Elective Courses

Quarters offered: Fall, Winter, Spring - requires consent of instructor

1-5 units

Topics vary by quarter. In the past, this course covered basic principles of paleontology, evolution, ecology, and microbiology in order to provide graduate students with a common background. Students learned how to recognize various modes of bias in the fossil record and develop testable hypotheses that account for these biases. An emphasis was placed on computational tools, databases, and methodologies.

Past Instructor: David Gold (Earth & Planetary Sciences)

Quarter offered: Fall, even years

4 units

Evolution as caused by random mating, genetic drift, natural selection, inbreeding, migration,and mutation in theory and actuality. The resemblance between relatives and consequences of selection for quantitative traits. Application of these ideas to topics such as the evolution of sex.

Quarter offered: Winter, even years

4 units

Statistical inference of evolutionary patterns and processes above the species level. Topics include estimation of phylogenies and divergence times, character evolution, biogeographic history, and rates and patterns of lineage diversification, with an emphasis on the origin of species.

In the past, this class provided an introduction to Bayesian phylogenetics and covered applied molecular evolutionary analysis and speciation theory. The first half of the course (taught by Brian Moore) walked you through the fundamentals of molecular evolutionary analysis and understanding the differences and application of Maximum Likelihood vs Bayesian approaches to modelling nuclear and trait data. The second half (taught by Michael Turelli) covered the recent history of speciation theory and the various mechanisms by which species diverge. Useful for students planning to incorporate tree-building into their research program.

Past instructors: Brian Moore & Michael Turelli (Population Biology)

Quarter Offered: Winter, contact instructor regarding ECL242 prerequisite

4 units

Genomics concepts, technologies, and analyses for ecology research. Mixture of lecture, discussion of recent literature, hands-on training in data analysis and experimental design, and research proposal preparation and evaluation. One all-day field trip is required.

Offered irregularly

4 units

Key differences between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, major stressors of marine ecosystems (e.g., fisheries, pollution, bioinvasions, climate change and habitat destruction) and their consequences. Laws and agencies responsible for addressing problems, and the policies used.

Quarter Offered: Spring

4 units

Graduate-level introduction to current research in conservation biology. Emphasizes reading and discussing primary literature. Specific topics will reflect the research interests of UC Davis conservation biology faculty. Past topics include conservation biology research.

Quarter Offered: Winter, restricted to 16 students - requires consent of instructor.

2 units

In-depth study of topics related to the application of genetic tools to wildlife conservation. Topics will vary annually, but may include use of non-invasive methods of genetic assessment and monitoring of wildlife populations. Students will lead discussions on assigned readings. May be repeated up to 1 Time(s) when topic differs. (S/U grading only.)

Quarter Offered: Fall - requires consent of instructor and may require concurrent enrollment in PBG231 (ECL231)

5 units

Principles of single-species ecology and evolution. Topics include ecology of individuals, population growth models, structured populations, life history strategies, stochastic populations, basic population genetics theory, deleterious alleles in natural populations, and molecular population genetics.

Quarter Offered: Winter - requires consent of instructor; ask instructor about PBG200A and PBG231 prerequisite requirements

6 units

Principles of multi-species communities. Topics include competition, mutualism, metapopulations, food webs and trophic cascades, interactions between simple ecological communities, island biogeography, succession, and large-scale patterns.

Quarter Offered: Spring - requires consent of instructor; ask instructor about PBG200B prerequisite requirement

6 units

Principles of microevolution and macroevolution. Topics include evolutionary quantitative genetics, analysis of hybrid zones, speciation, the fossil record, biogeography, and phylogeny reconstruction.

Quarter Offered: Winter, odd years

3 units

Introduction to theoretical and empirical research in plant population biology. Emphasis placed on linking ecological ecological and genetic approaches to plant population biology. (Same course as PBG 207.)

Quarter Offered: Winter

3 units

Numerical methods for simulating population dynamics using the computational software package R. Emphasis placed on model formulation and development, theoretical concepts and philosophical principles to guide simulation efforts, model parameterization, and implementing simulations with R. Knowledge of theoretical ecology necessary but no programming experience required. (Same course as PBG 233.) (S/U grading only.)

