Department: Biology

Code Name Description
BIO101 Science for Conservation Policy: Meeting California's Pledge to Protect 30% by 2030 California has set the ambitious goal of conserving 30% of its lands and waters by the year 2030. In this course, students will develop science-based recommendations to help policymakers reach this '30 by 30' goal. Through lectures, labs, and field t...
BIO103 Human and Planetary Health Two of the biggest challenges humanity has to face - promoting human health and halting environmental degradation - are strongly linked. The emerging field of Planetary Health recognizes these inter-linkages and promotes creative, interdisciplinary...
BIO105 Microbes and Climate Microorganisms drive the cycling of carbon, oxygen, and other nutrients in the earth system. This means that microbes both impact and are impacted by changes in climate. In this reading course, participants will read and present a combination of clas...
BIO105A Ecology and Natural History of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve The Ecology and Natural History of the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve is an upper-division course that aims to help students learn ecology and natural history using a 'living laboratory,' the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. The course's central g...
BIO105B Ecology and Natural History of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve The Ecology and Natural History of the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve is an upper-division course that aims to help students learn ecology and natural history using a 'living laboratory,' the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. The course's central g...
BIO109A Chronic Disease I: Applications of Novel Advances in Biology and Biotechnology We have come a long way in developing therapies for chronic diseases. However, a gap remains between the current solutions and our ability to fully address these diseases. This course provides an overview of: (1) the underlying biology of many of the...
BIO109B Chronic Disease II: Applications of Advances in Precision Medicine and Digital Health Technologies Chronic diseases fatally impact over 40 million people worldwide. We have come a long way in developing therapies for some chronic diseases, but a considerable gap remains between the current solutions and our ability to fully address many of these d...
BIO10N Using Physics to Explain Biology: Mechanistic Approaches to Plankton Ecology People often think of physics and biology as entirely separate scientific pursuits, but in fact the two can be productively combined. All plants and animals live in a physical environment, and the laws of physics that govern that environment often de...
BIO10SC Natural History, Marine Biology, and Research Monterey Bay is home to the nation's largest marine sanctuary and also home to Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station. This course, based at Hopkins, explores the spectacular biology of Monterey Bay and the artistic and political history of the region. We...
BIO110 The Chromatin-Regulated Genome Maintenance of the genome is a prerequisite for life. In eukaryotes, all DNA-templated processes are tightly connected to chromatin structure and function. This course will explore epigenetic and chromatin regulation of cellular processes related t...
BIO111 Microbiology Introduction to microbiology, with emphasis on bacteria. Topics include the cell structure of microorganisms, gene regulation, bacterial genetics, bacterial evolution and diversity, bacterial development, interaction and communication, bacterial chem...
BIO112 Human Physiology Human physiology will be examined by organ systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal and endocrine. Molecular and cell biology and signaling principles that underlie organ development, pathophysiology and opportunities for regener...
BIO113 Fundamentals of Molecular Evolution The inference of key molecular evolutionary processes from DNA and protein sequences. Topics include random genetic drift, coalescent models, effects and tests of natural selection, combined effects of linkage and natural selection, codon bias and ge...
BIO114A bioBUDS: Building Up Developing Scientists BUDS is a student-centered and community-focused program which aims to connect all undergrads - but especially those from FLI and historically excluded backgrounds - to resources, skills, and potential mentors in the biosciences and beyond while fost...
BIO114B bioBUDS: Research Program This course serves as a companion and continuation for the Fall and Spring sessions of bioBUDS ( BIO 114). If demand exceeds slots available, preference will be given to students who participated in the Fall session. This program will pair participat...
BIO114C bioBUDS: Building Up Developing Scientists BUDS is a student-centered and community-focused program which aims to connect all undergrads - but especially those from FLI and historically excluded backgrounds - to resources, skills, and potential mentors in the biosciences and beyond while fost...
BIO114H Hopkins Marine Station Seminar Introduction to research in marine science through a weekly seminar series at Hopkins Marine Station. The weekly seminars will approach questions of development, physiology, ecology, evolution, and oceanography using contemporary methods. Class offer...
BIO115 The Hidden Kingdom - Evolution, Ecology and Diversity of Fungi Fungi are critical, yet often hidden, components of the biosphere. They regulate decomposition, are primary partners in plant symbiosis and strongly impact agriculture and economics. Students will explore the fascinating world of fungal biology, ecol...
BIO116 Ecology of the Hawaiian Islands Terrestrial and marine ecology and conservation biology of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Taught in the field in Hawaii as part of quarter-long sequence of courses including Earth Sciences and Anthropology. Topics include ecological succession, plant-so...
BIO117 Biology and Global Change The biological causes and consequences of anthropogenic and natural changes in the atmosphere, oceans, and terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Topics: glacial cycles and marine circulation, greenhouse gases and climate change, tropical deforestati...
BIO119 Evolution of Marine Ecosystems Life originally evolved in the ocean. When, why, and how did the major transitions occur in the history of marine life? What triggered the rapid evolution and diversification of animals in the Cambrian, after more than 3.5 billion years of Earth's hi...
BIO11S Microbiology: Human Health & Society This course covers the fundamentals of microbiology and encompasses the tiny world of microbes (bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, and more). How have microbes impacted human health and society? It turns out that we cannot live without microbes, but...
BIO120 Integrative and Experimental Microbiology To survive, grow, and reproduce, organisms coordinate different molecular processes so they can use available resources and cope with environmental conditions. This laboratory course explores molecular and cellular integration in bacteria. Experiment...
BIO121 Ornithology Advanced undergraduate survey of ornithology, introducing students to the biology of birds and giving them to tools to use birds as model systems for research. Topics will include avian evolution, physiology, adaptations, behavior, and ecology. Focus...
