2009 Spring Term
BIO 48/PPS 48 Genetics, Genomics and Society*
Susanne Haga/Alison Hill
WF 11:40pm – 12:55pm
Introduction to the foundation of genomic sciences with an emphasis on recent advances and their social, ethical and policy implications. Foundational topics including DNA, proteins, genome organization, gene expression, and genetic variation will be interwoven with contemporary issues emanating from the genome revolution such as pharmacogenetics, genetic discrimination, genomics of race, genetically modified crops, and genomic testing. Genomic sciences and policy science applied to present and future societal, and particularly ethical, concerns related to genomics. Intended for non-Biology majors. Not open to students who have taken Biology 118.
BIOLOGY 118 Genetics and Molecular Biology#
Haase and Mitchell-Olds Multiple Sections
Explores flow of information from gene to phenotype. Social implications of modern genetic analysis and the genomic revolution. Topics include: organization and stability of genomes from bacteria to higher vertebrates (humans), conversion of the genetic code into a functioning organism, classical transmission (Mendelian) genetics and its relevance to human hereditary disorders, content of the genome and social implications of genetic knowledge including issues of genetic privacy, eugenics, genetically modified organism, and cloning. Prerequisite: Biology 25L or equivalent; Chemistry 22L or equivalent.
BIOLOGY 187 Evolutionary Genetics*
Mohamed Noor
TuTh 2:50pm – 4:50pm
Introduction to the principles of evolutionary genetics. Genetic variation, neutral theory, natural selection, human population genetics, phylogenetic reconstruction, evolutionary genomics, and evolutionary bioinformatics.
BIOLOGY 271L Genomics*
Eric Spana
MW 1:15pm – 5:15pm
Introduction to the field of genomics. Genomic techniques including genome sequencing, microarray analysis, proteomics, and bioinformatics; applications of genomics to understanding biological problems including biological networks, human origins, evolution; applications to medicine and agriculture. Computer-based research lab with participation in colloborative bioinformatics projects. Prerequisites: Biology 118 or consent of instructor.
BIOLOGY 281S Systems Biology Colloquium#
Steve Haase
Lectures, seminars, and discussion of current topics in systems biology. Introduction to both experimental and quantitative approaches to understanding the function of biological networks. Weekly lectures by experts in the field.
BIOLOGY 289S Advanced Topics in Genome Sciences Research*
Huntington Willard
M 2:50pm – 5:20pm
Exploration of current experimental and computational approaches in genomics and genetics and their applications to contemporary research questions. Formulation and design of interdisciplinary research plans with discussion of implications for biology, medicine and society. Utilizing primary scientific literature, students write critical reviews and research proposals. Prerequisite: Biology 195S (Genomes, Biology, Medicine), 118, 119 or 271, or consent of instructor. Recommended co- or prerequisite: independent study in genomics or computational biology.
COMPSCI 111 Introduction to Computational Modeling#
Carlo Tomasi
TTh 10:05am – 11:20am
Introduction to techniques for developing, evaluating, and analyzing computational models for problems in the sciences and social sciences. Stochastic, deterministic, discrete, and continuous models. Stability of numerical approximations, parameter estimation, perturbation theory. Case studies from biology and economics.
COMPSCI 262/CBB 262Computational Systems Biology*
Alexander Hartemink
WF 10:05am – 11:20am
Provides a systematic introduction to algorithmic and computational issues present in the analysis of biological systems. Emphasizes probabilistic approaches and machine learning methods. Explores modeling basic biological processes (e.g., transcription, splicing, localization and transport, translation, replication, cell cycle, protein complexes, evolution) from a systems biology perspective. Lectures and discussions of primary literature. Prerequisites: basic knowledge of algorithm design (Computer Science 230 or equivalent), probability and statistics (Statistics 213 or equivalent), molecular biology (Biology 118 or equivalent), and computer programming. Alternatively, consent of instructor.
