BIOL 100b Advanced Cell Biology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b.

An advanced course on cell biology. Topics include structure and organization of the cell, principles of signal transduction, and cell division and proliferation. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 101a Molecular Biotechnology
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Prerequisite: BIOL 12b or BIOL 18b.

Develops knowledge of molecular biology, and skills to research, choose and interpret the best experimental approaches for answering research questions in molecular biology. Studies molecular biology techniques such as PCR, DNA sequencing, genomics, cloning, microarrays, and CRISPR, and their research applications. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 102b Structural Molecular Biology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b, or permission of the instructor.
 

This introduction to the structural basis of viral molecular biology examines the designs of proteins, their folding and assembly, and the means whereby we visualize these structures. We will use several recent viral pandemics including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, and HIV as models of how to understand viral structure and assembly. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 103b Mechanisms of Cell Functions
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Prerequisite: BIOL 100b.

Focuses on the mechanistic basis of cell biological processes, with a heavy emphasis on how they are elucidated experimentally. Classic and modern research papers are used to illustrate a range of genetic, biochemical, and imaging-based experimental approaches. Topics include cell compartmentalization, membrane traffic, cytoskeleton, cell motility, and cell division. The primary learning goal is to understand how the scientific method is applied in cell biology research. Intended for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Usually offered every year.

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.

BIOL 107a Data Analysis and Statistics Workshop
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Prerequisites: BIOL51a, high school statistics, or similar course.

The interpretation of data is key to making new discoveries, making optimal decisions, and designing experiments. Students will learn skills of data analysis and computer coding through hands-on, computer-based tutorials and exercises that include experimental data from the biological sciences. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 112b Evolutionary Developmental Biology
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Prerequisite: BIOL 14a and BIOL 16a.

Examines both the evolution of developmental processes and the impact of development on evolution. This course will draw on the many sub-disciplines that feed into Evo-Devo including developmental biology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, ecology and paleontology. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 122a Molecular Genetics
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Prerequisite: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b. Recommended prerequisite: BIOL 72a.

A lecture- and literature-based course for students who have already taken a basic course in genetics and molecular biology. Organized somewhat historically, we will explore how genetic approaches have elucidated the nature of the gene and its regulation and the analysis of gene function. In other words, it's a course about "genetic thinking," with increasingly large doses of molecular biology added in as we progress. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics will be discussed. Before each class, students will be assigned one or two papers from the published literature that will form the basis of the next lecture/discussion. To facilitate this discussion, students will be required to post questions about the reading prior to class. In addition, each student will be responsible for writing a paper, due near the end of the semester, about a topic that they found particularly creative in using genetic approaches to delve into the mysteries of cell growth and development. Usually offered every second year.

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 every second year.

BIOL 128a Human Genetics
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and either BIOL 15b or BIOL 16a.

Survey of topics, including monogenic and multifactorial conditions, gene mapping, molecular methodology in genetics and genomics, population genetics, cancer genetics, and genetics of development. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 131b Introduction to Genomics
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b.

Focuses on the rapidly developing field of Genomics. During the course, the students will be introduced to general concepts, technologies, and approaches for generating and analyzing genomic datasets. The specific applications will include the analysis of large-scale neurogenomics datasets. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 132a General Microbiology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b. May not be taken for credit by students who took BIOL 71a in prior years.

Topics include the physiology and properties of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms; microbial nutrition, metabolism, growth; bacterial genetics; horizontal gene transfer; microbial pathogenesis; immunity; antibiotics and other means of microbial control. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 134b Topics in Ecology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 23a, or permission of the instructor. Topics may vary from year to year. Please consult the Course Schedule for topic and description. Course may be repeated once for credit with permission of the instructor.

Annually, a different aspect of the global biosphere is selected for analysis. In any year the focus may be on specific ecosystems (e.g., terrestrial, aquatic, tropical, arctic), populations, system modeling, restoration ecology, or other aspects of ecology. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 152b Virus Hunter Project Lab
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a, BIOL 15b, BIOL 12a and 12b or BIOL 18a and 18b.

During this course, students will learn about a common type of virus called bacteriophage. They will isolate novel bacteriophage from the marine environment and using modern molecular biology and bioinformatic techniques, they will sequence, analyze, and annotate the viral genome. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 159a Project Laboratory in Microbiology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 12a and 12b or BIOL 18a and 18b.

A discovery-based laboratory to study the diversity of microorganisms in particular environments. Students will isolate microbes with ability to metabolize complex compounds from special environments, characterize their properties and identify them by DNA sequence analysis. After students learn foundational microbiology concepts and techniques, they will choose, design, and carry out a short research project. This project lab is primarily for seniors and master's students. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 160b Human Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b.

Course deals with hormonal, cellular, and molecular aspects of gametogenesis, fertilization, pregnancy, and birth. Pathological and abnormal variations that occur and the available medical technologies for intervention, correction, and facilitation of these processes are discussed. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 163b Repairing and Editing the Genome
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b.

DNA damage must be repaired to maintain genome integrity and prevent mutations and chromosome rearrangements associated with cancer. Understanding of these repair mechanisms has opened the door to precisely modify genes, for gene therapy or even to recreate extinct mammals. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 172b Growth Control and Cancer
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b, and CHEM 25a.

