduate research is measured through enrollment in BGGN 271, in which the student must enroll during every quarter as an MS student.
Research work will be credited toward the BS/MS program requirements only if it is completed while a student is officially enrolled at UC San Diego and has paid tuition for that quarter.

Enrollment and Coursework Requirements

MS students must complete at least 36 units of course work as a graduate student. Many students choose to complete more than the minimum required 36 units to help them achieve their goals.

Students need to be enrolled in 12 units each quarter (this includes both academic coursework and research units). There is no maximum unit load for a quarter.

Research Coursework

Students should enroll in both BGGN 271 and BGRD 200, with their thesis advisor as the instructor, for each quarter during the MS portion of this program. BGGN 271 is the graduate equivalent of BISP 19x. BGRD 200 accounts for the time spent discussing thesis research in the lab with a student's thesis advisor and lab colleagues. BGRD 200 is taken for 1 unit, while BGGN 271 can be taken for 4 to 12 units per quarter, reflecting the amount of time spent in the lab.

A total of 24 units of research coursework are needed between BISP 19x and BGGN 271, though BISP 19x research units do not apply toward 36 total Master's level units.

BGGN 299 and 297 are reserved for PhD students cannot be used to satisfy any of the 36 MS unit requirements.

Academic Coursework

Of the 36 graduate level units, at least 12 units must be in courses other than research (BGGN 271 and BGRD 200). Course selection should be determined in consultation with the MS thesis advisor, and all MS coursework must be approved by the thesis advisor when the student advances to candidacy in their final graduate quarter.

Eligible course work must be graduate level (200-level or higher), but may include a maximum of four approved upper division units (100-199 level)
Graduate level and upper division courses offered by related departments (BIOM, CHEM, MED, NEU SIO, etc.) may be used to satisfy this requirement.
All course work must be taken for a letter grade, unless the course is only offered S/U or P/NP.
Courses taken while an undergraduate student may not be repeated for credit during the graduate program.

Academic Coursework for students pursuing the Specialization in Biology Education Research (major code BI87)

Students pursuing the Specialization in Biology Education Research are required to complete 12 units of academic coursework, which must include BGGN 272: Learning Theories (4 units), completed with a letter grade. Of the remaining 8 units of academic coursework:

A maximum of 4 units of upper division undergraduate coursework may satisfy this requirement.
All courses satisfying this requirement must be completed for a letter grade, unless the course is only offered S/U or P/NP.

Recommended courses for students in this specialization include:

EDS 102 Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Education Research (4 units)
EDS 103 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis in Education Research (4 units)
BGJC 215 Journal Club in Biology education research (1 unit)
BGGN 202 Professional Development for Biologists (2 units)
BGGN 211 Experimental Approaches & Methods in Modern Biology (4 units)
BGGN 293 Scientific Writing in Biology (4 units)
BGGN 295 Scientific Presentation in Biology (4 units)
BGGN 500 Introduction to College Biology Education (4 units)

Course selection should be determined in consultation with the MS thesis advisor, and all MS coursework must be approved by the thesis advisor when the student advances to candidacy in their final graduate quarter.

Courses Offered

For an overview of graduate courses offered in the current academic year, visit Tentative Course Offerings . For a list of courses open to MS students, visit Course Options for MS Students .

Graduate Residency, Minimum GPA, Fees

To meet the minimum requirements for a MS degree at UC San Diego, BS/MS students must complete at least 3 quarters of residency as a MS student. Summer cannot be used as a quarter of residency for MS students.

Additionally, BS/MS students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.000, both cumulatively and for each quarter of enrollment in the graduate program. If GPA falls below 3.000, the student may be dropped from the program.

Students should pay relevant fees during any quarter in which the student is using university resources (ex. working in lab or taking courses).

