MCB 101 is a three-unit course for students with an emphasize in biotechnology including career in biotechnology, history and applications of recombinant DNA technology and the human genome project, and laboratory safety practices. Students are introduced to a variety of techniques used in biotechnology and molecular biology using the equipment necessary in a research or industrial setting. Students are expected to develop skills in DNA and Protein Gel Electrophoresis, Microbiology, PCR, Pipetting, Solution Preparation, Serial Dilutions, Standard Curve, and Spectrophotometry.

MCB 102 is a three-unit course for students with an emphasize in human genetics and biotechnology including career exploration, history and applications of recombinant DNA technology, the human genome project, and laboratory safety practices. This course will allow students to perfect biotechnology techniques, learn to read research papers, and hear about cutting edge research at the University of Arizona. It includes advanced biotechnological techniques, fundamentals of cell biology and genetics, applications of biotechnology, bioethics, and careers in biotechnology. This course offers a unique opportunity to motivated high school students who possess a strong interest in pursuing advanced education in bioscience and biomedical science. Through laboratory activities and field-based research, students will conduct independent research in an active laboratory, and learn to communicate. The novel scientific research will be presented at the Southern Arizona Region Science Fair (SARSEF). This course is a continuation of Biotechnology Techniques.

This is a three-unit course for students with an interest in biotechnology, toxicology, genetics, and bioengineering. The course offers a unique summer opportunity to motivated high school students who possess a strong interest in pursuing advanced education in bioscience, biomedical science, or engineering. Through research opportunities, students attend a weeklong, hands-on institute, perform independent research in an active laboratory, and learn science communication through weekly workshops with the other KEYS students and personnel.

Laboratory exercises presenting techniques and fundamental principles of modern biology.

Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology covers biological function at the molecular level, with a focus on the structure and regulation of genes, the structure and synthesis of proteins, how these molecules are integrated into cells, and how these cells are integrated into multicellular systems Students will explore how life scientists collect, use, analyze and interpret data about biological processes. Examples stem from current research on viruses, bacteria, plants, and animals (including humans) in the areas of cell biology, genetics, and molecular medicine.

This is a 1-unit course designed for freshman
Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) majors to introduce students to MCB and prepare
them for engaging in biological research.

What is Molecular and Cellular Biology is a one-unit colloquium course where students will explore the basics of cell and molecular biology, learn how to succeed in university-level biology courses, and explore career opportunities available to people with degrees in molecular and cellular biology.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

The course is the laboratory course to accompany MIC 285R.

The course is an introductory microbiology class for majors, emphasizing cellular, biochemical and molecular aspects of metabolism, genetics, cell structure, and host-parasite interactions

Genetics has often been co-opted to support racism. In this course, we will explore the historical and contemporary interaction between human genetics research and social conceptions of race. We will first review the sordid history of scientific racism and eugenics. We will then discuss what contemporary research says about genetic contributions to key traits and the ethical implications of such research. Lastly, we will cover the limitations and interpretation of commercial genetic ancestry testing. Students will leave the course better prepared to confront racist scientific misinformation.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

This course will cover the foundations of genetics and genomics: 1) how cells and organisms transmit information to the next generation, 2) how the phenotypes of cells and organisms are connected to the information encoded within a DNA template, and 3) how DNA sequencing and recombinant DNA technology can be used to sequence and analyze the entire set of DNA in cells. In the first half of the course, the topics will include the mechanisms of genetic transmission, basis of traits, genome replication, and gene expression. The focus of the second half of the course will be to synthesize our understanding of these fundamental processes and to explore their application to the analysis of a wide range of biological phenomena.

The structure and function of eukaryotic cells with a focus on relationships to developmental biology and experimental analysis. Concepts will be illustrated by demonstrating links to processes important for the development of multi-cellular organisms and disease progression.

The course encompasses foundational material for the study of Molecular and Cellular Biology. It will be one of three core courses required for the MCB major. The focus will be on the fundamental concepts governing the interaction of biological macromolecules required for the central dogma of molecular biology: DNA > RNA > protein. Topics to be covered: DNA structure, replication, RNA transcription, structure, modification, processing and turnover, protein translation and modification. Protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions required for these processes will be explored in-depth.

