COURSES IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE. Undergraduate Courses Postgraduate Courses

Transcription

1 COURSES IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE Undergraduate Courses Postgraduate Courses

2 Undergraduate Courses: BISC 001 Appreciation of Biological Sciences [3-0-0:3] Diversity of life forms; origin of life; chemical basis of life; cell structure and function; genetics and molecular biology; structure and life processes in animals and plants; evolution; ecology and environment. Exclusion: AL Biology BISC 002 Biology of Human Health [3-0-0:3] An introduction to the fundamentals of life; common principles underlying the organization of simple cells and complex organisms; the biological basis of human health and disease presented in the context of the leading causes of death; impact of biotechnology. BISC 003 Environmental Science [3-0-0:3] An introduction to the general concepts of environment, resource, sustainability as well as environmental issues facing humanity such as global warming, species extinction, overpopulation, air and water pollution. BISC 004 Exploration of Life [2-1-0:2] [Previous Course Code: GNED 100B] The Exploration of Life is a general education course organized for students with interest in life sciences. The course offers an exploration of life from the perspective of physics, biology, humanity and economics, covering subjects such as origin of life, evolution, molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, neurobiology, marine and environmental biology, ecology, traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy of life. Graded P or F. BISC 005 Biochemistry of Life [3-0-0:3] [Previous Course Code: BISC 105] The biochemical foundation and development of current topics of scientific and medical significance; the relevance of biochemistry to our quality of life. BISC 103 Nature of Biochemistry and Biotechnology [3-0-0:3] Major classes of biochemical compounds; enzymic catalysis, metabolic pathways; genetic information; genetic coding of protein synthesis, genetic engineering; industrial, medical and agricultural applications of biochemistry. Exclusions: BICH 121, BICH 122 Reference: Boyer, Concepts in Biochemistry BISC 203 Molecular Biology of the Cell [3-0-0:3] Continuation of BIOL 104; membrane transport; intracellular protein sorting and trafficking; cell signaling; cell adhesion molecules; cell junctions and the extra-cellular matrix; differentiated cells and the maintenance of tissues; specialized cells. Prerequisite: BICH 121 or BIOL 104 BISC 207 Introduction to Biophysics [3-0-0:3] An introduction to the principles and applications of biophysical techniques, including ultra-centrifugation, electrophoresis, optical and NMR spectroscopies, scattering and diffraction techniques, and radioisotope labeling and detection techniques. Basic concepts of thermodynamics at the cellular level and chemical kinetics. Prerequisite: BICH 121 BISC 208 Environmental Biology [3-1-0:4] Inter-relationships among groups of living forms and their community structures in the ecosystem; environmental issues; population growth; resource management; waste treatment and management. Tutorial hours will be spent on field trips during the semester. Prerequisite: BIOL 216 BISC 212 Molecular Biology Techniques [1-1-6:4] An introduction to the basic principles, techniques and methods to molecular biology. Students will have hands-on experience of tools and techniques for analysis of recombinant DNA, RNA and proteins. Second year students preferred. Exclusions: BICH 211, BICH 221 Prerequisite: BICH 121 with grade B- or above BISC 213 Marine Biology [3-0-0:3] Survey of the major marine living organisms; their habitat and community structures; trophic interactions and the marine ecosystem. Corequisite: BISC 233 Prerequisite: AL Biology BISC 215 Biostatistics [2-1-0:3] Statistical reasoning relevant to biological, medical and agricultural research, statistical analyses and interpretation, statistical techniques applied under various research circumstances. Exclusions: IEEM 151, ISMT 111, MATH 244 Prerequisite: AL Biology BISC 224 Introduction to Neurobiology [3-0-0:3] An outline of the nervous system, cell biology of neurons and glia, synaptic transmission, functional anatomy, sensory and motor system and homeostatsis. Prerequisite: BICH 121 or BIOL 104 BISC 233 Marine Biology Laboratory [0-1-6:3] Both laboratory and field investigations will provide the opportunity to apply and adapt the experimental methods developed here to specific groups of marine organisms, diversified marine habitats, and practical issues in marine/environmental science. Tutorial sessions and field trips will be used to enhance student s understanding of the practical work and the theories covered in the lectures. Corequisite: BISC 213 Prerequisite: AL Biology