Students must be enrolled full time while in the graduate program, unless approved for half time enrollment.
To be eligible for half time , students must either be entering their 7th quarter of research or be requesting half time for health, family responsibilities, or occupation reasons. Students must meet with the BS/MS Coordinator prior to requesting half time status to confirm eligibility.
Note: Students receiving financial support or employment at UC San Diego (such as an Instructional Assistant receiving a fee remission) must be enrolled in at least 12 units of graduate or upper division course work.

Any deviation from this plan, such as a break in enrollment for one or more quarters, may cause the student to be dropped from the program.

MS Thesis Committee

The MS thesis project completed by BS/MS students is evaluated by a MS Thesis Committee. MS students are responsible for establishing their MS Thesis Committee in consultation with their thesis advisor, and are expected to maintain communication with their committee throughout their MS program. Students officially nominate their MS committee when they advance to candidacy in their final quarter in the MS program.

The MS Thesis Committee:

Must include at least three faculty members, including the thesis advisor who serves as the Committee Chair.
Must include at least 2 tenure-track faculty from the School of Biological Sciences and no more than 1 adjunct faculty member.
If the BS/MS thesis advisor is not a member of the School of Biological Sciences, or is an adjunct faculty member with the School of Biological Sciences, another member of the committee who is a tenure-track faculty member with the School of Biological Sciences must serve as Co-Chair.

Students are encouraged to form their Thesis Committee by the end of their first graduate quarter. Students are also encouraged to communicate regularly with their committee throughout the master's program to discuss the research project.

The MS Thesis Committee is responsible for approving a student's thesis and confirming that the student passed their thesis defense.

Master's thesis committees need at least three members, including the Chair (the student's thesis advisor/PI). Students are encouraged to create a committee that helps span the intellectual and technical breadth of their thesis project.

Committee member roles and eligible titles include:

The student's faculty advisor serves as the MS Thesis Committee Chair.
If a student's faculty advisor is not a tenure track faculty in the School of Biological Sciences, the thesis committee must have a Committee Co-Chair with a tenure track position in the School of Biological Sciences
Students working in Biology labs may nominate a Committee Co-Chair if appropriate, however this is not required. Students in Biology labs should consult with their thesis advisor to determine if it is appropriate to nominate a Co-Chair.
Students in the Education Specialization may have a co-chair with a Teaching Professor title (any rank)
Faculty not serving as a Chair or Co-Chair on a thesis committee will serve as a Committee Member
Students must have at least one committee member not serving as chair or co-chair
All committee members must attend the thesis defense. Students are encouraged to limit membership on their thesis committee to avoid defense scheduling delays.
Committee members must have one of the following faculty titles: Distinguished Professor, Professor Emeritus, Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Teaching Professor (any rank)

Nominating the thesis committee

Students confirm their committee chair and co-chair (or committee member, if appropriate) at the time they apply to the MS program.
Students confirm their full committee, including the third committee member, when they advance to candidacy
Students must nominate their MS committee with the BS/MS Coordinator to start the approval process.

Additional Information

General campus guidelines for appointing a Master's committee can be found on the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) website . Note, all MS committees must meet the UC San Diego minimum requirements for a thesis committee as well as the School of Biological Sciences requirement that a thesis committee have at least 2 tenure-track Biology faculty.

Questions? Current UCSD students: Please submit your questions via the VAC . An advisor will respond in 1-3 business days. Drop-in Advising times are posted on the Advising Calendar .

Course Options
Masters Thesis Standards
Final Quarter Milestones
Professional Development & Support Services

Biology, MS

On this page:, program description.

Degree Awarded: Biology, MS

The MS in biology is a flexible degree program based around a student's individual interests, allowing them to explore areas of biology that thrive outside of traditional boundaries. This degree complements other, more specialized life sciences programs, allowing both interdisciplinary and traditional approaches. Courses include laboratory, field and theoretical work.

This program currently admits students to either a thesis-based pathway or a coursework and capstone option. Students in the thesis pathway receive hands-on training and craft an individualized plan of study focused specifically on their own research interests. They work closely with an advisor from ASU's faculty of top-tier scientists doing research at the cutting edge of their fields. Students develop foundational research skills in the course of designing and completing their own research project.

