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. Note: For all 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. 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.
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.
BIO 102: Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
[4.0 units]
Mechanisms of amino acid, nucleic acid, and lipid metabolism plus advanced mechanisms of gene expression, signal transduction, and regulation of gene expression.
Prerequisite:BIO 101. Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion, Laboratory included.
Aims to give students an understanding of relevant physical principles for biological systems, introduce them to experimental and theoretical techniques of biophysics and to communicate the excitement of cutting-edge biophysics research. Topics include diffusion, fluids, entropic forces, motor proteins, enzymes, nerve impulses, networks and evolution.
Physical Biochemistry is the study of Biochemistry via properties that can be
quantitatively assessed to provide specific molecular information. Such properties include macromolecular folding, multimerization, structure, and ligand binding. This course will instruct students on these properties of macromolecules and on the experimental techniques that can quantitatively probe these properties.
Prerequisite:BIO 101 and (MATH 021 or MATH 011).Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
Introduction to the structure and function of bacterial, plant and animal cells, with an emphasis on universal cellular systems, including regulation of sub-cellular organization, control of cellular processes by internal and external signaling, energy capture, storage and usage, and cell cycle.
Prerequisite: ((CHEM 008 or CHEM 008H) and BIO 002) or BIO 101, which may be taken concurrently. Discussion, Laboratory included.
Introduction to principles of cell structure and the organization of cells into tissues, organs, and organ systems. Both the cellular and extracellular components of the primary tissues and their compilation into the major organic systems are covered. Emphasis on understanding the link between cellular architectures and organ function.
Molecular basis for diversity in bacteria and archae. Students explore the significance of molecular diversity in microbial biology and gain an understanding of the genetic, physiologic, and structure-function relationships that underlie the remarkable ability of these organisms to adapt to the environment.
BIO 121: Introduction to Ecological and Environmental Microbiology
[4.0 units]
Fundamentals of microbiology in ecological and environmental systems, including the distribution of microbial diversity throughout terrestrial, ‘extreme,’ and marine environments; microbial control of global biogeochemical cycles; and environmental services provided by microorganisms. Both classical and contemporary biochemical, molecular, and genomic approaches to microbial physiology, metabolism, and ecology will be discussed.
Genetic and biochemical features of infectious agents including identification and characterization of pathogens and the epidemiology of infectious diseases.
Introduction to protozoan, worm, and insect parasitism in animals and humans and resultant diseases. Emphasis on epidemiology, diagnosis, and immunology of parasitic infections.
Evolution of microbes. Concepts covered include horizontal exchange, genome evolution, dispersal of microbes, population size, cryptic genes, mutagenesis and mutagenic pathways, phylogenetics, experimental evolution, metabolic evolution and antimicrobial resistance evolution.
Prerequisite:BIO 110, which may be taken concurrently. Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
Introduction to biology of bacterial and animal viruses, focusing on structure, infective cycle, interactions with host, transmission and methods of detection and control. Discusses scientific literature and current topics in virology.
Prerequisite:BIO 110, which may be taken concurrently. Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
Introduction to the relationships of fossil organisms to one another and to their physical environment, focusing on terrestrial paleoecology of the past 2.5 million years. This class will introduce past environments, discuss common proxies for studying paleoecology, and examine ecological principles as applied to the past.
Prerequisite: (BIO 148 or ESS 148) and any BIO or ESS course or consent of instructor. Normal Letter Grade only.
Introduces students to the plant diversity of California. It consists of lectures, discussions, and field trips. The field trips focus on plant identification in the foothills of the Central Sierra Nevada and help illustrate concepts presented in lecture such as endemism, plant/soil interactions, and vegetation types.
Prerequisite:Junior standing and BIO 001 or ESS 001 or BIO 148 or ESS 050 or consent of instructor. Discussion included.
Integrative studies of ocean and coastal ecosystems, including current issues. Also referencing relationships with atmospheric, freshwater, and terrestrial systems. Areas of emphasis include practical field study in the coastal zone in any area of marine science.
