Time Schedule:
Merrill B Hille
BIOL 355
Seattle Campus
Cell biology core course for biological sciences majors. Emphasis on molecular approaches to understand cell structure, function, and regulation, and the analysis of experimental design and data interpretation. Serves as a prerequisite to advanced 400-level cell, molecular, and developmental biology courses and seminars. Prerequisite: either BIOL 200 or BIOL 201. Offered: AWSpS.
Class description
Attendance on the first day of class, Wednesday September 26th 12:30 AM is required to maintain your place in this class! There will be no overloads for the course this quarter because of the size of the classroom. Those who attend the first lecture and a Friday Section meeting will be eligible to fill any slots generated by students who are dropped. Please sign in with me on the first day of class to be on the waiting list. This course covers the foundations of cell biology and places a strong emphasis on understanding molecular mechanisms. We will study how molecular pathways are integrated in cells and how cell signaling regulates cells during cell migration and the cell cycle. Some aspects of nuclear regulation will also be covered, but the emphasis of the course will be on how cells covert protein expression into function. We will also introduce you to the skills needed to understand how modern cell biologists approach questions in cell biology. Successful completion of BIOL 355 will prepare you for advanced 400 level courses and senior seminars in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. This class strongly overlaps Biochemistry 442 in material. If you have taken Biochem 442, you should see the advisers in the Biology Office Hitchcock Hall for alternate 400 level courses. You need 3-credits, but not this class, as you are already prepared for 400-level cell biology and physiology courses.
Student learning goals
Text Book is Cell & Molecular Biology by Karp, 5th edition. This edition is available now in the University book store.
General method of instruction
Our teaching methods are designed to prepare you for learning on your own. Student participation in lectures is encouraged and is required in the section meetings. We emphasize learning that prepares you for advanced courses such as reading and evaluating scientific papers.
Recommended preparation
The prerequisites for this course are BIOL 102, 200, or 201.
Class assignments and grading
Many of the assignment will be interpreting scientific data or reading and evaluating primary science articles. You will gain experience in experimental design, data presentation, and interpretation.
About 65% of the grade is based on homework, written reports, and section meeting assignments. The remainder is on two exams about basic concepts in cell biology.