In the coursework and capstone pathway, students build an individualized curriculum from a wide variety of courses taught by global experts. In their final semester, they delve more deeply into their own area of interest by completing a capstone project. This option is ideal for students who do not need intensive research training but want to deepen and expand their biological knowledge and skills. The coursework and capstone pathway is also available in an online format.

At a Glance: program details

Location: Tempe campus , or online
Additional Program Fee: No
Second Language Requirement: No

Degree Requirements

Required Core (3 credit hours) BIO 541 SOLS Seminar Series (1) BIO 542 SOLS Current Topics in the Life Sciences (1) BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in Life Sciences (1) or BIO 611 Current Topics in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in the Life Sciences (1)

Electives (21-27 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (0-6 credit hours) BIO 593 Applied Project (3) BIO 597 Capstone (3) BIO 599 Thesis (6) portfolio (0) written comprehensive exam (0)

Additional Curriculum Information Students choose one of five culminating experience options listed above. The credit hours required for the electives depends on the culminating experience chosen as all students must complete 30 credit hours for this degree program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in biology or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants must submit the following:

graduate admission application and application fee
official transcripts
academic record form
personal statement
curriculum vitae or resume
three letters of recommendation
proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

It is desired that applicants have research experience.

Career Opportunities

This master's degree program prepares students for life sciences careers in educational, medical, industrial and governmental institutions.

The thesis pathway is ideal for those pursuing research-intensive careers in academic or business settings. The coursework and capstone option is for those seeking careers in which deeper biological knowledge is valuable, such as secondary school teachers reaching for higher certifications, biotechnicians who want to add conceptual depth or analytical abilities to their laboratory skills, and writers who want to expand their scientific expertise.

Career examples include:

food, agriculture and health care scientists in academic, private and industrial labs
instructors at community colleges
researchers and technicians in government labs and nonprofit organizations
science teachers in elementary and high schools
science writers
wildlife, animal and conservation scientists

Flexible Degree Options

Accelerated program options.

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:

BS - Neuroscience -->

Bs - neuroscience.

Whether your career goal is in bioengineering, medicine or allied health professions, pharmaceuticals, clinical science, or pure neuroscience or neuroimaging research, this degree provides the foundations and the flexibility you need to help take your first steps. The program encompasses training across four foundational areas in neuroscience.

Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE

BS - Biological Sciences (Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior) -->

Bs - biological sciences (neurobiology, physiology and behavior).

Are you interested in animals and animal behavior? Do you plan to enter the neuroscience field, apply to medical or veterinary school, or conduct biomedical research? This concentration helps you build strong foundations in biology, chemistry, physics and math --- your first step toward your goals.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

BS - Biological Sciences -->

Bs - biological sciences.

Your involvement in innovative research with award-winning faculty enables you to gain critical thinking skills and develop key lab techniques. You'll be prepared to jump-start your career in science or to continue on to graduate or professional education.

BS - Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology and Ecology) -->

Bs - biological sciences (conservation biology and ecology).

Are you concerned about environmental challenges such as climate change and habitat destruction? You can combine a biological approach to ecology with a human perspective rooted in the social sciences, to develop an understanding of the complex problems threatening our world. You'll also acquire the strong background necessary for advanced study.

BS - Biological Sciences (Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology) -->

Bs - biological sciences (genetics, cell and developmental biology).

Experience the excitement of scientific discovery. Learn how genetic information is organized and transmitted across generations and study how genes can affect change at the cellular level and in organisms.

BS - Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences) -->

Bs - biological sciences (biomedical sciences).

Are you passionate about attending medical school or doing biomedical research? Gain a strong foundation and experience in ground-breaking research for a valuable edge when you take the next steps toward your future.

BS - Biological Sciences (Biology and Society) -->

Bs - biological sciences (biology and society).