Prerequisite:Junior standing and BIO 034 and (BIO 141 or BIO 148).Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
Explores the structure of genes and the human genome, types of genetic variation, their mechanistic and evolutionary origins, their roles in shaping health, and the societal implications of genetic variation.
Includes concepts of inheritance, structure and function of genes and genomes, recombination, genetic mapping, gene regulation, mutations, and recombinant DNA technology including labs and discussions.
Prerequisite:BIO 002 and (MATH 012 or MATH 022, which may be taken concurrently) and (MATH 018 or MATH 032 or ENVE 105 or PSY 010, which may be taken concurrently) or equivalent course accepted by the Biology major.Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
Natural Selection and Darwinian evolution, includes concepts of population and quantitative genetics, speciation, neutral theory and molecular evolution, phylogenetics, comparative genomics, and macroevolution including labs and discussion.
Prerequisite:BIO 101 or BIO 002. Normal Letter Grade only.Laboratory included.
Introduction to the concepts behind genome biology and a detailed overview of the many tools used in comparative genomics. Specific topics include genome assembly, gene modeling and comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Students carry out real scientific projects in collaboration with course faculty and produce new genomic data of publishable quality. Includes mandatory weekly three hour lab.
Prerequisite:BIO 110.Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion, Laboratory included.
Introduction to the biological diversity in the three domains of the Tree of Life (Archaebacteria, Eubacteria, and Eukaryotes): overview of species diversity as well as diversity in the deep characteristics (e.g., reproduction, metabolism, structure) of plants, animals, fungi, and microbes. Illustrated by complementary field trips and labs (part of BIO 143F).
Prerequisite:BIO 001.Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
Field trips and labs reinforcing topics covered in BIO 143. Five field trips illustrate the biodiversity of different regions of California (seashore, Central Valley, foothills, and Sierra Nevada). Wet labs serve to examine the organisms collected during field trips, and participate in a long-term DNA Barcoding project of the field sites visited.
Corequisite:BIO 143. Prerequisite:BIO 001.Normal Letter Grade only.Laboratory included.
Theory behind phylogenetic reconstruction and an introduction to the diverse methods for phylogenetic inference. How to deal with morphological and molecular characters is discussed as well as the comparative method.
BIO 145: Introduction to Population and Community Ecology
[4.0 units]
Comprehensive introduction to the ecology of populations, communities and ecosystems. Examines the dynamics of single-species populations, and then moves to species interactions including competition, predation, parasitism, and mutualism. Structure and dynamics of entire communities and food webs also are examined. Discusses conservation biology applications throughout.
An introduction to the major geological factors that have affected the evolution and the diversity of organisms. We also present how the fossil record can help us understand evolution of Life through time, with an emphasis on macro-evolutionary events (e.g., mass extinctions, transitions between habitats, radiations).
Astrobiology refers to the study of the origin and evolution of life in the cosmos. It is an integrative, multidisciplinary field that includes areas of biology, astronomy, geology, chemistry and physics. Students in the class face some of the most fundamental topics addressed by science today such as who we are, where we came from, and where we might go. We cover three main themes: How did life begin and evolve? Does life exist elsewhere in the universe? What is life’s future on Earth and beyond?
Supports field and lab activities for BIO 148 and ESS 148 and will reinforce class activities. Some lessons will occur off campus and students will need to arrange transportation.
Prerequisite:BIO 148 or ESS 148, which may be taken concurrently.Normal Letter Grade only.Laboratory Included.
Detailed examination of the evolutionary, ecological, management, and policy issues related to the conservation of ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity. Theory and practical aspects of biological conservation are also presented, with special reference to case studies from California.
Prerequisite:BIO 001 and (MATH 018 or MATH 032). Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
Principles of developmental biology as revealed through analysis of invertebrate and vertebrate systems. 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.
Emphasis on development and function of hematopoietic and immune systems and their roles in responding to environmental change, maintenance of health, and disease pathogenesis.
Topics include viral and hormonal carcinogenesis, molecular aberrations in cancer, tumor development, epigenetics and cancer, tumor immunology, oncogenes.
