Science and Society
This course uses a seminar discussion format to examine the relationship between science and society from numerous perspectives, with examples from many fields of science, mostly biology and medicine, including the Covid-19 pandemic. We welcome undergraduates from all classes who are concentrating in any field: the natural and social sciences, humanities, or the arts. There are no prerequisites, other than an interest in how the scientific enterprise works and interacts with other components of our society. The course addresses a wide array of topics, such as: why do people choose a scientific career? why do governments and other funders support scientific work? how does science fail? why is there widespread skepticism about science? how is it represented in the arts? how are results disseminated, evaluated, and legally protected? Assignments-- mainly short articles (from newspapers and journals) and book chapters, but also a few films and novels --will be provided for each class, and every student will undertake a term project of their own choosing, with oral and written presentations, after consultations with the instructor.
- W 4:10 p.m.-6:40 p.m.
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Instructor:
Harold Varmus
Wikipedia Info - 3 points
First Year Seminar in Biology
FIRST YEAR SEM IN BIOLOGY
If you are interested in doing biology-related research at Columbia University this is the course for you. Each week a different Columbia University professor’s discusses their biology-related research giving you an idea of what kind of research is happening at Columbia. Come ask questions and find out how the body works, the latest therapies for disease and maybe even find a lab to do research in. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/UN1908/index.html
- R 3 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
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Instructor:
Alice Heicklen
CULPA: 15 Info - 1 points
INTRO BIO I: BIOCHEM,GEN,MOLEC
Prerequisites: one year of college chemistry is required. Lecture and recitation. Recommended as the introductory biology course for biology and related majors, and for premedical students. Fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. Website: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/c2005/index.html. SPS, Barnard, and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar. registrar. http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- TR 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
- TR 4:10 p.m.-5:25 p.m.
- 4 points
INTRO BIO I: BIOCHEM,GEN,MOLEC
Lecture and recitation. Recommended as the introductory biology course for biology and related majors, and for premedical students. Fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. SPS, Barnard, and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar.
http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- M 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
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Instructor:
Michelle Attner
Info - 0 points
INTRO BIO I: BIOCHEM,GEN,MOLEC
Lecture and recitation. Recommended as the introductory biology course for biology and related majors, and for premedical students. Fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. SPS, Barnard, and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar.
http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- M 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
- T 8:10 a.m.-10 a.m.
- T 12:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
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Instructor:
Michelle Attner
Info - 0 points
INTRO BIO I: BIOCHEM,GEN,MOLEC
Lecture and recitation. Recommended as the introductory biology course for biology and related majors, and for premedical students. Fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. SPS, Barnard, and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar.
http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- T 12:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
- T 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
- W 12:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
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Instructor:
Michelle Attner
Info - 0 points
INTRO BIO I: BIOCHEM,GEN,MOLEC
Lecture and recitation. Recommended as the introductory biology course for biology and related majors, and for premedical students. Fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. SPS, Barnard, and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar.
http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- W 12:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
- W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
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Instructor:
Michelle Attner
Info - 0 points
INTRO BIO I: BIOCHEM,GEN,MOLEC
Lecture and recitation. Recommended as the introductory biology course for biology and related majors, and for premedical students. Fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. SPS, Barnard, and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar.
http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
- W 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
- W 8:10 p.m.-10 p.m.
- R 12:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
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Instructor:
Michelle Attner
Info - 0 points
CONTEMPORARY BIOLOGY I
Prerequisites: one year of college chemistry or the written permission of either the instructor or the premedical adviser is required. Recommended as the introductory biology course for science majors who have completed a year of college chemistry and premedical students. The fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. Website: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/c2005/index.html. SPS and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar. registrar. http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- TR 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
- TR 4:10 p.m.-5:25 p.m.
