Description

This course introduces main concepts in biology, common to most living organisms. It covers topics in biochemistry, cell biology and genetics, which illustrate how molecules are organized into cells. Cells constitute the basic unit of life and genes are central to information flow within and between cells. This course makes use of assignments, conceived as mini-projects, to introduce experimental methods and research data repositories. Through these activities, the goal is to learn how to approach methodically a complex problem and find information relevant to a specific question. This course is, thus, meant both as a prerequisite to the study of biology at the organism or population level, and as a general introduction to how biological knowledge is being produced.