In addition to lectures, small group in-class activities will: 1) introduce concepts that are the basis of interaction in large molecular assemblies, 2) introduce molecular and cell biology concepts that put macromolecular assemblies in a biological context.

This course is designed to help intermediate students understand the biology of cancer. The course will cover the disease of cancer from the aspects of molecular and cellular biology, as well as experimental models of cancer and drug development. Clinical aspects will be highlighted, including diagnosis, pathology and treatments, as well as ethics. Honors section available.

Students will read and analyze primary scientific literature on a variety of topics in molecular and cellular biology that apply to biomedicine. Students will practice solving problems based on authentic experimental data.

Biotechnology is the use of biological systems to transform raw materials into useful products. Humans have been practicing biotechnology for much longer than the term 'biotechnology' has been around, using yeasts to make alcohol from fruits and grains, for example. However, modern biotechnology is dominated by the use of genetically modified organisms. In this course, we will take an in-depth look at how genes are manipulated and moved from organism to organism, creating genetically modified microbes, plants, and animals, including humans. We will also explore many different applications of biotechnology and discuss the ethics of genetic manipulation.

Survey of the fundamental concepts of plant physiology and how those concepts are supported by evidence from physiological, biochemical, biophysical, molecular and genomic experiments. The emphasis is on "whole plant" physiology and how plants work in the real world.

Laboratory exercises in plant physiology.

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study.

Undergraduate preceptors will work as a team with a graduate or undergraduate teaching assistant and course staff to teach students in Biology 181 labs. You will learn student-centered teaching techniques, effective communication skills, and how to organize and execute a lesson plan in order to work in the classroom assisting your peers.

Individual of small group research under the guidance of faculty.

This course is designed for juniors, particularly transfer students who have not participated in university research up to this point. The course will give students the opportunity to participate in an ongoing research project that seeks to understand the molecular basis of how plant (Arabidopsis) roots respond to their environment and different nutrient levels. Students will conduct a research project on self-selected environmental factors; developing projects to understand how plants regulate the growth of their roots. In addition to participating in research, students will learn about the undergraduate research ecosystem at the UA campus by exploring and applying for potential research opportunities. At the end of the class, students will have cultivated research skills that will make them competitive applicants for summer research programs and for graduate school.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

Advances in biomedical research will be reviewed and their ethical, social and legal implications discussed. Honors section available (Fall and Spring only).

The molecular basis of the structure and function of animal, plant and prokaryotic cells with emphasis on experimental analysis. Honors section available. Student with a prior failed attempt may only retake the course once.

Mechanisms of genome replication, genetic recombination, DNA repair, gene expression and regulation. Honors section available. Student with a prior failed attempt may only retake the course once.

The course introduces computational and bioinformatics methods for the analysis of high-throughput experimental data in functional genomics, using the analysis of next-generation RNA-sequencing as a leading example. The course discusses related biological concepts and techniques, statistical methods and models, and provides hands-on experience with data analysis using R-based open-source software Bioconductor. The course prepares the students to perform independent analyses of genomic data in an interdisciplinary environment such as a research lab or pharmaceutical company.

Computer-simulated laboratory. Solving problems via genetic experiments in yeast and Mendelian genetic systems. Individual projects, assessed by regular written lab reports, require deduction and discovery of genotype, pathway, and genetic phenomena through crosses and phenotypic observation. In addition, a mutagenesis design assignment, oral presentation on a monogenic disease, and two literature reviews (on Cancer and Genome editing) will be assigned. Approximately 30 minute active lectures followed by solving of problems in class.

This is a course that is designed to help advanced students understand cancer genetics, cell biology, tissue microenvironment, metastasis and clinical therapeutics. Recent advances and their implications for the field will be emphasized.

How have vertebrate immune systems evolved from simple origins? We will cover comparative immunology of prokaryotes, protozoans, plants, fungi, invertebrates, and "lower" vertebrates. By studying the origins and evolution of immunity across the history of life, and following the progression of immune system complexity across different lineages, we begin to see patterns that help explain how our immune system developed from those of our ancestors. Such comparative study will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of our immune system, and point to ways in which other organisms have overcome the same pathogenic stresses we currently face. This class will pull together data from many fields, including immunology, molecular and cell biology, ecology, and evolution.

