BIO322 Cell and Molecular Biology (Fall)

BIO322 Cell and Molecular Biology (Fall)

Priority enrollment to students accepted to the Health and Sciences special program. Open to other students if space permits. Required core course for majors in the life sciences. We will discuss structural and functional relationships of cells with emphasis on similarities among all living organisms. This course provides an introduction to cellular biochemistry, metabolism and energy flow, cellular and Mendelian genetics, and the chemical basis of heredity.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

    • Distinguish the major classes of biomolecules present in cells, including their chemistry of assembly, subcellular locations and functions.
    • Recognize the ways in which energy is obtained by organisms and cells, stored and utilized in different cellular contexts.
    • Describe the nature, organization and replication and inheritance of genetic material in living systems.
    • Describe the expression and regulation of genes, including how proteins that possess specific cellular locations are trafficked and sorted to those sites.
    • Recognize and describe common mechanisms regulating assembly and disassembly of cellular components, including the biochemical mechanisms underpinning protein folding, modification and regulation.
    • Describe the ways cytoskeletal proteins participate in cell organization, division and play specific roles in specialized cell types.
    • Describe the organization and functions of major intra- and extra-cellular signaling pathways.
    • Describe how cells transport, compartmentalize and utilize specific ions to carry out distinct cellular processes.
    • Apply knowledge of cell biology and genetics to selected examples of changes or losses in cell function, including responses to environmental or physiological changes, or alterations of cell function brought about by mutation in contexts such as cancers.
    • Distinguish among experimental methods common to cell biology and genetics and analyze data from experimentation to demonstrate understanding of cell and molecular biology principles.

Prereqs: [BIO 121 and BIO 123 and BIO 224] and [CHE 106 or CHE 109]

BIO306 Drug Discovery (Fall, Spring)

Drug discovery is the process through which potential new medicines are identified. In this course, we will explore historical perspectives on traditional drug discovery and the use of new Biotechnology tools that can be applied for the discovery and design of new drugs.

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the steps involved from drug discovery to final market approval. We will examine how the candidates and the targets get established, and the types of laboratory tests and clinical trials that are required before a drug is ready for human use.

We will pay particular attention to the new methods for the design of drugs that are now used to tackle certain challenging illnesses and to the use of new Biotechnology approaches to drug design. We will study the process and issues from both the U.S. and European perspectives.

BIO380.5 Native Chilean Flora

Taught in Spanish at Pontificia Universidad Católica and may not be offered every semester.  In this course you’ll learn the main characteristics of the native flora of Chile, their biology, taxonomic classification, geographic distribution and economic and phytogeographic importance.

The goals of the course are to:

  1. Differentiate the vegetative and reproductive cycles of the main species of the native communities.
  2. Recognize vegetative and vegetative morphological characteristics, that allow the identification of the main native species.
  3. Compare the phenomorphology of the main native species.
  4. Differentiate the taxonomic groups to which the most important species belong in Chile.
  5. Phylogenetically classify the main taxonomic groups present in the flora of Chile.
  6. Characterize the main families of native vascular plants.
  7. Construct dichotomous keys to identify the main native species.
  8. Acquire a suitable scientific language that facilitates the study of the subject matter of the course.
  9. Explain the origin and factors that have determined the current composition and distribution of the main plant communities of the country.
  10. Recognize the structure and classification of the forest communities of Chile.
  11. Describe the main plant communities of Chile.
  12. Identify the main morph-physiological adaptations of the woody species of the Chilean forests.
  13. Indicate the main climatic, topographical, flowering, fruiting, and disturbance patterns of Chile’s temperate forests.
  14. Know the importance and location of wild protected areas by the state in Chile.
  15. Study mechanisms for the use, commercialization and sustainable use of native species used by humanity.

(PUC #AGC220)

BIO380.4 Microbiology (U Católica)

Taught in Spanish. This course delves into the study of microorganisms including bacteriology, virology, mycology, and immunology. It studies the host-parasite relationship as a fundamental element in the understanding of pathological processes related to work in the field. Its main objectives are to provide the student with a basicv understanding of:

  • Morphology and physiology of prokaryotic microorganisms,
  • Mycology and virology,
  • Animal immune response, and
  • Pathogenic microorganisms and the pathogen–host relationship.

(PUC #BIO145G)

This course is taught in Spanish at Pontificia Universidad Católica and may not be offered every semester.

Prereq: Fundamental organic chemistry.

Registration restriction: SU students may not earn credit for both this course and BIO 409, General Microbiology.

BIO380.3 General Physiology and Biophysics

Taught in Spanish. The goals of this course are: to provide the students an integrated functional vision of animal organisms with emphasis on general physiology in molecular, cellular and system levels; to integrate concepts of physics, chemistry and biophysics in the analysis of physiological processes, and to contribute to the training of students in scientific concepts and criteria that will serve them well in their subsequent professional performance. Objectives of the course include: sufficient knowledge of the basic sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and statistics) for the understanding of modern medicine and substantiation of the knowledge to be acquired in the future; understanding of the main molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms that maintain homeostasis; familiarity with the normal structure and function of the body, an organism integrated and each its organs and systems; and understanding of the morphological and functional alterations related to major diseases. SU students may not earn credit for both this course and BIO 355 – General Physiology. Class taught at Pontificia Universidad Católica and may not be available every semester. (PUC BIO0252M)

BIO312 Marine Ecology of the Mediterranean Sea and North Africa (Signature Seminar; Fall, Spring)

Limited enrollment. This Signature Seminar studies the main coastal and marine ecosystems, the uses and misuses, the protection measures implemented, and how interactions of the different civilizations have shaped and “humanized” the Mediterranean environment. We research and compare the management practices between Europe and the North of Africa and visit key ecosystems, research facilities, and special interest areas.

Integrated throughout the course will be the skill set for earning SNSI Certification. The diving instruction will combine theory in the classroom setting and dives in the surrounding bodies of water adjacent to the Marine Reserve of Islas Hormigas. During these dives, you will also apply theoretical terms acquired in the classroom.

Enrollment priority goes to biology and related science majors and others with a demonstrated academic need (i.e., this course will fulfill a specified degree requirement).

Requirements: Ability to swim 200 meters without swim aids or 300 meters with aids such as fins, mask, and snorkel, plus the ability to float without the assistance of a flotation device for 10 minutes. Students placed in this seminar must submit a medical statement signed by their physician and a liability waiver.

This optional course carries an additional program fee. Please see the Madrid Cost and Aid page for more information.

BIO380.5 Intro to Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is a rapidly growing field that integrates molecular biology, statistics, and computer science. This course is devoted to the mathematical models and computer algorithms of DNA and protein sequence analysis. In this course, students will learn many of the popular tools for performing bioinformatics analysis and will be introduced to the thinking that drives these algorithms. Various existing bioinformatics methods will be critically described and the strengths and limitations of each will be discussed. (GEN 2008)

BIO380.4 Clinical Genetics and Genetic Counseling

In this course students explore the genetic causes of congenital and acquired disorders to gain insight in the possibilities of genetic diagnostics (pre-implantation, prenatal, postnatal) and genetic counseling. Students also discuss the ethics of genetic counseling and genetic tests. (GEN 4052)

BIO380.3 Microbiology

The course will introduce the students to the biology of microorganisms with emphasis on prokaryotes. It covers structure, metabolism, genetics, growth and pathogenicity of bacteria. (GEN 3051)

BIO380.2 Biotechnology

This course is an introduction to the field of biotechnology. The objective is to discuss the regulations and utilization of biotechnology for food, healthcare, environment and energy. Students also explore ethical concerns raised with biotechnology. (GEN 3005)