Quarter Offered: Fall

5 units

Survey of the phenomena and theory of animal behavior from the perspectives of multiple biological disciplines, including evolution, ecology, psychology, genetics, neurobiology, endocrinology, and animal science. (Same course as PSC 218A.)

Quarter Offered: Winter - requires consent of instructor; contact instructor regarding ANB218A prerequisite

5 units

Continuation of ANB218B: Survey of the phenomena and theory of animal behavior from the perspectives of multiple biological disciplines, including evolution, ecology, psychology, genetics, neurobiology, endocrinology, and animal science. (Same course as PSC 218A.)

Quarter Offered: Winter

3 units

Advanced animal welfare. Key concepts used when evaluating and understanding the welfare of animals kept by humans. Topics include animal pain, stress, cognition, motivation and emotions. Critical discussion of primary literature. May be repeated up to 1 Time(s) every other year, when topic differs.

Quarter Offered: Fall, sometimes Winter or Spring - Pass One restricted to Animal Science or Animal Science & Management majors in senior standing.

5 units

Principles of quantitative genetics applied to improvement of livestock and poultry. Effects of mating systems and selection methods are emphasized with illustration from current breeding practices.

Quarter Offered: Spring - Limited to 35 students initially, requires consent of instructor.

3 units

Centers on fundamental mechanisms and pathophysiological basis for animal and human diseases. Case-based and uses animal and human diseases to help exemplify the physiological consequences of organ dysfunction. (Same course as HPH 157.)

Quarter Offered: Fall

4 units

Laboratory animal management procedures in view of animal physiology, health and welfare, government regulations, and experimental needs. Clinical techniques using rodents and rabbits as models.

Quarter Offered: Winter

3 units

Restricted to upper division or graduate level students only. Introduction to metabolism of protein, fat and carbohydrate: the biological role of vitamins and minerals; nutrient requirements during the life cycle; assessment of dietary intake and nutritional status. Not open for credit to students who have completed NUT 101 or NUT 111AV.

Quarter Offered: Fall

3 units

Biochemical, physiological, genetic, and nutritional causes of important medical problems such as obesity, anorexia, heart disease and diabetes. Only 1 unit of credit allowed to students who have completed NPB 131.

Offered irregularly - Preference given to students in advanced standing in the Nutrition Graduate Group, but can take the course with consent of instructor.

3 units

Regulatory mechanisms of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein homeostasis; mechanisms of metabolic enzyme regulation and of the metabolic hormones; homeostatic mechanisms and interactions; fuel-fuel interactions; nutrition-energy balance.

Quarter Offered: Fall

3 units

Plant cell as a functional unit. The processes of absorption, movement, and utilization of water and minerals. Water loss, translocation, photosynthesis, respiration.

Quarter Offered: Winter

4 units

Principles, methods and applications of plant breeding and genetics to the improvement of crop plants. Illustration of how plant breeding is a dynamic, multidisciplinary, constantly-evolving science. Laboratory emphasizes hands-on experience in the basics of breeding through experiments. Not open for credit to students who have completed PLB 154.

Quarter Offered: Spring

4 units

Philosophy, methods, and problems in developing improved plant species. Topics include: inbreeding, heterosis, progeny testing, breeding methodology, index selection, germplasm conservation, and breeding for stress resistance. Laboratories include tours of breeding facilities and calculation and interpretation of quantitative data.

Quarter Offered: Winter, odd years

4 units

A survey of the concepts of plant development and organization. Examines plant cells, tissues, and organs with special emphasis on experimental evidence for mechanisms regulating developmental processes.

Quarter Offered: Winter, even years - requires consent of instructor, SSC100 prerequisite recommended

3 units

Plant needs, occurrence and reactions of water and mineral nutrients in soils; root systems and their growth in soils; mass flow and diffusion mechanisms in nutrient acquisition; models relating nutrient uptake to soil and plant characteristics;nutrient assimilation and crop quality.

Offered irregularly

4 units

Molecular aspects of higher plant biology with emphasis on gene expression. Plant nuclear and organelle genome organization, gene structure, mechanisms of gene regulation, gene transfer, and special topics related to development and response to biological and environmental stimuli.

