PDF version of this chapterCourses of Instruction
Biological Sciences (BISC)
The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.
101Lxg Cellular and Molecular Biology (4, FaSp) Cellular and molecular biology with examples related to human biology and diseases. Fundamental life processes examined at the genetic, cellular and molecular levels. Not available for major credit.
102Lxg Humans and Their Environment (4, Fa) An examination of the physical and biological laws that influence agriculture, pollution, population dynamics (including humans), climate, biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function. Not available for major credit.
104Lxg How the Body Works: Topics in Human Physiology (4, Fa) Structure and function of the human body, including the role of organ systems, tissues, and cells in normal function. Malfunctions relating to disease, substance abuse and lifestyle. Not available for major credit.
108L Special Laboratory I (1) Laboratory component for BISC 120 for entering freshmen or transfer students with advanced placement or equivalent lecture credit from another institution. Prerequisite: departmental approval.
109L Special Laboratory II (1) Laboratory component for BISC 220 for entering freshmen or transfer students with advanced placement or equivalent lecture credit from another institution. Prerequisite: departmental approval.
120Lg General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution (4, FaSm) In-depth survey of key topics related to advances in our knowledge of the diversity of life and evolution; origin of life; eukaryotes/prokaryotes; ecology. (Duplicates credit in BISC 112L, BISC 113L, and BISC 121L.) Corequisite: CHEM 105aL or CHEM 115aL.
121Lg Advanced General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution (4, Sp) Equivalent to 120L, but taught at a higher level for exceptionally well-prepared students. Admission to the course by departmental approval only. (Duplicates credit in BISC 112L, BISC 113L, and BISC 120L.) Corequisite: CHEM 115aL.
140 Human Impact on the Ocean Planet (4) Overview of marine biodiversity and human influence on marine biota; eutrophication in bays and estuaries; global movement of invasive species, harmful algal blooms, fishing activities and sewage/chemical pollution.
150Lxg The Nature of Human Health and Disease (4, FaSp) The human organism; the nature of inherited and acquired diseases; the biological and societal basis for the AIDS epidemic; therapy, drug design and the future. Not available for major credit.
180Lxg Evolution (4, Sp) Changes in the physical and biological universe over time; origins of life, dinosaurs, human evolution. Implications of evolutionary mechanisms and mass extinctions for human survival. Not available for major credit.
193 Freshman Colloquium I (1, Fa) A series of lectures and discussions at which faculty of the department introduce their research activities to students entering biology and related majors. Graded CR/NC. Corequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L.
194 Freshman Colloquium II (1, Sp) A series of lectures and discussions at which faculty of the department introduce their research activities to students entering biology and related majors. Graded CR/NC. Corequisite: BISC 220L or BISC 221L.
212Lx Human Anatomy (4, FaSp) Systemic human anatomy; morphological and embryological conditions contributing to the structures of the adult. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Not available for major credit to biological sciences majors. (Duplicates credites in former BISC 320Lx.) Prerequisite: high school biology; recommended preparation: BISC 120L or BISC 121L.
220L General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology (4, SpSm) In-depth survey of key topics related to advances in our knowledge of cellular biology and physiology; cell composition/metabolism; gene action; organism structure and function. (Duplicates credit in BISC 110L, BISC 111L, and BISC 221L.) Recommended preparation: BISC 120L or BISC 121L.
221L Advanced General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology (4, Sp) Equivalent to 220L, but taught at a higher level for exceptionally well-prepared students. Admission to the course by departmental approval only. (Duplicates credit in BISC 110L, BISC 111L, and BISC 220L) Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; corequisite: CHEM 105bL or CHEM 115bL.
230Lxg Brain, Mind and Machines: Topics in Neuroscience (4, Sp) The structure and function of the mammalian brain including the role of the brain in regulating behavior, both in normal and diseased states; in relation to mind; and in comparison with machine forms of intelligence. Not available for major credit.
290L Introduction to Biological Research (2 or 4, max 4, FaSpSm) Experience in basic techniques through supervised research in the research laboratory of a departmental faculty member. Graded CR/NC. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L; CHEM 105bL or CHEM 115bL; departmental approval.
300L Introduction to Microbiology (4, Fa) Comparative approach to bacteria, Archaea and viruses; their structure, life cycles, geochemical activity, ecology and nutrition. Fundamentals of metabolism and microbial genetics. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 6 hours. Prerequisite: BISC 311 or BISC 320L; CHEM 322aL or CHEM 325aL.
307L General Physiology (4, Sp) Physiological functions of the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, integumentary, musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, and urogenital systems of animals. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: BISC 220L or BISC 221L.
