Spring 2010 : BISP 194 Course Titles/Course Descriptions
In order to add a 2nd BISP 194, you will need to come by the Biology Student and Instructional Services Office (1128 Pacific Hall) and complete an add card. We will stamp the add card and you will then need to take the card to the Registrar's Office to enroll. Students who complete two BISP 194s (on different topics) may combine them as one upper division biology elective. Both courses must be taken for a letter grade (C- of better). If you would like to do this, please contact bioadvising@ucsd.edu.
Dr. Gentry Patrick
Title: Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptic Plasticity
Section ID: 678953
Course Description: Synaptic plasticity is the modification of synaptic connections in the brain by experience. This is the thought to be the major correlate of learning and memory in invertebrate and vertebrate animals. We will explore, in particular, postsynaptic mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. This will include published work which has addressed the importance of glutamate receptors and postsynaptic scaffold and signaling molecules which regulate glutamate receptor trafficking and function.
Prerequisite Note: Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102), Genetics (BICD 100), or permission of instructor.
Recommended Prerequisites: BILD 1 and BILD 2.
Dr. Kaustuv Roy
Title: Ecological future of a warm and crowded planet
Section ID: 678954
Course Description: By the year 2050 the world is expected to have around 9 billion people and temperatures that are much warmer than now. Such changes have enormous consequences for species and ecosystems, ranging from extinctions of many plants and animals to disruptions of ecosystem services that human societies depend on. In this class we will explore how three major anthropogenic stressors - climate change, resource exploitation and urbanization - are changing the ecology of the planet and the economic and societal impacts of such changes. In addition, we will discuss some of the potential solutions to this unfolding ecological crisis. The course will involve lectures by the instructor introducing individual topics and student-led discussions of the relevant primary research literature. Students will also work in groups to research a specific topic, chosen in consultation with the instructor, and present their findings to the class. The grade for the course will be based on class participation and presentation.
Prerequisite Note: Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102), Genetics (BICD 100), or permission of instructor.
Dr. Susan Golden
Title: Biofuels
Section ID: 678955
Course Description: This course will provide an overview of the growing biofuels industry and an opportunity to delve into the biochemical, genetic, and molecular approaches being applied to address the energy and chemicals needs of the world.
Prerequisite Note: Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102), Genetics (BICD 100), or permission of instructor.
Dr. Elina Zuniga
Title: Anti-Viral Immunity
Section ID: 686591
Course Description: Virus infections represent a major health problem. Despite tremendous scientific and medical efforts million of people are afflicted by old and emerging viruses worldwide. In the present course we will learn how the immune system respond to the most relevant virus infections as well as the strategies utilized by viruses to evade or subvert host responses. The goal of the course is not only to provide a big picture of immune responses during viral infections but also to learn how to interpret and present primary literature in this fast-moving field.
Prerequisite Note: Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102), Genetics (BICD 100), or permission of instructor.
Recommended Prerequisites: BIMM100 (Molecular Biology). BICD140 Immunology is also recommended.
Dr. Eric Allen
Title: Environmental Genomics
Section ID:686699
Course Description: This course will provide an introduction to the use of cultivation-independent environmental genome sequence data for analyzing natural microbial communities. Topics will include major questions in microbial ecology that can be addressed using genomic approaches, a survey of bioinformatic tools commonly used to analyze such data (genome assembly, taxonomic binning, annotation, and comparative genomics), and post-genomic methodologies that be further employed to investigate natural microbial phenomena in situ.
Prerequisite Note: Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102), Genetics (BICD 100), or permission of instructor.