3 BISC 300 Special Topics [3-0-0:3] BISC 306 Immunobiology [3-0-0:3] Cellular, biochemical and genetic basis of immunity; cells in immune response, antigens and antigen recognition; antibodies and the generation of diversity; major histocompatibility complex; cell mediated immune response; regulation of immune response; autoimmunity, tissue transplantation and rejection. / BIOL 104, and BIOL 211 BISC 309 Developmental Biology [3-0-0:3] Processes of cellular and tissue differentiation, early and late embryonic development spanning from molecular, cellular, organ to organismal levels; reproduction, fertilization, gastrulation, neurulation, axis formation, body patterning, cellular communication, short and long range signaling, sex determination, aging, environmental influence and evolutionary significance of different regulatory mechanisms. Prerequisite: BICH 121 or BIOL 104 BISC 314 Tumor Biology [2-1-0:3] Fundamentals in the epidemiology, etiology and treatment of cancers; basic mechanisms of carcinogenesis. /BIOL 104, and BIOL 211 BISC 315 Plant Biotechnology [2-1-0:3] Current status and future potential of Biotechnology, with emphasis on the fundamentals of plant molecular biology and biotechnology. Using examples of marketable products from food industry, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and agricultural fields. The role of basic research in the development and production biotechnology products will be described. /BIOL 104, and BIOL 211 BISC 317 Advanced Molecular Genetics [2-1-0:3] Recent advances in molecular biology; eukaryotic transcription, RNA processing and translation, molecular genetics of bacterial, yeast, invertebrate and vertebrate systems; gene mapping and gene therapy. Prerequisite: BICH 211 or BISC 212 BISC 319 Advanced Cell Biology [2-1-0:3] Recent advances in the study of cellular structure and function; molecular mechanisms of cell function; cell division and cell cycle; cell-cell signaling; molecular and cellular control in small eukaryotes; control of cell differentiation and morphogenesis. Prerequisite: BICH 202 or BISC 203 BISC 336 Aquaculture Biotechnology [3-0-0:3] Overview of aquaculture as a food production method and as a business. Examples of cultured species. Aquaculture biology and practices: breeding, larval rearing, nutrition, genetics and sex control. Problems and prospects: diseases, redtides and toxins. Prerequisite: BIOL 216 or BISC 213 BISC 338 Pharmacology and Toxicology [2-1-0:3] Fundamental concepts of drug action and toxicity; clinically useful agents in central and peripheral disorders; toxicology of drugs and agents that are hazardous to living organisms. Prerequisite: BIOL 202 or BIOL 206 BISC 354 Structure and Function of Proteins [3-0-0:3] Determination of protein sequences and three-dimensional structures; relationship between structure and function; principles of protein design and engineering; molecular, biochemical and genetic approaches to study protein function and regulation. Reference: Creighton, Proteins, Structures and Molecular Properties BISC 355 Biochemistry of Nutrition [3-0-0:3] The biochemistry of major food ingredients including proteins, oil, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals; functional and nutritional properties will be emphasized. BISC 358 Bioinformatics [3-0-0:3] Frontier knowledge in bioinformatics. From the fundamental data mining, to the advanced topics in evolutionary analysis, protein structure prediction and genomics study. Both basic and applied aspects of bioinformatics will be explored in this course. Prerequisite: BICH 121 BISC 362 Advanced Biological Chemistry [3-0-0:3] Advanced studies of biological macromolecules; functional genomics and proteomics; laboratory techniques in modern biochemistry; milestone discoveries in biochemistry. Prerequisite: BICH 121 BISC 363 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology [3-0-0:3] Principles and roles of various disciplines in biotechnology, including manipulation of various cell types, gene expression, immunochemistry, protein engineering, downstream processing, cell and enzyme immobilization, and fermentation; case studies in the development and applications of biotechnology. Prerequisite: BICH 211 or BISC 212 BISC 376 Biochemistry of Diseases [3-0-0:3] Biochemical changes in diseases; diagnostic applications of biochemical and immunological methods; principles of drug action, and major classes of drugs.

