Goals & Objectives

In Bio131, you will become familiar with how cells use molecules to transfer and process information, what types of biological questions about molecules can be investigated using computers, and what limitations computational methods impose on the understanding of biology. Additionally, you will learn about biology topics that have influenced society and culture.

Specifically, by the end of this course:

  • You will know about the properties of DNA, RNA, and proteins, the relationships among these molecules, and some biological questions that have puzzled researchers.
  • You will know how to convert a biological question into a computational problem that can be solved using computers.
  • You will know how to read and understand solutions to computational problems, which will be formalized as a series of tasks (an algorithm). You will learn about general approaches for solving computational problems, and you will be able to apply these approaches to new problems you encounter.
  • You will know how to implement the algorithms by writing computer programs in Python, which can be run and understood by others.
  • You will learn about topics that lie at the intersection of biology and society such as consent in the US health-care system and commercial genetic testing.

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Bio131 satisfies the Group III distribution requirements, and you can find the relevant group distribution learning outcomes in the course catalog description. Note that Bio131 does not satisfy Group III’s “Data Collection and Analysis” requirement.

Bio131 is designed for you to pursue your own interests within the scope of these learning objectives. We will use a form of contract grading, which aims to reduce student competition, encourage risk-taking, and support intrinsic motivation. More information about this grading assessment is provided on the assessment page.