CORE I

C&S BIO M184. Introduction to Computational and Systems Biology

Units: 2

(Same as Bioengineering M184 and Computer Science M184.) Lecture, two hours; outside study, four hours. Enforced requisites: one course from Civil Engineering M20, Computer Science 31, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering M20, or Program in Computing 10A; and Life Sciences 30B or Mathematics 3B or 31B. Survey course designed to introduce students to computational and systems modeling and computation in biology and medicine, providing motivation, flavor, culture, and cutting-edge contributions in computational biosciences and aiming for more informed basis for focused studies by students with computational and systems biology interests. Presentations by individual UCLA researchers discussing their active computational and systems biology research. P/NP grading.

Note: Typically offered Fall quarter–students typically take in the Fall of their 2nd or 3rd years. Students wishing to take C&S BIO M184 in Fall of their 2nd year should plan to take COM SCI 31 or COMPTNG 10A during their 1st year.

CORE II

C&S BIO 185. Research Opportunities in Computational and Systems Biology

Units: 4

(Formerly numbered M185.) Lecture, two hours; discussion, two hours. Requisites: course M184, Life Sciences 7C, Mathematics 33A, 33B. Introduction to interdisciplinary laboratory research methods and research opportunities in computational and systems biology to prepare and initiate students for active engagement in research. Presentation of potential projects by faculty members and student visits to individual laboratories and participation in ongoing projects. P/NP or letter grading.

Note: Typically offered in the Winter quarter. However, it will be offered in the SPRING quarter for the 25-26 and 26-27 Academic Years. Students typically take in the Winter of their 2nd or 3rd year.

CORE III

C&S BIO 100. Data Science and Statistics for Life Scientists

Units: 4

Lecture, two hours; laboratory, two hours. Requisites: Computer Science 31 or Program in Computing 10A; Life Sciences 30A and 30B, or Mathematics 3A, 3B, and 3C, or 31A and 31B; Life Sciences 40 or Psychology 100A or Statistics 10 or 13. Modern statistics and data science study that builds competency in computational data modeling and analysis. Designed for Computational and Systems Biology majors. Interdisciplinary topics integrate data-driven statistical and computational modeling, and resampling methods for understanding and modeling data. Key topics include advanced data visualization, simple linear regression, clustering, classification, and dimensionality reduction techniques, the same principles and techniques that are the building blocks of machine learning. Study is modular, with opportunities for peer collaboration and proposal writing components. Acquired knowledge and skills may immediately be applied in research or industry settings. P/NP or letter grading.

Biomodeling

C&S BIO M150. Biological Modeling: Mathematical and Computational Approaches

Units: 5

(Formerly numbered 150.) (Same as Ecology and Evolutionary Biology M159.) Lecture, four hours; laboratory, three hours. Requisites: Life Sciences 7A, 7B, 7C, Mathematics 33A and 33B, with grades of C or better. Recommended Requisites: Physics 1A, 1B, and 1C, or 5A, 5B, and 5C, with grades of C or better. Students learn how to translate their biological knowledge and intuition into mathematical equations and computer simulations, and how to interpret and glean biological insights from quantitative results and predictions. Review and integration of core mathematical and computational approaches in novel ways. Students gain experience translating and intuition about systems through many examples across range of biological levels, such as predator-prey, disease transmission, cancer initiation, cell migration, neural systems, vascular networks, sleep, drug interactions, gene expression, and more. Students learn how to manipulate data, basics of coding, and how to instantiate their mathematical models and biological intuition through numerical solutions and simulations. Letter grading.

Note:  Typically offered SPRING quarter–students typically take in Spring of their 2nd or 3rd year. Please note that C&S BIO M150 is a required prerequisite for C&S BIO M187; both courses are only offered in the SPRING quarter.

Capstone Option 1

C&S BIO 199. Directed Research in Computational and Systems Biology

Units: 4

Tutorial, 12 hours. Limited to juniors/seniors. Supervised individual research under guidance of faculty mentor. Culminating report/thesis required. May be repeated for credit. Four units may be applied toward major requirements. Individual contract required. Letter grading.

AND

C&S BIO M187. Research Communication in Computational and Systems Biology

Units: 4

Same as Bioengineering CM187 and Computer Science CM187.) Lecture, four hours; outside study, eight hours. Requisites: course M150 or M186 or Computer Science M182; and research experience (course 199, Bioengineering, Computer Science 199, or equivalent). Closely directed, interactive, and real research experience in active quantitative systems biology research laboratory. Direction on how to focus on topics of current interest in scientific community, appropriate to student interests and capabilities. Critiques of oral presentations and written progress reports explain how to proceed with search for research results. Major emphasis on effective research reporting, both oral and written. Letter grading.

Note: C&S BIO M187 is typically offered SPRING quarter–students typically take in Spring of their 4th year. Students should complete C&S BIO 199 prior to M187.

Capstone Option 2

C&S BIO 198A. Honors Research in Computational and Systems Biology

Units: 4

Tutorial, 12 hours. Requisite: course M150. Limited to Computational and Systems Biology students. Supervised individual research involving extensive reading and development of honors thesis or comprehensive project under guidance of faculty mentor. Maximum of 8 units of courses 198A and 198B may be applied toward major. Individual contract required. In Progress grading (credit to be given on completion of course 198B).

AND

C&S BIO 198B. Honors Research in Computational and Systems Biology

Units: 4

Tutorial, 12 hours. Requisite: course 198A. Continued reading and research culminating in honors thesis under direct supervision of faculty member. Maximum of 8 units of courses 198A and 198B may be applied toward major. Individual contact required. Letter grading.

Capstone Option 3

C&S BIO 195. Community or Corporate Internships in Computational and Systems Biology

Units: 4

Tutorial, eight hours. Limited to juniors/seniors. Supervised internship under guidance of faculty mentor. Further supervision to be provided by organization for which students are doing internship. Students may be required to meet on regular basis with instructor and provide periodic reports of their experience. Culminating report/project required. May be repeated for credit. A maximum of 4 units of 195 can be applied toward major. Individual contract required. P/NP grading.

AND

C&S BIO M187. Research Communication in Computational and Systems Biology

Units: 4

Same as Bioengineering CM187 and Computer Science CM187.) Lecture, four hours; outside study, eight hours. Requisites: course M150 or M186 or Computer Science M182; and research experience (course 199, Bioengineering, Computer Science 199, or equivalent). Closely directed, interactive, and real research experience in active quantitative systems biology research laboratory. Direction on how to focus on topics of current interest in scientific community, appropriate to student interests and capabilities. Critiques of oral presentations and written progress reports explain how to proceed with search for research results. Major emphasis on effective research reporting, both oral and written. Letter grading.

Note: C&S BIO M187 is typically offered SPRING quarter–students typically take in Spring of their 4th year. Students should complete C&S BIO 195 prior to M187. 195 will be added as a pre-requisite for M187.