BIO123 Catalyzing Solutions for a Sustainable Ocean: Learning with Local Communities The ocean is impacted by overfishing, plastic pollution, climate change and acidification, which are leading to the disruption of marine ecosystem functions and services critical for human wellbeing. Ocean mining, offshore wind farming, increasing sh...
BIO124 Topics in Cancer Biology This discussion-based course will explore the scientific tools used to study the molecular and genetic basis of cancer and to develop treatments for this disease. Topics covered may include cancer models, traditional and targeted cancer therapies, an...
BIO125 Environmental Change and Marine Biodiversity In this course we will study marine biodiversity and the impacts of environmental change on ocean life and marine ecosystems. Students will first study fundamental aspects of physiology, ecology, and evolution in marine animals and plants. Then, stud...
BIO126 Introduction to Biophysics Core course appropriate for advanced undergraduate students and graduate students with prior knowledge of calculus and a college physics course. Introduction to how physical principles offer insights into modern biology, with regard to the structural...
BIO127 Genomic approaches to the study of human disease This course will cover a range of genetic and genomic approaches to studying human phenotypic variation and disease. We will discuss the genetic basis of Mendelian and complex diseases, as well as clinical applications including prenatal testing, an...
BIO129 Fundamentals and Frontiers in Plant Biology This course will serve as a primer for all levels of graduate, co-term, and upper-level undergraduates interested in learning about the fundamental aspects of plant biology, the latest advances in tools, techniques, and theories that link basic scien...
BIO12N Sensory Ecology of Marine Animals Animals living in the oceans experience a highly varied range of environmental stimuli. An aquatic lifestyle requires an equally rich range of sensory adaptations, including some that are totally foreign to us. In this course we will examine sensor...
BIO130 Ecosystems of California California is home to a huge diversity of ecosystem types and processes. This course provides an introduction to the natural history, systematics, and ecosystem ecology of California ecosystems, based on a combination of lectures, student-led projec...
BIO132 Advanced Imaging Lab in Biophysics Laboratory and lectures. Advanced microscopy and imaging, emphasizing hands-on experience with state-of-the-art techniques. Students construct and operate working apparatus. Topics include microscope optics, Koehler illumination, contrast-generating...
BIO134 Molecular and cellular analysis of human cancer cell lines This laboratory course will use cultured mammalian cells to study whether drug treatment can restore function to mutant versions of the tumor suppressor p53. Students will perform a variety of cellular and molecular techniques, including western blot...
BIO136 Macroevolution The course will focus on the macroevolution of animals. We will be exploring how paleobiology and developmental biology/genomics have contributed to our understanding of the origins of animals, and how patterns of evolution and extinction have shap...
BIO139 Pattern Formation We have all seen patterns in nature: from zebra stripes to spiraling flower petals to ordered rows of microscopic appendages on single celled pond organisms. But how are these patterns generated, what are they good for, and are patterns in different...
BIO140 The Science of Extreme Life of the Sea Covers the way marine animals and plants live in extreme environments by examining morphological, ecological, and genetic adaptations to low temperature, high heat, deep water, etc. We also cover extreme lifestyles such as fast swimming, small and la...
BIO141 Biostatistics Introductory statistical methods for biological data: describing data (numerical and graphical summaries); introduction to probability; and statistical inference (hypothesis tests and confidence intervals). Intermediate statistical methods: comparing...
BIO142 Molecular Geomicrobiology Laboratory In this course, students will be studying the biosynthesis of cyclic lipid biomarkers, molecules that are produced by modern microbes that can be preserved in rocks that are over a billion years old and which geologist use as molecular fossils. Stude...
BIO143 Quantitative methods for marine ecology and conservation NOTE: This course will be taught in-person on main campus, in hybrid format with Zoom options. The goal of this course is to learn the foundations of ecological modeling with a specific (but not exclusive) focus on marine conservation and sustainable...
BIO144 Conservation Biology: A Latin American Perspective Principles and application of the science of preserving biological diversity. Conceptually, this course is designed to explore the major components relevant to the conservation of biodiversity, as exemplified by the Latin American region. The concept...
BIO145 Animal Behavior Animal behavior with an emphasis on social and collective behavior. How do animals interact with each other and the rest of the world around them? This is a project-based course in a seminar format, including class discussion of journal articles, and...
BIO146 Genes and Disease Students in this course will uncover key principles of genetics and molecular biology through investigation of case studies of human disease and novel therapeutic approaches in development. This course will require close reading and discussion of pri...
BIO147 Ecosystem Ecology and Biogeochemistry An introduction to ecosystem ecology and terrestrial biogeochemistry. This course will focus on the dynamics of carbon and other biologically essential elements in the Earth System, on spatial scales from local to global. Prerequisites: Biology 117,...
BIO148 Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems The what, when, where, and how do we know it regarding life on land through time. Fossil plants, fungi, invertebrates, and vertebrates (yes, dinosaurs) are all covered, including how all of those components interact with each other and with changing...
BIO149 The Neurobiology of Sleep The neurochemistry and neurophysiology of changes in brain activity and conscious awareness are associated with changes in the sleep/wake state. Behavioral and neurobiological phenomena include sleep regulation, sleep homeostasis, circadian rhythms,...
BIO150 Human Behavioral Biology Multidisciplinary. How to approach complex normal and abnormal behaviors through biology. How to integrate disciplines including sociobiology, ethology, neuroscience, and endocrinology to examine behaviors such as aggression, sexual behavior, languag...
