BSc in Cell and Molecular Biology

The course credit hours are designated as (lecture hours/week – lab hours/week – total credit hours). For example (3-3-4) would mean 3 hours/week lectures, 3 hours/week lab, with a total course credit of 4 CH.

BIOLOGY COURSES

BIOL 111 General Biology I (3-0-3)

This course covers the biological principles that apply to life, with emphasis on the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Topics include cell structure, energy and metabolism, genetics and molecular biology, including mitosis, meiosis, regulation of gene expression and genomics. This course serves as a foundation for more advanced and complex concepts that students will learn in their advanced biology courses.

BIOL 112 General Biology II (3-3-4)

Prerequisite: BIOL 111

This course covers broad topics including evolution and taxonomy of protists, fungi, plants, and animals. It provides fundamental information about evolutionary relationships between different species using taxonomy and phylogenetic trees, as well as an explanation of the major plant and animal anatomical structures and their physiological functions. Finally, the course presents an overview of the ecology and interactions between populations and ecosystems.

BIOL 211 General Genetics (3-3-4)

Prerequisite: BIOL 111

This course introduces fundamental concepts of Mendelian and molecular genetics such as functions of genetic material, mechanisms of inheritance, and genetic mutations. Additionally, the course discusses epigenetic modifications and their relationship to chromatin states. Finally, the course discusses population genetics and the factors behind genetic variation within populations. In addition to theoretical knowledge, case studies from the medical literature are introduced so students can link theory and practice.

BIOL 221 Applied Microbiology (3-3-4)

Prerequisite: BIOL 111

The course covers the basic biology, structure, function, ecology and evolution of bacteria and viruses. The course covers principles related to microbial growth, metabolism, genetics and the scientific methods used in microbiology, and key discoveries such as pasteurization, vaccination and antibiotic treatment. The course introduces emerging microbiological issues, such as drug resistance and how the gut microbiome impacts human health.

BIOL 301 Cell Biology (3-0-3)

Prerequisite: BIOL 112 AND CHEM 311

This course focuses on the biology of the cell in terms of structure and function and the functional interaction of the cell with its microenvironment. Topics include the extracellular matrix, cell migration, intracellular compartmentalization, protein modifications and transport and signal transduction pathways. The course also covers different cell death processes specifically apoptosis and autophagy. Stem cells technology and its ethical issues are also covered in this course.

BIOL 312 Biochemistry II (3-0-3)

Prerequisite: CHEM 311

In this course, students apply their basic knowledge of Biochemistry to specific metabolic reactions and certain physiologically important biomolecules. The course covers regulation of carbohydrates (including gluconeogenesis) and fatty acids (including fatty acid catabolism, and ketone bodies). The course also deals with photosynthesis, metabolism of nitrogen, and biochemical cellular signaling.

BIOL 331 Physiology (2-3-3)

Prerequisite: BIOL 301

This course provides the basic physiological principles and the functional organization of living systems. Basic cell biology is reviewed and related to the physiology of the body. Students also learn about organ systems (including the endocrine, nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, urinary, respiratory and digestive systems) in terms of their physiology and how these systems integrate and work together to help maintain homeostasis.

BIOL 335 Developmental Biology (2-3-3)

Prerequisite: BIOL 301

The course provides an overview of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control the development of organisms. The emphasis of the course is on connecting specific genetic pathways to developmental traits, and identifying the genes and proteins involved in cell-cell signaling, cell differentiation, morphogenesis and growth. The focuses on animal development using invertebrate and vertebrate model systems, and will cover the use of stem cells in medical treatment.

BIOL 411 Immunology (3-0-3)

Prerequisite: BIOL 221 AND BIOL 301

This course is an introductory course in mammalian immunology, with a focus on humans and human diseases. It describes how the immune system protects the body from foreign agents. The molecular and cellular basis of innate and acquired immunity and how the two systems interact with specific foreign agents are covered. Finally, applications of immunology, such as vaccine design, immune based therapeutics, and organ transplantation are also discussed.

BIOL 431 Bioinformatics (2-3-3)

Prerequisite: BIOL 312 OR BMED 342

This course introduces future life scientists to bioinformatics, tools and analysis methods. Fundamental and current topics in bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, as well as epigenomics are highlighted. Students are exposed to the R software and other basic bioinformatic tools. Finally, the course also introduces students to current issues of bioethics, especially with regards to omics data and individual privacy.

BIOL 399 Internship (0-0-1)

Prerequisite: GENS 400 and minimum of 70 credits earned by the end of the preceding semester, including at least 24 credits in core major courses.

