LIFE103 General Life Science
(3-0-3)
An introduction to the basic concepts of life science, including animal and plant cell structures and functions, inheritance, growth and development, division, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Topic covered include fundamental structures and physiology of important plant and animal organs, and their mechanisms, such as information-processing mechanisms at the molecular and cellular level.
This course will offer a comprehensive understanding of life sciences as well as a broad perspective on applicability of such knowledge in this field of study.
LIFE103(H) General Life Science (H)
(3-0-3)
Advanced version of General Life Science (LIFE103), which covers similar topics in more depth.
Intended for students with a solid understanding from high school honors biology.
LIFE104 General Life Science Laboratory
(0-2-1)
Only for first-year students.
This laboratory-based course introduces students to modern and emerging trends in biology through visits to research laboratories.
LIFE209 Modern Life Science Laboratory
(1-6-4)
Introduces basic research methods through laboratory experiments, and teaches how to apply those methods to cell biology research, so students can study the form, structure, and function of cells.
LIFE216 Physiology
(3-0-3)
Living bodies perform various functions.
This course focuses on understanding the functions of living organisms at the organ, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels.
LIFE217 Cell Biology
(3-0-3)
Prerequisite : LIFE103 General Life Science(R) or LIFE103(H) General Life Science(H).
This course is recommended for life science majors. The course materials cover the structure and mechanisms of eukaryotic cells, and other related basic concepts
LIFE218 The Principles of Life Sciences
(3-0-3)
This course covers introductory principles of molecular biology / cell biology / biochemistry at an in-depth perspective, in order to establish a strong foundation required for a biological research.
In particular, students will be required to present on or debate about topics from primary source literatures (in a flipped learning fashion) in order to form a solid understanding and framework on complicated phenomena of life science.
LIFE219 Convergence of Biology and Engineering
(3-0-3)
The convergence of life sciences with adjacent fields such as medicine, science, and engineering holds infinite possibilities for academic and technological advancements.
This can be illustrated through various examples, including brain-machine interfaces, tissue engineering, biomedical imaging, biomimetic engineering, medical engineering, bio-architecture, drug development, and more. Based on these diverse cases, the goal is to cultivate a well-rounded understanding among students and foster their interdisciplinary skills.
LIFE220 Introduction of Biomedical Science
(3-0-3)
This class deeply delve into the latest biotechnology such as immune-therapy, stem cell therapy, animal cloning, and nano-biotechnology, in the context of cancer, chronic inflammation, and diabetes.
LIFE221 The great discoveries of life sciences
(Nobel Lecture) (3-0-3)
1) Selecting seminal papers that have contributed to Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine and Chemistry over the past 50 years, categorized by specific fields of life sciences
2) Addressing the academic trends, conflicting theories, and technical challenges prevalent in the field prior to the breakthrough discovery
3) Studying the initial seminal papers collaboratively with students, followed by a discussion on the characteristics of milestone discoveries in the life science field.
LIFE303 Microbiology
(3-0-3)
This course offer a deep dive into the world of microorganisms, exploring their structure, function, diversity, and impact on human health and the environment. This course covers the history of microbiology, basic chemical principles of cell components, and detailed studies of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and their roles in both disease and biotechnology. Through the lectures, students can gain insights into microbial genetics, physiology, pathology, and ecology, connecting these concepts to modern medical and biotechnological applications.
LIFE311 Research Participation Ⅰ
(0-6-3)
Intended for upper-level undergraduate life sciences majors. Includes research experiments in the laboratory, and active learning of concepts and mechanisms of life sciences through collaboration on research project.
LIFE314 Physical Biochemistry
(3-0-3)
In contrast to Physical Chemistry which deals with properties of inanimate matters, Physical Biochemistry studies distinct physical characteristics of biomolecules that sustain life in organisms.
This course studies biological macromolecules, mainly proteins, and how their interaction with other molecules dictate and/or catalyze biochemical activities inside living bodies. This course will extend an understanding of the specific physical chemistry as well as research methods used to define the structure-function relationship of proteins.