- 3 points
CONTEMPORARY BIOLOGY LAB
Prerequisites: Strongly recommended prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL UN2005 or BIOL UN2401. Experiments focus on genetics and molecular biology, with an emphasis on data analysis and experimental techniques. The class also includes a study of mammalian anatomy and histology. SPS and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar. http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- M 1:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
- T 1:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
- W 1:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
- R 6:40 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
- F 1:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
- 3 points
NEUROBIO I:CELLULAR & MOLECULR
Prerequisites: one year of biology; a course in physics is highly recommended. Lecture and recitation. This is an advanced course intended for majors providing an in depth survey of the cellular and molecular aspects of nerve cell function. Topics include: the cell biology and biochemistry of neurons, ionic and molecular basis of electrical signals, synaptic transmission and its modulation, function of sensory receptors. Although not required, it is intended to be followed by Neurobiology II (see below). The recitation meets once per week in smaller groups and emphasizes readings from the primary literature.
- TR 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
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Instructor:
Stuart J Firestein
CULPA: 13 Wikipedia h-index: 50 Info - 4 points
PHYSIOLOGY
Prerequisites: (BIOL UN2005 and BIOL UN2006) or (BIOL UN2401 and BIOL UN2402) or the instructors permission. Major physiological systems of vertebrates (circulatory, digestive, hormonal, etc.) with emphasis on cellular and molecular mechanisms and regulation. Readings include research articles from the scientific literature. SCE and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar. http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- TR 11:40 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
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Instructor:
Mary Ann Price
CULPA: 5 Info - 3 points
Neurobiology I Recitation
Discussion/recitation section for BIOL UN3004 Neurobiology I
- M 5:45 p.m.-7 p.m.
- T 5:45 p.m.-7 p.m.
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Instructor:
Stuart J Firestein
CULPA: 13 Wikipedia h-index: 50 Info - 0 points
Neurobiology I Recitation
Discussion/recitation section for BIOL UN3004 Neurobiology I
- T 5:45 p.m.-7 p.m.
- W 1 p.m.-2:15 p.m.
- W 4:10 p.m.-5:25 p.m.
- W 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
- W 4:10 p.m.-5:25 p.m.
- 0 points
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
Prerequisites: BIOL UN2005 and BIOL UN2006 or equivalent. Come discover how the union of egg and sperm triggers the complex cellular interactions that specify the diverse variety of cells present in multicellular organisms. Cellular and molecular aspects of sex determination, gametogenesis, genomic imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation, telomerase as the biological clock, stem cells, cloning, the pill and cell interactions will be explored, with an emphasis on humans. Original research articles will be discussed to further examine current research in developmental biology. SPS and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar. http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- TR 1:10 p.m.-2:25 p.m.
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Instructor:
Alice Heicklen
CULPA: 15 Info - 3 points
NEUROGENETICS
Prerequisites: (BIOL UN2005 and BIOL UN2006) This course provides an introduction to Neurogenetics, which studies the role of genetics in the development and function of the nervous system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurogenetics). The course will be focused on teaching classic and contemporary concepts in genetics and neuroscience, rather than cataloguing mere facts. The course will emphasize the discovery processes, historical figures involved in these processes and methodologies of discovery. Primary research papers will be discussed in detail. A central organizational theme of the course is the presence of a common thread and narrative throughout the course. The common thread is an invertebrate model system, the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, which serves as a paradigm to show how simple genetic model systems have informed our view on the genetics of nervous system development and function. The ultimate goal of this course is to gain an understanding of the underlying principles of how the nervous system of one specific animal species forms, from beginning to end. The course is intended for neuroscience-inclined students (e.g. neuroscience majors) who want to learn about how genetic approaches have informed our understanding of brain development and function and, vice versa, for students with an interest in molecular biology and genetics, who want to learn about key problems in neuroscience and how genetic approaches can address them.
- MW 8:40 a.m.-9:55 a.m.