Investigates the research that has revealed the molecular basis of cancer development and cancer treatments, including the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern cell growth, differentiation, and survival in normal cells, and how this regulation is disrupted in cancer. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 199a Senior Research

The first of a two-semester course for students pursuing the combined BS/MS in Biology, this is an intensive research experience. The student conducts an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. To fulfill the BIOL 199 requirements, students must (1) submit to their research sponsor, at the conclusion of their first BIOL 199 semester, a paper that reviews the literature pertinent to their field of research, and (2) submit to their research sponsor, at the conclusion of their second BIOL 199 semester, a senior thesis that includes an abstract, an introduction, a review of materials and methods, results, discussion, and references. Students enrolled in this course must defend their thesis, receive Departmental Honors, and submit their thesis to GSAS. If a student drops out of the BS/MS program, BIOL 199 will be replaced with BIOL 99. Students must petition the department for permission to enroll in BIOL 199. Usually offered every semester.

BIOL 199b Senior Research

A continuation of BIOL 199a. See BIOL 199a for course description.

NBIO 136b Computational Neuroscience
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Prerequisites: MATH 10a or higher and one of the following: NBIO 140b/240b, PHYS 10b/11b/15b, BIOL 107a, or any COSI course.

An introduction to concepts and methods in computer modeling and analysis of neural systems. Topics include single and multicompartmental models of neurons, information representation and processing by populations of neurons, synaptic plasticity and models of learning, working memory, decision making and neural oscillations. The course will be based on in-class computer tutorials, assuming limited prior coding experience, with reading assignments and preparation as homework. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 200a Experimental Design and Analysis for Research Proposals

Introduces second-year Molecular and Cell Biology PhD students to the process of writing research proposals. Using their own research topics and materials, as well as readings from the literature and training sessions with the instructor and additional domain experts, each student will learn to analyze the relevant scientific literature, develop testable hypotheses, design well-controlled experiments, quantitatively analyze the resulting data, test for statistical significance, and communicate the results in visual plots and concise, well organized scientific writing. The end result will be a draft research proposal suitable for submission to a funding agency such as the NIH. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 205a Masters Proseminar

Enrollment limited to Life Science Masters students.

In the life sciences, theories, methods and discoveries must be communicated effectively. Equally important is the ability to interpret and evaluate the work done by others. Students will have opportunities to learn, practice and evaluate oral and written methods of scientific communication. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 251a Project Laboratory in Protein Biochemistry
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Features experiments in protein biochemistry that are fundamental to the field of biotechnology. These include protein purification, characterization and quality assessment. Focus is placed on designing purification protocols for both tagged and untagged proteins using biochemical knowledge. The designed protocols are tested by purifying known proteins. As part of the course, students will contribute to research projects of unknown outcome by purifying and assaying novel proteins. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 256a Project Laboratory in Biotechnology
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The primary goal of this course is to teach current methods in molecular biology to establish a foundational skill set that makes students viable in today’s research job market or in any academic research position. This course can also function to add laboratory experience for those who have not been able to fulfill such a proficiency before graduating. The Project Laboratory meets during its scheduled times. The experiments done contribute to research projects sponsored by laboratories at Brandeis. This helps prepare students for a career in science and understand what attributes are necessary to be competent in the field of research. Some projects have spanned many semesters, allowing successive classes to continue working on a project from previous years. New projects are also introduced providing a variety of research opportunities to pick from, adding to the dynamics of the course. Through these projects, some of the techniques taught will include DNA isolation, DNA sequence analysis, generation of mutations, recombinant DNA cloning, polymerase chain reaction, yeast two hybrid assays, screening small chemical libraries, Gateway & Gibson cloning techniques, training on an industry standard equipment, multiplate assays, and much more. Undergraduates will be responsible for one project. There is a possibility of continuing a project as an independent researcher in a successive semester. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 296a Master's Research Lab

Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director.

Students engage in biological research by working in the laboratory of a faculty member for a minimum of 10 hours per week for one semester. Intended for students in the MS Program in Molecular and Cell Biology. Usually offered every semester.

BIOL 297a Readings in Molecular and Cell Biology

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 298a Independent Study in Molecular and Cell Biology

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 299a Master's Research Thesis

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 300a Biological Research

Primarily for the first-year student, with the purpose of introducing them to biological research and to the work in progress in the laboratories of a number of faculty members. In consultation with the graduate adviser, the student plans a sequence of such tenures, each comprising nine weeks, and then carries out experimental investigations under the guidance of the faculty members involved. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 300b Biological Research

Primarily for the first-year student, with the purpose of introducing them to biological research and to the work in progress in the laboratories of a number of faculty members. In consultation with the graduate adviser, the student plans a sequence of such tenures, each comprising nine weeks, and then carries out experimental investigations under the guidance of the faculty members involved. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 305a Topics in Molecular Genetics and Development

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 305b Topics in Molecular Genetics and Development

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 350a Graduate Student Research Seminar

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 350b Graduate Student Research Seminar

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 401d Dissertation Research

Independent research for PhD candidates. Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.

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.

BIOL 107a Data Analysis and Statistics Workshop
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Prerequisites: BIOL51a, high school statistics, or similar course.

The interpretation of data is key to making new discoveries, making optimal decisions, and designing experiments. Students will learn skills of data analysis and computer coding through hands-on, computer-based tutorials and exercises that include experimental data from the biological sciences. Usually offered every year.

NBIO 136b Computational Neuroscience
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Prerequisites: MATH 10a or higher and one of the following: NBIO 140b/240b, PHYS 10b/11b/15b, BIOL 107a, or any COSI course.

An introduction to concepts and methods in computer modeling and analysis of neural systems. Topics include single and multicompartmental models of neurons, information representation and processing by populations of neurons, synaptic plasticity and models of learning, working memory, decision making and neural oscillations. The course will be based on in-class computer tutorials, assuming limited prior coding experience, with reading assignments and preparation as homework. Usually offered every second year.

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 analyze systems such as single molecule experiments, transcriptional regulation networks, the forces arising during DNA packaging in a virus, and mechanisms underlying mammalian pattern formation. Usually offered every second year.

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.

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.