BIO 395-01 - Advanced Special Topic: Light Microscopy for the Biological Sciences

4 credits (Spring)

In this interdisciplinary course, we will explore ideas from physics and biology in learning how microscopes manipulate the properties of light to enable us to answer questions about how biological systems work. While viewed by many as a tool of observation, we will see how microscopes can manipulate, from blasting holes to study wound repair to cutting microtubules to examine spindle forces to activating receptors in the study cell signaling. So, this course will be about both microscopy itself and the cell biology this suite of investigative tools has revealed to us. Learning outcomes: students will 1) learn about select topics in cell biology via examining microscopy at work in primary research articles, 2) conduct an inquiry-driven microscopy-based research project, and 3) learn about how to effectively and accurately present image data.

Prerequisite: BIO 251 and BIO 252 or BCM 262, with grades S, C or better.
Instructor: Sandquist