Quarter Offered: Winter

4 units

Discussion of plant-microbe interactions, focused on the underlying cellular, biochemical, and molecular events that determine the diseased state.

Offered irregularly

3 units

Study of plant pathogenic microorganisms including taxonomy, biology, molecular mechanisms of disease, and plant disease management. Topics include quorum sensing, rhizosphere biology, genomics, virulence factors, and host plant resistance genes.

Quarter Offered: Winter, odd years

3 units

Viruses as causal agents of plant disease and as tools for manipulating plants; structures of virus particles; mechanisms of transmission, replication, and spread in the plant; cytology and molecular biology in susceptible and resistant reactions to virus infection; virus disease control. Only 2 units of credit to students who complete MIC 262; not open for credit to students who have completed PLP 226.

Quarter Offered: Fall, odd years

3 units

Analysis of interactions necessary for viruses to infect plants.Interactions among insect vectors and host plants involved in the plant-virus life cycle. Evolutionary aspects of the molecular components in viral infection and modern approaches to the interdiction of viral movement. (Same course as PLB 123, PLP 123.)

Quarter Offered: Winter

3 units

Basics of cell signaling pathways, their disruption in disease, and their current utility and future potential as therapeutic targets. Focus is on signaling pathways specific to nervous, endocrine and immune systems, and those fundamental to all cells.

Quarter offered: Winter

3 units

Analysis of basic processes governing cell organization, division, and transport. Study of the integration and regulation of cell behavior in response to changes in cellular environment. No credit for students that have taken BCB 221D.

Quarter Offered: Winter

3 units

Fundamental principles in embryonic development that guide application of modern cellular and genetic approaches to understand developmental mechanisms. Emphasis on experimental approaches used to critically address scientific questions.

Quarter Offered: Fall, even years

3 units

Genetic and molecular analysis of mechanisms that control animal development after fertilization. Establishment of embryonic axes, cell fate and embryonic pattern; induction, apoptosis, tissue patterning. Critical reading of current literature in C.elegans, Drosophila, and mouse genetic model systems.

Quarter Offered: Winter

3 units

Analysis of the pathologic alterations of cancer cells and therapeutic opportunities; with emphasis on animal models, tumor immunotherapy, stress response, metabolism, epigenetics, microRNAs and non-coding RNAs, and microbiota and inflammation.

Quarter Offered: Winter

4 units

Techniques of cell culture, with emphases on cell physiology and the actions of drugs and toxicants on cultured somatic cells. Design, performance and interpretation of experiments with animal cells in vitro.

Quarter Offered: Winter - requires consent of instructor

3 units

Issues, theoretical concepts, and methodologies in developmental neurobiology. Topics include prenatal and postnatal differentiation of neurons, and plasticity in the mature and aging brain. Integration of neurochemical, structural, physiological and behavioral perspectives.

Quarter Offered: Winter, even years

3 units

Use of DNA and genomic sequencing in studies of the diversity of microorganisms. Diversity of microbes, phylogenetics, genome sequencing, comparative genomics, phylogenomics, lateral gene transfer, molecular ecology, metagenomics, and studies of the human microbiome.

Quarter Offered: Spring

3 units

Interactions between non-pathogenic microorganisms and their environment, emphasizing physiological and metabolic characteristics of various groups and their adaptation to and modification of specific habitats.

Quarter Offered: Fall

3 units

Designed to provide an overview of various aspects of microbiology and microbial processes. Topics will include microbial genetics and genomics, microbial metabolism, signaling, and adaptations.

Quarter Offered: Winter - contact instructor regarding MIB 200A prerequisite

3 units

Intended for first-year graduate students in Microbiology and closely-related fields. Advanced topics in phylogeny, physiology and diversity of bacteria.

Quarter Offered: Spring

4 units

Impact of specific food structures on the structure and function of the animal gut microbiota. How food is transformed by, and modulates, the gut microbiota to provide the host with nutrients and protection.

