Advanced Studies in Biology for the Health Professions | Northwestern SPS - Northwestern School of Professional Studies

This course will explore the structure and function of the mammalian central nervous system from the molecular to behavioral level. This course will emphasize a number of foundational concepts in neurobiology, including neuronal and glial structure and function, neurophysiology of membrane, resting and action potential, synaptic physiology, an introduction to sensory perception, and an emphasis in neuronal plasticity in learning and memory. We will consider how the nervous system develops and changes with experience throughout life, and how these systems can be affected by injury or disease. Prerequisites: BIOL SCI 215 and BIOL SCI 219. Recommended: BIOL SCI 308.

This course will explore the structure and function of the mammalian central nervous system from the molecular to behavioral level. This course will emphasize a number of foundational concepts in neurobiology, including neuronal and glial structure and function, neurophysiology of membrane, resting and action potential, synaptic physiology, an introduction to sensory perception, and an emphasis in neuronal plasticity in learning and memory. We will consider how the nervous system develops and changes with experience throughout life, and how these systems can be affected by injury or disease. Prerequisites: BIOL SCI 215 and BIOL SCI 219 or BIOL SCI 201 and BIOL SCI 202. Recommended: BIOL SCI 308.

This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition.

This course covers basic concepts in biochemistry, emphasizing the structure and function of biological macromolecules, fundamental cellular biochemical processes, and the chemical logic in metabolic transformations.

Students who have previously completed BIOL SCI 218 should not register for this course.

Prerequisites: Students must have completed, or be currently enrolled in, CHEM 215-A or CHEM 215-B or CHEM 215-C.

This course utilizes an evolutionary perspective to understand key features of human anatomy, health and disease. Coverage will include review of some basic evolutionary processes, a brief overview of human evolutionary history, followed by a consideration of the primary body systems and regions in the human organism. Our focus will be on the historical context of selected human structures and their function/dysfunction across these systems. Some specific topics covered include: evolutionary compromises and plasticity in musculoskeletal structures; complex structures and birth defects (pharyngeal arches, etc.); human developmental genetics, environmental plasticity, and epigenetics in relation to health and disease; theories of “mismatch” between modern lifestyles and our evolved features (related to metabolism; allergy, the microbiome, cancer, etc.); population growth and zoonoses; and human life history and aging in evolutionary perspective. This course is suitable for students interested in human evolutionary biology and health, and those planning careers in the health sciences.

This course is an introduction to human anatomy. Topics include: system approach to anatomical organization; sections of the body; musculoskeletal and nervous systems; embryology development. Lectures are supplemented by selected prosections of human cadavers and dry exercises using bones, models, and computer animations. Prerequisite: BIOL SCI 165, 170, or equivalent course.

This is an online course on human anatomy, focusing on morphology and function. It follows both a regional and systems approach. All course content, activities, and assessments will be online learning activities and assessments. The course will also have a broad emphasis on clinical application that is applicable to all health care professions. The course covers gross anatomy of the human body; therefore, images of human cadavers will be presented in your textbook, as well as in other course resources. Readings are assigned from the Marieb, Wilhelm and Mallatt text. Prerequisite: BIOL SCI 165, 170, or equivalent course.

This course will be conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition. There will be optional online office hours on Thursday from 6:15-9:15pm.

In this course, students will gain an understanding of important topics in cell biology. We will discuss membrane structure and dynamics, cell signaling, cytoskeletal dynamics, cell division cycle, organelle structure and function, regulation of gene expression and cell-cell communication. A focus of the course will also be on understanding how experiments are designed and conducted. Students will gain experience with critical reading of primary scientific literature, learn the history of major discoveries in cell biology, and will be exposed to recent breakthroughs in modern cell biology and cell biology techniques. Evaluation will include class participation, quizzes, a final exam, a presentation, and homework sets. Prerequisite: BIOL SCI 202 (or 210-C or 216 or 219).

This course will provide introductory anatomy instruction using recent pedagogical frameworks which present basic human structure in a clinical anatomy context through an emphasis on clinical case studies investigated and presented by collaborative student teams. Coverage focus will be on the musculoskeletal and related systems. The regional anatomy of the muscles, bones and joints in the human body serves as the basis for more general biomechanical principles of anatomical structure, support and movement. Student case study presentations will be complemented by selected short lectures as well as interactive lab exercises using skeletons, anatomical models, and on-line resources. In-class demonstrations integrating anatomical prosections with the Anatomage virtual 3D dissection table system will provide important spatial perspectives of actual cadaver anatomy. Synthesizing these multiple modalities will help construct a strong foundation for subsequent study of human structure and function in multiple healthcare and biology contexts.

