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Related courses
- BIOT S-200 Graduate Research Methods and Scholarly Writing in Biotechnology
- ENSC S-157 Introduction to Fabrication of Microfluidic Devices
- PHIL S-167 Introduction to Biomedical Ethics
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Related subjects
Biological Sciences Courses
- BIOS S-1ab Introductory Biology
- BIOS S-10 Principles of Biochemistry
- BIOS S-12 Principles and Techniques of Molecular Biology
- BIOS S-14 Principles of Genetics
- BIOS S-50 Neurobiology
- BIOS S-68 Genome and Systems Biology
- BIOS S-74 Marine Life and Ecosystems of the Sea
- BIOS S-98rb Study Abroad in Bangalore, India: Supervised Reading and Research in Quantitative Life Sciences
- BIOS S-98rt Study Abroad in Tokyo, Japan (RIKEN): Laboratory Research in Neurobiology
- BIOS S-98ry Study Abroad in Yokohama, Japan (RIKEN): Reading and Research in Immunology
- BIOS S-101a Study Abroad in Shanghai, China: Supervised Laboratory Research in the Life Sciences
- BIOS S-103 Study Abroad in Shanghai, China: Living Science—Biology, the Self, and the World
- BIOS S-112 Study Abroad at Oxford: Darwin and the Origins of Evolutionary Biology
- BIOS S-113 Study Abroad at Oxford: Darwin and Contemporary Evolutionary Biology
- BIOS S-129 Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
- BIOS S-141c Study Abroad in Tokyo, Japan (RIKEN): The Collective Brain
- BIOS S-142a Study Abroad in Yokohama, Japan (RIKEN): International Symposium on Immunology
- BIOS S-154 Feast and Famine: The Microbiology of Food
- BIOS S-175 Imaging in Biology
- BIOS S-200 Graduate Research Methods and Scholarly Writing in the Biological Sciences
BIOS S-1ab Introductory Biology (32425)
Class times: Mondays-Fridays, 9:45-11:45 am. Required laboratories Tuesdays, Thursdays or Wednesdays, Fridays, 1-4 pm.
Course tuition: undergraduate credit $5,400.
Harvard College students see additional information.
The principles of biology are covered in this course, with special reference to the structural, functional, and molecular mechanisms and organization of cells; genetics; development; evolution; anatomy; and physiology. Emphasis is on cells as evolved systems for the capture and transformation of energy and the processing of information, the evolution of multicellularity, and the continued interplay of structure and function at the organ level. This course fulfills the requirement of two semesters of biology needed for admission to medical school. Prerequisites: secondary school introductory courses in biology and chemistry. (8 credits)
BIOS S-10 Principles of Biochemistry (32376)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6:30-9:30 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This course is an integrated introduction to the structure of macromolecules and a biochemical approach to protein function. The organization of macromolecules is addressed through a discussion of their hierarchical structure, and a study of their assembly into complexes responsible for specific biological processes. Topics addressing protein function include enzyme kinetics, the characterization of major metabolic pathways and their interconnection into tightly regulated networks. Current laboratory techniques are discussed during lecture, and examples showing the organization of protein networks and disease-linked protein profiles are drawn from proteomic studies. The laboratory portion of the course exposes students to a broad range of experimental approaches, including affinity purification, enzyme kinetics, analysis of protein folding, and stability. The laboratory exercises are designed to give students a direct experience of research conducted in a modern laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOS S-1ab or the equivalent. (4 credits)
BIOS S-12 Principles and Techniques of Molecular Biology (32378)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
The course addresses both the fundamental principles and techniques of molecular biology. Students gain an in-depth knowledge of nucleic acid structure, molecular genetics, and the biochemistry of transcription and protein synthesis. Other topics include how mechanisms of gene regulation play a role in retroviral pathogenesis, embryonic development, and the generation of immune diversity. Each lecture directly relates molecular biology to current laboratory techniques. The laboratory portion of the course represents a complete experimental project. A combination of experiments gives students a broad exposure to several important techniques in molecular biology, together with the direct experience of an intensive research project. Experiments include current approaches to mutation analysis, protein interaction assays, and recombinant cDNA cloning by PCR. Prerequisite: BIOS S-1ab or the equivalent introductory biology course with laboratory, or permission of the instructor. (4 credits)
BIOS S-14 Principles of Genetics (32374)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, noon-3 pm. Optional sections Mondays, Wednesdays, 3-4 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit and undergraduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
This course focuses on transmission and molecular genetics. Topics include chromosome structure and replication, genetic linkage and mapping, regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, epigenetics, genetic mutation, genetics of cancer, and the principles of genetic engineering. The course makes use of bioinformatics to explore gene function, and pertinent applications of bioinformatics and genetics to modern biological problems are discussed. Prerequisite: BIOS S-1ab or the equivalent. (4 credits)
BIOS S-50 Neurobiology (32375)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 pm. Optional sections to be arranged.
Course tuition: noncredit and undergraduate credit $2,700.
Online option available. Harvard College students see additional information.
