University Bulletin (2019-2020)

• Major (BS)
• Combined BS/MS

Undergraduate Major

The Biochemistry major is designed to equip students with a broad understanding of the chemical and molecular events involved in biological processes. The Biochemistry major provides a foundation for careers in medicine, biotechnology, or research in all branches of the biological sciences.

The general aim of the major is to ensure that the students first learn the necessary chemical and physical chemical background and then the basic principles and observations of biochemistry and molecular biology. The department also offers advanced courses in more specialized subjects such as enzyme mechanisms and X-ray crystallography. These advanced courses sample the range of subjects that can be studied by biochemical methods and from a biochemical point of view.

The modern discipline of biochemistry lies at the nexus of what classically have been considered the three “hard” sciences: physics, chemistry, and biology. This subject draws from physics and chemistry fundamental principles governing the behavior of molecules, and seeks to understand how these principles underlie the workings of living cells. The focus of the Brandeis biochemistry curriculum - the fulcrum around which the fundamental molecular principles are brought to bear upon life-processes - is the study of macromolecules. These huge molecular complexes - proteins, nucleic acids, and membrane assemblies - are the molecular machines that directly carry out virtually all operations of living cells: transmission of genetic information through the generations, catalysis of the chemical reactions that allow energy to flow through biological systems, generation of electricity in the nervous system, communication amongst tissues of multicellular organisms, disruption of healthy life-processes by pathogenic micro-organisms, to name a tiny fraction of the myriad examples of macromolecular function.

Two features of biochemistry as a discipline strongly influence our undergraduate curriculum. First, biochemistry is intrinsically reductionist in attitude. It finds value in studying the isolated parts of biological machines as a means of understanding those more complicated machines themselves, as well as their interactions with the cellular milieu. It asserts that macromolecules, despite their own complexity, can be understood by judicious application of physical-chemical law. Second, as a young field still exploding with new techniques and insights (rather analogous to physics in the first half of the 20th century), biochemistry is very much a moving target. While the fundamental physical-chemical principles underlying macromolecular behavior are timeless, the biochemical manifestations of these principles continue to change on the rapidly expanding edge of discovery. Our curriculum must be designed to track this change - to train students to engage with future issues in life-science that do not currently exist.

Knowledge

All students graduating with a Biochemistry major should have knowledge of the following general areas:

1. Basic principles of cell biology.
2. Firm understanding of general chemistry and organic chemical reaction mechanisms, particularly in the area of carbonyl chemistry.
3. Molecular forces determining protein and nucleic acid folding and membrane assembly.
4. Mechanisms by which enzymes catalyze cellular chemical reactions.
5. Strategies by which cells store and transmit information in DNA and RNA.
6. Mechanisms for communicating changes in the extracellular environment to the cell’s interior.
7. Techniques for determining molecular structures of macromolecules.
8. Relation of impairment in macromolecular function to disease.
9. All Honors majors will be additionally required to carry out an original research project in the laboratory of a Brandies life-science faculty member.

Core Skills

Our curriculum requires majors to use a set of basic skills to attack problems particular to biochemistry, some of which should be mastered through prerequisites taken even before encountering our introductory course. The core skills needed for the major are:

1. Facility with familiar mathematical functions, proficiency in univariate calculus, and understanding of basic elements of probability and statistics.
2. Familiarity with the application of calculus to problems in classical physics.
3. Mastery of basic principles of equilibrium thermodynamics and chemical kinetics.
4. Ability to read and analyze primary research literature.

Goals of Preparation in Biochemistry

Upon graduation, biochemistry majors will be well-placed for:

1. Graduate and postdoctoral study in preparation for careers in biomedical research.
2. Employment in pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
3. Careers in other biologically related areas, such as patent law, public health policy, etc.

Goals for Non-majors

The Biochemistry curriculum also serves many students with majors in other departments, particularly Biology, Neuroscience, and Chemistry. Our goals for these students are aimed less at the quantitative mastery of the subjects listed above for majors, and more towards attaining a basic literacy regarding behavior of proteins and nucleic acids in cellular function.

Students who are interested in majoring in biochemistry should speak with the Undergraduate Advising Head.

Daniel Oprian, Chair
Structure-function studies of visual pigments and other cell surface receptors.

