The dissolution of the boundaries between the classical disciplines of the biological sciences prompted the faculty of the Division of Cell and Molecular Biology to develop a flexible and modern core curriculum that can offer the broad education now necessary as a foundation for mores specialized studies in any aspect of biomedical research. The core course presents first-year students with an integrated view of contemporary biology that begins at the level of individual molecules and progresses through an analysis of the complex structures and functions of differentiated cells. Analysis of these systems is used to illustrate how the knowledge and concepts developed during study of the basic threads can be integrated and interrelated. The course places a major emphasis on developing the student's ability to understand and evaluate scientific papers and seminars. The this end, didactic teaching is augmented by frequent discussion sessions, demonstrations, and student presentation.
Significant time is spent analyzing the design, execution, and interpretation of experiments.
Course credit is 7.5 semester hours for each of two semesters.