The emphasis will be on understanding fundamental concepts of biochemistry at the molecular level.
Studies the genetic principles governing Continuity and Variation in reproduction which includes topics such as: mutation, selection, principles of classic genetics, physics of inheritance,
biochemistry of genetics such as the structure and function of nucleic acids and functional effects of chromosomal mutations and recombination.
This course will emphasize the importance of genetic research in various fields of life science.
LIFE319 Biochemistry Ⅰ
(3-0-3)
Prerequisite : LIFE209 Modern Life Science Laboratory, LIFE218 The Principles of Life Sciences, and CHEM221 Organic Chemistry I
Biochemical principles and research methods are discussed at the molecular level in order to understand the biological structure and function of cells and tissues in living organisms.
Emphasis is placed on studying biochemical structure-function relationship of cellular components and the biochemical structure, properties, roles, and function of biopolymers composed of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids.
Important concepts on metabolism, regulation and signal transmissions of organic materials will be explained through learning to use the most advanced analytic techniques on biophysics, molecular biology, and biochemistry.
LIFE320 Biochemistry Ⅱ
(3-0-3)
An advanced course of Biochemistry I. This course investigates and explains complex biological mechanisms in living cells and bodies at the molecular level.
LIFE321 Molecular Biology
(3-0-3)
Prerequisite : LIFE218 The Principles of Life Sciences
Studies molecular biology of nucleic acids. Topics include: molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, regulation of gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, gene re-synthesis technology, and the structure, origin and functions of cell membranes and their components.
LIFE322 Modern Biology Laboratory
(0-6-3)
The aim of this course is to familiarize students with cell biology, molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry methodologies widely used in modern biology research. Students will work on mini-projects in a team of 6 or less, in which each team performs experiments under the guidance of their professors and present their work to the class.
The mini-projects include research experiments on topics such as gene cloning, restriction map, cell transformation, analysis of gene expression, cell observation using microscopes, genetic crossing, and analysis of genotypes and phenotypes.
LIFE323 Ecology and Field Study
(2-2-3)
Prerequisite : LIFE103 General Life Science(R) or LIFE103(H) General Life Science(H)
Studies phenomena and principles governing ecology such as ecosystem, communities, and population through lectures and field labs.
LIFE324 Introduction to Molecular Evolution
(3-0-3)
This course studies the diversity of species and the evolutionary evidence at the molecular level.
Recent advances in DNA sequencing methods have revealed the genomic sequences of various species, which reveal how different species have evolved to adapt to their environment at the molecular level.
There have been criticisms that there are ‘missing links’ in the stages of evolution from one species to another.
Through comparative DNA sequence analysis, students will gain a quantitative understanding of the traces of evolution, how genetic mutations result in the evolution of species’ functions and traits, and how to interpret them.
LIFE325 Biotechnology
(3-0-3)
Explores fascinating world of modern biotechnology and bioengineering, which opened up exciting new avenues for advancement in human life, especially since the development of recombinant DNA technology.
Particularly, this multidisciplinary field offers a broad range of prospects and applications of biotechnology, such as: production of crucial, high-value proteins or genes that may enhance desirable characteristics (Functional genomics, Proteomics), developing individualized therapeutic strategies pertinent to patient’s own unique gene sequencing (Pharmacogenomics), synthesis of new and improved vaccines and pharmaceuticals (Combinatorial Chemistry, High-throughput Screening), and development of fast and efficient information processing (Bioinformatics).
This course will investigate and explain current trends and future advances of biotechnology.
LIFE326 Basic Epigenetics
(3-0-3)
The fate of cells is determined by when, where, and how genetic information stored in DNA is expressed. The concept of epigenetics has emerged as one of the mechanisms regulating the expression of genetic information. Gene transcription is regulated not only by DNA sequence but also by DNA cytosine methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNA, proteins, chromatin structure, and other factors. These characteristics regulate gene expression and are passed on to the next generation through cell division, a mechanism known as epigenetic inheritance. This lecture aims to provide an understanding of the broad aspects of epigenetics.
