May 29, 2024  
2015-2016 Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

Lower Division Courses numbered 1–99 are designed primarily for freshmen and sophomores but are open to all students for lower division credit. (Graduate students requesting to enroll in lower-division undergraduate courses will not receive unit credit nor will the course fulfill degree requirements.) Upper Division Courses courses numbered 100–199 are open to all students who have met the necessary prerequisites as indicated in the catalog course description. Preparation should generally include completion of one lower division course in the given subject or completion of two years of college work.

GRADUATE COURSES

Courses numbered 200–299 are open to graduate students. (Undergraduate students must obtain the signature of the instructor, School Dean, and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Graduate level units will count towards the required 120 units for graduation; however students are urged to meet with their academic advisor in order to determine if graduate course units may be used to fulfill a graduation requirement.)

CROSS-LISTED/CONJOINED COURSES

Cross-listed Courses are the same course offered under different course subjects at the same level (either undergraduate or graduate) that share the same meeting time, requirements, units, etc. Conjoined Courses are the same course but one is undergraduate and one is graduate.

COREQUISITE COURSE

A corequisite course is a course that must be taken at the same time as another course.

PREREQUISITES

Prerequisites for courses should be followed carefully; the responsibility for meeting these requirements rests on the student. If you can demonstrate that your preparation is equivalent to that specified by the prerequisites, the instructor may waive these requirements for you. The instructor also may request that a student who has not completed the prerequisites be dropped from the course. If the prerequisite for a course is not satisfied, students must obtain the approval of the instructor (or school designee) of the course they wish to take.

For all undergraduate courses a “C-” or better grade is required for a course to be used as a prerequisite for another course. If a course was taken for a “P/NP” grade then a “P” grade is required.

For all graduate courses a “B” or better grade is required for a course to be used as a prerequisite for another course. If a course was taken for a “S/U” grade then a “S” grade is required.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

No credit is allowed for completing a less advanced course after successful completion (C-or better) of a more advanced course in the foreign languages. This applies only to lower division foreign language courses, not upper division courses. 

GRADING OPTIONS

Unless otherwise stated in the course description, each course is letter graded with a P/NP or S/U option (unless required for your major or graduate program). The policy regarding Grading Options , can be found in an alternate section of the catalog.

More information about Course Substitutions  and Course Materials and Services Fees  can be found in alternate areas of the catalog.

 

Quantitative and Systems Biology

  
  • QSB 249: Topics in the History, Philosophy, and Practice of Science


    [3 units]

    Explores special topics in the history, philosophy, and practice of science, such as the nature of interdisciplinary interactions, the concept of “paradigm shift”, relationships between politics and science, and the influence of new technologies. Does not fulfill the “third course requirement” of QSB degrees except by petition to QSB EPC.

    Normal Letter Grade only. Course may be repeated 3 times for credit. Cross-Listed with ES 249 .


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  • QSB 250: Embryos, Genes and Development


    [3 units]

    Principles of developmental biology as revealed through analysis of invertebrate and vertebrate system. Animal models are used to examine the molecular and cellular mechanisms that influence cell fate. Cell signaling is studied in the context of embryonic pattern formation and the development of body plans and organ systems. Read, discuss and critique current research papers relevant for the field.

    Prerequisite: QSB 290  and (BIO 110  or equivalent). Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. Conjoined with BIO 150 .


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  • QSB 251: Advanced Molecular Immunology


    [3 units]

    A comprehensive introduction to advanced principles of immunology. Topics include innate immune defense, immunoglobulin gene rearrangements, antigen presentation, lymphocyte trafficking, regulation of lymphocyte development, lymphocyte activation and effector functions, dendritic cell biology, immune response to infection and diseases of the immune system. Sessions will consist of lectures, student presentations and discussion of seminal and current research articles.


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  • QSB 252: Cancer Genetics and Tumor Biology


    [3 units]

    Topics include viral and hormonal carcinogenesis, molecular aberrations in cancer, tumor development, epigenetic and cancer, tumor immunology, oncogenes.

    Open only to major(s): Quantitative & Systems Biology. Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • QSB 253: Evolution and Development


    [3 units]

    Compare and contrast the developmental cues of a variety of animals and emphasizes how conserved developmental pathways have been manipulated through evolutionary processes to produce different physical features. The effects of regulatory region mutations, gene duplication, and genetic co-opting will be investigated.