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Instructor:
Oliver Hobert
h-index: 77 Info - 3 points
CELL BIOLOGY
Prerequisites: one year of biology, normally BIOL UN2005-BIOL UN2006, or the equivalent. Cell Biology 3041/4041 is an upper-division course that covers in depth all organelles of cells, how they make up tissues, secrete substances important for the organism, generate and adapt to their working environment in the body, move throughout development, and signal to each other. Because these topics were introduced in the Intro Course (taught by Mowshowitz and Chasin), this course or its equivalent is a pre-requisite for W3041/4041. Students for whom this course is useful include biology, biochem or biomedical engineering majors, those preparing to apply for medical school or graduate school, and those doing or planning to start doing research in a biology or biomedical lab. SCE and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar. http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- MW 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
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Instructor:
Erin L Barnhart
Info - 3 points
CELLULAR/MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
Prerequisites: two semesters of a rigorous, molecularly-oriented introductory biology course (such as UN2005 and UN2006), or the instructors permission. This course will cover the basic concepts underlying the mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity, as well as key experimental methods currently used in the field. To keep it real, the course will include clinical correlates in such areas as infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, cancer immunotherapy and transplantation. Taking this course wont turn you into an immunologist, but it may make you want to become one, as was the case for several students last year. After taking the course, you should be able to read the literature intelligently in this rapidly advancing field. SCE and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar. http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- MW 2:40 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
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Instructor:
Christian W Schindler
CULPA: 3 Info - 3 points
BIOCHEMISTRY
Prerequisites: one year each of Introductory Biology and General Chemistry. Corequisites: Organic Chemistry. Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes within organisms that give rise to the immense complexity of life. This complexity emerges from a highly regulated and coordinated flow of chemical energy from one biomolecule to another. This course serves to familiarize students with the spectrum of biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleic acids, etc.) as well as the fundamental chemical processes (glycolysis, citric acid cycle, fatty acid metabolism, etc.) that allow life to happen. In particular, this course will employ active learning techniques and critical thinking problem-solving to engage students in answering the question: how is the complexity of life possible? NOTE: While Organic Chemistry is listed as a corequisite, it is highly recommended that you take Organic Chemistry beforehand.
- T 7:10 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
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Instructor:
Danny N Ho
CULPA: 7 Info - 3 points
Regulation of Behaviors for Survival
Reg of Survival Behaviors
To maximize their survival animals must regulate their behavior in response to external environmental cues and their own internal state. A fundamental goal of neuroscience is to understand how neural circuits in the brain function to influence behavior. The aim of this course is to highlight the neural basis of neuropeptide regulation of innate behaviors that are critical for survival and discuss modern approaches to study the neuronal control of classically studied aspects of behavior. We will explore motor control (escape responses), sensory systems (vision, taste, and olfaction), and survival behaviors (feeding, drinking, mating, and aggression). Focus will be on recent and current research, the diversity of approaches for studying it, and how this knowledge can be applied to solve scientific questions. Students will read primary scientific literature and a significant portion of the course will be presentation and discussion-based.
- W 10:10 a.m.-noon
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Instructor:
Laura Duvall
Info - 4 points
The Global Threat of Antimicrobial Resis
Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections were estimated to account for 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019. The goal of the seminar is to provide an in-depth analysis of this ongoing threat. Discussions will include the molecular mechanisms, epidemiology of transmission and the consequences of antimicrobial resistant infections. It will also cover current efforts to reduce the spread and emergence of these difficult to treat pathogens, both in the community and the healthcare setting.
- T 12:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
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Instructor:
Franklin Lowy
Info - 3 points
INDEP BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Prerequisites: Concurrent with registering for this course, a student must register with the department and provide a written invitation from a mentor; details of this procedure are available at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/w3500/index.htm. Students must register for recitations UN3510 or consult the instructor. Corequisites: BIOL UN3510 The course involves independent study, faculty-supervised laboratory projects in contemporary biology. Concurrent with registering for this course, a student must register with the department, provide a written invitation from a mentor and submit a research proposal; details of this procedure are available at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/w3500/index.htm. A paper summarizing results of the work is required by the last day of finals for a letter grade; no late papers will be accepted. See the course web site (above) for more details. Students can take anywhere from 2-4 points for this course.
