printer friendly pageBIO 121: Biogeography
Global distributions of organisms through the Phanerozoic, with emphasis on historical causes. Topics: plate tectonics, island biogeography, climatic change, dispersal, vicariance, ecology of invasions, extinction, gradients, diversity. Satisfies Central Menu Area 4.
Last offered: Spring 2009
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
BIO 126: Introduction to Biophysics (APPPHYS 205, BIO 226)
Core course appropriate for advanced undergraduate students and graduate students with prior knowledge of calculus and a college physics course. Introduction to how physical principles offer insights into modern biology, with regard to the structural, dynamical, and functional organization of biological systems. Topics include the roles of free energy, diffusion, electromotive forces, non-equilibrium dynamics, and information in fundamental biological processes.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3-4
Instructors:
Ganguli, S. (PI)
;
Schnitzer, M. (PI)
BIO 128: Geographic Impacts of Climate Change: Mapping the Stories
Climate change imparts political, socioeconomic and ecological impacts worldwide, creating an urgent need for scientists to communicate with policy-makers. Students will collect data for a region of the US from multiple sources ranging from academic journals to popular media to create an interactive Story Map (
http://storymaps.arcgis.com) that merges the scientific and human dimensions of climate change. Students will present this map to state and national policy-makers. Students enrolled in 3 credits will have an emphasis on engagement of community partners in addition to normal class participation.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 2-3
BIO 129A: Cellular Dynamics I: Cell Motility and Adhesion
Cell motility emphasizing role of actin assembly and dynamics coupling actin organization to cell movement. Interaction of cells with extracellular matrix, and remodelling of extracellular matrix in development and disease. Directed cell migration by chemotaxis (neuronal path-finding, immune cells). Cell-cell adhesion, formation of intercellular junctions and mechanisms regulating cell-cell interactions in development and diseases. Emphasis is on experimental logic, methods, problem solving, and interpretation of results. Students present research papers. Satisfies Central Menu Area 2. Prerequisite: Biology core.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
BIO 129B: Cellular Dynamics II: Building a Cell
Principles of cell organization; how common biochemical pathways are modified to generate diversity in cell structure and function. Roles of actin and microtubule cytoskeletons in cellular architecture. Mechanisms of protein sorting and trafficking, and protein modules and switches in regulating cell polarity. Yeast to polarized epithelial cells and neurons. Emphasis is on experimental logic, methods, problem solving, and interpretation of results. Students present research papers. Satisfies Central Menu Area 2. Prerequisite: Biology core. Recommended: 129A.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
BIO 131: Complex Systems Lab
The behavior of complex systems will be explored in this seminar through hands-on experiments and computer simulations. Nonlinearity, fractals, chaos, and self-organization concepts will be studied through double pendulums, BZ reactions, chaotic video feedback, and social experiments. Emphasis will be placed on the experiments while readings, programming using NetLogo, and mathematical derivations will be used to supplement learning. Graduate student led seminar.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
BIO 132: Advanced Imaging Lab in Biophysics (APPPHYS 232, BIO 232, BIOPHYS 232, GENE 232)
Laboratory and lectures. Advanced microscopy and imaging, emphasizing hands-on experience with state-of-the-art techniques. Students construct and operate working apparatus. Topics include microscope optics, Koehler illumination, contrast-generating mechanisms (bright/dark field, fluorescence, phase contrast, differential interference contrast), and resolution limits. Laboratory topics vary by year, but include single-molecule fluorescence, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, confocal microscopy, two-photon microscopy, and optical trapping. Limited enrollment. Recommended: basic physics, Biology core or equivalent, and consent of instructor.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
BIO 136: Evolutionary Paleobiology
A paleontological approach to evolutionary theory. Topics: history of life, speciation, heterochrony, evolutionary constraint, coevolution, macroevolution, the Cambrian Explosion, mass extinctions, taphonomy, life on land, life in the sea, life in the air. Satisfies Central Menu Area 4. Prerequisite: Biology Core.
Last offered: Winter 2011
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
BIO 137: Plant Genetics (BIO 237)
Gene analysis, mutagenesis, transposable elements; developmental genetics of flowering and embryo development; biochemical genetics of plant metabolism; scientific and societal lessons from transgenic plants. Satisfies Central Menu Area 2. Prerequisite: Biology core or consent of instructor. Satisfies WIM in Biology.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA, GER: DB-NatSci
Instructors:
Walbot, V. (PI)
BIO 139: Biology of Birds
How birds interact with their environments and each other, emphasizing studies that had impact in the fields of population biology, community ecology, and evolution. Local bird communities. Emphasis is on field research. Enrollment limited to 20. Prerequisites: 43 or equivalent, and consent of instructor. Recommended: birding experience.
Last offered: Spring 2013
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
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