This is a lab course utilizing prosections and demonstrations of human cadavers. It is an advanced anatomy course examining the details of human body systems. Topics include: Body wall and cavities, contents and features of the thorax and abdomen (cardiac, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems), pelvis (genito-urinary system), spinal cord and back, innervation and blood supply of the upper and lower limbs, cranial cavities and contents, cranial nerves and blood supply of the head and neck. The majority of the coursework will be done in the cadaver lab, with limited lectures to introduce topics. The lab work will be guided by a lab workbook, handouts and instructor demonstrations. Models, bones (skeletal materials), skulls, and medical images will supplement the cadaver prosections. Lab work will be assessed by the weekly lab assignment, three practical quizzes and a written final exam. A research project will be assigned to allow the student to bridge their knowledge of lab anatomy with more clinical concepts. Students are expected to follow all lab safety guidelines including the cadaver lab dress code; also students should show respect for the cadavers at all times.

Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Enrollment is in the course limited to 15 total, and is limited to students in professional health careers certificate programs.

Prerequisite: BIOL SCI 313. Only students who have completed the prerequisite will be able to register for this course.

Advanced Human Physiology is a fully online course that builds on the concepts covered in BIOL SCI 217 Physiology or an equivalent physiology course focusing on the body as an integrated set of systems. Our task will be to construct a global view of the body, its systems, and the many processes that keep the systems working. This course emphasizes an integrated approach to studying all major organ systems including neural, autonomic/somatic motor, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, and reproductive physiology. In addition to integration, we will focus on the clinical relevance of the organ system that will include abnormal function, disease states, and medications used to bring the system back to normal functioning.

This course will be conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition.

Prerequisites: BIOL SCI 217 Physiology or an equivalent Introduction to Physiology course that provides an introduction to the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, endocrine, reproductive, neuronal and autonomic systems.

Note: This course cannot be taken unless the student has previously completed an introductory physiology course.

This course examines various biological aspects of aging, from molecular to evolutionary, and explores what is presently known about how and why we age. Through discussions of experimental data from primary literature, we will study normal aging processes and disease states related to aging. Instead of providing a comprehensive overview, the course aims to develop a fundamental framework of how to think about the biology of aging and our ability to read and analyze current scientific literature. Prerequisites: BIOL SCI 219 or BIOL SCI 202, and BIOL SCI 217.

This course provides an introduction to bacteria and viruses with an emphasis on their impact on human health and society. Topics covered include bacterial and viral morphology/structure, physiology, metabolism, basic replication, and genetics. Practical applications of research in microbiology are explored, including genetic engineering and biotechnology. We will also discuss the impacts of microorganisms on human health include a discussion of pathogenesis, the human microbiome, and current challenges regarding antimicrobial resistance. Students have an opportunity to explore current topics in microbiology of interest.

This course will have a lab component, BIOL SCI 328-A, integrated into the lecture time. The lab component focuses on bacteriology, including how bacteria are cultured, isolated, and identified in the laboratory. A lab fee will be applied to tuition.

Prerequisites: BIOL SCI 215-CN and BIOL SCI 219-CN, or BIOL SCI 201-CN and BIOL SCI 202-CN.

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution" - Theodosius Dobzhansky

Evolution is a central unifying biological discipline since it is within an evolutionary framework that the rest of biology is understood. An understanding of evolution is key to understanding the origin and maintenance of the diversity of life on Earth. This course reviews the dynamics of genetic variation in populations through evidence from natural history, experimentation, and theory. Topics include: natural selection, genetic drift, inbreeding, mutation, and geographic structure of populations, and will be reinforced through examination and discussion of primary literature. Prerequisites: BIOL SCI 215 and BIOL SCI 219, or BIOL SCI 201 and BIOL SCI 202.

Immunology is the study of the response of higher organisms to invasion by pathogens. This course presents a foundation for students to understand the role of the immune system in both health and disease. Immunology as a scientific discipline is experiencing changes at an explosive pace due to advances in genetics, cellular and molecular biology. Immunology researchers integrate recent developments and techniques in almost all fields of modern biomedical research. The course will present current research findings where appropriate. Prerequisites: Introductory classes in cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Students should have a basic working knowledge of cellular structure and organelle function; signal transduction; gene structure and the regulation of expression; structural features of amino acids and proteins.

This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition.

Prerequisite: introductory classes in cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Students should have a basic working knowledge of cellular structure and organelle function; signal transduction; gene structure and the regulation of expression; structural features of amino acids and proteins.

This course expands on topics introduced in Molecular Biology, including techniques, transcriptional and translational regulation, epigenetics, replication, regulatory RNAs, DNA repair, and genetic engineering. Using primary research articles, a subset of these subjects will be explored in more depth as students discuss the articles, evaluate scientific data, and assess evidence-based conclusions in current research. At the end of this course, students will be able to clearly and concisely describe scientific concepts and determine which molecular biology techniques are most applicable to different research questions.

This course meets for required weekly synchronous sessions.

Prerequisite: BIOL SCI 215 or BIOL SCI 201.