Niels Bradshaw
Regulation of Protein Phosphatases and the Evolution of Cellular Signaling.

Jeff Gelles, Undergraduate Advising Head
Mechanisms of mechanoenzymes and macromolecular machines. Single-molecule light microscopy as a tool to study enzyme mechanisms.

Tijana Ivanovic
Uncovering fundamental molecular mechanisms of virus translocation across biological membranes.

Julia Kardon
Mechanisms for control of mitochondrial protein activity, quality, and lifespan.

Dorothee Kern
Dynamics of enzymes. Magnetic resonance methods.

Maria-Eirini Pandelia
Mapping the functional repertoire of bioinorganic systems and protein metallocofactors; paradigms of biocatalysts relevant to human health and environment.

Dagmar Ringe
Structures of enzymes and enzyme-substrate complexes. X-ray crystallography.

Timothy Street
Mechanisms of protein folding in the cell.

Douglas Theobald
Empirical studies of the evolution of macromolecular structure and function, integrating structure determination methods, molecular evolutionary theory, Bayesian analysis, and biochemical structure-function studies.

Emily Westover
Instructional methods for undergraduate science education.

Degree of Bachelor of Science

One year of general chemistry with laboratory; one year of organic chemistry with laboratory; one year of physics taught using calculus (PHYS 11a,b or PHYS 15a,b) with laboratory (PHYS 19a,b); BIOL 14a (Genetics and Genomics); BIOL 15b (Cells and Organisms) with laboratory (BIOL 18b)--the above courses must be taken prior to the senior year; BCHM 100a (Advanced Introductory Biochemistry), BCHM 101a (Advanced Biochemistry: Enzyme Mechanisms), BCHM 103b (Advanced Biochemistry: Cellular Information Transfer Mechanisms), BCHM 104a (Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules I), BCHM 104b (Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules II); and one elective consisting of a biochemistry-related 100-level course (excluding research courses) from any department in the Division of Science. The course used to fulfill the elective requirement must be approved in advance by the Undergraduate Advising Head. In some cases, courses below 100-level in mathematics or statistics can be used to fulfill the elective requirement if approved by the Undergraduate Advising Head. CHEM 141a (Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics) may be substituted for BCHM 104a with approval of the Undergraduate Advising Head.

Foundational Literacies: As part of completing the Biochemistry major, students must:

• Fulfill the writing intensive requirement by successfully completing: BIOL 18b.
• Fulfill the oral communication requirement by successfully completing: BCHM 103b.
• Fulfill the digital literacy requirement by successfully completing: BCHM 104b.

No course used to fulfill major requirements may be taken pass/fail. Grades below C- cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for the major. The advanced courses required for the Biochemistry major are demanding and require a strong background in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Biochemistry majors are typically students with excellent performance in the introductory courses in these subjects.

Senior Honors Program

In addition to the degree requirements listed previously, departmental honors require completion of eight credits of BCHM 99 (Research for Undergraduates), submission of an acceptable research thesis, and a final GPA 3.00 or better in the sciences and mathematics. Honors candidates are also expected to give a short oral presentation of their thesis research to members of the department at the end of their senior year. BCHM 99 may not exceed 12 credits. Petition to the department for participation in the honors program is made at or before the beginning of the senior year.

In addition to all courses required for the BS degree, the BS/MS degree requires completion of BCHM 102a (Quantitative Approaches to Biochemical Systems) one additional 100-level elective (excluding research courses) approved in advance by the Undergraduate Advising Head, four semesters of research courses (consisting of one or two semesters of BCHM 99 plus two or three semesters of BCHM 150), a full-time (i.e., no concurrent course work) summer research residency lasting at least ten weeks, submission of an acceptable thesis, a GPA of 3.00 or better in the sciences and mathematics, and grades of B- or better in all courses used for the major.

The BS/MS program requires completion of thirty-eight courses and the total credits required for the BS/MS degree is 152; no more than 24 credits of research (BCHM 99 or BCHM 150) can count toward this total (note that no more than one research course BCHM 99a, 99b, 150a, or 150b may be taken in a given semester). In addition, students must complete at least four graduate-level courses beyond the courses used by that student to fulfill the requirements for any undergraduate major (including the Biochemistry BS). BCHM 102a and BCHM 150 courses can be used to fulfill this four-course requirement. Application to the BS/MS program is made to the department no later than the last day of course registration in the first semester of the Junior year, and all work, including the thesis, must be completed by the time the BS is awarded.