    Permission of instructor required. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. Conjoined with BIO 153 .


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  • QSB 261: Human Physiology


    [3 units]

    Understanding the mechanisms underlying function of major human organs. Emphasis includes neural transmission and action potential, cardiovascular, renal and gastrointestinal physiology, metabolism, and endocrinology. Laboratory experiments demonstrating and reinforcing topics covered in lecture with an emphasis on scientific method. Discussion section critically reads and evaluates papers in physiology and provide an opportunity for the students to practice presenting scientific data to an audience.

    Permission of instructor required. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion, Laboratory included. Conjoined with BIO 161 .


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  • QSB 270: Academic Writing in Graduate Studies


    [3 units]

    Designed to increase the writing proficiency of graduate students, with a focus on strategies for reading critically, organizing and developing thoughts, choosing appropriate vocabulary, and generating and revising writing in a given scientific field. Topics address scientific disciplines. Projects may include writing abstracts, research reports, literature reviews, posters, and grant proposals.

    Open only to major(s): Applied Mathematics, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Physics, Quantitative and Systems Biology. Cross-Listed with CHEM 270 , MATH 270 , PHYS 270 .


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  • QSB 271: Advanced Neurobiology: Brain Dysfunction and Neurodegenerative Diseases


    [3 units]

    In-depth cellular, molecular and genetic based mechanisms of brain dysfunctions by drug abuse, altered neuronal activities, and neurodegenerative diseases. Fundamental neurobiology of the central nervous system, pharmacology/toxicology, biochemistry, anatomy and genetics of the brain will be covered.


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  • QSB 280: Advanced Mathematical Biology


    [3 units]

    Graduate level mathematical modeling and data analysis skills for life science researchers taught through hands-on computational laboratories. Topics include population models, predator-prey and competition systems, epidemic models with applications to sexually transmitted diseases, dynamic diseases, enzyme kinetics, biological oscillators, and switches.

    Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. Conjoined with BIO 180 .


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  • QSB 281: Molecular Dynamics and Biomolecular Simulation


    [4 units]

    Uses lectures and laboratory exercises to teach the practice of biomolecular modeling. Topics include classical molecular dynamics, molecular mechanics and visualization. The laboratories involve simulations of systems including water, DNA and proteins. The course includes two projects for the students to apply molecular simulation to their graduate research.

    Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion, Laboratory included. Cross-Listed with CHEM 281 . Conjoined with BIO 181 , CHEM 181 .


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  • QSB 282: Bioinformatics


    [5 units]

    Graduate level introduction to tools, algorithms, statistics, and databases used in bioinformatics, emphasizing an open-source, command-line toolbox approach. Topics covered as in BIO 182 , plus critical assessment of bioinformatics literature, introduction to Perl, and an independent research project. Mandatory computer laboratory, for which prior programming experience is helpful but not assumed.

    Discussion, Laboratory included.


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  • QSB 283: Population Genetics


    [3 units]

    The various factors that affect gene flow and frequency within a population. Theories of selection, neutrality, drift, hitchhiking, recombination, mutation, isolation, in-breeding, and selfish genetic elements are taught along with statistical tests and experimental methods for detecting these forces.

    Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. Conjoined with BIO 183 .


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  • QSB 289: Research Forums in Quantitative and Systems Biology


    [3 units]

    Research forums involve cooperative discussions about literature and research led by at least two faculty preferably from different disciplines, giving graduate students practice in engaging in scientific communication, scholarship, interdisciplinary research exchange and identification of open research problems. In a typical week, about one half of contact hours would consist of faculty presentation of key literature around a certain scientific concept or technique, and one half of student presentations of additional literature applying that concept or technique, coverage and integration of diverse scientific literature, and group discussion.

    Course may be repeated for credit. Discussion included.


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  • QSB 290: Current Topics in Quantitative and Systems Biology


    [3 units]

    Principles and applications of systems and synthetic biology to the investigation and engineering of biological systems of all kinds, from molecules to ecosystems. Coverage of core concepts and techniques with coverage of current literature and connections made to current research in QSB at UC Merced. Group and individual assessments include oral presentation and discussion of literature, interdisciplinary synthesis through written reviews and a final white paper research proposal applying systems and synthetic biology to individual research interests.

    Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included.


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  • Syllabus

    QSB 291: Research Forums in Quantitative and Systems Biology


    [1 unit]

    Seminar series covering current topics in quantitative and system biology presented by visiting speakers chosen by QSB faculty and students with occasional presentations by UC Merced faculty and student members of QSB.

    Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • Syllabus

    QSB 292: Quantitative and Systems Biology Group Meeting


    [1 unit]

    Meetings to describe current progress and research plans lead by individual QSBGG faculty.

    Normal Letter Grade only. Course may be repeated for credit. Cross-Listed with BEST 292 .


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  • QSB 293: Quantitative and Systems Biology Journal Club


    [1 unit]

    Student-led presentation, analysis, and discussion of reading assignments from the scientific literature.

    Normal Letter Grade only. Course may be repeated for credit. Discussion included. Cross-Listed with BEST 293 .


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  • Syllabus

    QSB 294: Responsible Conduct of Research


    [1 unit]

    Seminar covering responsibilities and expectations for researchers as well as advice for success in graduate school and science careers, required for NIH-funded graduate students.

    Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Cross-Listed with BEST 294 .


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  • Syllabus

    QSB 296: Professional Skills Development


    [3 units]

    To introduce incoming and continuing graduate students to the art of grantsmanship and effective scientific communication. Will also emphasize manuscript preparation and critique, and oral presentation skill development.

    Enrollment priority given to first year School of Natural Sciences graduate QSB students. Enrollment by students in other SNS graduate groups will be considered. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included.


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  • QSB 297: Systems Biology: From Molecules to Metabolic Networks


    [3 units]

    A rigorous introduction to the theories, tools, and applications of systems biology. The course is organized around the biological flow of information known as the central dogma of biology. In essence we translate DNA into RNA and extend this information into metabolic and cellular networks. The course introduces experimental and high throughput approaches for generating large datasets, theory, algorithms, and computational approaches for their analysis. Data for analysis will come from ongoing systems biology projects taking place in the Instructor’s lab (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, fluxomics) as well as those of collaborators at UC Merced and other nearby institutions (metagenomics, phosphoproteomics, chenomics). The course may take advantage of presentations by guest lecturers with expertise in one of the many aspects of systems biology, or one of the sciences upon which it crucially depends.

    Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • QSB 298: Directed Group Study


    [1-12 units]

    Group project under faculty supervision.

    Permission of instructor required. Course may be repeated for credit. Laboratory included.


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  • QSB 299: Directed Independent Study


    [1-12 units]

    Independent project under faculty supervision.

    Permission of instructor required. Grading option is instructor preference. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • QSB 399: University Teaching


    [1 unit]

    Centered on a student’s classroom experiences as a Teaching Assistant in an undergraduate Biological Sciences course. Provides a faculty-directed opportunity to implement teaching practices presented in the course Teaching and Learning in the Sciences. Involves video-taping of teaching, peer review, and weekly meetings with faculty.

    Corequisite: QSB 201  or MATH 201 . Permission of instructor required. Must hold at least a 25%-time appointment as a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate course in BIO. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Course may be repeated 1 time for credit. Discussion, Laboratory included.


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Social Sciences

  
  • SCS 090X: Freshman Seminar


    [1 unit]

    Examination of a topic in the social, behavioral and cognitive sciences.

    Course may be repeated 1 time for credit.


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  • SCS 095: Lower Division Undergraduate Research


    [1-5 units]

    Supervised research.

    Permission of instructor required. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • SCS 098: Lower Division Directed Group Study


    [1-5 units]

    Instructor directed study for groups of lower division status.

    Permission of instructor required. Pass/Fail only. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • SCS 099: Lower Division Individual Study


    [1-5 units]

    Instructor directed study for groups of lower division status.

    Permission of instructor required. Pass/Fail only. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • SCS 140: Psychology and Economics


    [4 units]

    A review of psychological and economic research on departures from perfect rationality, self-interest, and other classical assumptions of economics. The implications of these new findings for classical economics are explored.

    Prerequisite: PSY 001  and ECON 001 . Discussion included.


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  • SCS 145: Second Language Learning and Bilingualism


    [4 units]

    Issues in second language acquisition, including processing of linguistic information by bilinguals (perception, recall, translation), structure of bilingual discourse, child bilingualism, language maintenance or shift, with particular focus on the North American Context.

    Prerequisite: PSY 001 . Discussion included.


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  • SCS 195: Upper Division Undergraduate Research


    [1-5 units]

    Supervised research.

    Permission of instructor required. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • SCS 198: Upper Division Directed Group Study


    [1-5 units]

    Group study for upper division students.

    Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Permission of instructor required. Pass/Fail only. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • SCS 199: Upper Division Individual Study


    [1-5 units]

    Individual directed study for upper division students.

    Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Permission of instructor required. Pass/Fail only. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • SCS 210: Philosophy of Cognitive Science


    [4 units]

    Consideration of philosophical and foundational issues in cognitive science, such as: behaviorism, functionalism, the Turing Test, the Chinese Room argument, the nature of cognitive architecture, animal cognition, connectionism vs. symbolic artificial intelligence, consciousness, the self, free will, embodiment, and ethics.

    Open only to major(s): Social & Cognitive Sci. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included.


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  • SCS 295: Graduate Research


    [1-12 units]

    Supervised research.

    Permission of instructor required. Course may be repeated for credit. Laboratory included.


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  • SCS 298: Directed Group Study


    [1-12 units]

    Group project under faculty supervision.

    Permission of instructor required. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Course may be repeated for credit. Laboratory included.


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  • SCS 299: Directed Independent Study


    [1-12 units]

    Independent project under faculty supervision.

    Permission of instructor required. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Course may be repeated for credit.


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Sociology

  
  • SOC 001: Introduction to Sociology


    [4 units]

    The study of groups, culture, collective behavior, classes and caste, community and ecology, role, status, and personality.

    Discussion included.


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  • SOC 009: Community Mobilization and Politics


    [4 units]

    Examination of political and social mobilization at the local level, including strategies for organization and advocacy.

    Discussion included. Cross-Listed with POLI 009 .


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  • SOC 010: Statistics for Sociology


    [4 units]

    An introduction to the logic and use of statistical techniques in sociological research. By the end of the course, students will have the tools to appreciate and evaluate social research, and a foundation for conducting statistical social research themselves.

    Prerequisite: MATH 005  or MATH 011  or MATH 021  or equivalent score on the Placement or Competency Exam. Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included.


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  • SOC 015: Sociological Research Methods


    [4 units]

    Provides students with a basic understanding of how to conduct social science research. Topics will include the logic of research design, issues of conceptualization and measurement, the range of data collection methods available to social scientists, and what social scientists do with data once they have collected it.

    Open only to standing(s): Sophomore, Junior, Senior. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included.


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  • SOC 020: Social Problems


    [4 units]

    Examines the perceptions, theories, arguments, and proposed solutions to the most vexing social issues. Explanations of these problems can be grouped into micro, meso, and macro levels of analysis. In addition, for the last 100 years researchers have examined the overlap between different social problems.

    Discussion included.


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  • SOC 030: Social Inequality


    [4 units]

    An examination of the main classical and modern explanations of the causes of social, economic and political inequality. Issues include: power; processes that create/maintain inequality, the central axes of inequality in society (race/class/gender); consequences of inequality for individuals and groups; how policy can mitigate or exacerbate inequality.

    Discussion included.


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  • SOC 035: Introduction to Political Sociology


    [4 units]

    The most pressing issues of our time are addressed via the political system. This course considers the many processes that influence the political system and political outcomes. By drawing on the insights of sociology, we will better understand these processes and how the political system works.

    Discussion included.


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  • SOC 036: Globalization


    [4 units]

    A survey of major global social trends over the last few centuries. Specifically, we examine the rise of bureaucracy, industrial capitalism, and national social movements/revolutions to assist us in comprehending current social trends such as the network society, neo-liberal economic restructuring, international social movements, and global conflict.

    Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included.


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  • SOC 038: Sociology of Race and Racism


    [4 units]

    Reading and discussion of materials that provide insight into how race and racism define our lives. The theoretical focus is on systemic and structural racism, racial categorization, ethnic identification, nativism, and intersecting oppressions.

    Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included.


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  • SOC 070: Introduction to Crime and Deviance


    [4 units]

    Examines the process of criminal justice in the US and address major theories of crime and deviance. In addition: how individuals and social groups are processed through the criminal court system; historical changes in correctional philosophy and organizational structure; inmate socialization, and social environment changes in U.S. prisons.

    Discussion included.


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  • SOC 092: Internship in Sociology


    [1-4 units]

    Provides oversight and structure for a student’s internship in a field related to sociology in community organizations, professional research projects, etc. connected to the study of sociology. Students are required to write an original research paper or relevant product that demonstrates how the internship advanced their knowledge of sociology.