GENOME 148 Genome Sciences and Society*
Huntington Willard
WF 11:40am – 12:55pm
This course will run in parallel with Genome Sciences and Policy 48. Building from material taught in Biology 118 and/or Biology 195S, this course will focus on the contemporary study of the human genome particularly in regard to structural and functional genomics and genome variation interwoven with contemporary social and policy issues emanating from the Genome Revolution such as pharmacogenetics, genetic discrimination, genomics of race, genetically modified organisms, and genomic testing. Students will develop a final paper addressing the science and societal impact of a genomics topic. Prerequisites: Biology 118 or Biology 195S, or with consent of instructor.
GENOME 198S Genome Sciences and Policy Capstone*
Huntington Willard
W 3:05pm – 5:35pm
Create and apply knowledge gained through certificate course work and research experiences in an intensive, interdisciplinary, small group setting. Students work in small teams learning to analyze current issues in genome sciences and policy and to consider the issue from scientific, social, and ethical perspectives. Teams will present their research as an oral final project. Consent of Director of Genome Sciences and Policy program required. Open only to students in the Genome Sciences and Policy program. Instructor consent required.
PHIL 118 Issues in Medical Ethics*
Allen Buchanan
W 1:15pm – 3:45pm
Ethical issues arising in connection with medical practice and research and medical technology. Definition of health and illness; experimentation and consent; genetic counseling and biological engineering; abortion, contraception, and sterilization; death and dying; codes of professional conduct; and the allocation of scarce medical resources. Prerequisite: for freshmen, previous philosophy course and consent of instructor.
PSY 203S Gene-Environment Interplay*
Terrie Moffitt/Avshalom Caspi
W 11:40am – 2:10pm
Introduces students to an emerging topic in behavioral science: the interaction between genes and environments. Evaluates research showing that genes influence susceptibility to the environmental causes of abnormal behavior, and research showing that genes' connections to behaviors depend on environmental experiences. Readings are primary journal articles. Topics include the design and analysis of genetic research into mental disorders, and ethical issues stemming from genetic research into human behavior. Prior coursework in statistics/research methods, genetics, and/or abnormal psychology is desirable. Consent of instructor required.
PUBPOL 196S Science in the Media*
Misha Angrist WF 10:05am – 11:20am
Those who write about science, health and related policy matters for a general audience face a formidable challenge: to make complex, nuanced ideas understandable to the nonscientist in a limited amount of space and in ways that are engaging and entertaining, even if the topic is far outside the reader's frame of reference. This is even more difficult in a time when acute financial and political crises tend to dominate the ever-shrinking print journalism universe. What, if anything, can writers do to get people to care about science? What does good science writing look like and what can we hope to get from it as readers and as citizens? We will examine different modes of science writing, different outlets for publication, and the peculiar editorial demands each places on the writer. We will consider multiple narrative approaches and various traps into which science writers may fall. Our first goal is to read broadly and deeply with particular attention to science stories as told by the best practitioners in the field. Our second goal is to write: about what we’ve read, about scientists we’ve talked to and the science they do, and about the meaning of it all to a public that is simultaneously bombarded by, fascinated with and alienated from science.
PUBPOL 240/CBB 212 Responsible Genomics*
Robert Cook-Deegan
Tu 4:25pm – 6:55pm
Survey of ethical, social, economic, and legal issues in genomics. Introduction to ethical reasoning and examination of selected issues calling for such analysis, including: special procedures for research involving human participants, (2) respect for privacy and confidentiality of genetic information; (3) historical and political background of health research funding, and (4) public-private research interactions such as intellectual property and conflict of interest.
WRITING 20 Genetics and Society*
Robin Smith
Multiple Sections
Instruction in the complexities of producing sophisticated academic argument, with attention to critical analysis and rhetorical practices.
* indicates course fulfills GENOME Certificate requirement
# indicates course fulfills MBS Certificate requirement