To qualify for the BS/MS degree, the thesis must constitute a significant research contribution; if a thesis is found to be unacceptable under the BS/MS program, it will automatically be considered under the honors program. The BS/MS thesis must be deposited electronically to the Robert D. Farber University Archives at Brandeis.

In order to complete the honors program or the combined BS/MS program, it is advisable to gain exemption where possible from introductory courses in science and mathematics. This is especially important for the premedical students who must also fulfill the requirements imposed by medical schools.

BCHM 88b Introductory Biochemistry
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Prerequisite: One year organic chemistry with laboratory, BIOL 14a, and BIOL 15b. Does not meet the requirements for the major in biochemistry or chemistry.
Topics include protein and nucleic acid structure; metabolism of biologically important compounds; formation and utilization of "energy-rich" compounds; introduction to enzyme mechanism; comparison of basic biochemical and chemical processes; and biochemical basis of disease. Usually offered every year.
Emily Westover

BCHM 98a Readings in Biochemistry
Prerequisites: BIOL 14a, BCHM 100a, and one year of organic chemistry with laboratory. Does NOT satisfy the requirement for the major in biochemistry.
Directed scholarship on selected topics in biochemistry for outstanding juniors or seniors. Regularly scheduled discussion and written assignments leading to a substantive term paper. The tutorial is arranged only by mutual agreement between a Biochemistry department faculty mentor and student. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCHM 99a Research for Undergraduates
Prerequisite: One year of organic chemistry with laboratory. Corequisite: BCHM 100a. The BCHM 100a corequisite may be waived at the discretion of the Undergraduate Advising Head.
Undergraduate research. A maximum of three course credits may be taken as BCHM 99a and/or 99b. No more than one research course (BCHM 99a, 99b, 150a, or 150b) may be taken in a given semester. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCHM 99b Research for Undergraduates
See BCHM 99a for special notes and course description.
Staff

BCHM 99e Research for Undergraduates
At the discretion of the Undergraduate Advising Head, one semester of BCHM 99 may be taken for double credit as 99e. Registration in this course requires written approval of the Biochemistry Undergraduate Advising Head.
See BCHM 99a for special notes and course description.
Staff

BCHM 100a Advanced Introductory Biochemistry
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Prerequisite: One year of organic chemistry with laboratory.
Topics include protein and nucleic acid structure; chemical basis of enzyme-catalyzed reaction mechanisms and enzyme kinetics; the chemical logic of metabolic pathways, including glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation; and regulation of enzymatic pathways through allosteric control. Usually offered every year in multiple sections.
Emily Westover

BCHM 101a Advanced Biochemistry: Enzyme Mechanisms
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Prerequisites: One year of organic chemistry with laboratory and BCHM 100a or equivalents.
Describes the principles of biological catalysts and the chemical logic of metabolic pathways. Discusses representative enzymes from each reaction class, with an emphasis on understanding how mechanisms are derived from experimental evidence. Topics include serine proteases, phosphatases, isomerases, carboxylases, and dehydrogenases. Usually offered every year.
Daniel Oprian

BCHM 102a Quantitative Approaches to Biochemical Systems
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Prerequisite: BCHM 100a or equivalent and Math 10a and b or equivalent.
Introduces quantitative approaches to analyzing macromolecular structure and function. Emphasizes the use of basic thermodynamics and single-molecule and ensemble kinetics to elucidate biochemical reaction mechanisms. Also discusses the physical bases of spectroscopic and diffraction methods commonly used in the study of proteins and nucleic acids. Usually offered every year.
Maria-Eirini Pandelia

BCHM 103b Advanced Biochemistry: Cellular Information Transfer Mechanisms
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Prerequisites: One year of organic chemistry with laboratory and BCHM 100a or equivalents. BIOL 14a or the equivalent is recommended.
Molecular mechanisms of information transfer in biological systems. Topics include nucleic acid biochemistry, processing of genetic information, and signal transduction. Each section will focus on the chemistry and regulation of a selected example from these fundamental processes. Lectures will be complemented by reading assignments and student presentations on articles from the original research literature. Usually offered every year.
Niels Bradshaw