How does science shape the way we understand our world? Explore the social context of science while developing the skills needed to navigate the ethical complexities of scientific discovery. Discover how policy decisions are shaped by biological research and investigate the significance of the sciences in understanding our complex world.

BS - Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology -->

Bs - molecular biosciences and biotechnology.

Do you want to make a difference in the world? In molecular biosciences, you can help produce ground-breaking research in biology, biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, genomics and immunology.

BS - Microbiology -->

Bs - microbiology.

Are you fascinated by the incredible way the tiniest organisms can impact our lives? Are you eager to make a difference in science, health and medicine? Explore the wonders of microbiology, and set yourself up for success in your future career.

BS - Microbiology (Medical Microbiology) -->

Bs - microbiology (medical microbiology).

Is your goal to have a health-related career? When you possess the important critical thinking skills and competencies pertinent to the biomedical sciences and the curricular background that's applicable to the changing world of medicine, you'll be prepared for advanced education in the health area of your choice.

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, global opportunities, global experience.

With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here .

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly.

IMAGES

Biology Thesis Google Slides theme and PowerPoint template
Biology Thesis Google Slides theme and PowerPoint template
Thesis
Biology Student Thesis Ideas With A Molecular And Genetical Level
AECP STEM Academy: Bachelor of Science in Biology offered at IRSC
32+ Biology Master Thesis Examples Image