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Instructor:
Ron M Prywes
CULPA: 2 Info - 2-4 points
INDEP BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH - REC
- T 5:40 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
- W 5:40 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
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Instructor:
Ron M Prywes
CULPA: 2 Info - 0 points
NEUROBIO I:CELLULAR & MOLECULR
Prerequisites: one year of biology; a course in physics is highly recommended. Lecture and recitation. This is an advanced course intended for majors providing an in depth survey of the cellular and molecular aspects of nerve cell function. Topics include the cell biology and biochemistry of neurons, ionic and molecular basis of electrical signals, synaptic transmission and its modulation, function of sensory receptors. Although not required, it is intended to be followed by Neurobiology II (see below). The recitation meets once per week in smaller groups and emphasizes readings from the primary literature.
- TR 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
-
Instructor:
Stuart J Firestein
CULPA: 13 Wikipedia h-index: 50 Info - 4 points
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Prerequisites: genetics or molecular biology. The course covers techniques currently used to explore and manipulate gene function and their applications in medicine and the environment. Part I covers key laboratory manipulations, including DNA cloning, gene characterization, association of genes with disease, and methods for studying gene regulation and activities of gene products. Part II also covers commercial applications, and includes animal cell culture, production of recombinant proteins, novel diagnostics, high throughput screening, and environmental biosensors.
- MW 4:10 p.m.-5:25 p.m.
- 3 points
Transformative Concepts in Systems Biolo
Systems biology approaches are rapidly transforming the technological and conceptual foundations of research across diverse areas of biomedicine. In this course we will discuss the fundamental developments in systems biology with a focus on two important dimensions: (1) the unique conceptual frameworks that have emerged to study systems-level phenomena and (2) how these approaches are revealing fundamentally new principles that govern the organization and behavior of cellular systems. Although there will be much discussion of technologies and computational approaches, the course will emphasize the conceptual contributions of the field and the big questions that lie ahead. Lectures and discussions of primary literature will enable students to scrutinize research in the field and to internalize systems biology thinking in their own research. To make this a concrete endeavor, the students will develop mini-NIH-style grant proposals that aims to study a fundamental problem/question using systems biology approaches. The students will then convene an in-class NIH-style review panel that will assess the strengths and weaknesses of these proposals. In addition, the students will have the opportunity to defend their proposals in a live presentation to the class. The course is open to graduate students in Biological Sciences. Advanced undergraduates in biological sciences, and other graduate students with background in biology from other disciplines, including physics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering may also attend after consulting with the instructor.
- W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
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Instructor:
Saeed Tavazoie
Info - 3 points
BIOTECHNOLOGY LAW
Prerequisites: at least 4 college-level biology or biotechnology courses. This course will introduce students to the interrelated fields of patent law, regulatory law, and contract law that are vital to the biotech and biopharmaceutical sectors. The course will present core concepts in a way that permits students to use them throughout their corporate, academic, and government careers. SCE and TC students may register for this course, but they must first obtain the written permission of the instructor, by filling out a paper Registration Adjustment Form (Add/Drop form). The form can be downloaded at the URL below, but must be signed by the instructor and returned to the office of the registrar. http://registrar.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/reg-adjustment.pdf
- R 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
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Instructor:
Alan J Morrison
Info - 3 points
BIOPHARMACEUTICAL DEV & REG
The program aims to provide current life sciences students with an understanding of what drives the regulatory strategies that surround the development decision making process, and how the regulatory professional may best contribute to the goals of product development and approval. To effect this, we will examine operational, strategic, and commercial aspects of the regulatory approval process for new drug, biologic, and biotechnology products both in the United States and worldwide. The topics are designed to provide a chronological review of the requirements needed to obtain marketing approval. Regulatory strategic, operational, and marketing considerations will be addressed throughout the course. We will examine and analyze the regulatory process as a product candidates are advanced from Research and Development, through pre-clinical and clinical testing, to marketing approval, product launch and the post-marketing phase. The goal of this course is to introduce and familiarize students with the terminology, timelines, and actual steps followed by Regulatory Affairs professionals employed in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. Worked examples will be explored to illustrate complex topics and illustrate interpretation of regulations.