BCHM 104a Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics
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Prerequisites: MATH 10a,b or equivalent, PHYS 11 or 15.
Covers basics of physical chemistry underpinning applications in BCHM 104b. Focus is placed on quantitative treatments of the probabilistic nature of molecular reality: molecular kinetic theory, basic statistical mechanics, and chemical thermodynamics in aqueous solution. Usually offered every second year.
Douglas Theobald

BCHM 104b Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules II
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Prerequisites: BCHM 100a, and one of the following: BCHM 104a, CHEM 141a, or Phys 40a, and Math 10a and b or equivalent.
Illustrates the basic principles on which biological macromolecules are constructed and by which they function. Describes overall structures of proteins, nucleic acids, and membranes in terms of the underlying molecular forces: electrostatics, hydrophobic interactions, and H-bonding. The energetics of macromolecular folding and of the linkage between ligand binding and conformational changes will also be discussed. Usually offered every year.
Timothy Street

BCHM 145a How to Decide: Bayesian Inference and Computational Statistics
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Prerequisites: Math 10a and b.
A calculus-based courses that teaches the theory and practice of modern statistical methods used by experimental scientists. Topics include Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood estimation, and computational resampling methods. The course consists of a mixture of small lectures and in-class computational exercises. Usually offered ever third year.
Jeff Gelles and Douglas Theobald

BCHM 150a Research for the BS/MS Candidates
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Prerequisites: BCHM 100a, one year of organic chemistry and laboratory, and BCHM 99. A maximum of three course credits may be taken as BCHM 150a and/or 150b.
BCHM 150a and 150b are the final semester(s) of laboratory research under the BS/MS program, to be pursued under the supervision of the faculty adviser. No more than one research course (BCHM 99a, 99b, 150a, or 150b) may be taken in a given semester. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCHM 150b Research for the BS/MS Candidates
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See BCHM 150a for special notes and course description. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCHM 171b Protein X-ray Crystallography
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A practical guide to the determination of three-dimensional structures of proteins and nucleic acids by X-ray diffraction. Students learn the theory behind diffraction from macromolecular crystals and carry out all the calculations necessary to solve a protein structure at high resolution. Usually offered every second year.
Dagmar Ringe

BIBC 126b Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
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Prerequisite: BCHM 88b or BCHM 100a. May not be taken for credit by students who took BIOL 126b in prior years.
Explores biochemical changes—in proteins, enzymes and metabolic pathways—that underlie human diseases. Examines molecular mechanisms for a variety of diseases, with a particular focus on molecular mechanisms for therapies. Draws heavily on current literature. Usually offered every second year.
Emily Westover

QBIO 110a Numerical Modeling of Biological Systems
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Prerequisite: MATH 10a and b or equivalent.
Modern scientific computation applied to problems in molecular and cell biology. Covers techniques such as numerical integration of differential equations, molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations. Applications range from enzymes and molecular motors to cells. Usually offered every second year.
Michael Hagen

QBIO 120b Quantitative Biology Instrumentation Laboratory
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Focuses on optical and other instruments commonly used in biomedical laboratories to make quantitative measurements in vivo and in vitro. Students disassemble and reconfigure modular instruments in laboratory exercises that critically evaluate instrument reliability and usability and investigate the origins of noise and systematic error in measurements. Usually offered every year.
Tijana Ivanovic

BCBP 200b Reading in Macromolecular Structure-Function Analysis
Introduces students to chemical and physical approaches to biological problems through critical evaluation of the original literature. Students analyze scientific papers on a wide range of topics in the fields of biochemistry and biophysics. Discussion focuses on understanding of the scientific motivation for and experimental design of the studies. Particular emphasis is placed on making an independent determination of whether the author's conclusions are well justified by the experimental results. Students are also introduced to grant-proposal writing by preparing NIH-format mock proposals for critical discussion and evaluation. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCBP 222a Advanced Topics in Enzyme Mechanism
This graduate-level advanced-topics course will examine, through the primary literature, mechanisms by which enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions. Emphasis will be on diverse chemical strategies used to effect catalysis, and on modern approaches to analyzing enzyme mechanisms. Usually offered every third year.
Dagmar Ringe