Quarter Offered: Spring

3 units

Recent insights into the microbial communities inhabiting mucosal surfaces, and will discuss how the composition of these communities contributes to normal development, metabolism, education of the immune system, and disease susceptibility.

Quarter Offered: Winter

4 units

Major groups of microorganisms in soil, their interrelationships, and their responses to environmental variables. Role of microorganisms in cycling of nutrients. Plant-microbe relationships. Transformations of organic and inorganic pollutants.

Quarter Offered: Fall, even years - SSC111 prerequisite or equivalent recommended

3 units

Microbial metabolism of organic chemicals in soil, both natural and xenobiotic. Decomposition of organic matter. Kinetics of microbial processes in soil.

Quarter Offered: Fall

3 units

Advanced integrated presentation of animal, bacterial, and plant viruses, including their structure, modes of regulation, expression and replication, and effects on host cells and organisms.

Quarter Offered: Winter

3 units

Overview of immunology including components of the immune system, initiation and regulation of the immune response, infection and immunity, hypersensitivity and immune dysfunction. Clinical immunologic techniques, immunodeficiency, and vaccinology.

Quarter Offered: Fall - Enrollment limited to 30 students

4 units

Comprehensive introduction to the principles of immunology.

Quarter Offered: Spring - requires consent of instructor and/or IMM201 prerequisite

2 units

Covers current topics in the field of innate immunity through student seminar presentations and critical evaluation of the literature. Concepts include: pathogen recognition, intercellular communication, specialized cellular function and effector/signaling molecules.

Quarter Offered: Spring

3 units

Human immune system and mechanisms of immunity. Basic components and function of immune system. Molecular basis of immune response; basic cellular and molecular mechanisms. Interactions between cells of immune system producing immune responses; regulating molecules.

Quarter Offered: Spring - Restricted to graduate student status in the Comparative Pathology Graduate Group; all other students require consent of instructor.

3 units

Current concepts of immunology with an emphasis on interactions between the host, the environment and the pathogen. These interactions will include those that are protective and successful for the host as well as those that are deleterious.

Quarter Offered: Winter, even years

2 units

Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying interactions of nutrition and immune function, including modulation of immunocompetence by diet and effects of immune responses on nutritional needs. Lectures and discussion explore implications for resistance to infection, autoimmunity and cancer.

Quarter Offered: Fall

3 units

Emphasizes molecular genetic and genomic approaches to address fundamental biological questions. Introduces and emphasizes the strengths of prokaryotic and eukaryotic model systems and serves as building block for the BMCDB core courses, which use model systems to develop their themes.

Quarter Offered: Fall

3 units

Conceptual and quantitative basis for macromolecular structure-function relationships. Investigation of the paradigm form follows function. Review of key elements of protein, nucleic acid, and membrane structure. Exploration of specific macromolecular associations by analyzing chemical structure and physical-chemical behavior. No credit for students that have taken BCB 221A.

Quarter Offered: Spring - requires consent of instructors

3 units

Investigation of the basic cellular processes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes that govern the central dogma of molecular biology (DNA-RNA-protein). No credit for students that have taken BCB 221C.

Quarter Offered: Winter, even years

3 units

DNA damage checkpoints, homologous recombination, and meiotic recombination. An advanced treatment of the clinical and current literature to discuss emerging principles and current models in these research areas.

Offered irregularly

3 units

Chemical, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of toxic chemicals. Students are required to write a grant proposal and participate in a grant review panel.

Quarter Offered: Fall

3 units

Genetic and molecular alterations underlying the conversion of normal cells to cancers, emphasizing regulatory mechanisms and pathways. Critical reading of the current literature and development of experimental approaches.

Quarter Offered: Spring

3 units

Gene therapy from basic concepts to clinical applications. Topics include the human genome and genetic variation, genetic diseases, methods to manipulate gene expression, viral and non-viral delivery vectors, history and progress of gene therapy, case studies, and ethical issues. (Same course as PHA 225.)

Offered irregularly

3 units

Human genomic organization; genetic structure of populations; positional cloning, application of linkage, association, and haplotypes; quantitative trait loci analyses; integrative genetic studies of gene expression; DNA repair mechanisms in genetic disease; mutation analyses; epigenetics; mitochondrial disease; gene manipulation and therapy.