    Permission of instructor required. Pass/Fail only. Course may be repeated 2 times for credit.


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  • SOC 095: Lower Division Undergraduate Research


    [1-5 units]

    Supervised research.

    Permission of instructor required. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • SOC 098: Lower Division Directed Group Study


    [1-5 units]

    Permission of instructor required. Pass/Fail only. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • SOC 099: Lower Division Individual Study


    [1-5 units]

    Permission of instructor required. Pass/Fail only. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • SOC 100: Sociological Theory


    [4 units]

    Sociological theory explores many big questions that people have pondered for centuries, including inequality and why it is tolerated, social change and how it occurs, and social order and how it is maintained. This course provides an introduction to sociological theory, examining both classic and contemporary schools of sociological thought.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  and one additional lower division SOC course. Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 107: Law and Society


    [4 units]

    Familiarizes students with the interrelated fields of criminology, law and society studies, and criminal justice studies. Organized around three well-established interdisciplinary literatures: criminology, sociolegal studies, and criminal justice studies.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 108: Advanced Topics in Criminology


    [4 units]

    Sociological concepts and theories are used to analyze the nature, extent, and causes of crime beyond an introductory level, based upon systemic scientific analysis of data. Exploration of criminal trends and analysis of crime as well as the dynamics of law, social control, treatment processes, and victimology will be evaluated.

    Prerequisite: SOC 070 . Normal Letter Grade only. Course may be repeated 3 times for credit.


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  • SOC 110: Social Movements, Protest and Collective Action


    [4 units]

    Introduction to the social scientific study of social protest (meaning all forms of non-routine, or contentious politics) and collective action. Examines organized collective efforts to promote or resist change in society that rely, in some part, on non-institutionalized forms of political action.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  or POLI 001  or PUBP 001 .


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  • SOC 111: Environmental Sociology


    [4 units]

    Provides an overview of major issues in the field of environmental sociology. Students will learn to critically evaluate the dominant paradigms explaining environmental crisis. The course draws from a number of prominent environmental issues and case studies.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  or POLI 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 115: Political Sociology


    [4 units]

    Sociological analysis of types of political organization and action and their relations to elements of social life. Topics include: Social movements, voting, interest group politics, protest behavior, revolutions, human rights, global political diffusion, and other elements of the interaction between the political structure and everyday life.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 118: Hate Crime


    [4 units]

    An examination of the causes and consequences of hate crimes, as well as the social contexts within which they occur.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  or SOC 070 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 120: Sociology of Culture


    [4 units]

    The sociology of culture is both an approach to, and a subject within sociology. This course will explore central themes and issues in the sociology of culture, such as: What is the relation of the cultural forms studied by humanists to the social structures studied by sociologists and political scientists?

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  or ANTH 001  or POLI 001  or ECON 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 130: Social Stratification


    [4 units]

    An in-depth examination of classical and modern explanations of the causes of social, economic and political inequality. Issues include: the central axes of inequality in society (race/class/gender); power; processes that create/maintain inequality; and, the consequences of inequality for individuals and groups.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 131: Urban Inequality


    [4 units]

    The goal of this course is to examine a small selection of the work on urban poverty in the United States in a seminar setting. We examine in depth theories behind the evolution of the urban poor, as well as the impact of poverty upon individuals.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  or POLI 001  or PUBP 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 132: Sociology of Education


    [4 units]

    A focus on how social forces (such as politics, economics, demographics and institutional context) create variation in school practices, and how variation in school practices affects individual student achievement and behavior. Students will also become familiar with presenting, interpreting, and discussing public education data.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 134: Sports and Society


    [4 units]

    Sports are often dismissed as unimportant to society’s working. However, some of society’s most important moments, racial integration (Jackie Robinson), gender equality (Title IX), and recognition of new nations (Olympics) have been through sports. We examine the dynamics sports play in society, focusing on issues of race, gender and nationality.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  or POLI 001  or ANTH 001 .


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  • SOC 140: Organizational Behavior


    [4 units]

    An examination of the evolution of the modern organization, focusing on approaches to strategy and organizational environments. We read social scientific analyses and case studies to trace the history of bureaucratic organizations, and study social science perspectives that emphasize the variation of current organizational forms.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  or POLI 001  or ECON 001 . Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included.


