Typically Offered: Each Spring semester.
Prerequisites and Other Registration Restrictions: Open only to seniors majoring in Animal Sciences (067), Biological Sciences (119), and Biotechnology (126). Two semesters of General Biology (01:119:115-116) are prerequisites. Some familiarity with organic chemistry (e.g., 01:160:307, 308, 311) and biochemistry (e.g., 11:115:403, 404) is recommended.
Format: Lecture and Laboratory. One 80-minute lecture is presented per week. Students are in the laboratory for two consecutive 80-minute periods, plus one 80-minute follow-up laboratory period.
Description: This course provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in a modern biological research laboratory using cell culture techniques. Emphasis is placed on aseptic techniques for animal cell culture, the requirements for cell growth in vitro, mechanisms underlying cellular differentiation, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, microdissection, PCR genotyping, and the expression of transfected DNA in animal cell cultures.
Examinations: Two hourly examinations are given during the lecture period, plus a third exam during final exam week.
Other Requirements: Five comprehensive laboratory reports in extended abstract form, incorporating references from the primary literature, are also required. Students will learn to use computer programs such as Microsoft Excel for data analysis, interpretation, and presentation.