BIO151 Mechanisms of Neuron Death For undergraduates with backgrounds in neuroscience. Cell and molecular biology of neuron death during neurological disease. Topics: the amyloid diseases (Alzheimer's), prion diseases (kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob), oxygen radical diseases (Parkinson's...
BIO152 Imaging: Biological Light Microscopy This intensive laboratory and discussion course will provide participants with the theoretical and practical knowledge to utilize emerging imaging technologies based on light microscopy. Topics include microscope optics, resolution limits, Köhler ill...
BIO154 Principles of Neurobiology For advanced undergraduate students. Principles and mechanisms in the organization and functions of the nervous system. Topics: neuronal communication, sensory and motor systems, innate behaviors, learning and memory, brain disorders, and evolution...
BIO155 Cell and Developmental Biology of Plants In this course we will learn how plants are built at different organizational scales from the cell, tissue, organ and organ system level. We will also learn about the experimental methods used to study plants at these different organizational levels...
BIO158 Developmental Neurobiology For advanced undergraduates and coterminal students. The principles of nervous system development from the molecular control of patterning, cell-cell interactions, and trophic factors to the level of neural systems and the role of experience in influ...
BIO159 Herpetology This course introduces students to herpetology or the study of reptiles and amphibians. Students will learn foundational concepts in reptile and amphibian evolution, physiology, behavior, and ecology through hands-on experiences. This course includes...
BIO16 Conservation Storytelling: Pre-course for BOSP South Africa Limited to students admitted to the BOSP South Africa overseas seminar. Through 5 workshop meetings, students will develop and pitch story ideas, form teams in which a writer and a photographer agree to collaborate on a story, and conduct background...
BIO160 Developmental Biology This course will cover the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of diverse cell types and tissues during embryonic and post-embryonic animal development. Topics include the role of cell-cell communication in controlling developmental decisi...
BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab This laboratory is a genuine research experience course where students contribute to original research in a field of organismal biology. The course consists of two modules: In the first module, students will perform a drug screen for novel compounds...
BIO162 Mechanisms of Tissue Regeneration Many organisms possess a remarkable ability to repair and regenerate damaged organs and tissues. This course will explore the cellular and developmental mechanisms used to achieve regeneration. Students will learn the basic developmental and cellular...
BIO164 Plant Ecology & Evolution in Arid Climates Understanding responses of plants to climate change is paramount to protect our ecosystems. In this course, we will review classical work on fundamental concepts of plant biology and evolutionary ecology in arid climates. We will study plant biodiver...
BIO165 Quantitative Cell Biology - from Molecules to Evolution Modern research approaches of quantitative biology tightly integrate experimentation with data analysis and mathematical modeling to provide unprecedented insights into the organization and functioning of living systems. This course explores the quan...
BIO166 Historical Ecology at Hopkins Marine Station NOTE: This course will be taught on main campus as a hybrid in-person and virtual course, with a field trip to Hopkins Marine Station as the primary component.This course is an exploration of the rich intertidal flora and fauna at Hopkins Marine Stat...
BIO168 Explorations in Stem Cell Biology A discussion-based course for advanced undergraduates. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to key topics in stem cell biology and foster the development of strong scientific writing skills. We will review and discuss some landmark and...
BIO169 The Sixth Extinction (and the Other Five) Are we living through Earth's sixth major mass extinction event? The course will address the causes and consequences of extinction. It will review current understanding of background and mass extinction in the fossil record, including aclose examinat...
BIO16N Island Ecology Preference to freshmen. How ecologists think about the world. Focus is on the Hawaiian Islands: origin, geology, climate, evolution and ecology of flora and fauna, and ecosystems. The reasons for the concentration of threatened and endangered species...
BIO170 Taking the Pulse of the Ocean: Innovative Technologies for the Blue Planet This will be an interdisciplinary course focused on the intersection of ocean science, marine biology, engineering and computer science. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the quantitative and field challenges involved in collecting o...
BIO173 Chemical Biology Chemical biology is an integrative discipline that seeks to apply chemical tools and approaches to understand biology. This course will introduce students to various methods and approaches used in this field, with an emphasis on the use of natural pr...
BIO176 The Developmental Basis of Animal Body Plan Evolution Animals are grouped into phyla with defined organizational characteristics such as multicellularity, axis organization, and nervous system organization, as well as morphological novelties such as eyes, limbs and segments. This course explores the dev...
BIO177 Plant Microbe Interaction Molecular basis of plant symbiosis and pathogenesis. Topics include mechanisms of recognition and signaling between microbes and plant hosts, with examples such as the role of small molecules, secreted peptides, and signal transduction pathways in s...
BIO178 Microbiology Literature For advanced undergraduates and first-year graduate students. Critical reading of research literature in prokaryotic genetics and molecular biology. Classic and foundational papers in pathogenesis, bacterial and phage genetics, and molecular biology;...
BIO179 Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs This course explores the science of valuing nature, through two interwoven pathways. One is biophysical, focused on human dependence and impacts on Earths life-support systems. If well managed, lands, waters, and biodiversity yield a flow of vital be...
BIO180 Microbial Physiology Introduction to the physiology of microbes including cellular structure, transcription and translation, growth and metabolism, mechanisms for stress resistance and the formation of microbial communities. These topics will be covered in relation to th...
BIO182 Modeling Cultural Evolution Seminar. Quantitative models for the evolution of socially transmitted traits. Rates of change of learned traits in populations and patterns of cultural diversity as a function of innovation and cultural transmission. Learning in constant and changin...
BIO183 Theoretical Population Genetics Models in population genetics and evolution. Selection, random drift, gene linkage, migration, and inbreeding, and their influence on the evolution of gene frequencies and chromosome structure. Models are related to DNA sequence evolution. Prerequisi...
