Carnegie Mellon University
Mellon College of Science  ›  Biological Sciences  ›  Undergraduate  ›  Courses

Course descriptions are updated at the beginning of each semester. For the most up-to-date course descriptions as well as course times and locations, visit the university-wide schedule of classes.

Looking for graduate courses? View graduate courses here.

Undergraduate Courses

03117 Frontiers, Analysis, and Discovery in Biological Sciences

In this hands-on laboratory class, students will investigate a current biology problem. Students will read literature articles, design hypotheses, plan and carry out experiments, analyze and interpret data, and design future questions as part of a collaborative research…

03118 Beer: A Yeast's Perspective

This is a combined lecture and laboratory course in which students will investigate the biochemistry of fermentation using strains of yeast commonly used in brewing science. Lectures and readings will cover all necessary information to succeed in the course, including…

03120-A2 Bench Skills with Fluorescent Proteins

In this combined lecture and lab course we will develop our toolkit of molecular biology bench skills in order to identify unknown fluorescent proteins. You will complete experimental work to isolate plasmids, characterize DNA, express fluorescent proteins in bacteria,…

03121-B Modern Biology

This is an introductory course that provides the basis for further studies in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and molecular biology. This course emphasizes the chemical principles underlying biological processes and cell structures as well as the analysis of genetics…

03125-A Evolution

Evolutionary theory is the unifying principle of biology. A good comprehension of the concepts that underlie this theory is therefore important to properly appreciate and understand any biological process. This course is designed for students intending to continue studies…

03132-A Basic Science to Modern Medicine

This course will focus on the genetics, cell biology, and developmental biology behind human biology and human disease, as well as the growing opportunities for novel therapeutic options that basic science delivers. This is a topics based course, with topics chosen to…

03133-A Neurobiology of Disease

This course will explore the biological basis of several neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, with an emphasis on medical diagnostic tools and techniques. It will include discussions of the anatomical basis of neurological diseases as well as recent research into…

03135-A Structure and Function of the Human Body

Structure and Function of the Human Body is a non-majors course designed to explore fundamental relationships between form and function of the human body. The anatomy and physiology of major organ systems will be studied in the context of normal and disease states. Because…

03140 Ecology and Environmental Science

Environmental science is a highly interdisciplinary field that integrates knowledge and modes of inquiry from across the sciences to understand some of the most important challenges of the 21st century. This course provides a foundational background in scientific method,…

03161 Molecules to Mind

This course provides a depth-first approach to understanding neuroscience. We will begin with a clinical focus on neuroanatomy, introducing students to some basic neurological diagnostic techniques. We will then explore the biological basis of neuronal function and link…

03201 Undergraduate Colloquium for Sophomores

The purpose of this seminar series is to update biology undergraduates about university and departmental functions, seminars, etc. that are pertinent or useful. In addition, research talks by faculty and undergraduates will be used to introduce students to the research…

03206 Biomedical Engineering Laboratory

This laboratory course is designed to provide students with the ability to make measurements on and interpret data from living systems. The experimental modules reinforce concepts from 42-101 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering and expose students to four areas of…

03210 Independent Study

Students will read papers from the original literature under the direction of a faculty member. Students will be required to demonstrate mastery of the readings by discussions with the sponsoring faculty member, oral presentations, or writing of one or more papers…

03220 Genetics

The mechanisms of transmission of inherited traits in viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants and animals are discussed. Molecular mechanisms of gene expression and gene regulation are analyzed. Recombinant DNA and its applications in genetic analysis, biotechnology, forensics,…

03221 Genomes, Evolution, and Disease: Introduction to Quantitative Genetic Analysis

Scientific and technical advances in genetics have accelerated dramatically since the draft human genome sequence was published in 2001. The development of massively parallel DNA sequencing and associated technologies has transformed the way we approach genetic questions.…

03231 Honors Biochemistry

This course provides an introduction to molecules and processes found in living systems. Amino acids, sugars, lipids and nucleotides and their corresponding higher structures, proteins, polysaccharides, membranes and nucleic acids are studied. Kinetics and mechanisms of…

03232 Biochemistry I

This course provides an introduction to the application of biochemistry to biotechnology. The functional properties of amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, and sugars are presented. This is followed by a discussion of the structural and thermodynamic aspects of the…

03301 Undergraduate Colloquium for Juniors

The purpose of this seminar series is to update biology undergraduates about university and departmental functions, seminars, etc. that are pertinent or useful. In addition, research talks by faculty and undergraduates will be used to introduce students to the research…

