General principles of biology focusing on the basic chemistry of life, cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics in all types of living organisms. Particular emphasis will be given to links between the fundamental processes covered and current challenges of humankind in the areas of energy, food, and health.

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.