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GCD Home > Undergraduate Program > GCD Course List
GCD Course List
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Biol 1101W Heredity and Human Society
Recent Instructors:Fan |
Fall
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Cells and development; Principles of inheritance -- Ethics of abortions for fetuses with genetic diseases; Sex and complex traits -- Ethics of prenatal sex selection, chromosome screening for athletic competitions; DNA and gene function -- Ethics in DNA testing in forensic medicine; Mutations and chromosomal abnormalities -- Ethics of Downs syndrome; Genes in populations and evolution -- Ethics of IQ testing; Immunity and cancer -- Ethics of insurance payments for costly experimental techniques for cancer treatment; Viruses and AIDS -- Ethics of coercive methods to block the spread of HIV; New topics in genetics -- Ethics of genetic engineering. Intended audience: Undergraduate non-biology majors. This course satifies the Citizenship and Public Ethics Theme in the University's Liberal Education Curriculum.
(4.0 cr; prereq =1009)
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Biol 4003 Genetics (for majors in the biological sciences)
Recent Instructors:Brooker, Simmons, Kirkpatrick, Snustad, Gray, Shaw, Ranum, Springer, Shima |
Fall/Spring |
Introduction to the nature of genetic information, its transmission from parents to offspring, its expression in cells and organisms, and its evolution in populations. This course is intended for majors in biology or departmental degree programs. Undergraduate biochemistry is a prerequisite.
(3.0 cr; prereq Biol/BioC 3021 or BioC 4331)
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Biol 4004 Cell Biology
Recent Instructors:Johnson, Miller, Brambl, Silflow, Brooker, Clarke, Koepp |
Fall/Spring |
Processes fundamental to cells, emphasizing eukaryotic cells. Assembly and function of membranes and organelles. Cell division, cell form and movement, intercellular communication, transport, and secretion pathways. Some discussion of specialized cells including cancer cells and differentiated cells. Genetics is a prerequisite.
(3.0 cr; prereq Biol/BioC 3021 or BioC 5331, Biol 4003 or BioC 4332)
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GCD 3022 Genetics (for nonmajors)
Recent Instructors:Brooker |
Fall |
Mechanisms of heredity, their implications for biological populations, and applications to practical problems.
(3.0 cr; prereq Biol 1002 or 1009; not for biology majors)
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GCD 4015 Genetics Laboratory
Recent Instructors: Franco, Merriman |
Fall/Spring |
This laboratory provides an introduction to experimental techniques used in genetic analyses. It is intended for students who have completed a lecture class covering the basic principles of genetics. Genetic experiments will be performed with various model systems, ranging from bacteriophage to yeast and Drosophila. Both classical and molecular aspects of genetics will be covered using techniques that include mutagenesis, complementation, recombination, mapping, gene disruption, Southern blotting, PCR, and database analysis.
(2.0 cr; prereq 3022 or Biol 4003 or BioC 4332)
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GCD 4025 Cell Biology Laboratory
Recent Instructors:Iwanij, Sanders, Titus, Ekker, Chen, Kuriyama, Franco, Norander |
Spring |
Students will acquire hands-on knowledge of techniques used in modern cell/molecular biology research. Laboratory modules led by different faculty members will focus on different model systems and experimental approaches used by researchers in this field. Laboratory experiments may include cell fractionation, gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting of proteins, phase and fluorescence microscopy, in vitro motility assays, and analysis of reporter gene expression.
(2.0 cr; prereq Biol 4004 or consent of instructor)
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GCD 4034 Molecular Genetics
Recent Instructors:Magee, Zarkower, Simon |
Spring |
Molecular genetics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Topics include gene structure and organization, regulation of gene expression, RNA splicing and processing, chromatin structure and function, and comparative genome analysis. The course will also cover techniques used in molecular genetics research such as recombinant DNA technology, targeted mutations, DNA sequencing, genome manipulation, gene chip technology, and generation of transgenic organisms. The course will provide an introduction to the major model systems that are used in molecular genetics research, including bacteriophage, fungi, nematodes, insects, and mice. Assigned readings will be from Lewin's "Genes VII" and will also include 4-6 articles from the primary research literature. The course is intended for advanced bioscience undergraduates including those considering postgraduate training in biological or biomedical sciences.
(3.0 cr; prereq Biol 4003, Biol 4004; advanced bioscience undergrad recommended)
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GCD 4111 Histology
Recent Instructors:Bauer |
Spring |
Structure and function of vertebrate tissues and organs. Lectures combine electron microscopic and light microscopic structure, physiology, and cell biology of higher animals, including humans. Laboratory sessions concentrate on the light microscopic structure of mammalian tissues. Course is intended for undergraduate majors and non-majors, and pre-professional students.
(4.0 cr; prereq Biol 4004 or consent of instructor)
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GCD 4143 Human Genetics
Recent Instructors:Oetting |
Spring |
This course covers the basics of human genetics, focusing on medical aspects of human genetic diseases. Lectures include information on recessive, dominant, X-linked and mitochondrial inheritance, tri-nucleotide expansions and genetic imprinting. This course also includes information on genetic linkage analysis, cytogenetics and other aspects of human genetics. It is intended for undergraduates who have had previous courses in genetics and biochemistry.