Quarter Offered: Fall

3 units

Human genome and genetic variation in human populations, molecular and genomic approaches in the practice of human genetics, epigenetic gene regulation, personal genetics and genomic medicine.

Quarter Offered: Spring - Limited enrollment, requires consent of instructor.

2 units

In-depth study of topics in canine genomics and genetics. Topics will vary annually, but can include positional cloning, whole genome association, complex traits and linkage disequilibrium. Students will lead discussions on assigned readings. May be repeated for credit when topic differs.

Quarter Offered: Winter, odd years - Restricted to 20 students, requires consent of instructor

4 units

Review basic principles in genetics and select topics in molecular genetics with emphasis on behavior. Use of modern molecular methods to outline complex relationships between genes, environment, and behavior. Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 251.

Quarter Offered: Spring

5 units

Computational approaches to model and analyze biological information about genomes, transcriptomes, and proteomes. Topics include genome assembly and annotation, mRNA and small RNA profiling, proteomics, protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions, network analysis, and comparative genomics. Computer programming experience is not required.

Quarter Offered: Fall

3 units

Comparison of genomes at the population and species level. Genomic techniques for mapping disease (and other) genes, reconstruction of evolutionary history and migration patterns, determination of gene function, prediction of organismal traits, and metagenomics: determination of community composition and function.

Quarter Offered: Spring

3 units

Overview of genomic methodologies and key biological findings obtained using genome-wide analyses. RNA profiling, small RNAs, epigenomics, chromatin immunoprecipitation, protein-DNA interactions, proteomics and network analysis.

Quarter Offered: Spring

3 units

Functional genomics (how genetic variation and epigenomics affect gene expression), with an emphasis on clinical relevance and applications. Topics include genetic variation and human disease, cancer therapeutics, and biomarker discovery. (Same course as PHA 250)

Offered irregularly - requires consent of instructor

2 units

Use of computer algorithms and on-line databases to analyze nucleic acid and protein sequences in molecular genetics research.

Offered irregularly - requires consent of instructor

1-5 units

Selected topics in Computational Bioengineering that may vary depending on the year/quarter offered. May be repeated for credit when topic differs. Previous topics include genomic big data analysis.

Offered irregularly

4 units

Fundamental biological, chemical and algorithmic models underlying computational structural biology; protein structure and nucleic acids structure; comparison of protein structures; protein structure prediction; molecular simulations; databases and online services in computational structural biology.

Offered irregularly

2 units

Applying systems theory to understand the properties of biological networks in a variety of model organisms. Emphasis on both local biological circuits, and genome-scale biological networks. Topics include network motifs, robustness, modeling, emergent properties and integration of networks.

Offered irregularly

1-5 units

Special topic in Networks. May be repeated for credit when topic differs. Use Class Search Tool to see specific topic offered for "current" quarter when offered.

Offered irregularly

1-5 units

Special topic in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology. May be repeated for credit when topic differs. Use Class Search Tool to see specific topic offered for "current" quarter when offered.

Quarters Offered: All year

4 units

Descriptive statistics, probability, sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, contingency tables, ANOVA, regression; implementation of statistical methods using computer package. Only 2 units credit allowed to students who have taken STA 013, STA 032 or 103; not open for credit to students who have taken STA 102.

Quarter Offered: Spring

4 units

Basic experimental designs, two-factor ANOVA without interactions, repeated measures ANOVA, ANCOVA, random effects vs. fixed effects, multiple regression, basic model building, resampling methods, multiple comparisons, multivariate methods, generalized linear models, Monte Carlo simulations.

Quarters Offered: All year except Summer Session 2

4 units

Basics of experimental design. One-way and two-way fixed effects analysis of variance models. Randomized complete and incomplete block design. Multiple comparisons procedures. One-way random effects model.

Quarters Offered: All year except Summer Session 2

4 units

Simple linear regression, variable selection techniques, stepwise regression, analysis of covariance, influence measures, computing packages.