Comparison and contrast of the development and 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 are investigated.
Prerequisite:BIO 110. Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
An in-depth exploration of the development of the immune system. Topics include the biology of primary lymphoid organs (particularly the thymus and bone marrow) and early development of lymphoid and myeloid cells. Emphasis is on the temporal, microenvironmental, genetic and molecular control of immune cell development.
Prerequisite:Junior standing and BIO 151.Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
Covers the function of the major organ systems by studying species-specific adaptations across the vertebrate subphylum, emphasizing physiological adaptations to environmental challenges. Locomotion, reproduction, cardiovascular, renal, and pulmonary function serve as the models for assessing the cellular basis for physiologic adaptation across the spectrum of vertebrates.
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.
Prerequisite:Senior standing and (BIO 101 or CHEM 111) and (PHYS 009 or PHYS 009H or PHYS 019, which may be taken concurrently). Normal Letter Grade only.Laboratory included.
An introduction to the materials upon which evolution acts. We study the structure of animals, the materials from which living organisms are made and the limitations that those materials impose upon evolution.
Basic principles of endocrinology; structure and functions of endocrine glands primarily in mammals with reference to other vertebrates for comparison; hormonal control of kidney function, metabolism, neural transmission, and reproduction; mechanisms of hormone actions.
Prerequisite:BIO 110 and BIO 160 and (CHEM 008 or CHEM 008H) or consent of instructor. Normal Letter Grade only.Course may be repeated 1 time for credit.Discussion included.
Introduction to the basic concepts of human anatomy at the cell, tissue, and organ levels, through a system-based approach (e.g., skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive). Laboratories include dissection of mammal organs (cat, sheep, cow), observation of human models and histological slides of human tissues, and interactive computer based exercises.
Prerequisite:Junior standing and BIO 110. Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion, Laboratory included.
Examination of the general operations of the central and peripheral nervous system. Covers cellular neuroscience, including the molecular basis of excitability, synaptic transmission, and neuronal signal transduction, as well as the organization and operations of the major neural systems associated with sensation, locomotion, and higher brain function.
BIO 171: Neurobiology of Brain Dysfunction and Disorders
[4.0 units]
Teaches in-depth cellular- and molecular-based mechanisms of brain dysfunctions by drug abuse, altered neuronal activities, and neurodegenerative diseases. Fundamental neurobiology of the central nervous system, pharmacology/toxicology, and biochemistry and anatomy of the brain will also be covered.
Prerequisite:BIO 110 and BIO 170. Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
Advances in statistical techniques to investigate experimental data generated in molecular, cellular, and evolutionary biology, and health sciences research.
Statistical analysis and mathematical modeling skills for life scientists. The first half of this course is about building statistical models of complex data sets and the second half is about using population models to describe demographic change, ecosystems and epidemics. Extensive computer laboratories using the “R” statistical language.
Prerequisite: (MATH 018 or MATH 032, must be completed with a B- or better) and (BIO 101 or BIO 002) and (MATH 012 or MATH 022, must be completed with B- or better). Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion included.
Uses lectures and laboratory exercises to teach the principles and practice of molecular modeling with a focus on simulations of biological macromolecules. Topics covered include classical molecular dynamics, molecular mechanics, docking, and visualization. The computational laboratories will involve simulations of systems including water, micelles, DNA, and proteins.
Detailed introduction to the tools, algorithms, statistics and databases used in bioinformatics, emphasizing an open-source, command-line toolbox approach. Topics may include: alignments, search, gene/motif classification, phylogenetics, genomics, gene expression, ontologies, structure and networks. Course includes a
mandatory computer laboratory. Prior programming experience recommended,
but not assumed.
A study of 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.
Preparation for general chemistry. Units of measurement, dimensional analysis, significant figures; elementary concepts of volume, mass, force, pressure, energy, density, temperature, heat, work; fundamentals of atomic and molecular structure; the mole concept; acids and bases; stoichiometry; properties of the states of matter; gas laws; solutions, concentrations. NOTE: Chemistry 1 satisfies no requirements other than contribution to the 120 units required for graduation. Designed for students who need additional help prior to enrollment in General Chemistry.
