This course focuses on the underlying principles, implementation, and interpretation of statistical methods commonly used in biology. Lectures will incorporate exercises that implement these analyses in the open source software R, as well as exercises in data visualization. We will draw on examples from ecology, evolution, genetics, and genomics.

This course focuses on the underlying principles, implementation, and interpretation of statistical methods commonly used in biology. Lectures will incorporate exercises that implement these analyses in the open source software R, as well as exercises in data visualization. We will draw on examples from ecology, evolution, genetics, and genomics.

This first year seminar explores the foundational role of biology in various health professions, including careers as physicians, nurses, physician assistants, health policy experts, basic science research, social scientists, and health entrepreneurs. The course delves into the broader factors influencing health outcomes, such as politics, systemic racism, bias, social determinants of health, the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of underrepresentation in healthcare. Students will engage with a range of materials, including case studies, peer-reviewed articles, current events, medical biographies, and historical and contemporary examples of bias and discrimination. Key discussions include: healthcare as a right or privilege, response to a public health crisis in theory and in practice, and how wealth, home ownership, education, bias, and health outcomes are interconnected to racial injustice. The course will include a visit to a health center in an underserved community, opportunities for volunteer work, and may include guest speakers. Students will be assessed through writing assignments, quizzes, class participation, and group presentations on educational and opposing viewpoints. No prerequisites are required, and the course encourages collaborative learning to better understand the intersection of biology, health, and society.

Basic science writing and presentation skills for PhD students in Biology. Designed for second year graduate students preparing for qualifying exams. In the first half of the course, students will produce weekly writing assignments and critique writing submitted by others. In the second half, students will learn techniques for effective research presentations in both seminar style environments and chalk-talk settings.