BCBP 233a Advanced Topics in NMR and Protein Dynamics
Prerequisite: BCHM 104b.
Explores current research in the field of protein dynamics. Particular emphasis will be placed on the combination of NMR dynamics techniques in combination with other experimental and computational techniques. Current challenges and questions in the field will also be addressed. Usually offered every third year.
Dorothee Kern

BCBP 266a Advanced Topics in Protein Folding
Prerequisite: BCHM 104b or the equivalent.
Explores current research in the field of protein folding. Emphasis will be placed on classic papers that reveal underlying mechanisms of protein folding. Current challenges and questions in the field will also be addressed. Usually offered every third year.
Timothy Street

BCBP 296a Master's Lab Rotation I
Laboratory rotation courses for Master's students in Biochemistry and Biophysics. Enrollment by others requires permission of the Program Chair. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCBP 296b Master's Lab Rotation I
See description under BCBP 296a. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCBP 297a Master's Lab Research I
Yields twelve semester-hour credits.
Laboratory research for Master's students in Biochemistry and Biophysics. Enrollment by others requires permission of the Program Chair. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCBP 297b Master's Lab Research II
See description under BCBP 297a. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCBP 299a Master's Thesis
Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCBP 300a Introduction to Research in Biochemistry and Biophysics I
BCBP 300a and 300b are laboratory rotation courses in which students gain direct experience conducting research in biochemistry and biophysics. Both courses are intended for Biochemistry and Biophysics graduate students; enrollment by others requires permission of the Program Chair. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCBP 300b Introduction to Research in Biochemistry and Biophysics II
See description under BCBP 300a. Usually offered every year.
Staff

BCBP 401d Biochemical Research Problems
All graduate students beyond the first year must register for this course each semester.
Independent research for the MS and PhD degrees. Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.
Staff

BCHM 251b Structure and Function of Membrane Proteins
Considers the molecular properties of membrane transport proteins, including ion channels, aquaporins, solute pumps, and secondary active transporters. Readings focus on primary literature aimed at interpreting the mechanisms of transmembrane solute movements in terms of the structures of these integral membrane proteins. Specific subjects chosen vary depending upon the trajectory of recent advances in this fast-moving research area. Usually offered every third year.
Staff

BIOL 105b Molecular Biology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b.
Examination of molecular processes in replication and expression of genetic information and techniques by which this understanding has been achieved. Topics include recombinant DNA and other molecular biological techniques, structure and organization of DNA in chromosomes, DNA replication, transcription and regulation of gene expression, RNA structure and processing, mRNA stability, and other mechanisms of post-translational control. Usually offered every year.
Amy Lee

BIOL 111a Developmental Biology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a, BIOL 15b, and BIOL 18b.
How do complex organisms build themselves starting from single cells? Examines how processes such as fertilization, embryogenesis, cell differentiation, and tissue-specific gene expression occur; what is known about the key molecules and genes that orchestrate these processes; and how genetic changes affecting these processes underlie the evolution of body form. Students will learn material from class lectures and assigned readings from a textbook. To foster students’ ability to critically assess the primary scientific literature, the class will also read and discuss a number of recently published original scientific articles pertinent to class material. Usually offered every second year.
Suzanne Paradis

BIOL 125a Immunology
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Prerequisites: BIOL14a and BIOL 15b. CHEM 25a is recommended. May not be taken for credit by students who took BIOL 70a in prior years.
Topics include properties and functions of cells involved in innate and adaptive immunity; genes, structure and function of immunoglobulins, B cell receptors and T cell receptors; lymphocyte differentiation; genetic regulation; MHC restriction; cell interactions and signaling; pathogen immunity (bacteria, viruses) and vaccines; tolerance and autoimmunity. Usually offered year.
Joan Press

BIOL 159a Project Laboratory in Microbiology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 18a and b. Laboratory fee: $150 per semester.
A discovery-based laboratory to study the diversity of microorganisms in particular environments. We will isolate microbes with ability to metabolize complex compounds from special environments, characterize their properties and identify them by DNA sequence analysis. This course will teach the fundamentals of microbiology through hands-on activities. Usually offered every year.
Deanni Cooper