Course cannot be taken after successfuly completing CHEM 002.Discussion included.
First semester of a two-semester general chemistry sequence. Stoichiometric calculations, types of chemical reactions, properties of gases, thermochemistry, introduction to chemical equilibrium, basic atomic structure and atomic orbital theory, periodic properties, and chemical bonding. The concepts and quantitative skills introduced in lecture are reinforced by a laboratory section.
Prerequisite:CHEM 001 or combined score of 40 or above on Chemistry and Math Placement Exam or equivalent. Laboratory included.
First semester of a two-semester honors general chemistry sequence. Stoichiometric calculations, types of chemical reactions, properties of gases, thermochemistry, introduction to chemical equilibrium, basic atomic structure and atomic orbital theory, periodic properties, and chemical bonding. The concepts and quantitative skills introduced in lecture are reinforced by a laboratory section.
Prerequisite:MATH 021 (may be taken concurrently) and CHEM 001 with a grade of B or better, or combined score of 45 or above on Chemistry and Math Placement Exam or equivalent. Normal Letter Grade only.Laboratory included.
Molecular shapes and charge distributions; resonance; electron delocalization; organic structures, nomenclature and isomerism, stereochemistry; optical activity; organic reactions; IR spectroscopy; intermolecular forces. Rational approaches to organic mechanism are emphasized.
Molecular shapes and charge distributions; resonance; electron delocalization; organic structures, nomenclature and isomerism, stereochemistry; optical activity; organic reactions; IR spectroscopy; intermolecular forces. Rational approaches to organic mechanism are emphasized.
Prerequisite:CHEM 010 with a grade of A- or better, or CHEM 010H, with a grade of B- or better. Normal Letter Grade only.Laboratory included.
Second semester of a two-semester general chemistry sequence. Chemical kinetics, acid-base, ionic, and gaseous equilibria, chemical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, main-group and transition-metal chemistry, nuclear chemistry. The concepts and quantitative skills introduced in lecture are reinforced by a laboratory section.
Second semester of a two-semester general chemistry sequence. This course addresses properties of gases, chemical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, quantum mechanics and spectroscopy, properties of solids and liquids, and nuclear chemistry. The concepts and quantitative skills introduced in lecture are reinforced by a laboratory section.
Prerequisite:CHEM 002 (must be completed with A- or better) or CHEM 002H (must be completed with B- or better) and MATH 022 (may be taken concurrently). Normal Letter Grade only.Laboratory included.
Laboratory, field, theoretical, and/or computational research under the supervision of a faculty member on a topic of mutual interest. A written report is required.
Course may be repeated for credit.Laboratory included.
Reactions, syntheses, purification and characterization of all of the major classes of organic compounds. Includes standard organic reaction mechanisms and bioorganic mechanism. A retrosynthetic approach to synthetic design is emphasized.
Laboratory experiments in synthetic methods and chemical and spectroscopic characterization of organic compounds. Emphasis is on microscale techniques.
Prerequisite:CHEM 100, which may be taken concurrently. Chemical Sciences majors only. Laboratory included.
Laboratory experiments in synthetic methods and chemical and spectroscopic characterization of organic and inorganic compounds. Emphasis is on microscale techniques.
Prerequisite:CHEM 100, which may be taken concurrently. Chemical Sciences majors only. Normal Letter Grade only.Laboratory included.
Theory and practical application of molecular quantum mechanics. Schrodinger equation and matrix representations of quantum mechanics; simple exactly solvable model problems; calculation of observable properties; vibrational and electronic wave functions; approximation methods; quantum mechanics of spectroscopy.
Statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics, taught from a perspective that develops the behavior of bulk matter from molecular properties.
CHEM 122: Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
[4.0 units]
Mechanisms of amino acid, nucleic acid, and lipid metabolism plus advanced mechanisms of gene expression, signal transduction, and regulation of gene expression.