03320 Cell Biology

This course provides descriptive information and mechanistic detail concerning key cellular processes in six areas: membrane function, protein targeting, signaling, cytoskeleton, cell division, and cell interaction. An attempt is made to introduce the methodology that was…

03342 Introduction to Biological Laboratory Practices

This course is designed for students in the BSA degree program. It is designed to be an introduction to basic laboratory practices. The course will introduce biological and chemical safety training and basic laboratory practices. Techniques of solution preparation and…

03343 Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology

This laboratory course is designed to teach experimental methods of modern biology. Experiments in microbial genetics, molecular biology and eukaryotic genetics are performed. Emphasis is placed on understanding and applying the biological principles of each experiment.…

03344 Experimental Biochemistry

This course is designed to be taken as a sequel to 03-343. Experiments cover a variety of methods for investigating the structure and function of biological molecules. Experimental methods with proteins, enzyme kinetics, lipids, spectroscopy, and isolation and quantization…

03345 Experimental Cell and Development

This laboratory is designed to teach concepts and experimental methods in cell and developmental biology. Students work with a variety of organisms to examine how cells traverse development from rapidly dividing, undifferentiated cells, through cell commitment and the…

03350 Developmental Biology

How does a complex, multicellular organism arise from a single cell? How do cells with identical genomes acquire distinctive properties? What are the medical consequences of abnormal embryonic development? How does regeneration occur? How has evolution modified…

03362 Cellular Neuroscience

Modern neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand the function of the brain and nervous system. This course provides a comprehensive survey of cellular and molecular neuroscience ranging from molecules to simple neural circuits. Topics covered will…

03363 Systems Neuroscience

Modern neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand the function of the brain and nervous system. This course provides a comprehensive survey of systems neuroscience, a rapidly growing scientific field that seeks to link the structure and function of…

03365 Neural Correlates of Learning and Memory

This course will examine the biological substrates of learning, memory, and behavioral adaptation. The focus will be on addressing how neural circuits change during new skill acquisition and adapt to variations in the environment. An introduction to experience-dependent…

03366 Neuropharmacology: Drugs, Brain and Behavior

This course is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the major neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Students will explore approaches to understanding how various neurotransmitters function in sensory and motor systems as well as how they are…

03390 Molecular and Cellular Immunology

This is a course that covers the fundamentals of cellular and molecular immunology in a comprehensive manner. The objective of this course is to introduce the students to the immune system, the cells that constitute it, their ontogeny, their structure, activities and…

03391 Microbiology

The course provides introductory level microbial science and molecular biology that is aimed for students from all disciplines of natural science. It covers microbiology, genetics, genomics, as well as bacterial, fungal, and protozoan pathogenesis. Topics include: the…

03401 Undergraduate Colloquium for Seniors

The purpose of this seminar series is to update biology undergraduates about university and departmental functions, seminars, etc. that are pertinent or useful. In addition, research talks by faculty and undergraduates will be used to introduce students to the research…

03411 Topics in Research

During the year students attend and submit brief summaries of weekly seminars given by outside speakers or members of the Biology Department on current research topics in modern biology; some seminars outside of the department may be substituted.

03435 Cancer Biology

Cancer affects roughly 1 in 3 people worldwide, and originates from both hereditary as well as environmental causes. Its prevalence makes it practically inescapable. Its of great relevance from both scientific and sociocultural perspectives. This course aims to examine…

03442 Molecular Biology and Genetics

The structure and expression of eukaryotic genes are discussed, focusing on model systems from a variety of organisms including yeast, flies, worms, mice, humans, and plants. Topics discussed include (1) genomics, proteomics, and functional proteomics and (2) control of…

03445 Undergraduate Research

Students may investigate research problems under the supervision of members of the faculty. Permission of a faculty advisor required. NOTES BIO MAJORS: The Biology Undergraduate Office will send out the paperwork to you on the first day of classes each semester.…

03451 Advanced Developmental Biology and Human Health

This course will examine current research in developmental biology, focusing on areas that have important biomedical implications. The course will examine stem cell biology, cellular reprogramming, cell signaling pathways, tissue morphogenesis, and genetic/developmental…

03511 Computational Molecular Biology and Genomics

An advanced introduction to computational molecular biology, using an applied algorithms approach. The first part of the course will cover established algorithmic methods, including pairwise sequence alignment and dynamic programming, multiple sequence alignment, fast…
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