Overview
Biology is the study of life from the level of cells to organisms and ecosystems. Its focus is on the role of cells, genes, and natural selection in the physical structures and mechanisms, chemical processes, development, and evolution of living things. Biology comprises both theory and experimentation, and has many subfields that specialize in things like morphology, anatomy, and behavior. Its principal aim is to understand how all these aspects come together to the diversity and complexity of life on earth.
Course Details
Duration: Three to four years (full-time study); six to eight years (part-time study)
Difficulty: Advanced
Entry Requirements: Undergraduate degree or equivalent general education
Course Description
Core Curriculum
The core topics introduce the field of biology and give students the skills and understanding to choose and pursue their interests in the specialized topics. The Director of Studies will make adaptations based on student ability and schedule. On completing the core, students will be able to independently read the historical and academic literature. The core topics are:
- Organic Chemistry
- Biological Chemistry and Microbiology
- Biology of Organisms
- Cell Biology and Genetics
- Ecology and Evolution
- Applied Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Research Methods
- Bioethics
- Science Communication
- Introductory Neuroscience
Specializations
Specializations should be discussed with the Director of Studies. On completing specializations, students will be able to independently read advanced literature and conduct a final project in that topic. Some suggested specializations are:
- Bacterial Physiology
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Resource Management
- Behavioral Ecology
- Virology
- Ecology
- Parasitology
- Invertebrate Zoology
- Structural Architecture of Organisms
- Damage and Repair in Biological Systems
- 3D Macromolecules
- Medical Microbiology
- Plant Biotechnology and Development
- Population and Community Ecology
- Stem Cells, Regeneration, and Ageing
- Immunity and Infection
- Parasitology and Vector Biology
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
- Cancer
- Evolutionary Biology
- Integrative Systems Biology
- Mechanism of Gene Expression
- Metabolic and Network Engineering
- Symbiosis, Plant Immunity, and Disease
- Biodiversity Genomics
- Bioinformatics
- Biotechnology Applications of Proteins
- Global Change Biology
- Medical Glycobiology
- Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
- Synthetic Biology
- Systems Neuroscience
Final Project
The final project in biology consists in one or more papers written on an area of specialization. The paper should take the form of a report on an experiment conducted by the student, or a dissertation elaborating an original argument about, interpretation of, or perspective on an experiment, method, or theory in biology. All final projects should be discussed with the Director of Studies, who will assist in choosing an appropriate focus and method. Advanced students may be advised to submit their paper for publication in an appropriate academic journal.
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