BIO184 Environmental Humanities: Finding Our Place on a Changing Planet The rapid degradation of our planet threatens the health and survival of communities and ecosystems around the world. How did we get here? What cultural, philosophical, and ethical challenges underlie the separation of humanity from nature and precip...
BIO186 Archaeobotany Archaeobotany, also known as paleoethnobotany, is the study of the interrelationships of plants and humans through the archaeological record. Knowledge and understanding of Archaeobotany sufficient to interpret, evaluate, and understand archaeobotani...
BIO187 Mathematical Population Biology Mathematical models in population biology, in biological areas including demography, ecology, epidemiology, evolution, and genetics. Mathematical approaches include techniques in areas such as combinatorics, differential equations, dynamical systems,...
BIO188 Systems Biology: Principles of Cell Signaling The systems biology set of courses aims to give students an overview of how cells process information to build and replicate themselves as well as respond to extracellular signals and environmental changes. The techniques used and discussed in detail...
BIO189 Emergent and Re-Emergent Viruses as a Global Threat to Human Health The goal of the course "Emergent and re-emergent viruses as a global threat to human health"is to provide a holistic vision and a background on the biology, natural history and spread of emerging viruses with emphasis on arboviruses, including the ge...
BIO18S Biotechnology This course focuses on key biotechnological advances, with an eye towards understanding how such advances allow scientists to unravel the causes of various diseases and come up with new therapeutics for those diseases. The course will discuss the sci...
BIO193 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Human Health Research For undergraduate students participating in the Stanford ChEM-H Undergraduate Scholars Program. This course will expose students to interdisciplinary research questions and approaches that span chemistry, engineering, biology, and medicine. Focus is...
BIO196A Biology Senior Reflection Capstone course series for seniors. Creative, self-reflective and scientifically relevant projects conceived, produced and exhibited over the course of three quarters. Explore scientific content of personal interest through creative forms including b...
BIO196B Biology Senior Reflection Capstone course series for seniors. Creative, self-reflective and scientifically relevant projects conceived, produced and exhibited over the course of three quarters. Explore scientific content of personal interest through creative forms including b...
BIO196C Biology Senior Reflection Capstone course series for seniors. Creative, self-reflective and scientifically relevant projects conceived, produced and exhibited over the course of three quarters. Explore scientific content of personal interest through creative forms including b...
BIO197 Ethics in the Anthropocene Today, in the Anthropocene, humankind impacts the environment on a massive scale, with severe outcomes for species, ecosystems, and landscapes. The consequences of this impact raise many ethical questions, with new dilemmas forcing us to consider new...
BIO198 Directed Reading in Biology Individually arranged under the supervision of members of the faculty.
BIO198X Out-of-Department Directed Reading Individually arranged under the supervision of members of the faculty. Credit for work arranged with out-of-department faculty is restricted to Biology majors and requires department approval. See https://biology.stanford.edu/academics/undergraduate-...
BIO199 Undergraduate Research Individual research taken by arrangement with in-department instructors. See http://biohonors.stanford.edu for information on research sponsors, units, and credit for summer research. May be repeated for credit.
BIO199W Senior Honors Thesis: How to Effectively Write About Scientific Research The goal of this class is to train students in effective scientific communication. It is designed to serve students working on their senior honors research to help facilitate the completion of their honors thesis. Topics covered will include elevator...
BIO199X Out-of-Department Undergraduate Research Individual research by arrangement with out-of-department instructors. Credit for 199X is restricted to declared Biology majors and requires department approval. See https://biology.stanford.edu/academics/undergraduate-research/research for informati...
BIO201 Techniques in Environmental Microbiology Fundamentals and application of laboratory techniques to study the diversity and activity of microorganisms in environmental samples, including soil, sediment, and water. Emphasis is on culture-independent approaches, including epifluorescence micros...
BIO202 Ecological Statistics Intended for graduate students (and advanced undergraduates in special circumstances with consent of instructors) in biology and related environmental sciences, this course is an introduction to statistical methods for ecological data analysis, using...
BIO203 Human and Planetary Health Two of the biggest challenges humanity has to face - promoting human health and halting environmental degradation - are strongly linked. The emerging field of Planetary Health recognizes these inter-linkages and promotes creative, interdisciplinary...
BIO204 Neuroplasticity: From Synapses to Behavior This course will focus on neuroplasticity from a broad perspective, from molecular cellular mechanism to its involvement in behavior and diseases. Emphasis will be on: a) molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying various forms of neuroplasticity;...
BIO205 Microbes and Climate Microorganisms drive the cycling of carbon, oxygen, and other nutrients in the earth system. This means that microbes both impact and are impacted by changes in climate. In this reading course, participants will read and present a combination of clas...
BIO208 Spanish in Science/Science in Spanish For graduate and undergraduate students interested in the natural sciences and the Spanish language. Students will acquire the ability to communicate in Spanish using scientific language and will enhance their ability to read scientific literature wr...
BIO210 The Chromatin-Regulated Genome Maintenance of the genome is a prerequisite for life. In eukaryotes, all DNA-templated processes are tightly connected to chromatin structure and function. This course will explore epigenetic and chromatin regulation of cellular processes related t...
BIO211 Proteostasis: From Basic Principles to Aging and Neurodegeneration The control of cellular protein homeostasis, also called Proteostasis, is emerging as the central cellular process controlling the stability, function and quality control of the proteome and central to our understanding of a vast range of diseases. T...
BIO212 Modern Coexistence Theory Discuss papers that explain the theory and application of the CET. A list of papers will be distributed.
BIO214 Advanced Cell Biology For Ph.D. students. Taught from the current literature on cell structure, function, and dynamics. Topics include complex cell phenomena such as cell division, apoptosis, signaling, compartmentalization, transport and trafficking, motility and adhesio...