This course is an introduction to the organization and function of the nervous system. Topics to be covered include cell biology of neurons, physiology of excitable membranes and electrical signaling, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, sensory systems, motor systems, developmental neurobiology, simple circuits, and behavior. We discuss the molecular basis of neurodegenerative and neuropsychological disease. Prerequisite: introductory biology course or permission of instructor. (4 credits)
BIOS S-68 Genome and Systems Biology (32572)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, noon-3 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
The advent of genome and systems biology is transforming the study of life sciences establishing new foundations to biology as an information-rich discipline. The new discipline promises to change the ways we understand biological systems, in health and in disease. Ultimately the field will generate sophisticated means to manipulate biological systems for the benefit of people in areas such as medicine and agriculture. The course delivers this exciting news in a way that is accessible to undergraduate students with basic understanding of molecular biology, and yet challenging for graduate students, too. The concept of biological networks is the heart of the course. These networks are the basic molecular circuits within cells that process information and convert it into executable processes. We investigate how these networks function, and how their breakdown can lead to pathologies such as cancer. Our focus is on the following types of networks: transcription regulation network, translation regulation, the cellular protein interaction network, metabolic networks, redundancy and backup in genetic networks, networks for coping with environmental stress, and biological networks in diseases with a focus on cancer. Prerequisite: BIOS S-14, or the equivalent. (4 credits)
BIOS S-74 Marine Life and Ecosystems of the Sea (32373)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 3:15-6:15 pm. Required sections Wednesdays, 3:15-6:15 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit and undergraduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This course explores the life history and adaptations of marine life and the ecosystems of the sea. Emphasis is placed on understanding the fragility and resilience of marine systems in the face of anthropogenically driven perturbations such as habitat fragmentation, elevated sea surface temperature, alien species, nonsustainable fishing practices, and increased global tourism. Prerequisite: one year of secondary school biology. (4 credits)
BIOS S-98rb Study Abroad in Bangalore, India: Supervised Reading and Research in Quantitative Life Sciences (32539)
Venkatesh N. Murthy and Ryan W. Draft.
Limited enrollment.
See Study Abroad for more information.
BIOS S-98rt Study Abroad in Tokyo, Japan (RIKEN): Laboratory Research in Neurobiology (32537)
Limited enrollment.
See Study Abroad for more information.
BIOS S-98ry Study Abroad in Yokohama, Japan (RIKEN): Reading and Research in Immunology (32538)
Limited enrollment.
See Study Abroad for more information.
BIOS S-101a Study Abroad in Shanghai, China: Supervised Laboratory Research in the Life Sciences (32874)
Limited enrollment.
See Study Abroad for more information.
BIOS S-103 Study Abroad in Shanghai, China: Living Science—Biology, the Self, and the World (32849)
Limited enrollment.
See Study Abroad for more information.
BIOS S-112 Study Abroad at Oxford: Darwin and the Origins of Evolutionary Biology (32400)
Andrew Berry and James T. Costa.
Limited enrollment.
See Study Abroad for more information.
BIOS S-113 Study Abroad at Oxford: Darwin and Contemporary Evolutionary Biology (32401)
Andrew Berry and Naomi Pierce.
Limited enrollment.
See Study Abroad for more information.
BIOS S-129 Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (32639)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6:30-9:30 pm. Optional sections to be arranged.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
We are entering a new era in which a fundamental understanding of developmental biology and regeneration will play a critical role. In this course, embryonic and adult stem cells in different organisms are examined in terms of their molecular, cellular, and potential therapeutic properties. Genetic reprogramming and cloning of animals are critically evaluated. Ethical and political considerations are also considered. Prerequisites: BIOS S-1ab, or the equivalent; knowledge of cell, molecular, or developmental biology is recommended. (4 credits)
BIOS S-141c Study Abroad in Tokyo, Japan (RIKEN): The Collective Brain (32744)
Limited enrollment.
See Study Abroad for more information.
BIOS S-142a Study Abroad in Yokohama, Japan (RIKEN): International Symposium on Immunology (32546)
Limited enrollment.
See Study Abroad for more information.
BIOS S-154 Feast and Famine: The Microbiology of Food (32865)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 3:15-6:15 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Milk into cheese, grapes into wine, barley into beer, soybeans into miso: all of these food transformations rely on bacteria and fungi to turn basic ingredients into complex and flavorful foods. This course explores the processes and microbes involved in fermentation and preservation, and introduces students to fundamental concepts in microbial diversity, ecology, evolution, and physiology. We also consider the role of microbes in food production systems and the impact of food microbes on human health. While much of the course focuses on beneficial microbes, we also examine the historical and contemporary impacts of pathogenic microbes on food systems. Prerequisite: one year of secondary school biology. (4 credits)
BIOS S-175 Imaging in Biology (32731)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 pm. Required sections meeting in the Longwood Medical Area to be arranged.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
From the basic microscopes used by Robert Hooke when he coined the phrase "cell" to Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction images used to explain the DNA double helix structure, imaging technologies have enabled scientists to make amazing biological discoveries. This course explores the historical development of various modern optical imaging techniques, their underlying mechanisms based in physics, their applications in biomedical research, and the advantages and limitations of each technique. Students learn to apply various forms of optical imaging to different biological samples and use computer-based image analysis software to extract relevant information from images. Prerequisites: high school math and sciences (physics, trigonometry, geometry, biology, and chemistry); good computer skills. (4 credits)
BIOS S-200 Graduate Research Methods and Scholarly Writing in the Biological Sciences (32752)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6:30-9:30 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,900.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Graduate proseminar. Limited enrollment.
This proseminar is designed to teach students many of the writing and analytical skills that are required to succeed in graduate-level courses in the biological sciences. Through critical reading and presentation of research articles, students learn how to form questions that can be addressed experimentally and how to write a corresponding, testable hypothesis. The course also addresses the process of experimental design and current experimental methodologies in biology. Students are given multiple opportunities to hone their writing skills on several short writing assignments. Students are expected to participate in class discussions, present a paper to the class, and write a final research proposal due at the end of the semester. We focus our attention on the molecular mechanisms of innate immune responses to pathogens. Some prior knowledge of immunology is beneficial but not required. Students learn to think scientifically while they gain knowledge of basic mechanisms of immune protection against bacterial pathogens. Prerequisite: satisfactory score on the test of critical reading and writing skills; molecular biology (BIOS S-12 or the equivalent) highly recommended. (4 credits)