LIFE327 Stem Cell Biology and Organoids
This course provides a general understanding of stem cell biology and its application to regenerative medicine. In particular, the background and history of stem cell biology, major issues and recent trends in modern stem cell biology, and various experimental methods used to study stem cell biology will be introduced. In addition, cancer stem cells and cancer biology and their relationship to stem cell therapies will be introduced.
LIFE402 Undergraduate Thesis
(0-9-3)
Prerequisite : LIFE311 Research Participation I or LIFE411 Research Participation II
Students will conduct their own research in laboratories and write an undergraduate thesis on the topic they choose, with the approval of their professors.
LIFE411 Research Participation II
(0-6-3)
Intended for upper-level undergraduate life science majors.
Introduces students to research in the laboratory, examines the concepts and processes of life science in-depth through collaboration on a research project.
LIFE412A~F Independent Research Program A~F
(0-2-1)
Prerequisite : LIFE103 General Life Science(R) or LIFE103(H) General Life Science(H)
Studies research methods in life science including: formulating research questions, performing experiments, collecting data, quantitative analysis, and presentation of results. To enroll, students must submit their research topic to the Department and get an approval from the professor.
LIFE414 Systems Biology
(3-0-3)
The introduction of the latest papers on the interaction and regulation of the genome, transcriptome and proteome of organisms, and the bio-networks that govern the diversity and dynamics of life phenomena, providing comprehensive knowledge of the life phenomena in depth.
LIFE415 Modern Plant Biology
(3-0-3)
Prerequisite : LIFE217 Cell Biology, LIFE319 Biochemistry Ⅰ
Introduces fundamental principles of botany such as structure and function of plants, and examines recent advances and directions in plant biology and the effect of such research on our society and the environment.
LIFE417 Developmental Biology
(3-0-3)
Prerequisite : LIFE217 Cell Biology
Studies embryonic development of various animal models at the cellular and molecular models, with specific emphasis on molecular mechanisms involved in embryogenesis. This course also introduces students to modern research methods in developmental biology.
LIFE418 Clinical Pathology
(3-0-3)
Through interdisciplinary exchanges on major diseases, this course provides an in-depth knowledge on the pathogenesis of the disease, the analysis of disease through clinical cases, and the clinical and practical treatments of the past, present and future.
LIFE419 An Introduction to Brain and Behavior
(3-0-3)
The depth of scientific understanding of the brain and its behavior is deepening at a rapid pace.
This course explores the recent advances in cognitive science, and studies human nervous systems by focusing on how our brains and behaviors interact.
Students will examine the following key points in studying the mechanisms of brain and behavior:
(1) Why do we have a brain? (2) How is our nervous system organized? (3) How do drugs affect our behavior? (4) How does the brain remember and think?
An introductory course to cognitive/brain science.
LIFE420 Immunology
(3-0-3)
This course aims to help students understand the phenomenon by teaching them basic knowledge about the interaction between pathogens and the immune system of the host, an important topic in life science.
LIFE424 Introduction to Cancer Biology
(3-0-3)
Part one of the course covers abnormal mechanisms of cancer, such as how tumor cells differ from normal cells through aberrant genetics, transcriptional, and post-translational regulation of oncogenes and/or tumor suppressor genes.
Part two covers underlying molecular and cellular biology behind chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cancer metastasis, and microenvironment within the tumor, and introduces the latest concepts and methods in cancer therapeutics, thereby showing ways of how fundamental knowledge in cancer biology can be applied to biomedicine.
LIFE451A-Z Special Topics in Life Sciences
(Variable credit)
Covers special topics in life sciences based on the latest research.
Course will open when there is a demand for an additional course following rapid advances in life science.