BIO220 Integrative and Experimental Microbiology To survive, grow, and reproduce, organisms coordinate different molecular processes so they can use available resources and cope with environmental conditions. This laboratory course explores molecular and cellular integration in bacteria. Experiment...
BIO221 Ornithology Advanced undergraduate survey of ornithology, introducing students to the biology of birds and giving them to tools to use birds as model systems for research. Topics will include avian evolution, physiology, adaptations, behavior, and ecology. Focus...
BIO222 Exploring Neural Circuits Seminar. This course focuses on the logic of how neural circuits process information and control behavior, as well as how neural circuits are assembled during development and modified by experience. Emphasis is on primary literature. Topics include:...
BIO224 Plant Ecology & Evolution in Arid Climates Understanding responses of plants to climate change is paramount to protect our ecosystems. In this course, we will review classical work on fundamental concepts of plant biology and evolutionary ecology in arid climates. We will study plant biodiver...
BIO226 Introduction to Biophysics Core course appropriate for advanced undergraduate students and graduate students with prior knowledge of calculus and a college physics course. Introduction to how physical principles offer insights into modern biology, with regard to the structural...
BIO227 Foundations of Community Ecology Discussion of classic papers in community ecology (Forbes, Clements, Gleason, Grinnell, Lindeman, Preston, Elton, Hutchinson, May, MacArthur, Odum, Connell, Paine, Tilman, etc.) and contemporary papers on related topics, to develop historical perspec...
BIO228 Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems The what, when, where, and how do we know it regarding life on land through time. Fossil plants, fungi, invertebrates, and vertebrates (yes, dinosaurs) are all covered, including how all of those components interact with each other and with changing...
BIO229 Fundamentals and Frontiers in Plant Biology This course will serve as a primer for all levels of graduate, co-term, and upper-level undergraduates interested in learning about the fundamental aspects of plant biology, the latest advances in tools, techniques, and theories that link basic scien...
BIO230 Cellular and Molecular Immunology: An Introductory Course Mechanisms of immune responses in health and disease. Innate and adaptive immunity; development of the immune system; molecular biology, structure, and function of antibodies and T-cell receptors; cellular basis and regulation of immune responses; in...
BIO231 Structural Equation Modeling for Ecologists We will focus on learning to use structural equation modeling (SEM) as a technique for ecological inference. Class will include short lectures, paper discussions, and SEM coding workshops in R. IMPORTANT NOTE: class meets in Gilbert 115.
BIO232 Advanced Imaging Lab in Biophysics Laboratory and lectures. Advanced microscopy and imaging, emphasizing hands-on experience with state-of-the-art techniques. Students construct and operate working apparatus. Topics include microscope optics, Koehler illumination, contrast-generating...
BIO233 Genetics, Development and Evolution of Pigmentation Genetics, development and evolution of pigmentation.
BIO234 Conservation Biology: A Latin American Perspective Principles and application of the science of preserving biological diversity. Conceptually, this course is designed to explore the major components relevant to the conservation of biodiversity, as exemplified by the Latin American region. The concept...
BIO236 Macroevolution The course will focus on the macroevolution of animals. We will be exploring how paleobiology and developmental biology/genomics have contributed to our understanding of the origins of animals, and how patterns of evolution and extinction have shap...
BIO237 The Sixth Extinction (and the Other Five) Are we living through Earth's sixth major mass extinction event? The course will address the causes and consequences of extinction. It will review current understanding of background and mass extinction in the fossil record, including aclose examinat...
BIO239 The Hidden Kingdom - Evolution, Ecology and Diversity of Fungi Fungi are critical, yet often hidden, components of the biosphere. They regulate decomposition, are primary partners in plant symbiosis and strongly impact agriculture and economics. Students will explore the fascinating world of fungal biology, ecol...
BIO240 Ecosystem Ecology and Biogeochemistry An introduction to ecosystem ecology and terrestrial biogeochemistry. This course will focus on the dynamics of carbon and other biologically essential elements in the Earth System, on spatial scales from local to global. Prerequisites: Biology 117,...
BIO243 Quantitative methods for marine ecology and conservation NOTE: This course will be taught in-person on main campus, in hybrid format with Zoom options. The goal of this course is to learn the foundations of ecological modeling with a specific (but not exclusive) focus on marine conservation and sustainable...
BIO244 Fundamentals of Molecular Evolution The inference of key molecular evolutionary processes from DNA and protein sequences. Topics include random genetic drift, coalescent models, effects and tests of natural selection, combined effects of linkage and natural selection, codon bias and ge...
BIO245 Animal Behavior Animal behavior with an emphasis on social and collective behavior. How do animals interact with each other and the rest of the world around them? This is a project-based course in a seminar format, including class discussion of journal articles, and...
BIO247 Genomic approaches to the study of human disease This course will cover a range of genetic and genomic approaches to studying human phenotypic variation and disease. We will discuss the genetic basis of Mendelian and complex diseases, as well as clinical applications including prenatal testing, an...
BIO249 The Neurobiology of Sleep The neurochemistry and neurophysiology of changes in brain activity and conscious awareness are associated with changes in the sleep/wake state. Behavioral and neurobiological phenomena include sleep regulation, sleep homeostasis, circadian rhythms,...
BIO251 Quantitative Evolutionary Dynamics and Genomics The genomics revolution has fueled a renewed push to model evolutionary processes in quantitative terms. This course will provide an introduction to quantitative evolutionary modeling through the lens of statistical physics. Topics will range from th...