4 BISC 395 Neurochemistry [3-0-0:3] Introduction to the molecular understanding of brain function, building upon the basis of biochemistry and biology. Four specific themes are covered: (i) structural neurochemistry and neural membranes; (ii) synapses, transmitters and receptors; (iii) cellular and (iv) medical and behavioral neurochemistry. Prerequisite: BICH 121

5 Postgraduate Courses: BISC 507 Workshops in Biology [2-0-3:3] Laboratory exercises, including recombinant DNA technology, protein purification, microscopy, tissue culture and other technologies currently in use. Background: BISC 212 Exclusion: BIOL 507 BISC 512 Advanced Topics in Biophysical Chemistry [2-1-0:3] This course is designed for the postgraduate students majoring in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology and Physics. Advanced topics such as Bioinformatics, Peptide Design, Basic and Biological Application of NMR, Protein Structure and Function and Techniques of Biophysical Chemistry, etc. Exclusions: BICH 514, BICH 524, BICH 581 BISC 524 Molecular and Developmental Neurobiology [3-0-0:3] Principles underlying the structure and function of the nervous system, integrating molecular, cellular systems, and computational approaches. Topics include chemical neurotransmission, sensory processes, control of movement, neuroendocrinology, neuronal plasticity in development and learning. Backgrounds: BICH 121 or BIOL 104 and BISC 224 or BISC 395 Exclusion: BIOL 524 BISC 526 Biochemical and Molecular Basis of Diseases [3-0-0:3] Advanced topics on the biochemical basis of human diseases, molecular medicine and structure based drug design; an oral presentation and a written essay on a specific topic are required. Exclusion: BICH 526 Prerequisite: BISC 376 or equivalent BISC 528 Molecular Plant and Environmental Biotechnology [2-2-0:4] Further potentials on plant genome projects. Identification and manipulation of genes controlling important plant functions. Regulation of plant gene expression by environmental factors. Biodegradation, biosensing and bioremediation of toxic pollutants through microbes and plants. Successful examples of development, production and commercialization of environmental biotechnology products. Risks and assessments of transgenic plants. Background: BIOL 108 or BICH 211 Exclusions: BIOL 328 (prior to ), BIOL 528 BISC 529 Biological Oceanography [2-2-0:4] This course discusses the basic knowledge of biological oceanography with an emphasis on material and energy flow in marine ecosystem. Background: BISC 213 Exclusion: BIOL 529 BISC 530 Conservation Biology [2-2-0:4] To review in depth the important environmental issues such as pollution, global warming, damage to the ozone layer, energy supply, fresh water problem, and the loss of biodiversity, and to discuss conservation in practice. Exclusion: BIOL 530 BISC 531 Coastal Management and Marine Pollution [2-2-0:4] To review the recent changes (deteriorations) of wetland and coastal zones in relationship with human impacts. To discuss the decision making in coastal management. Background: BIOL 216 Exclusion: BIOL 531 BISC 532 Ecotoxicology [3-1-0:4] To study the impact and toxic effects of pollutants on diversity, growth and metabolism of living organisms and the ecosystem as a whole. Background: BIOL 216 Exclusion: BIOL 532 BISC 538 Cell Cycle Control [2-2-0:4] Requirements and essence of cell-cycle control and its fundamental importance in biology. Differences and similarities between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Cell-cycle control/arrest in oocytes, development and in life-cycle. Background: BISC 203 Exclusion: BIOL 538 BISC 571 Cellular Regulation [3-0-0:3] Molecular basis of cellular regulation. Cellular signal tranduction cascades. Exclusion: BICH 571 Prerequisite: BISC 319 or equivalent BISC 613 Scientific Writing in Biology [1-2-0:3] Mechanics, organization, style and format of writing a research proposal, grant application, scientific paper and/or a thesis. Exclusion: BIOL 613 BISC 617 Special Topics in Molecular Biology [2-2-0:4] Recent advances in molecular biology discussed in lectures and tutorials; current research topics in eukaryotic gene regulation, molecular genetics and genetic diseases. Background: BICH 211 or BISC 203 Exclusion: BIOL 617 BISC 621 Special Topics in Marine Biology [2-2-0:4] To study the different aspects of the biology of marine animals, with special emphasis on feeding and reproduction; selective readings of recent publications; to study the diverse territory fauna through field trips and course projects. Background: BISC 213 Exclusion: BIOL 621 BISC 627 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry [3-0-0:3] To introduce current biochemical topics in the areas of cellular regulation and signaling, structural biology, and medicinal biochemistry and biotechnology - the three main research directions in the Biochemistry Department. This comprehensive course aims to broaden the knowledge base and stimulate the scientific thinking of postgraduate students.