310Lx Principles of Human Microbiology (4, Sp) Microbial agents and their relationships to human diseases; pathogenesis, virulence, immunity; epidemiology; control in hospital and community; sterilization, disinfection; introduction to laboratory identification. Not available for major credit to biological sciences majors. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: high school biology; recommended preparation: BISC 120L or BISC 121L.
311 Molecular Biology (4, FaSpSm) Structure and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins; molecular biology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes; principles of genetics and cell biology. Prerequisite: BISC 220L or BISC 221L; CHEM 105aLbL or CHEM 115aLbL; recommended preparation: BISC 120L or BISC 121L.
313 Evolution and Population Genetics (4, Sp) History of evolutionary thought; molecular basis for evolution; dynamics of genes in populations; speciation and macroevolution; patterns of evolution. Prerequisite: BISC 220L or BISC 221L; BISC 120L or BISC 121L; recommended preparation: BISC 311 or BISC 320L.
315L Introduction to Ecology (4, Fa) Organism-environment interactions; dynamics of populations, communities, and ecosystems; evolutionary forces. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L.
316L Biochemistry and Cell Biology (4, FaSpSm) Protein structure and function; cellular structure and metabolism; cell cycle; protein synthesis; hormone action. Prerequisite: BISC 311 or BISC 320L; and CHEM 322aL or CHEM 325aL.
320L Molecular Biology (4, FaSm) Structure and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins; molecular biology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes; principles of genetics and cell biology. (Duplicates credit in BISC 311.) Prerequisite: CHEM 105bL or CHEM 115bL.
321x Science, Technology and Society (2, Sp) Builds upon a basic science background to provide students with an awareness of cutting edge scientific research, its technological applications and its societal ramifications. Not available for major credit. (Duplicates credit in former MDA 321.) Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L or BISC 220L or BISC 221L; CHEM 105aL or CHEM 115aL; PHYS 135aL or PHYS 151L.
325 Genetics (4, Fa) Transmission genetics and genotype/phenotype; mapping methods; complex traits; genetics of human disease and population genetics. (Duplicates credit in BISC 313.) Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L; BISC 311 or BISC 320L; CHEM 322aL; corequisite: CHEM 322bL or CHEM 325bL.
330L Biochemistry (4, Sp) Basic biochemical principles; classes of molecules -- structure and function; cellular energetics. (Duplicates credit in BISC 316L). Prerequisite: BISC 311 or BISC 320L; CHEM 322aL.
369L Ecology and the Natural History of California (4, Sp) Marine, freshwater, and terrestrial communities of California. Life histories, morphology, special evolutionary adaptations. Relationships between organisms and their biological-physical-chemical environment. Emphasis on field biology. Junior standing. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L.
373L Conservation Biology (4, Sp) Biological principles underlying conservation including ecology, evolution, genetics and biogeography. Covers both marine and terrestrial environment, with special emphasis on island biology. Catalina semester only. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L; recommended preparation: BISC 311 or BISC 320L; BISC 313 or BISC 325.
390 Special Problems (1-4) Supervised, individual studies. No more than one registration permitted. Enrollment by petition only.
403 Advanced Molecular Biology (4, Fa) Molecular mechanisms and control of DNA replication, DNA repair, recombination, gene expression, cell growth, and development in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, from bacteria to humans. Prerequisite: BISC 311 or BISC 3201L; recommended preparation: BISC 313 or BISC 325.
405L General Embryology (4, Fa) Vertebrate and human development: cellular differentiation; germ cell development and growth; hormonal regulation of reproductive cycles; cleavage through neurulation and subsequent development of primary organs. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Junior standing. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L; recommended preparation: two from BISC 311, BISC 313, BISC 316L, BISC 320L, BISC 325 and BISC 330L.
406L Biotechnology (4, Sp) Techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry applied to prokaryotic and eukaryotic model systems; applications of recombinant DNA and genomic technology. Prerequisite: BISC 311 or BISC 320L; recommended preparation: BISC 313 or BISC 325.
410 Applications of Molecular Biology to Medicine (4, Fa) Advances and trends in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. Senior standing. Prerequisite: BISC 316L or BISC 330L.
411 Cell Biology (4, Sp) The synthesis, transport and assembly of the complex structures that mediate eukaryotic cellular function. Electrical and biochemical mechanisms underlying intercellular communication. Prerequisite: BISC 220L; BISC 311 or BISC 320L.
419 Environmental Microbiology (4, Sp) Qualitative and quantitative appraisal of microbial activities in pure and contaminated environments; microbial community and its development; interspecific relationships; effects of microorganisms on their surroundings. Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite: BISC 316L or BISC 330L; recommended preparation: BISC 300L.
421 Neurobiology (4, Fa) Structure, function, and development of nervous systems; neural integration and mechanisms of behavior; organization and operation of brains. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 2 hours. Prerequisite: BISC 220L or BISC 221L.