BIO254 Principles of Neurobiology For graduate students. Includes lectures with BIO 154 and additional paper discussion sections. Principles and mechanisms in the organization and functions of the nervous system. Topics: neuronal communication, sensory and motor systems, innate beh...
BIO255 Cell and Developmental Biology of Plants In this course we will learn how plants are built at different organizational scales from the cell, tissue, organ and organ system level. We will also learn about the experimental methods used to study plants at these different organizational levels...
BIO258 Developmental Neurobiology For advanced undergraduates and coterminal students. The principles of nervous system development from the molecular control of patterning, cell-cell interactions, and trophic factors to the level of neural systems and the role of experience in influ...
BIO25Q Cystic fibrosis: from medical conundrum to precision medicine success story The class will explore cystic fibrosis (CF), the most prevalent fatal genetic disease in the US, as a scientific and medical whodunit. Through reading and discussion of medical and scientific literature, we will tackle questions that include: how was...
BIO265 Quantitative Cell Biology - from Molecules to Evolution Modern research approaches of quantitative biology tightly integrate experimentation with data analysis and mathematical modeling to provide unprecedented insights into the organization and functioning of living systems. This course explores the quan...
BIO266 Historical Ecology at Hopkins Marine Station NOTE: This course will be taught on main campus as a hybrid in-person and virtual course, with a field trip to Hopkins Marine Station as the primary component.This course is an exploration of the rich intertidal flora and fauna at Hopkins Marine Stat...
BIO267 Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Disease The epidemic of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease occasioned by an aging human population. Genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms. Clinical aspects through case presentations.This class is open to both gradu...
BIO268 Statistical and Machine Learning Methods for Genomics Introduction to statistical and computational methods for genomics. Sample topics include: expectation maximization, hidden Markov model, Markov chain Monte Carlo, ensemble learning, probabilistic graphical models, kernel methods and other modern mac...
BIO269 Comparative Single-cell Genomics in the Ocean The goal of the course is to provide students with hands-on experience in applying single-cell sequencing technology to examine marine animals with cellular resolution, both at the bench and on computers. Throughout the course, students learn how to...
BIO273A Environmental Microbiology I Basics of microbiology and biochemistry. The biochemical and biophysical principles of biochemical reactions, energetics, and mechanisms of energy conservation. Diversity of microbial catabolism, flow of organic matter in nature: the carbon cycle, an...
BIO273B Microbial Bioenergy Systems Introduction to microbial metabolic pathways and to the pathway logic with a special focus on microbial bioenergy systems. The first part of the course emphasizes the metabolic and biochemical principles of pathways, whereas the second part is more...
BIO274S Hopkins Microbiology Course (Formerly GES 274S.) Four-week, intensive. The interplay between molecular, physiological, ecological, evolutionary, and geochemical processes that constitute, cause, and maintain microbial diversity. How to isolate key microorganisms driving marine...
BIO276 The Developmental Basis of Animal Body Plan Evolution Animals are grouped into phyla with defined organizational characteristics such as multicellularity, axis organization, and nervous system organization, as well as morphological novelties such as eyes, limbs and segments. This course explores the dev...
BIO277 Plant Microbe Interaction Molecular basis of plant symbiosis and pathogenesis. Topics include mechanisms of recognition and signaling between microbes and plant hosts, with examples such as the role of small molecules, secreted peptides, and signal transduction pathways in s...
BIO278 Microbiology Literature For advanced undergraduates and first-year graduate students. Critical reading of research literature in prokaryotic genetics and molecular biology. Classic and foundational papers in pathogenesis, bacterial and phage genetics, and molecular biology;...
BIO279 Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs This course explores the science of valuing nature, through two interwoven pathways. One is biophysical, focused on human dependence and impacts on Earths life-support systems. If well managed, lands, waters, and biodiversity yield a flow of vital be...
BIO27S Evolution: From DNA to Dinosaurs This course centers on the fundamental idea of evolution, which impacts fields as disparate as genetics to paleontology. You will learn about the history of evolutionary thought, including Darwin¿s idea of evolution by natural selection, and explore...
BIO282 Modeling Cultural Evolution Seminar. Quantitative models for the evolution of socially transmitted traits. Rates of change of learned traits in populations and patterns of cultural diversity as a function of innovation and cultural transmission. Learning in constant and changin...
BIO283 Theoretical Population Genetics Models in population genetics and evolution. Selection, random drift, gene linkage, migration, and inbreeding, and their influence on the evolution of gene frequencies and chromosome structure. Models are related to DNA sequence evolution. Prerequisi...
BIO286 Archaeobotany Archaeobotany, also known as paleoethnobotany, is the study of the interrelationships of plants and humans through the archaeological record. Knowledge and understanding of Archaeobotany sufficient to interpret, evaluate, and understand archaeobotani...
BIO287A Advanced Topics in Mathematical Evolutionary Biology Focused examination of specific topics in mathematical evolutionary biology. Course themes may include: mathematical properties of statistics used in human population genetics, mathematics of evolutionary trees, and the intersection of population gen...
BIO288 Systems Biology: Principles of Cell Signaling The systems biology set of courses aims to give students an overview of how cells process information to build and replicate themselves as well as respond to extracellular signals and environmental changes. The techniques used and discussed in detail...
BIO289 Emergent and Re-Emergent Viruses as a Global Threat to Human Health The goal of the course "Emergent and re-emergent viruses as a global threat to human health"is to provide a holistic vision and a background on the biology, natural history and spread of emerging viruses with emphasis on arboviruses, including the ge...
BIO28S Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology This course covers the fundamentals of molecular genetics, including principles of how genes work, how gene expression is regulated in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and how signals are passed from cells to cells that are far away. We will also exp...