(3.0 cr; prereq 3022 or Biol 4003 or consent of instructor)
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GCD 4151 The Molecular Biology of Cancer
Recent Instructors:Largaespada, Bardwell |
Spring |
This course is intended to provide students with an understanding of regulatory pathways that direct normal development of complex eukaryotic organisms and how disruptions of these pathways can lead to abnormal cell growth and cancer. Topics will include normal and cancerous cell growth, signal transduction, cell death, DNA stability and repair, invasion and metastasis, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, viral oncogenes, role of environment in cancer development, detection and treatment of cancer. Assigned readings will be from King's, "Cancer Biology" and may also include several articles from the primary research literature. The course is intended for advanced bioscience undergraduates, including those considering post-graduate training in biological or biomedical sciences.
(3.0 cr; prereq Biol 4003)
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GCD 4161 Developmental Biology
Recent Instructors:Ekker, O'Connor, Rougvie |
Fall |
This course is intended for upper level undergraduates who have had previous courses in genetics and cell biology and who have an interest in understanding developmental mechanisms. The course will present a comprehensive discussion of developmental biology with emphasis on recent findings, particularly concerning the molecular mechanisms involved. The course will focus on devleopment in model organisms, including nematodes, fruit flies, mice, zebrafish, frogs, and chicks, as well as discussion of human development as appropriate. Students will learn fundamental regulatory mechanisms common to developmental programs in most animals, in addition to understanding the differences that exist among species. Topics to be covered include fertilization, formation of the body plan, sex determination, limb formation, programmed cell death and regeneration. Experimental approaches to development will be discussed in detail.
(3.0 cr; prereq Biol 4003, Biol 4004 or concurrent registration)
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GCD 4993 Directed Studies
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Fall/Spring |
Permits students who desire to learn about a specialized topic not already presented in a regularly scheduled lecture course to explore that area through individualized independent reading, analysis, and writing of a term paper. Directed study involves a student workload of a minimum of 45 hours per credit over the entire semester. Some of this effort involves consultation with the faculty member who is directing the study and the remainder is spent reading appropriate literature, conducting laboratory exercises, analyzing data and/or writing one or more summary reports.
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GCD 4793W Directed Studies, writing intensive
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Fall/Spring |
Students will be required to write a 10 to 15 page paper in the format of a scientific review article. This paper will contain an introduction that presents an overview of the research topic and several subsections that describe aspects of the topic in detail. The conclusion section will summarize the information presented in the review article, comment on its significance, and propose future research directions. Articles from the literature that were cited in the paper will be listed in the Reference section. The faculty mentor will provide students with general guidelines on writing a scientific review article. A recently published review article in the student's research area may serve as a model. The mentor will help guide the student in the selection of an appropriate topic to be reviewed and will be available for discussions. Throughout preparation of the initial drafts of the paper, the mentor will advise the student with regard to organization and presentation of the information (graphs, diagrams, tables, etc.). The mentor will read the draft of the paper and comment on format, content, and writing style. The student will then prepare a final version of the review article based on the mentor's comments.
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| GCD 4994 Directed Research |
Fall/Spring |
Provides an opportunity for undergraduates to carry out laboratory research. This experience is an important preparation for those intending to apply for graduate study. Directed Research is an individualized research experience under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Overall student effort will be at least 45 hours per semester per credit. Student effort is expected to include contact with the mentor to discuss direction of the project, methods to be used, results and interpretations, as well as future directions. Most of the sudent's time will be spent doing experiments, collecting data, organizing results, and reading pertinent literature.
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| GCD 4794W Directed Research, writing intensive |
Fall/Spring |
Students will be required to write a 10 to 15 page paper in the format of a scientific article. This paper will contain an introduction that surveys the current literature in the student's area of research. The materials and methods section will outline the techniques and approaches used in the research project, and the results section will present the experimental findings. The discussion section will analyze the data, present interpretations of the data, and compare the results with the experimental findings reported by others. Students will receive general guidelines on writing a scientific paper. A recent published article in the student's research area will serve as a model. Throughout preparation of the initial drafts of the paper, the mentor will advise the student in data presentation (graphs, figures, etc.). The mentor will read the draft of the paper and comment on format, content, and writing style. The student will then prepare a final version of the paper based on the mentor's comments.
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GCD 5036 Molecular Cell Biology
Recent Instructors: Iwanij |
Fall |
The Molecular Cell Biology course is designed for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in biological sciences. This course will cover major subjects of modern cell biology with emphasis on the experimental approach and provide opportunity for students to become acquainted with reading and evaluating original scientific papers. Instruction will combine an overview of each topic with analysis of scientific papers to illustrate development of new concepts and use of experimental results to formulate and test hypotheses. Modern, integrative approaches that combine cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics to investigate cell organization and function will be emphasized. Topics will include membranes, signaling, extracellular matrix, secretion, endocytosis, the cytoskeleton, and the nucleus. These subjects are central to eukariotic cells, and will be considered with regard to the cellular mechanism of human disease.
(3.0 cr; prereq Biol 4004 or consent of instructor; [sr or grad student] recommended)
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