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  • SOC 145: Sociology of Health


    [4 units]

    Introduction to some key sociological theories and empirical research on health and illness. Course topics will include the relationship between social structures and the production and distribution of disease; how health and illness are defined and socially constructed; and the link between disease and inequality.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 150: Self and Society


    [4 units]

    An overview of one fundamental topic in the sociological approach to social-psychology, the shaping of consciousness by interaction. Beginning with classical texts, we will then examine a set of contemporary works, arranged in order of the degree to which psychology is made fundamentally social.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  or PSY 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 155: Sociology of the Family


    [4 units]

    Examines the family in a larger social context. The course will explore sociological perspectives on the family, investigate the diversity that families have in society, and explore inequality both within the family and between families.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 160: Gender and Society


    [4 units]

    The role gender plays in structuring social lives. We begin by discussing sociological theories of gender, gender socialization/parenting, gender identity and intersections of gender and sexuality. We then examine gender on an institutional and systemic level-focusing on how organizations, such as work, education, the law, and politics are gendered.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 161: Sociology of Sexuality


    [4 units]

    A focus on the social construction of sexuality and on sexual behavior and demographic trends. We will also study the intersection of sexuality and social institutions, as well as the politics of sexuality.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 170: Qualitative Research Methods


    [4 units]

    An introduction to the techniques of qualitative research. We will explore research design issues, including developing research questions, selecting methods, and the ethics of research. We will then study the collection, analysis, and presentation of qualitative data.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  and SOC 015 , must be completed with B or better. Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 175: Topics in Advanced Sociological Research Methods


    [4 units]

    Provides advanced training in the process of sociological research. During the semester students will develop the skills and background knowledge needed to plan and organize sound research projects of their own, and critique others’ research.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  and SOC 010  and SOC 015 , must be completed with B or better. Normal Letter Grade only. Course may be repeated 1 time for credit.


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  • SOC 180: Advanced Issues in Race and Ethnicity


    [4 units]

    Examines in depth the main classical and modern explanations of the issues surrounding Race and Ethnicity. Issues include: Power; processes that create/maintain inequality, biological vs social constructions of race, race and ethnicity in the age of conquest, race and ethnicity in modern society.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 181: Chicanos in U.S. Society


    [4 units]

    Aims to achieve a multi-disciplinary understanding of the processes and experiences currently facing the Chicana/o population in the United States.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001  or ANTH 001  or POLI 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 182: Current Topics in Immigration


    [4 units]

    Immigration continues transforming the US, Europe, Middle Eastern states and developing nations. How do we understand these transformations and their impact? The class has 3 parts: migration, integration, and belonging. We will examine the causes, consequences and repercussions of one of the most important topics of the 21st century.

    Prerequisite: SOC 001 . Normal Letter Grade only.


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  • SOC 192: Internship in Sociology


    [1-4 units]

    Provides oversight and structure for a student’s internship in a field related to sociology in community organizations, professional research projects, etc. connected to the study of sociology. Students are required to write an original research paper or relevant product that demonstrates how the internship advanced their knowledge of sociology.

    Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Permission of instructor required. Pass/Fail only. Course may be repeated 2 times for credit.


    View course scheduling information


  
  • SOC 195: Upper Division Undergraduate Research


    [1-5 units]

    Supervised research.

    Permission of instructor required. Course may be repeated for credit.


    View course scheduling information


  
  • SOC 198: Upper Division Directed Group Study


    [1-5 units]

    Permission of instructor required. Pass/Fail only. Course may be repeated for credit.


    View course scheduling information


  
  • SOC 199: Upper Division Individual Study


    [1-5 units]

    Permission of instructor required. Pass/Fail only. Course may be repeated for credit.


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  • SOC 200: Sociological Theory


    [4 units]

    Provides an introduction to central topics in sociological theory. Students will study original theoretical works by classical theorists like Marx, Weber, Simmel and Durkheim, the founders of sociology. We will also explore contemporary branches that are built upon the classical foundation, as well as contemporary work that breaks with prior traditions.


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  • SOC 201: Sociology Professionalization Seminar


    [2 units]

    The course’s main goal is to help students understand the professional worlds of sociology. The course content will have three primary components: an introduction to academic sociology, an introduction to non-academic sociology, and advice on the successful completion of graduate school in sociology.

    Open only to major(s): Social Sciences. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Course may be repeated 1 time for credit.


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  • SOC 205: Graduate Writing and Publishing Seminar


    [4 units]

    Students will set clear goals for the completion of a publishable academic article, learn how to manage time, form the habit of writing every day, and develop the skills needed to write a publishable academic article.