BIO290 Teaching Practicum in Biology Open to upper-division undergraduates and graduate students. Practical, supervised teaching experience in a biology lab or lecture course. Training often includes attending lectures, initiating and planning discussion sections, and assisting in the...
BIO291 Development and Teaching of Core Experimental Laboratories Development and Teaching of Core Experimental LaboratoriesPreparation for teaching the core experimental lab courses (45 and 47). Emphasis is on practicing the lab, speaking, and writing skills. Taken simultaneously while teaching (for BIO 45) or dur...
BIO292 Curricular Practical Training This course is required for international students who are participating in professional internships in organizations (e.g. research institutes, education, medicine, business, policy) with a focus in the biological sciences. Students will be engaged...
BIO294 Cellular Biophysics Physical biology of dynamical and mechanical processes in cells. Emphasis is on qualitative understanding of biological functions through quantitative analysis and simple mathematical models. Sensory transduction, signaling, adaptation, switches, mol...
BIO296 Teaching and Learning in Biology This course provides students teaching in the Department of Biology with basic training, support, and professional development in their teaching roles. Topics include student engagement, assessment, feedback and more. Should be taken concurrently wit...
BIO299 Biology PhD Lab Rotation Limited to first year Biology PhD students. Lab rotations with Biosciences faculty.
BIO2N Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease in a Changing World This seminar will explore the ways in which anthropogenic change, climate change, habitat destruction, land use change, and species invasions effects the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases. Topics will include infectious diseases of humans,...
BIO30 Ecology for Everyone Ecology is the science of interactions and the changes they generate. This project-based course links individual behavior, population growth, species interactions, and ecosystem function. Introduction to measurement, observation, experimental design...
BIO300 Graduate Research For graduate students only. Individual research by arrangement with in-department instructors.
BIO300X Out-of-Department Graduate Research Individual research by arrangement with out-of-department instructors. Master's students: credit for work arranged with out-of-department instructors is restricted to Biology students and requires approved department petition. See http://biohonors.st...
BIO301 Frontiers in Biology Limited to and required of first-year Ph.D. students in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. Current research in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology emphasizing primary research literature. Held in conjunction with the departmen...
BIO302 Current Topics and Concepts in Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Required of first-year PhD students in population biology, and ecology and evolution. Major conceptual issues and developing topics. This course is open only to Biology PhD students and is not open to auditors."
BIO303 Current Topics and Concepts in Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Required of first-year PhD students in population biology, and ecology and evolution. Major conceptual issues and developing topics. This course isopen only to Biology PhD students and is not open to auditors."
BIO304 Current Topics and Concepts in Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Required of first-year PhD students in population biology, and ecology and evolution. Major conceptual issues and developing topics. This course is open only to Biology PhD students and is not open to auditors.
BIO305 Managing Your PhD The course will focus on 5 themes for effectively managing your PhD: professionalism, scholarship, well-being, community-engagement and career development. We will meet every other week and have an active discussion-based class meeting for 2 hours....
BIO310 Current Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology Required of Cell, Molecular, and Organismal Biology (CMOB) students in their first year of PhD graduate training. This seminar course includes informal presentations of current research projects and results by faculty in the CMOB program.
BIO312 Responsible Conduct in Cellular and Molecular Biology Required of PhD graduate students in the Cell, Molecular, and Organismal Biology training program. Selected faculty will lead discussion of topics related to responsible conduct of research and ethics, such as conflict of interest, authorship, collab...
BIO313 Ethics in the Anthropocene Today, in the Anthropocene, humankind impacts the environment on a massive scale, with severe outcomes for species, ecosystems, and landscapes. The consequences of this impact raise many ethical questions, with new dilemmas forcing us to consider new...
BIO315 Skills to Survive and Thrive in Graduate School and Beyond How you respond to the challenges commonly encountered in graduate school and ensuing careers impacts your motivation, productivity, health, and well-being. In this course you will learn: to recognize and rephrase negative self-talk and impostor fear...
BIO32S Introduction to Biotechnology: Detecting and Treating Disease This course will examine the basic concepts of biotechnology and the instrumentation and techniques used in the manipulation of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Students will learn how biotechnology's tools and techniques are being used to help identify...
BIO332 Evolutionary Genomics We will read classic and modern papers relevant to evolutionary genomics, and discuss. We will cover a broad range of topics, methods, and species.
BIO342 Plant Biology Seminar Topics in plant biology presented at a weekly seminar. Topics announced at the beginning of each quarter. Current literature. May be repeated for credit. See https://dpb.carnegiescience.edu/events.
BIO346 Advanced Seminar in Microbial Molecular Biology Enrollment limited to PhD students associated with departmental research groups in genetics or molecular biology.
BIO35 Sustainability and Civilization Our civilization faces multiple sustainability challenges. Climate change often dominates public conversation, but in fact, a whole range of environmental, economic, political, and cultural trends threaten the structures that sustain the societies we...
BIO35N Catching up with Traditional Ecological Knowledge Traditional ecological knowledge - the knowledge developed and maintained by local communities over many generations about their natural environment - is increasingly appreciated as fundamental to solving environmental problems. In this seminar, we w...
BIO380 Career Exploration and Planning Thinking about and planning for life beyond graduate school is one of the most anxiety-provoking activities students face. In this course, students will share their personal stories and dilemmas about career decisions, discuss various career options...
BIO383 Seminar in Population Genetics Literature review, research, and current problems in the theory and practice of population genetics and molecular evolution. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
BIO386 Conservation and Population Genomics This once a week reading and discussion group will focus on adaptive capacity: how fast and how well species, populations and individual organisms react to climate change. A rapid change in environment imposes strong changes in ecological communities...