Structure, classification, replication, and mechanisms of pathogenesis of human and animal viruses.

Human Genetics: Sex, Crime, and Disease is an advanced genetics course and an introduction to the exciting and rapidly evolving field of human genetics. Through lectures, readings and case studies, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the human genome, current issues in human heredity and genetic diseases, and research methods in human genetics. Students will explore the societal implication of topics such as the human genome project, DNA fingerprinting, genetic testing for disease risk, use of genetics in genealogy and forensics, and gene therapy. Students will also acquire or improve their critical reading skills of primary scientific literature.

Recent technological advances enable the collection of massive biological data sets, both in the research lab and in the medical clinic. These Big Data offer opportunities for discovering new biology, but they also demand new analysis approaches. This course will introduce students with a strong molecular biology background to the use of Big Data statistics. Students will learn how to visualize complex data, identify biologically relevant clusters, model relationships between variables, and classify entities. They will apply these techniques to a diverse range of biological Big Data, including electronic medical records, gene expression measurements, and human population genetic sequences. Students will learn through homework, in-class exercises, and a substantive final project.

A 3 unit lecture/discussion course that provides an advanced treatment of the current knowledge and experimental approaches used in genetic and genomic analysis, with emphasis on plants. Basic understanding of Mendelian genetics, gene and genome structure and function is required.

This course offers an intensive lab experience to teach students the practical and theoretical aspects of modern molecular biology. In the first part of the course, recombinant DNA methods and bioinformatics are used to clone and identify an unknown gene. In the second part of the course DNA microarray technology is used to determine the effect of environmental stress on the global gene expression program in yeast, and to identify genes that control the stress response. Weekly lectures compliment the lab sessions, covering the theory and principles underlying the experiments performed during the course.

The proteins in a cell are organized into networks and circuits that act to process information and control cell activity. In this course we will explore the structure and function of these circuits through discussion of the relevant literature and by building and testing mathematical models of simple/toy circuits. Emphasis will be placed on key concepts such as hysteresis, ultrasensitivity, adaptation, robustness and noise propagation.

The course focuses on the use of model organisms and other approaches to tackle current topics in biomedical and life sciences. Emphasis will be placed on discoveries that identify causes of, and therapies for, human disease. The course will be divided into four sections, each taught by an MCB faculty who is an expert in the topic under discussion. Students will be required to actively participate in critical thinking exercises throughout the course.

This course is geared towards obtaining knowledge and quantitative insights in the molecular and integrative biology of muscle with an emphasis on cardiac muscle and the heart. It will focus on the molecular mechanisms that underlie the function and plasticity of muscle, including mechanisms of disease. In addition to lectures, the course will promote critical thinking and analysis skills by reading and analyzing primary research articles.

Synthetic biology (SynBio) is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on living systems and organisms, and it applies engineering principles to redesign natural biological parts, devices and systems, or to develop new one entirely. Synthetic biology has two main goals: (1) understanding natural biological systems by (re-)engineering similar ones, and (2) enabling practical applications to foster the human condition, such as for medicine, manufacturing, ecology, and agriculture. In this course, we will study the principles for rationally engineering and controlling synthetic gene circuits all the way up to complex synthetic multicellular systems. We will read and discuss key foundational papers of the field. We will discuss applications as mentioned above as well as the societal and ethical implications of synthetic biology. We will introduce and use the Python programming language as a key synthetic biology tool for simulation, analysis, and design. Students will also gain deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of science and engineering.

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study.

Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.

Specialized work on an individual basis related to molecular and cellular biology, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.

The practical application, on an individual basis, of previously studied theory and the collection of data for future theoretical interpretation.

A special workshop associated with serving as an MCB course Learning Assistant. Students may enroll for 1-5 units. The workshop focuses on developing and practicing effective instructional techniques, including strategies for formative assessment (written and verbal) and facilitating learning in the classroom. Students enrolled in MCB497A will attend all meetings of the course served, as well as a weekly workshop with a time to be determined.

A culminating experience for majors involving a substantive project that demonstrates a synthesis of learning accumulated in the major, including broadly comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and its methodologies. Senior standing required.

An honors thesis is required of all the students graduating with honors. Students ordinarily sign up for this course as a two-semester sequence. The first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member; the second semester the student writes an honors thesis.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.