PROTEOMICS LABORATORY
This course deals with the proteome: the expressed protein complement of a cell, organelle, matrix, tissue, organ or organism. The study of the proteome (proteomics) is broadly applicable to life sciences research, and is increasingly important in academic, government and industrial research through extension of the impact of advances in genomics. These techniques are being applied to basic research, exploratory studies of cancer and other diseases, drug discovery and many other topics. Emphasis will be on mastery of practical techniques of sample preparation, liquid chromatography/ mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with electrospray ionization, and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption and Ionization (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Database searching and interpretation for identification of proteins will be intensively studied, and practiced supported by background tutorials and exercises covering other techniques used in proteomics. Open to students in M.A. in Biotechnology Program (points can be counted against laboratory requirement for that program), Ph.D. and advanced undergraduate students with background in genetics or molecular biology. Students should be comfortable with basic biotechnology laboratory techniques as well as being interested in doing computational work in a Windows environment.
- R 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
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Instructor:
Lewis Brown
Info - 3 points
DRUGS AND DISEASE
Prerequisites: four semesters of biology with a firm foundation in molecular and cellular biology. Introduces students to the current understanding of human diseases, novel therapeutic approaches and drug development process. Selected topics will be covered in order to give students a feeling of the field of biotechnology in health science. This course also aims to strengthen students’ skills in literature comprehension and critical thinking.
- MW 2:40 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
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Instructor:
Lili Yamasaki
CULPA: 5 Info - 3 points
Biochemistry I in VR: Leveraging Virtual
Biochemistry I Virtual Re
In this course, we will use virtual reality to explore the basic biochemistry of living systems and how this knowledge can be harnessed to create new medicines. We will learn how living systems convert environmental resources into energy through metabolism, and how they use this energy and these materials to build the molecules required for the diverse functions of life. We will discuss the applications of this biochemical knowledge to mechanisms of disease and to drug discovery. We will look at examples of drug discovery related to neurodegeneration, cancer, and the SARS-CoV-2 COVID19 pandemic. This course satisfies the requirement of most medical schools for introductory biochemistry, and is suitable for advanced undergraduates, and beginning graduate students. This course is equivalent to and replaces the prior course named UN3501, and is equivalent to the course offered in the Fall semester. This course is a co-requiste to GU4501. We will meet twice each week in Zoom (Tuesday and Thursday 2:30-5:15, BCHM GU4501) to discuss the course material. We will then meet Friday 9:30-10:30 each week in virtual reality, using the Spatial.io platform and an Oculus Quest headset. In VR, we will examine the 3D spatial concepts relevant to biochemistry, where you will be able to examine molecular structures in an immersive format.
- W 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
- F 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
- 0 points
Biochemistry I - Structure and Metabolis
BIOCHEM I-STRUCT/METABOLS
How does life work on a molecular level? Why do we succumb to disease, and how can we create new cures? This course will explore the biochemistry of life and how this knowledge can be harnessed to create new medicines. You will learn how cells convert environmental resources into energy through metabolism, how cellular molecules function, and how to use this biochemical knowledge for drug discovery related to neurodegeneration, cancer, and the current SARS-CoV-2 COVID19 pandemic. At the conclusion of the course, you will be able to diagram the major metabolic pathways and compare how these pathways are dysregulated in normal tissues in and disease states, and to design your own drug discovery program to create therapeutic for diseases such as COVID-19. In addition, you will know what techniques are used to uncover biochemical knowledge and how to design and interpret relevant experiments. You will be capable of collaborating with other people in the analysis and interpretation of biochemical data, and be able to communicate, defend and refute interpretations of data. You will learn how to create an original research proposal in the form of a research grant application. Having completed one year of college-level biology and one year of organic chemistry will be helpful to maximally benefit from this course. This course satisfies the requirement of most medical schools for introductory biochemistry, and is suitable for advanced undergraduates, and beginning graduate students; this replaces the previous UN3501 course.