Prerequisite:BIO 101 or CHEM 111. Normal Letter Grade only.Discussion, Laboratory included.
Modern methods and tools employed for the determination of organic molecular structure including NMR [1D and 2D FT], IR, and UV spectroscopy. Applications of quantum mechanical concepts and methods to understand and predict organic structures and reactivities. Computational modeling methods, including force field and quantum mechanical computer calculations.
Time-dependent quantum mechanics; interaction of radiation with matter; electronic spectra of atoms and molecules; vibrational, rotational, and Raman spectra; magnetic resonance spectroscopy; X-ray, neutron, and electron diffraction.
Biochemical kinetics, solution thermodynamics of biochemical systems, multiple equilibria, hydrodynamics, energy levels, spectroscopy, and bonding. Three-dimensional structure of proteins, forces that stabilize protein structures, protein folding, prediction of protein structure from sequence. Three-dimensional structure of DNA and RNA, sequence-specific recognition of DNA and RNA, RNA-catalyzed processes.
An introduction to the properties of matter on size scales intermediate between atoms or molecules and bulk matter, with emphasis on metallic and semiconductor nanoparticles. Synthesis, characterization, physical and chemical properties, and applications of these materials.
Prerequisite:CHEM 100 and CHEM 113 and CHEM 120, all of which may be taken concurrently.Normal Letter Grade only.
Introduces students to modern laboratory instrumentation and experimental techniques in physical chemistry. It consists of a number of experiments that use different techniques to explore fundamental concepts in spectroscopy, kinetics, and
chemical thermodynamics.
Prerequisite:CHEM 112, which may be taken concurrently. Normal Letter Grade only.Laboratory included.
Introduces students to the major concepts of instrumental analysis and to some of the instrumental techniques most commonly used in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry. It emphasizes the use of modern, commercial instrumentation to perform quantitative and qualitative analyses of the physical properties and chemical composition of samples.
Prerequisite:CHEM 115, which may be taken concurrently. Normal Letter Grade only.Laboratory included.
Will use lectures and laboratory exercises to teach the principles and practice of molecular modeling with a focus on simulations of biological macromolecules. Topics to be covered include classical molecular dynamics, molecular mechanics, docking, and visualization. The laboratories will involve simulations of systems including water, DNA, and proteins.
Addresses two key competencies that all professional chemists
need: scientific ethics and oral communication skills. Scientific and professional ethics are taught through lectures, readings, and discussion of case studies. Oral communication skills are addressed through lectures and by having each student present a scientific seminar.
Prerequisite: Senior Standing and Chemical Sciences majors only. Pass/Fail only.Discussion included.
Laboratory, field, theoretical, and/or computational research under the supervision
of a faculty member on a topic of mutual interest. A written report is required.
Course may be repeated for credit.Laboratory included.
Logical approaches to designing syntheses of target organic compounds. Introduction to retrosynthetic analyses and background on the reactions needed to achieve common syntheses; protecting groups and stereoselective methodologies. Classic syntheses are discussed in the context of modern methods. Introduction to literature search tools, a practical estimate of the reliability of published protocols, and references on chemical purification.
Prerequisite:One year of organic chemistry. Normal Letter Grade only.
CHEM 201: Organic and Organometallic Reaction Mechanisms
[3.0 units]
Thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and molecular orbital theory are used to explain reactivity, product distributions, the stability of intermediates, and transition state structure. Elements of computational chemistry, kinetic methods of interrogation, linear free energy relationships, kinetic isotope effects, and other methods for empirically constructing plausible reaction mechanisms.
Prerequisite:One year of organic chemistry and one year of physical chemistry.Normal Letter Grade only.
The molecular basis of biological processes. Methods by which enzymes catalyze organic reactions; experimental methods by which the mechanisms of enzyme-catalyzed reactions are elucidated; chemistry of disease states and drug action.
Prerequisite:One year of organic chemistry and one semester of biochemistry. Normal Letter Grade only.