BIO388 Seminar in Computational, Evolutionary, and Human Genomics Seminars and discussions on current topics in computational, evolutionary, and human genomics.
BIO3N Views of a Changing Sea: Literature & Science The state of a changing world ocean, particularly in the eastern Pacific, will be examined through historical and contemporary fiction, non-fiction and scientific publications. Issues will include harvest and mariculture fisheries, land-sea interacti...
BIO43 Introduction to Laboratory Research in Neuronal Cell Biology This course provides an authentic research experience where you will study the consequences of disease-related mutations in a neuronal kinesin (KIF1A). You will evaluate scientific arguments; make discoveries by generating, testing, and revising hypo...
BIO45 Introduction to Laboratory Research in Cell and Molecular Biology Use modern molecular approaches to characterize a particular tumor-associated mutation in the human p53 tumor suppressor gene via expression and analysis in a yeast model system. Learn about the role of p53 as Guardian of the Genome and consider nove...
BIO46 Introduction to Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of how to conduct biological research, using topics in Ecology as practical examples. This includes the complete scientific process: assessing background literature, generating testable hypothese...
BIO47 Introduction to Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of how to conduct biological research, using a topic in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Plant Biology as a practical example. This includes the complete scientific process: assessing backgroun...
BIO4N The Science and Ethics of Personalized Genomic Medicine We will explore the exciting field of personalized genomic medicine. Personalized medicine is based on the idea that each person's unique genome sequence can be used to predict their risk of developing diseases, and could perhaps even be edited using...
BIO50S Introduction to Cancer Biology This course will examine the biological processes that are disrupted in cancer, such as DNA repair, cell cycle control and signaling pathways. Students will learn the molecular mechanisms by which tumors gain and maintain a growth advantage and of po...
BIO52 I, Scientist: Diversity Improves the Scientific Practice Disciplinary priorities, research agendas, and innovations are determined by the diversity of participants and problem-solving is more successful with a broad range of approaches. Using case studies in scientific research, we propose to use these ins...
BIO53 Conservation Photography Introduction to the field of conservation photography and the strategic use of visual communication in addressing issues concerning the environment and conservation. Students will be introduced to basic digital photography, digital image processing,...
BIO5N Ants Collective behavior, widespread in nature, operates without central control, using interactions among the participants. Ant colonies provide great opportunities to learn about collective behavior. Colonies consist of one or more reproductive females,...
BIO63 Science of Covid-19 This course is designed to help you solidify fundamental biology concepts and to appreciate their relevance to solving real world problems using Covid-19 as a case study. From the time we learned about the outbreak of a "pneumonia of unknown cause,"...
BIO6N Ocean Conservation: Pathways to Solutions We will learn how to design pathways to solutions by integrating social sciences and governance into our case studies. We will address both conventional (fisheries management, reducing the impacts of global shipping, marine protected areas) and emerg...
BIO71 Planet Ocean Oceans make up the majority of our planet's area and living spaces and are fundamental to biodiversity, climate, food and commerce.This course covers integration of the oceanography and marine biology of diverse ocean habitats such as the deep sea, c...
BIO74 Sustainability in Marine Organisms: Learning from the Evolutionary Survivors While climate change has impacted life at land and sea, it's impossible to know exactly how fast species will adapt to warmer and more acidic sea water, and which species will survive into the future. In this course we will explore ancient marine org...
BIO7N Conservation Photography Introduction to the field of conservation photography and the strategic use of visual communication in addressing issues concerning the environment and conservation. Students will be introduced to basic digital photography, digital image processing,...
BIO802 TGR Dissertation No Description Set
BIO81 Introduction to Ecology This course will introduce you to the first principles of the science of ecology, the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. Preliminary syllabus will be posted by Sep 1st on Stanford Syllabus. If you are on the waitlist, we w...
BIO82 Genetics The focus of the course is on the basic mechanisms underlying the transmission of genetic information and on the use of genetic analysis to study biological and medical questions. Major topics will include: (1) the use of existing genetic variation i...
BIO83 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Introduction to the molecular and biochemical basis of life. Lecture topics include the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates, energy metabolism, signal transduction, epigenetics and DNA repair. The course will a...
BIO84 Physiology The focus of Physiology is on understanding how organisms tackle the physical challenges of life on Earth. This course will provide an overview of animal and plant physiology and teach an understanding of how organisms maintain homeostasis, respond t...
BIO85 Evolution Understanding evolution is key to understanding the diversity of life on earth. We will be focusing on the fundamental principles of evolutionary biology from natural and sexual selection to the formation of new species. To understand these concepts...
BIO86 Cell Biology This course will focus on the basic structures inside cells and how they execute cellular functions. Topics include organelles, membrane trafficking, the cytoskeleton, cell division, and signal transduction. Classic and recent primary literature will...
BIO8N Human Origins A survey of the anatomical and behavioral evidence for human evolution and of the increasingly important information from molecular genetics. Emphasis on the split between the human and chimpanzee lines 6-7 million years ago, the appearance of the au...
BIO8S Introduction to Human Physiology Normal functioning and pathophysiology of major organ systems: nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, digestive, and endocrine. Additional topics include integrative physiology, clinical case studies, and applications in genomics-based personal...
BIO9N Chilis: Biology, History, Travels, Cuisine Chili peppers are used worldwide. They are grown in astonishing variety even though they are used most often to flavor food. Yet the first chile peppers evolved in what Europeans call the New World (Central and South America). How do we know chilis c...
SOC103 Human and Planetary Health Two of the biggest challenges humanity has to face - promoting human health and halting environmental degradation - are strongly linked. The emerging field of Planetary Health recognizes these inter-linkages and promotes creative, interdisciplinary...