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COMMENTS

BS Thesis Guidelines and Timeline
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Bachelor of Science (BS): The BS is designed for students who wish to delve more deeply into the field of their major through additional electives, participation in scientific research, and completion of a BS thesis that summarizes their research.
Senior Thesis Examples
Graduating seniors in Biological Sciences have the option of submitting a senior thesis for consideration for Honors and Research Prizes . Below are some examples of particularly outstanding theses from recent years (pdf): Sledd Thesis. Yu Thesis. Address. Biological Sciences Major. 2205 Tech Drive Room 2-144. Evanston, IL 60208.
Thesis Guidelines
The thesis should be completely free of unexplained jargon! Begin with an explicit statement of your general aim (hypothesis). A review of pertinent literature then serves to define the context and import of your general aim. Alternatively, the statement of the general aim may follow logically from the review of literature.
Biological Sciences < University of Chicago Catalog
Biology Track (BA and BS): Majors in the Biology Track take a series of foundational courses that span biological knowledge across fields and scales. ... writing a BS thesis under the supervision of an adviser who is a member of the Biological Sciences Division research faculty.
Biological Sciences (BISC) < University of Arkansas
The honors thesis is based on an original research project and presented orally before a committee composed of two faculty from the biological sciences, a person from outside the biological sciences, and a representative from the Honors Council. ... The recommended anatomy course for Biology BS majors. Lecture 2 or 3 hours, laboratory 4 or 6 ...
Contiguous BS/MS Program
The program allows UC San Diego Biology majors and Scripps ESYS-EBE Majors who are seriously engaged in research as undergraduates to continue their research as graduate students, complete a research-based thesis, take graduate-level courses, and acquire a Master's degree in Biology within 1-1.5 years after finishing their undergraduate degree.
Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology Theses and
A Systems Chemical Biology Approach for Dissecting Differential Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Clinical Kinase Inhibitors in Lung Cancer, Natalia Junqueira Sumi. PDF. Investigating the Roles of Fucosylation and Calcium Signaling in Melanoma Invasion, Tyler S. Keeley. PDF
Biology
BS Biology Biotechnology Concentration 2018-present BA Human Biology Catalog 2018-present. Quarter System. Biology Catalog 2011-2013 ... MS Biology Thesis Format Guidelines. Pre-medical Students. Biology is the ideal major for students interested in applying to medical school after graduation. There are at least two reasons for this:
PDF 6 UNDERGRADUATE THESIS GUIDELINES
1 1 Institute of Biology 2 College of Science 3 University of the Philippines 4 Diliman, Quezon City 5 6 UNDERGRADUATE THESIS GUIDELINES 7 8 (E ffective First Semester, A.Y. 2015-2016) 9 (Ap proved as revised during the Regular IB Faculty Meeting on October 20, 2014, on 23 10 November 2015, 16 January 2017, and on 4 September 2017) 11 12 I. THESIS 13 14 This will be an individual thesis where ...
PDF Institute of Biology College of Science University of the Philippines
completed 95 units of coursework in the BS Biology curriculum. 95 . 96 . 2. nd. Enlistment (2 units) 97 . Upon submission of thesigned Thesis Advising Agreement (see Appendix . 98 . 2) and thesis proposal endorsed by the Adviser, students will be allowed to . 99 . enlist in BIO 200 (2 units).This is taken during the 4. th. year, 1. st. semester ...
BS in Biology
Majors in the BS in biology track choose from three concentrations. General Biology. This concentration suits students interested in health sciences, biotechnology or further study. ... Students who qualify based on academic performance are strongly encouraged to develop an honors thesis based on their research experience. Course List. Code ...
Top 100 Biology Topics
In most cases, you will be writing with only one reader in mind - the instructor. And as this person likely sees hundreds of biology topics each school year you need to make sure you stand out as much as possible. Here are 100 biology topics for research that are sure to get your work noticed and improve your chances of earning a top grade.
Bachelor of Science in Biology (General Biology)
The BS Biology program is a four-year thesis program that provides thorough grounding in the biological sciences by instilling in students important biological theories and concepts, keeping them abreast with the latest development in Biology and allied Sciences, honing their skills in research, field and laboratory work, and inculcating in them a scientific and ethical culture of science .
PDF BS/MS Program Master's Thesis Research Plan student and remain at least
9. As noted in the application instructions, when applying to the BS/MS program, students are required to . confirm a Biology faculty member. who will serve on the student's thesis committee. For students in labs outside Biology, this second committee member will serve as co-chair of their thesis committee.
Masters Thesis Standards
The research requirements of the program can be accomplished either as bench- or field-based research, data analysis, a literature-based research, or co-writing a research proposal with the PI.Students must complete at least 24 units of research over a two years period that includes both the BS and the MS parts of the program (BISP193/196/199 and BGGN 271).
Biology (MS) < University of Louisville
Accelerated BA-BS/MS in Biology. Students who wish to pursue an accelerated non-thesis master's degree in Biology (BA-BS/MS) will be allowed to apply up to nine (9) credit hours of coursework taken for graduate credit while enrolled as an undergraduate. An additional 24 credit hours of graduate coursework will constitute the minimum number of ...
Master of Science (MS) in Biology
The Department of Biology offers three tracks that lead to the MS: a coursework track, a scholarly paper track, and a research thesis track. ... or nonprofit agencies. The program accepts post-bachelor's applicants with degrees in related disciplines where the focus has been on biology or a relevant field. Students with prior graduate work ...
Requirements for the M.S. Degree
In addition, BS/MS students complete 12 units of graduate-level courses in Biology, Medicine, or other disciplines related to their thesis project. Students complete their degree requirements by writing and defending a Master's thesis. Biology MS students should not rely on the graduate degree audit to track degree progress.
Biology (BS)
Biology (BS) - Senior Thesis Concentration Bulletin Page Content. Degree Requirements; Department Information; General Education Requirements (53-57 Hours) Area I - Written Composition (2 Courses, 6 Hours) 3 hours: EH 101. 3 hours: EH 102. Area II - Humanities & Fine Arts (4 Courses, 15 Hours)
Biology, MS (Thesis)
Degree Awarded: Biology, MS. The MS in biology is a flexible degree program based around a student's individual interests, allowing them to explore areas of biology that thrive outside of traditional boundaries. This degree complements other, more specialized life sciences programs, allowing both interdisciplinary and traditional approaches.