The internship provides students with practical, on-the-job experience which allows them to integrate theory with “real world” situations. It is academically supervised by a faculty member and professionally supervised by the company’s designated internship supervisor who provides feedback to the university about the student’s progress. The duration of the internship is a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks, and is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

BIOL 497: Senior Research Project I (0-0-3)

BIOL 498: Senior Research Project II (0-0-3)

Prerequisite: Senior Standing, or departmental approval

Over the course of two semesters, students work closely in small teams with a faculty member to address a significant and complex question at the boundary of knowledge in Cell and Molecular Biology. The team combines and applies a broad range of theoretical and practical research techniques to the question and exercises advanced critical thinking and evaluation. The team is guided through the whole research process – from hypothesis generation to data acquisition, analysis and conclusion – and is encouraged to produce professional-standard reports and presentations.

NON-BIOLOGY COURSES

BMED 341 Molecular Cell Biology (3-3-4)

Prerequisite: BIOL 211 OR BMED 212

Co-requisite: CHEM 221 or CHEM 211

This course provides students with fundamental understanding of current topics and techniques in molecular biology, while developing skills in critical thinking and written expression/communication. The goal of this course is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the basic fundamental concepts of molecular biology. This will be achieved both from the perspective of established molecular mechanisms for regulating the fundamental processes of a cell, as well as from a technical laboratory-based applied perspective for using molecular biology as an experimental tool. The course should also fulfill the partial coverage of biology category in MCAT examination for MD program application.

BMED 342 Molecular Genetics, Technologies and Tools (3-3-4)

Prerequisite: BMED 341

The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of genetics (from the work of Mendel to the current use of molecular techniques), and to emphasize the understanding of genes in the context of cells, tissues and systems. Topics covered throughout the course will include the fundamentals of genetics, epidemiology in the context of population genetics, genome technologies, genome sequencing, emerging novel technologies in genomics and analysis tools, the roles of genetics in the etiology, pathophysiology, treatment of disease, as well as interpretation of and application of research data.

MATH 252 Introduction to Applied Statistics (3-0-3)

Prerequisite: MATH 112

This course introduces students to basic probability and statistical methods. It covers descriptive statistics, random variables, and basic discrete and continuous distributions. Emphasis is placed on point and interval estimation, tests of hypotheses, and regression. Applications to biosciences and engineering are given throughout the course.

CHEM 116 General Chemistry II (3-3-4)

Prerequisite: CHEM 115

This is the second course in the General Chemistry series. Topical emphasis is placed on intermolecular forces, colligative properties of mixtures, chemical kinetics, acid-base equilibria, buffer systems, introductory acid-base titrations, solubility and complex equilibria, entropy and free energy, and basic topics on both organic and inorganic chemistry. The importance of chemistry for both nuclear and environmental sciences is introduced.

CHEM 211 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (3-3-4)

Prerequisite: CHEM 115

This course introduces students to the foundations of organic chemistry by focusing on the structures, properties and chemical reactivity of the different functional groups such as alkenes, aromatic compounds, alcohols, ethers, amines, and carbonyl compounds. It covers different aspects of isomerism and stereochemistry observed in organic compounds. Major organic reactions are analyzed through reaction mechanisms.

CHEM 241 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry (3-3-4)

Prerequisite: CHEM 116

This course introduces the principles and practices of analytical chemistry. It covers both qualitative and quantitative measurements of simple mixtures containing biologically relevant inorganic and organic substances. The theory and practice will cover topics on statistical data treatment and analysis, calibration methods, volumetric titrations, selected electroanalytical techniques, chromatographic separations, and sampling/sample preparation methods.

CHEM 311 Biochemistry (3-3-4)

Prerequisite: CHEM 211 or CHEM 221

This course provides a basic working knowledge of biochemical concepts and techniques. Emphasis is placed on major biochemical concepts and techniques alongside factors affecting the structure and function of important classes of biomolecules and biomacromolecules – from proteins and enzymes to lipids and carbohydrates. These theoretical concepts are reinforced by hands-on laboratory activities.

HUMA 140 Introduction to Psychology (3-0-3)

Prerequisite: ENGL 101

This course examines historical and current topics related to the mind and behavior with research methods and the scientific method as a foundation. Areas covered in this course include biology, development, memory, learning, social psychology, personality, psychological disorders, health psychology, and positive psychology.

HUMA 141 Introduction to Sociology (3-0-3)

Prerequisite: ENGL 102

This course will introduce students to, and allow the analysis of, the social and cultural forces governing human behaviour. The principal topics include: social interaction and organization, socialization processes, primary groups including the family, collective behavior, population and the relationship between social life and the environment.

HUMA 156 Human Behavior and Well-Being (3-0-3)

Prerequisite: None

This course develops an understanding of the influence of biological, psychological and sociological factors on human behavior. Real-world cases are explored such as health and social issues in different contexts, national policies, and healthcare systems. Students learn to apply selected behavioral and social science concepts in their consideration of specific problems related to health, society, and human behavior.

HUMA 295 Introduction to Logical Reasoning (3-0-3)

Prerequisite: ENGL 102

This course provides students with a solid introduction to logical thinking and critical analysis. Emphasis will be placed on arguments as basic units of thinking. By understanding the importance of the validity and soundness of reasoning, students will be able to identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments in scientific language and everyday discourse.