Biological Sciences Course Updates
The Biological Sciences courses listed below are either new or have had significant changes within the last academic year.
Course information for all other courses can be found within the General Catalog.
BILD Courses
No course updates at this time.
BIBC Courses
BIBC 100: Structural Biochemistry (4)
Update to duplicate credit - effective Summer 2026
The structure and function of biomolecules. Includes protein conformation, dynamics, and function; enzymatic catalysis, enzyme kinetics, and allosteric regulation; lipids and membranes; sugars and polysaccharides; and nucleic acids. Note: Students may receive credit for one of the following: BIBC 100, CHEM 114A, or CHEM 114AR.
Prerequisite(s)
- BENG 120 or CHEM 140A or CHEM 40A or CHEM 41A and BENG 120 or CHEM 140B or CHEM 40B or CHEM 41B.
BIBC 104 Gene Editing & Biotechnology (4)
New course - effective Spring 2025
Introduction to the fundamentals of biotechnology including the principles of CRISPR-based gene editing technology. The course will cover various applications of biotechnology, with particular emphasis on crop domestication and improvement including commercialization of edited crops. Topics include genetic modifications by CRISPR, plant transformation, genetically modified foods, and policy/regulation of biotechnology.
Prerequisite(s)
- BICD 100 or BICD 100R
BICD Courses
BICD 142 Forces of Life: Introduction to Physical Biology (4)
New course - effective Winter 2026
Explore the frontier where biology meets physics in this introduction to the physical principles that shape life. Use simple models and concepts from physics to understand bird flocks, jiggling proteins, cell organization, stripes and spots, elephant leg mechanics, and more. Develop skills for modern biology through guided hands-on calculations and computational exercises. Designed to provide biology majors with an accessible entry point to understanding life quantitatively.
Prerequisite(s)
- BILD 1 and PHYS 1A and PHYS 1B
BIEB Courses
BIEB 182: Biology of Global Change (4)
Update to prerequisite- effective Winter 2026
This class will focus on ecological and evolutionary responses to three major anthropogenic stressors—climate change, resource exploitation, and urbanization. Students will learn about the eco-evolutionary changes that are currently happening due to anthropogenic impacts and also predictions about future changes due to such impacts. They will also learn about the economic and societal impacts of such changes and some of the strategies for conservation and sustainability in a changing world.
Prerequisite(s)
- BILD 3
BIMM Courses
BIMM 100: Molecular Biology (4)
Update to duplicate credit - effective Winter 2026
Molecular mechanisms and applications of the central dogma. Genome structure and function. Transcription and translation. Regulation of gene expression. Use of DNA technology in basic and applied biology. Note: Students may receive credit for one of the following: BIMM 100, BIMM 100R or CHEM 114C.
Prerequisite(s)
- BILD 1 and BIBC 103 or BILD 4 or BILD 70 or BIMM 101 and BENG 120 or CHEM 40A or CHEM 40AH or CHEM 41A and BENG 120 or CHEM 40B or CHEM 40BH or CHEM 41B
BIMM 100R: Molecular Biology (4)
New course - effective Fall 2025
Molecular mechanisms and applications of the central dogma. Genome structure and function. Transcription and translation. Regulation of gene expression. Use of DNA technology in basic and applied biology. Note: This course is a Distance Education course. Students may receive credit for one of the following: BIMM 100, BIMM 100R or CHEM 114C.
Prerequisite(s)
- BILD 1 and BIBC 103 or BILD 4 or BILD 70 or BIMM 101 and BENG 120 or CHEM 40A or CHEM 40AH or CHEM 41A and BENG 120 or CHEM 40B or CHEM 40BH or CHEM 41B
BIMM 116R: Circadian Rhythms—Biological Clocks (4)
Update to duplicate credit - effective Winter 2026
This interdisciplinary course provides an overview of the fundamental properties of daily biological clocks of diverse species, from humans to microbes. Emphasis is placed on the relevance of internal time keeping in wide-ranging contexts including human performance, health, and industry. This course is a Distance Education course. Students may receive credit for one of the following: BIMM 116, BIMM 116R.
Prerequisite(s)
- BILD 1 or COGS 107B or PSYC 106
BIPN Courses
BIPN 103: Human Anatomy with Lab (6)
New course - effective Spring 2025
Tour the human body, studying the form and function of your internal structures. Through lecture, students will examine the cellular and structural organization of different organ systems, including the cardiovascular, digestive, muscular, nervous, renal, reproductive, respiratory, and skeletal systems. In lab, students will apply what is learned through hands-on work.
The course uses virtual reality headsets as a teaching tool. Program or material lab fee may apply. Intended for pre-health students. Recommended preparation (optional): BIPN 102.
Prerequisite(s)
- BILD 4
- BIPN 100
BIPN 118: Neuropharmacology (4)
New course - effective Spring 2025
Course will cover fundamental concepts in pharmacology, major drug classes that act in the brain and their mechanisms of action, and advanced concepts at the frontier of drug discovery in neuroscience. Advanced topics will include allosteric modulators, biased signaling at GPCRs, therapeutic uses of ketamine and psychedelic drugs, and precision pharmacology for research and medicine.
Prerequisite(s)
- BIPN 140
BISP Courses
No course updates at this time.