Quarters Offered: Fall, Spring

4 units

Fundamental concepts of probability theory, discrete and continuous random variables, standard distributions, moments and moment-generating functions, laws of large numbers and the central limit theorem. Not open for credit to students who have completed MAT 135A.

Quarters Offered: All year except Summer Session 2

4 units

Probability space; discrete probability, combinatorial analysis; independence, conditional probability; random variables, discrete and continuous distributions, probability mass function, joint and marginal density functions; expectation, moments, variance, Chebyshev inequality; sums of random variables, random walk, large number law, central limit theorem. Not open for credit to students who have completed former MAT 131.

Quarter Offered: Spring - contact instructor regarding MAT135A prerequisite

4 units

Generating functions, branching processes, characteristic function; Markov chains; convergence of random variables, law of iterated logarithm; random processes, Brownian motion, stationary processes, renewal processes, queueing theory, martingales. Not open for credit to students who have completed former MAT 132A.

Offered irregularly

4 units

Introduction to computing for data analysis & visualization, and simulation, using a high-level language (e.g., statistical methods in R). Computational reasoning, computationally intensive statistical methods, reading tabular & non-standard data. Not open for credit to students who have taken STA 141 or STA 242.

Quarters Offered: Winter, Spring

3 units

Introduction to SAS, an integrated software system for data retrieval and management, data manipulation and programming. (Same course as EPI 280.)

Offered irregularly - may require consent of instructor

1 unit

SAS programming for graduate students in the public health sciences or other fields who plan to use SAS software for data analysis. (S/U grading only.)

Quarter Offered: Fall - requires consent of instructor

5 units

Probability theory, sampling distributions, statistical inference, and hypothesis testing using standard parametric and correlational approaches. Analysis of variance, factorial and repeated measures, and tests of trends. Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 206

Quarter Offered: Fall - requires consent of instructor

4 units

The Matlab programming environment as a means of organizing, analyzing, and visualizing scientific data. Basic programming concepts such as variables, loops, conditional branching, and efficient programming techniques will be emphasized.

Offered irregularly

4 units

Statistical approaches to problems in computational molecular biology and genomics; formulation of questions via probabilistic modeling, statistical inference methods for parameter estimation, and interpretation of results to address biological questions; application to high-impact problems in functional genomics and molecular biology.

Offered irregularly

4 units

Data analysis experience recommended. Standard and advanced statistical methodology, theory, algorithms, and applications relevant to the analysis of -omics data. (Same course as STA 226.)

Quarter Offered: Spring - contact instructor regarding SPH245 prerequisite

4 units

Emphasizes critical biostatistics for clinical research and targets biomedical audience. Students will develop understanding for basic planning and analysis of clinical studies and learn to develop collaborations with biostatisticians. May be repeated for credit. (Same course as CLH 246.)

Offered irregularly - requires consent of instructor, contact instructor regarding SPH245 prerequisite

4 units

Statistical methods for experimental design and analysis of laboratory data including gene expression arrays, RNA-Seq, and mass spec. (Same course as CLH 247.)

Quarter Offered: Winter - limited enrollment

4 units

Model development and evaluation including sensitivity analyses using R. Four principle modeling methodologies included: algebraic functions of biological processes, physiological-based compartmental models, linear programming and meta-analysis. Fundamental background and understanding of mathematical modeling principles in biological systems. Strong background in statistics and calculus recommended prior to taking this course.

Quarter Offered: Fall, odd years - contact instructor regarding PLS 205 prerequisite

4 units

Multivariate linear and nonlinear models. Model selection and parameter estimation. Analysis of manipulative and observational agroecological experiments. Discriminant, principal component, and path analyses. Logistic and biased regression. Bootstrapping. Exercises based on actual research by UC Davis students. Not open for credit to students who have complete AGR 206.

Quarter Offered: Spring - contact instructor regarding STA206 prerequisite

4 units

Focus on linear and nonlinear statistical models. Emphasis on concepts, methods, and data analysis; formal mathematics kept to minimum. Topics include resampling methods, regularization techniques in regression and modern classification, cluster analysis and dimension reduction techniques using professional level software.