CBIO 101a Chemical Biology
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Prerequisites: A satisfactory grade (C- or better) in BIOL 14a, BIOL 15b, and CHEM 25a and b, or the equivalent.
Explores how scientific work in chemistry led to fundamental understanding of and ability to manipulate biological processes. Emphasis is placed on chemical design and synthesis as well as biological evaluation and utility. Content based on scientific literature readings. Usually offered every second year.
Thomas Pochapsky

CBIO 106b Chemical Biology: Medicinal Enzymology
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Prerequisites: Satisfactory grade in BIOL 14a, BIOL 15b, CHEM 25a and 25b, and BCHM 100a or the equivalent.
Introduces students to the conceptual framework and experimental methods in medicinal chemistry. Topics include mechanisms of drug-target interactions, strategies for lead optimization and issues in metabolism, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Readings drawn from textbooks and the original scientific literature. Usually offered every second year.
Lizbeth Hedstrom

CHEM 129b Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry: Introduction to X-ray Structure Determination
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Prerequisite: A satisfactory grade in CHEM 121a or 122b, or permission of instructor. Knowledge of point groups is essential, but such knowledge may be gained through reading and exercises provided by the instructor.
Topics include basic diffraction and space group theory, practical manipulations of crystals and X-ray diffraction equipment, solving crystal structures, and interpretation of structural chemistry. Course features self-paced exercises on PCs. Usually offered every second year.
Staff

CHEM 130a Advanced Organic Chemistry: Structure
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Prerequisite: A satisfactory grade in CHEM 25a and b, or the equivalent.
Chemical bonding and structure, stereochemical principles and conformational analysis, organic reaction mechanisms, structures and activities of reactive intermediates, and pericyclic reactions. Usually offered every year.
Staff

CHEM 134b Advanced Organic Chemistry: Synthesis
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Prerequisite: A satisfactory grade in CHEM 25a and b, or the equivalent.
Modern synthetic methods are covered, with an emphasis on mechanism and stereochemical control. Discusses the formation of carbon-carbon single and double bonds and carbocycles and procedures for oxidation, reduction, and functional group interchange. Examines selected total syntheses. Usually offered every year.
Barry Snider

CHEM 137b The Chemistry of Organic Natural Products
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Prerequisite: A satisfactory grade in CHEM 25a and b, or the equivalent.
Natural products chemistry is surveyed within a biosynthetic framework. Occurrence, isolation, structure elucidation, biosynthesis, and biomimetic synthesis are covered with an emphasis on modern methods of establishing biosynthesis and biomimetic syntheses. Usually offered every second year.
Barry Snider

CHEM 146b Advanced NMR Spectroscopy
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Prerequisites: A satisfactory grade in PHYS 10a,b, 11a,b, or 15a,b or the equivalent; MATH 10a,10b.
A detailed discussion of modern NMR methods will be presented. The course is designed so as to be accessible to nonspecialists, but still provide a strong background in the theory and practice of modern NMR techniques. Topics include the theory of pulse and multidimensional NMR experiments, chemical shift, scalar and dipolar coupling, NOE, spin-operator formalism, heteronuclear and inverse-detection methods, Hartmann-Hahn and spin-locking experiments. Experimental considerations such as pulse sequence design, phase cycling, and gradient methods will be discussed. Guest lecturers will provide insight into particular topics such as solid-state NMR and NMR instrumental design. Usually offered every second year.
Thomas Pochapsky

NBIO 140b Principles of Neuroscience
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Prerequisites: Sophomore standing, BIOL 15b, one additional BIOL, BCHM, NBIO or NPSY course and one of the following: One year of college-level chemistry with lab, one year of college-level physics with lab, or any math course above 10a,b. AP scores are not accepted to meet the prerequisite. Junior standing recommended.
Examines the fundamental principles of neuroscience. Topics include resting potentials, action potentials, synaptic transmission, sensory systems, motor systems, learning, neural circuits underlying behavior, neurological diseases, and mental illness. Usually offered every year.
Eve Marder

PHYS 105a Biological Physics
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Physical forces in living matter are studied from the perspective offered by statistical mechanics, elasticity theory, and fluid dynamics. Quantitative models for biological structure and function are developed and used to discuss recent experiments in single-molecule biology. Usually offered every second year.
Michael Hagan