    Course may be repeated 2 times for credit.


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  • SOC 210: Graduate Statistics I: Linear Regression Analysis


    [4 units]

    An introduction to statistics. We will address the basics involved in manipulating and analyzing data, focusing on ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis. We will also discuss the assumptions behind the method, as well as interpretation of findings.


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  • SOC 211: Graduate Statistics 2: Categorical Regression Analysis


    [4 units]

    The second in a two course sequence in applied statistics. This course will cover categorical data analysis: regression models in which the dependent variable is categorical: binary, nominal, ordinal, and count.

    Prerequisite: SOC 210 .


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  • SOC 212: Advanced Topics in Quantitative Sociology


    [4 units]

    Introduces students to the analysis of multilevel data. Models that will be covered include random-intercept, random-slopes, and growth curve. The focus will be on models with continuous outcomes, but some time will be spent on models with categorical or limited dependent variables.


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  • SOC 215: Graduate Research Methods


    [4 units]

    Designed to provide an overview of the major research methodologies and techniques used in the social sciences. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and skills they need to design research projects and critically read about and evaluate the research of others.


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  • SOC 216: Qualitative Methods


    [4 units]

    Engages students with approaches to qualitative research. Course readings will focus on participant observation and semi-structured interviewing, and highlight the centrality of theory and reflexivity. Students will submit a research proposal, apply for Institutional Review Board approval, and conduct research under the guidance of the instructor.


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  • SOC 220: Political Sociology


    [4 units]

    Key questions and themes for this seminar include the comparative and historical diversity of political economies; the nature and measurement of mass opinion; and linkages between voters, political parties and social movements, and policy outputs.


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  • SOC 221: Social Movements


    [4 units]

    Examines major theories, conceptual issues and empirical research on social movements. Topics will include macro-level theories of movement emergence (e.g. political opportunities), as well as theories of individual participation, cultural dynamics of movements, and globalization.


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  • SOC 232: Graduate Sociology of Education


    [4 units]

    This seminar will introduce students to sociological theories and empirical research on schools and society. We will focus on how social forces (such as politics, economics, etc.) create variation in school practices, and how variation in school practices affects individual student achievement, behavior, and life course outcomes.


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  • SOC 240: Sociology of Organizations


    [4 units]

    Covers the core methods, theories and research on the sociology of organizations, including Weberian classical theory, rational, natural, and open systems models, network theories, neo-institutionalism, world polity, and work and organizations.


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  • SOC 245: Sociology of Health


    [4 units]

    An introductory, yet comprehensive survey of the sociology of health for graduate students. Covers three large areas: (1) theories, arguments, and methods of the sociology of health and medicine; (2) patients and physicians issues; (3) the social distribution of health.


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  • SOC 260: Sociology of Gender


    [4 units]

    Examines major theories and research on the sociology of gender, including the social construction of gender, how individuals develop gender identities, intersections of gender and sexuality and race, as well as how social institutions and organizations structure and are structured by gender.


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  • SOC 261: Sexualities


    [4 units]

    Surveys the sociology of sexuality from its beginnings in quantitative research through social constructionism and feminism. Examines Michel Foucault’s rethinking and look at queer theory. The construction of heteronormativity, making of homosexualities, sexual commodification and globalization are addressed. Reassesses understandings of relationships among bodies, genders, and sexualities.


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  • SOC 280: Race and Ethnicity


    [4 units]

    Readings in history, sociology, anthropology, and ethnic studies about the formation of the idea of race and the reproduction of racial hierarchies at the individual and institutional levels. We will focus on themes such as mass incarceration, color-blind racism, racial inequality in the education system, racial differences in wealth and income, and how race, class, gender and sexuality work together to define social boundaries in our society.


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  • SOC 282: Immigration


    [4 units]

    Examines principal theoretical perspectives and empirical research on contemporary immigration flows, how individuals and families are affected by immigration, as well as immigration policy and its implications. Studies immigration through the lenses of globalization and human rights.


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  • SOC 290: Special Topics in Sociology


    [4 units]

    The content of this course will vary, depending on the interests of the faculty member and the needs of the graduate program.

    Course may be repeated 2 times for credit.


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  • SOC 297: Research for Ph.D. Dissertation


    [2-12 units]

    Research and writing of dissertation in sociology.

    Course may be repeated for credit.


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