- M 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
- T 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
- M 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
- 0 points
CELL SIGNALING
Prerequisites: A strong background in molecular and cellular biology. Generally students with four or more courses are accepted. Cell Signaling is a graduate course for Ph.D. students open to advanced undergraduate and masters students. The basic molecular mechanism of signal transduction pathways will be discussed related to cell growth and stress systems. There will be an emphasis on specific categories of signaling components. Students will read the literature and give presentations. Topics include the pathways by which cells respond to extracellular signals such as growth factors and the mechanisms by which extracellular signals are translated into alterations in the cell cycle, morphology, differentiation state, and motility of the responding cells. For stress pathways we will discuss how cells respond to survive the stress or induce their own death. In many cases these pathways will be related to human diseases.
- R 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
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Instructor:
Ron M Prywes
CULPA: 2 Info - 3 points
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
- TR 1:10 p.m.-2:25 p.m.
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Instructor:
Alice Heicklen
CULPA: 15 Info - 3 points
CELLULAR/MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
Prerequisites: two semesters of a rigorous, molecularly-oriented introductory biology course (such as UNC2005 and UN2006), or the instructor's permission. This course will cover the basic concepts underlying the mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity, as well as key experimental methods currently used in the field. To keep it real, the course will include clinical correlates in such areas as infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and transplantation. Taking this course won't turn you into an immunologist, but it may make you want to become one, as was the case for several students last year. After taking the course, you should be able to read the literature intelligently in this rapidly advancing field.
- MW 2:40 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
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Instructor:
Christian W Schindler
CULPA: 3 Info - 3 points
Supervised Research
Students conduct research related to biotechnology under the sponsorship of a mentor within the University. The student and the mentor determine the nature and extent of this independent study. In some laboratories, the student may be assigned to work with a postdoctoral fellow, graduate student or a senior member of the laboratory, who is in turn supervised by the mentor. The mentor is responsible for mentoring and evaluating the students progress and performance. Credits received from this course may be used to fulfill the laboratory requirement for the degree. Instructor permission required. Web site: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/g4500-g4503/index.html
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Instructor:
Lili Yamasaki
CULPA: 5 Info - 3-6 points
Supervised Research
Students conduct research related to biotechnology under the sponsorship of a mentor within the University. The student and the mentor determine the nature and extent of this independent study. In some laboratories, the student may be assigned to work with a postdoctoral fellow, graduate student or a senior member of the laboratory, who is in turn supervised by the mentor. The mentor is responsible for mentoring and evaluating the students progress and performance. Credits received from this course may be used to fulfill the laboratory requirement for the degree. Instructor permission required. Web site: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/g4500-g4503/index.html
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Instructor:
Lili Yamasaki
CULPA: 5 Info - 3-6 points
Supervised Independent Research
Students conduct research related to biotechnology under the sponsorship of a mentor outside the University within the New York City Metropolitan Area unless otherwise approved by the Program. The student and the mentor determine the nature and extent of this independent study. In some laboratories, the student may be assigned to work with a postdoctoral fellow, graduate student or a senior member of the laboratory, who is in turn supervised by the mentor. The mentor is responsible for mentoring and evaluating the students progress and performance. Credits received from this course may be used to fulfill the laboratory requirement for the degree. Instructor permission required. Web site: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/g4500-g4503/index.html
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Instructor:
Lili Yamasaki
CULPA: 5 Info - 3-6 points
Supervised Independent Research
Students conduct research related to biotechnology under the sponsorship of a mentor outside the University within the New York City Metropolitan Area unless otherwise approved by the Program. The student and the mentor determine the nature and extent of this independent study. In some laboratories, the student may be assigned to work with a postdoctoral fellow, graduate student or a senior member of the laboratory, who is in turn supervised by the mentor. The mentor is responsible for mentoring and evaluating the students progress and performance. Credits received from this course may be used to fulfill the laboratory requirement for the degree. Instructor permission required. Web site: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/g4500-g4503/index.html
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Instructor:
Lili Yamasaki
CULPA: 5 Info - 3-6 points
The Central Dogma: Mechanisms and Regula
THE CENTRAL DOGMA
- MW 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
- 3 points
Statistics for Biological Sciences
Stats for Biological Scie
This course will make students familiar with basic concepts and practices in statistics. In a series of hands-on computer exercises of increasing complexity, student will learn the basics of the R language, and use it to perform various types of data analysis. The applications will be drawn from functional genomics. No prior computer programming experience or statistics knowledge are assumed.