Quarter Offered: Spring? (new course) - contact instructor regarding STA 208 or ECS 171 prerequisite

4 units

Emerging problems in molecular biology and current machine learning-based solutions to those problem. How deep learning, kernel methods, graphical models, feature selection, non-parametric models and other techniques can be applied to application areas such as gene editing, gene network inference and analysis, chromatin state inference, cancer genomics and single cell genomics.

Quarter Offered: Winter

2 units - required for DEB and must be taken before qualifying exams

Fundamentals of molecular biology and chemical engineering involved in recombinant DNA technology. Topics: principles of rate processes of biological systems, optimization of bioreactors, and issues related to overexpression and production of recombinant molecules. Participation in student-directed team projects.

Quarter Offered: Fall

3 units

Integration of modern biotechnology and classical plant breeding including the impact of structural, comparative and functional genomics on gene discovery, characterization and exploitation. Covers molecular markers, plant transformation, hybrid production, disease resistance, and novel output traits. (Same course as PLS 220.)

Quarter Offered: Spring - requires consent of instructor

3 units

Introduction to advanced techniques used for assisted reproductive technologies in mammals and birds, genetic engineering, gene editing, stem cell biology.

Offered irregularly

4 units

Project-based course focused on problem-solving strategies in biology. Emphasis on testing hypotheses by translating real-world problems into an appropriate mathematical model and translating the results into real-world understanding. Only 2 units of credit for students who have previously taken BIM 117 or MIC 117.

Quarter Offered: Winter, even years

3 units

Recombinant DNA technology and its applications. (Same course as FOR 278.)

Quarter Offered: Spring, odd years - Restricted to 16 students, may require consent of instructor. Contact instructor regarding PSC 210 prerequisite.

3 units

Critical presentation and discussion of the most influential advanced issues in neuroimaging, emphasizing fMRI design/analysis and the integration of fMRI with EEG/MEG. May be repeated for credit when topic differs. (Same course as NSC 211, PSC 211.) (S/U grading only.)

Quarter Offered: Spring - Restricted to 16 students, may require consent of instructor.

3 units

Theory and practical application of light and fluorescence microscopy in the biological sciences. Laboratory component focuses on an optics bench, where we build simple compound and confocal microscopes on an optical rail.

Quarter Offered: All year

4 units

Writing abstracts, research proposals, scientific papers, other forms of scientific communication. Presenting data graphically. Primarily for students engaged in or planning careers in basic or applied research.

Quarter Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring - requires consent of instructor

1-5 units

Topics differ depending on the quarter and instructor but the course essentially functions as a writers' workshop. One past example is UWP 298-6 STEM with Alison Bright, where the main project of the course was to write a review paper on a topic related to your research. Other than the main project, the course addressed fallacies that good writers think writing is easy and showed good exercises to improve the students' writing/approach to writing.

Quarter Offered: Fall - contact instructor regarding ABG200B prerequisite. Limited to 12 graduate students; Pass One restricted to Animal Biology Graduate Group students.

2 units

Topics covered include: structure of grants, attention to specifications, concise persuasive writing, and grant budgeting. Identify grant opportunities, write a persuasive research grant proposal, and administer grants.

Offered irregularly - Restricted to members of the Neuroscience and BMCDB graduate groups BUT graduate students in other biomedical programs may enroll with instructor permission.

2 units

Teaches the do’s and don’ts of writing grants in the biomedical sciences and the mechanisms of the review process. May be repeated for credit. (Same course as NSC 270.)

Quarter Offered: Winter, Spring

4 units

Multi-skills ESL course designed to help international/ESL students improve their English language skills for successful academic study. Emphasis on writing, speaking, listening, reading, and academic culture. Not open for credit to students who have taken LIN 025. (S/U grading only.)

Quarter Offered: Winter, Spring

4 units

Focuses on writing needed for academic work, including summaries, critiques, research & grant proposals, memos, resumes, and research papers. Includes a review of grammar needed for writing and some focus on reading skills and American vocabulary and idioms. Not open for credit to students who have taken LIN 026. (S/U grading only.)

Quarter Offered: Fall? (new course) - intended for senior students currently involved in research, so may require consent of instructor

3 units

Writing and communicating research concepts in the biological sciences for scientific audiences. Refining brief, informal, oral descriptions of research, writing documents required for graduate school applications, preparing conference posters, and drafting proposals for scientific fellowships.

