An introduction to fermentation as food preparation. For thousands of years, people have used fermentation to preserve food. The history, food preservation and safety aspects, and the science of fermentation related to food and health are covered. The laboratory includes hands-on fermentations such as breads, yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kombucha. Fulfills Foundations - Life Sciences with a lab. Offered winter semester.
Winter 2025 - Online Spring/Summer 2025 - Online
An introduction to biotechnology, focuses on its application in, and impacts on, our society. Scientific, ethical, economic, legal, social, and historical aspects of biotechnology will be covered. Class discussions and laboratory investigations of current topics, including cloning, agricultural biotechnology, genetically modified foods, stem cells, and medical biotechnology highlight the course. Fulfills Foundations - Life Sciences with a lab. Offered every semester.
Winter 2025 - Online
An introduction to the science behind our current models of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology including genetics. Students will learn foundational concepts necessary for the life sciences and develop their skills in scientific reasoning. Fulfills Foundations - Life Sciences. Offered fall and winter semesters.
An advanced genetics course, covering genetic mechanisms of normal and abnormal development, cancer production, and aging. Current research techniques will be highlighted. (3-0-0) Offered winter semester. Prerequisites: (BIO 375 and BIO 376) or (BIO 355 and CHM 232).
In the age of genomics, bioinformatics has become an integral component of all life sciences. This course will focus on practical applications of bioinformatics resources and tools for solving problems in life sciences. Major topics include biological databases, sequence analysis, molecular phylogeny, next generation sequencing and RNA-Seq, proteomics and genomics. Cross-listed with CMB 551. Offered fall semester. Prerequisites: Junior standing, and either (CMB 250 or BIO 375), or permission of instructor.
Computational modeling plays a crucial role in developing quantitative models of biological systems and facilitates discovery of new therapeutics. This course covers three aspects of computational structural biology leading to rational drug design: protein structure analysis and prediction, molecular simulations, and methods of target- and ligand-based drug discovery. Cross-listed with CMB 552. Offered winter semester. Prerequisites: BIO 120 (or CMB 155 and CMB 156); (CHM 241 or CHM 245 or (CHM 231 and CHM 232)); PHY 220 or PHY 230; or permission of the instructor.
In the age of genomics, bioinformatics has become an integral component of all life sciences. This course will focus on practical applications of bioinformatics resources and tools for solving problems in life sciences. Major topics include biological databases, sequence analysis, molecular phylogeny, next generation sequencing and RNA-Seq, proteomics and genomics. Cross-listed with CMB 451. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: Admission to a GVSU graduate program.
Computational modeling plays a crucial role in developing quantitative models of biological systems and facilitates discovery of new therapeutics. This course covers three aspects of computational structural biology leading to rational drug design: protein structure analysis and prediction, molecular simulations, and methods of target- and ligand-based drug discovery. Cross-listed with CMB 452. Offered winter semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