422L Neurobiology Laboratory (2, FaSp) Experimentation on excitable cells, synapses, and neural circuits; intracellular and extracellular techniques for recording, stimulation, and identification of nerve and muscle cells. Lecture, 1 hour; laboratory, 3 hours. Corequisite: BISC 421.
423 Epilepsy to Ecstasy: Biological Basis of Neurological Disorders (4, Sp) Examination of various neurological disorders originating from developmental signaling and/or anatomical abnormalities. Prerequisite: BISC 421.
425x History of Discovery in Biology (4, Sp) Exploration of intellectual and experimental revolutions that produced fundamental discoveries in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and evolution; social, institutional, and artistic factors will also be considered. Not available for major credit in the natural sciences. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L; HIST 103 or HIST 104.
435 Advanced Biochemistry (4, Sp) Macromolecular structure and function; enzymology; metabolic regulation. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 2 hours. Prerequisite: BISC 316L or BISC 330L.
437L Comparative Physiology of Animals (4, Sp) Control of the internal environment of animals in relation to their external environment. Thermal regulation, osmoregulation, excretion, and ion balance. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Junior standing. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L; recommended preparation: two from BISC 311, BISC 313, BISC 316L, BISC 320L, BISC 325 and BISC 330L.
438 Nutritional Biochemistry (4, Fa) Digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients; metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, fats; biochemistry of vitamins, minerals, trace elements; nutritional needs; medical aspects of nutrition. Prerequisite: BISC 316L or BISC 330L.
440 Biodemography of Aging (4) (Enroll in GERO 440)
445L Fundamentals of Vertebrate Biology (4, Sp) Evolution and comparative anatomy of vertebrates. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Junior standing. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L; recommended preparation: two from BISC 311, BISC 313, BISC 316L, BISC 320L, BISC 325 and BISC 330L.
450L Principles of Immunology (4, Fa) Immune processes, humoral and cellular; immunoglobulins; antibody formation; antigen-antibody interactions; immune dyscrasias; transplantation and tumor immunology; basic hematology and immuno-hematology. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: BISC 220L or BISC 221L.
460 Seminar in Marine and Environmental Biology (2, max 4, FaSp) Topical seminar in marine and environmental biology. Junior, senior or graduate standing.
461 Seminar in Molecular and Computational Biology (2, max 4, FaSp) Topical seminar in molecular and computational biology. Junior, senior or graduate standing.
462 Seminar in Neurobiology (2, max 4, FaSp) Topical seminar in neurobiology. Junior, senior or graduate standing.
467L Histology (4, FaSm) Descriptive and comparative survey of cells, tissues, and organ systems, with emphasis upon the correlation of structure and function. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 6 hours. Senior standing. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L; recommended preparation: BISC 311 or BISC 313 or BISC 316L or BISC 320L or BISC 325 or BISC 330L.
469L Marine Biology (4, Fa) Oceanography and marine biology, sampling techniques, evolutionary adaptations, morphology, systematics. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Field trip and field research projects required. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L.
473L Biological Oceanography (4, Sp) Biological, physical, chemical dynamics and analysis of the ocean; primary production of phytoplankton, secondary production by zooplankton, bacterial remineralization; physiology, ecology of fishes, marine mammals. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Junior standing. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L; recommended preparation: two from BISC 311, BISC 313, BISC 316L, BISC 320L, BISC 325 and BISC 330L.
474L Ecosystem Function and Earth Systems (4, Fa) General principles of ecosystem function, energy flow and materials cycling in marine systems at various scales and the importance of microbial processes in these systems. Taught on Catalina Island. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L.
478 Computational Genome Analysis (4, Sp) Introduction to and applications of algorithms and statistics to genome analysis. Analysis of physical and genetic maps, DNA sequencing, sequence comparisons, DNA chips. Prerequisite: BISC 311 or BISC 320L; BISC 325.
480 Developmental Biology (4, FaSp) Basic mechanisms of animal development are considered at different levels of analysis. Emphasis is on molecular, genetic, and cellular processes underlying vertebrate and invertebrate development. General concepts and evolutionary mechanisms are emphasized. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 2 hours. Prerequisite: BISC 220L or BISC 221L.
483 Geobiology and Astrobiology (4, Sp) Relationships between microbiota and the earth environment including the hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere, with consideration of the potential for life on other planets. Prerequisite: BISC 120L, CHEM 105bL.
490x Directed Research (2-8, max 8, FaSpSm) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.
493x Honors Seminar (1, max 4, FaSp) Not available for graduate credit. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L.
494x Honors Thesis (2, FaSp) Not available for graduate credit. Prerequisite: BISC 493.