Quarter Offered: Fall (sometimes), Winter, Spring

4 units

Communicating effectively about technology and other technical subjects to varied audiences for varied purposes. Suitable for students entering professions that require communicating technical information to subject matter experts, managers, technicians, and non-specialists. Not open for credit to students who have taken UWP 104A prior to fall 2012.

Offered irregularly

4 units

Application of rhetorical theories to scientific issues. Topics include: Rhetorical dimensions of scientific knowledge-making; scientific voice; rhetorical figures in science; incommensurability and demarcation; epistemology, definition, and classification; science wars; models of scientific literacy and accommodation, and implications for risk communication.

Quarter Offered: Fall, even years

4 units

Historical and conceptual framework for contemporary debates about intellectual property and science. Topics include U.S. patent system and copyright law, interaction between patents and industrial policy, credit in academic and industrial science, role of IP in global knowledge politics.

Quarter Offered: Spring

4 units

Examination of the development and deployment of agricultural biotechnologies, particularly transgenic crop plants, microorganisms and animals, with consideration of conventional agriculture, public perceptions of technologies, food safety, environmental impact, public policies and regulations.

Quarter Offered: Fall

4 units

Introduction to rational decision making for public policy problems. Modeling natural/human system interactions, data gathering and hypothesis testing. Predicting outcomes of policy options.

Quarter Offered: Spring

4 units

Introduction to selected topics of the policy process and applications to the field of environmental policy. Develops critical reading skills, understanding of policy theory, and an ability to apply multiple theories to the same phenomena. (Same course as ESP 212A, ENV 200C.)

Offered irregularly

4 units

Method and practice, philosophical basis, and political role of policy analysis. Reviews basic concepts from economic theory; how and why environmental problems emerge in a market economy; and tools necessary for solving environmental problems. (Same course as ESP 212B, ENV 200B.)

Quarter Offered: Winter

3 units

Roles of legislatures, agencies, and courts in creating and interpreting law; legal strategies for addressing environmental problems; major environmental statutes; and the relationship between federal and state/local legal authority.

Quarter Offered: Fall, even years

3 units

Provides an overview of the evidence on the multiple effects of globalization policies on health.

Quarter Offered: Winter

5 units

Introduction to the research process and statistical methods to plan, conduct and interpret experiments. Not open for credit to students who have completed AGR 205.

Offered irregularly

2 units

Examine the historical and philosophical background of the scientific method. Analyze the rational, perceptual, causal, creative and social aspects of scientific knowledge. Clarify the roles of reason, experimentation and creativity in scientific research. (S/U grading only.)

Quarter Offered: Fall

2 units

The goal of this course is to bridge gap between statistics and real-world pathobiology to increase students' skills and independence in experiment design and data analysis. Follows two required core courses (PMI 201 and 202) for students in the Pathology, Microbiology, & Immunology graduate group.

Quarter Offered: Winter - requires consent of instructor

4 units

Analysis of data and design of experiments for laboratory data. (Same course as CLH 245.)

Offered irregularly

3 units

Introduction to the principles of data analysis, experimental design, statistical modeling, inference, and hypothesis tests. Statistical methods of particular importance in biological applications will be emphasized. Examples will be presented from the fields of ecology and evolutionary genetics. (S/U grading only.)

Quarter Offered: Fall - Limited to 20 students; Pass One restricted to Animal Biology Graduate Group students.

3 units

Natural history, management, historical and current uses, and specialized disciplinary features of model and novel animal systems used in research. Development of conceptual approaches in organismal biology to improve experimental design and interpretation of interdisciplinary research studies.

Quarter Offered: Spring - Limited enrollment; Pass One restricted to Animal Biology Graduate Group students. Contact instructor regarding ABG200A prerequisite.

3 units

Continuation of ABG200A: Natural history, management, historical and current uses, and specialized disciplinary features of model and novel animal systems used in research. Development of conceptual approaches in organismal biology to improve experimental design and interpretation of interdisciplinary research studies.