- F 10:10 a.m.-noon
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Instructor:
Harmen Bussemaker
Wikipedia h-index: 43 Info - 2 points
Biological Image Computing
This is an advanced image data analysis course aimed at graduate and advanced undergraduate students who are interested in learning Python and its application in large-scale microscopy data analysis. During the course, we will aim for practical understanding of the fundamentals of Python programming and microscopy datasets. The main focus will be on the practical understanding of various frameworks and their application for commonly used image analysis tasks.
- F 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
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Instructor:
Raju Tomer
h-index: 23 Info - 2 points
Making Sense of Heritable Variation
HUMAN EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS
The course brings together population genetics theory, empirical studies and genetic models of disease to provide an integrated perspective on the evolutionary forces that shape human variation and in particular disease risk. Our goals are to provide you with a basic toolbox with which to approach human variation data and in parallel, to expose you to cutting-edge research and to the forefront of knowledge in human population genetics. To this end, the course includes in-depth discussions of classic papers in these fields coupled with recent findings employing new technologies and approaches. To organize the material, we rely heavily on population genetic models. We start with consideration of single sites, covering neutral models, forward and backwards in time; models of selection; mutation-selection balance and the nearly neutral theory. We then turn to linkage and linkage disequilibrium; population structure; linked selection and tests for positive selection. Finally, we provide a brief introduction to quantitative genetics and complex trait mapping from a population genetics perspective. The format consists in alternating lectures and discussions of primary research papers. On most weeks, there will also be a section, led by the TA (which are compulsory, unless otherwise noted). Grades will be based on class participation (20%), five homework assignments (50%) and a final class presentation (30%). Students can work together on reading the papers for class discussion and presentation, but must work on their homework assignments alone. Reading will consist of approximately one textbook chapter and two primary research papers per week. Papers will be provided as pdfs on the class website. Textbook reading for the course will be drawn primarily from “Population Genetics, A Concise Guide” by John Gillespie 2nd edition; the specific chapters will be provided as pdfs. Additional books that provide background for a number of topics in the class are: “Human Evolutionary Genetics” (2nd edition) by Jobling, Hurles, and Tyler-Smith, “Coalescent Theory” by Wakeley harder and “Elements of Evolutionary Genetics” by Charlesworth and Charlesworth harder.
- T 4:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
- 4 points
PRERESEARCH SEMINAR
Required for all first-year PhD graduate students in the Biological Sciences program. The research of members of the faculty is presented.
- TR 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
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Instructor:
Iva S Greenwald
Wikipedia Info - 3 points
SUPERVISED INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH
Students in the Biological Science PhD program only. Independent research in approved thesis sponsor laboratories.
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Instructor:
Songtao Jia
CULPA: 2 Info - 1-12 points