Introduction
to Biology (Biol 1101) This
is one of the core courses. It is an introduction to the concepts that contribute
to an understanding of the distinctive nature and characteristics of life; its
molecular, cellular, physical and chemical basis. This course is offered to
non-biology students who have a limited biology background.
Therefore, the objectives of the course are:
(1) to enable the student to appreciate that, in daily life, biological events
such as diseases are really cell "wars"
(2) to enable the student to understand the importance of basic biology knowledge
(3) to enable the student to realize how empirical research in basic biological
science is critical to our daily life.
To achieve these goals, there is also a discussion of the materials that are
centered around the systems of the human body to show the students how critical
empirical research is in basic biological science, and to pique the students'
interest in subjects directly relevant to their lives. syllabus
Anatomy
and Physiology I (Biol 1102)
This course is the first half of Anatomy and Physiology. It is an introduction
to the structure and function of human tissues and organs. Molecular and cellular
elements of structure are presented as a basis for understanding organ function.
Emphasis is on the regulatory processes that maintain a living balance in response
to environmental challenges. This course is offered to non-biology majors such
as nursing and physical education students. Since my section is taught in the
summer, I reserve my lecture notes in the library to facilitate efficient studying.
As for the laboratory section, a well developed laboratory manual is followed.
syllabus
Cell
Biology (Biol 2221)
This course covers three interrelated disciplines, cytology, genetics and biochemistry
of the cell, in an integral and dynamic way. The cells are first examined for
their subcellular structures and functions, and then molecular events in the
cells are analyzed during the first half of the course. Finally, the cells are
then studied together to demonstrate biological systems as a whole. The textbook,
"Molecular Biology of The Cell", edited by B. Alberts et al., is recognized
as one of the best molecular and cell biology textbooks, and is closely followed
throughout this course. Many critical mini-reviews are also included. In addition,
information about current technology has been emphasized in this course. Selected
topics from HyperCELL (Garland Publishing, Inc., 1996) have been assigned as
supplemental exercise materials following class lectures. This is one of the
fundamental courses for students who are planning to pursue advanced graduate
education including graduate school and medical or professional school. I have
designed the exams to be similar to the MCAT exam and the Advanced Biology GRE
exam. Although it is known to be one of the most difficult courses in the department,
most biology students desire to take this course in order to prepare themselves
to be competitive. syllabus
Cell
Biology Laboratory (Biol 2222)
Even though
the Cell Biology Laboratory Course accompanies the Cell Biology Course
(Biol 2221), it is, nevertheless, a separate course. This laboratory course
consists of both wet lab exercises and computer animation sections. The wet
lab exercises include protein biochemistry, immunochemistry, cell growth, and
restriction mapping of plasmid DNA. The newest version of HyperCELL, published
by Garland Publishing, Inc., is used in six computer animation sections in order
to develop the students' biomedical writing skills. Three of these sections
are scheduled prior to the major wet lab section in order to allow the students
to explore the related background material before going to the wet lab. The
other three sections are scheduled for the final period of the course. Each
student is assigned a topic, and, using the HyperCELL program, the student is
instructed to integrate a database and literature search. Each student is then
expected to present a report on their topic, and to write a term paper on the
material. By combining the HyperCELL program with wet lab sessions, oral presentations,
and written reports,
the student is able to better appreciate the link between textbook information
and
actual laboratory research. I have had very good feedback from the students
about
this course, and, in fact, some of the graduate students request course materials
to
aid in their studies. syllabus
Senior
Biology Seminar (Biol 4197)
This course provides the students the opportunity to read, write and present
research results in the format of a seminar. The objective is for the student
to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to function as an empirical biologist.
The specific goals are:
(1) to learn how to use current scientific literature to identify contradictory
arguments
(2) to polish the reading and writing skills associated with gathering and analysis
of information
(3) to expose the students to the proper methods of writing research proposals
on contradictory issues in biological literature.
In addition, the course serves as a means for the department to assess learning
outcomes. This course is required for all biology majors, and enables the department
to evaluate both the student and the departmental teaching. syllabus
Methods
in Neuroscience (Biol 6335)
The first
step toward understanding the human brain and how it works is to learn how neurons
are organized into signaling pathways, and how they communicate through synaptic
transmission. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with
a foundation in the basic concepts and methodology that are most commonly in
Neuroscience.
The course consists of fourteen modules designed to:
(1) provide students with a thorough description of how behavioral studies are
performed; (2) teach students when and how to use biochemical, electrophysiological
immunohistological techniques in order to determine the underlying neuropharmacology
and neurohistochemistry of the brain
(3) introduce students to new imaging techniques that permit us to study the
human brain in action.
Through the use of assigned research papers, the students will learn to analyze
and interpret research data obtained from the application of these techniques.
The students will also be required to prepare and present a research proposal
that demonstrates the application of these techniques to answer some neuroscientific
question. The participants in this course will become acquainted with basic
concepts and techniques commonly used in Neuroscience to study the organization
of neurons, their signaling pathways, and the mechanisms of synaptic transmission,
in order to better understand the workings of the human brain. The course consists
of 14 modules, 3-5 research articles, and student proposals and presentations.
Overall, this intense course will give students the opportunity to learn some
valuable concepts, and encourage them to pursue further studies in Neuroscience.
syllabus
Cancer
Biology (Biol 6369)
This course
brings together and puts into perspective a large body of knowledge about cancer,
cancer research, and cancer treatment. Specifically, this course will first
explore microevolutionary processes to illustrate the nature of cancer and the
natural history of the disease from a cellular standpoint. The molecular genetics
of cancer will then be dissected to understand how abnormalities in any of the
different intracellular signaling pathways of the system can lead to development
of cancer. This course will also include a discussion of various cancer treatment
approaches to illustrate how basic research translates to clinical aspects of
cancer treatment.
The objectives of this course are:
(1) to provide an overall framework of current knowledge of cancer biology and
future advances of this disease
(2) to explore both cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development
(3) to expose students to proper methods of writing research proposals on selected
topics in cancer research.
Through this course, the student will obtain a firm foundation of knowledge
on the cellular process of cancer development and the molecular genetics of
this disease, and will also learn valuable skills for a career in cancer research.
syllabus
Signal
Transduction (Biol 7226)
This course
is intended to bring together and put into perspective a large body of knowledge
about intracellular signaling systems as well as cell-cell communication. Specifically,
this course explores the mechanisms underlying the finely balanced interactions
between the different signaling pathways that ensure the occurrence of the required
cellular responses. This course also examines how abnormalities in any of the
components of the system can lead to a variety of diseases, including cancer.
Also included is a discussion of the molecular mechanisms of cellular adaptation,
and the development of drug tolerance and dependence.
The objectives of this course include:
(1) providing an overall framework of the current knowledge of signal transduction
pathways, as well as future advances in this field
(2) exploring the abnormalities in cell signaling which can lead to various
diseases, such as cancer, drug tolerance and dependence
(3) exposing the students to the proper methods of writing research proposals
on selected topics in signal transduction.
Through this course, the students can obtain a firm foundation of cell-cell
communication in living systems, and also learn valuable writing skills for
a career in biological science. syllabus