499 Special Topics (2-4, max 8, FaSp) Lecture and discussion in specialized areas of the biological sciences. Students cannot register more than twice for this course. Junior standing. Prerequisite: BISC 220L or BISC 221L; recommended preparation: two from BISC 311, BISC 313, BISC 316L, BISC 320L, BISC 325 and BISC 330L.
502ab Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry (4-4, FaSp) Current genetic and biochemical analysis of replication, recombination, mutagenesis, and repair. Fundamentals of transcription and regulation of gene expression. Recent applications of genetic engineering and genome analysis.
504L Laboratory Techniques in Cellular and Molecular Biology (1-4, max 8, FaSp) Rotation of graduate students through Molecular Biology research laboratories to learn the major technological skills required in the field. Graded CR/NC.
505 Genomics and Molecular Genetics (4, Sp) Molecular genetics (mutagenesis, repair, recombination, and gene regulation) from quantitative and mechanistic approaches. Simple and complex genome analysis using recombinant DNA, physical, and computational techniques. Recommended preparation: BISC 502b.
510ab Integrative and Evolutionary Biology (a: 4, Fa; b: 4, Sp) Current topics in integrative and evolutionary biology including genetics, natural selection, ecology with emphasis on higher order complex questions including form, function, and energy use throughout the life span.
520 Recent Advances in Neurobiology (2 or 4, max 12, Fa) Lectures on selected topics in neurobiology. Registration restricted to three semesters. Prerequisite: graduate status in departmental program or departmental approval.
529 Seminar in Marine Biology (1, max 4, FaSp) Graded CR/NC.
530 Advanced Seminar in Plankton Biology (2, FaSp) An overview of phytoplankton and zooplankton taxa, their morphologies and life histories using material collected from the local environment off LA and near the Phillip K. Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island.
531 Advanced Seminar on the Physiology of Marine Organisms (2, FaSp) Physiological processes dictate survival potential, growth rates, and many other biological processes that affect the distribution of species in the oceans. Emphasis on the diverse environmental factors that influence physiological adaptations of marine organisms. Examples from a wide variety of marine organisms, from bacterial to animals, will be studied.
532 Advanced Seminar in Molecular and Microbial Ecology (2, FaSp) Microorganisms dominate biological processes in the ocean. These species pose significant problems for estimating species diversity, abundance and activity. Examination of modern molecular biological approaches for analyzing aquatic microbial communities and their ecological roles.
533 Advanced Seminar in Remote Sensing and Modeling (2) Modern oceanographic methods for making remote measurements of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems using satellite imagery and other means. Integrating these data into models that describe ecosystem structure and enable interpretation of ecosystem function.
534 Advanced Seminar in Population Genetics of Marine Organisms (2) An overview of the theory underlying population and quantitative genetics, with applications to marine systems. Basic evolutionary mechanisms (mutation, migration, drift, selection, nonrandom mating) and modern evidence for their roles in structuring genetic variation within and among marine populations.
535 Seminar in Physiology (2, max 8, FaSp)
536 Advanced Seminar in Marine/Global N Cycle (2) Biological processes in marine ecosystems strongly affect the cycling of important elements on our planet. Examination of the interplay between ocean biology and the cycling of carbon and nitrogen on a local, regional and global scale.
537 Seminar in Cellular and Molecular Biology (2, max 8, FaSp)
542 Seminar in Molecular Biology (1, max 6, FaSp) Graded CR/NC.
543 Human Molecular Genetics (4) (Enroll in BIOC 543)
549 Seminar in Integrative and Evolutionary Biology (2, max 6, FaSp) Current topics in integrative and evolutionary biology.
577ab Computational Molecular Biology Laboratory (2-2) (Enroll in MATH 577ab)
581L Current Problems in Marine Sciences (4, max 16, Irregular) In-depth studies on selected problems of current interest in the marine sciences. Lecture and laboratory.
582 Advanced Biological Oceanography (4, Fa) Aspects of physics and chemistry of the oceans. Qualitative and quantitative considerations of the ecology of pelagic and benthic communities.
583 Biochemistry and Physiology of Marine Organisms (4, Fa) Biochemical and physiological adaptations of marine bacteria, plants, and animals to the wide range of environments that exists in the ocean.
584 Faculty Lecture Series (2, Sp) Multi-instructor course designed to introduce students to the breadth and depth of faculty interests within the Marine Environmental Biology section of Biological Sciences and the Natural History Museum.
585 Scientific Writing and Reviewing (2, Sp) Hands-on experience writing and reviewing scientific literature. The review process and participation in writing and reviewing their own proposals.
590 Directed Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.
599 Special Topics (2-4, max 8, Irregular)
790 Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.
794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.