Life Sciences


The 2009-10 membership of this committee has not yet been finalized. Complete membership information for 2009-10 will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Faculty of the Committee on Life Sciences

Erin K. O’Shea, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology and of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Chair (On Leave)) (on leave 2009-10)
Lee Ann Michelson (Ex Officio)
Robert A. Lue, Professor of the Practice of Molecular and Cellular Biology (Chair (Acting))
Ann Georgi, Undergraduate Research Adviser for the Life Sciences (Ex Officio)
Mahzarin R. Banaji, Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics
Tamara J. Brenner, Lecturer on Molecular and Cellular Biology
John E. Dowling, Gordon and Llura Gund Professor of Neurosciences (FAS), Professor of Ophthalmology (Medical School)
Kevin C. Eggan, Assistant Professor of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology
Rachelle Gaudet, Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Gonzalo Giribet, Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
Daniel E. Kahne, Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (FAS), Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (Medical School)
Richard M. Losick, Maria Moors Cabot Professor of Biology
David Pilbeam, Henry Ford II Professor of Human Evolution

Life Sciences Courses are jointly organized by faculty members of Anthropology, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, and Psychology Departments. Life Sciences Courses fulfill requirements in multiple Life Sciences Concentrations, the Core Curriculum, and General Education and are taught by teams of faculty from multiple departments. More information on Life Sciences Education may be found online at: www.lifescience.fas.harvard.edu.

Incoming students interested in the life sciences should take Harvard’s online Chemistry and Biology Placement Tests, and should take advantage of the science advising available in the Science Center the week before classes begin. Members of the Life and Physical Sciences Departments will be available during this period to advise students. The Harvard Chemistry and Biology Placement Tests recommend the appropriate beginning course for students interested in pursuing the life sciences, either Life Sciences 1a or Life and Physical Sciences A. Life and Physical Sciences A is a one-term introduction to fundamental chemical and biological concepts. Life Sciences 1a integrates chemistry with molecular and cellular biology.

Life and Physical Sciences

Primarily for Undergraduates

Life and Physical Sciences A. Foundational Chemistry and Biology
Catalog Number: 3956
Gregory C. Tucci and Tamara J. Brenner
Half course (fall term). M., W., F., at 9, and one hour of discussion section, a three-hour laboratory session, and one hour of review per week. EXAM GROUP: 2
This course introduces fundamental concepts in chemistry and biology. Topics in chemistry include stoichiometry, acids and bases, aqueous solutions, gases, thermochemistry, electrons in atoms, and chemical bonding. Topics in biology include the transfer of information from DNA to RNA to protein, genetic inheritance, mitosis and meiosis, and cell structure.
Note: Students should use their scores on the Chemistry and Biology Placement Tests to determine whether to enroll in Life and Physical Sciences A or Life Sciences 1a. This course assumes fluency with high school algebra. Students who have completed Life Sciences 1a, Physical Sciences 1, Chemistry 17 or Chemistry 20 may not take Life and Physical Sciences A for credit. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education Requirement for Science of Living Systems or the Core area requirement for either Science A or Science B.

Life Sciences

Primarily for Undergraduates

Life Sciences 1a. An Integrated Introduction to the Life Sciences: Chemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology
Catalog Number: 2137
Robert A. Lue and Daniel E. Kahne
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 1-2:30, and three hours of laboratory/discussion weekly. EXAM GROUP: 15, 16
What are the fundamental features of living systems? What are the molecules imparting them and how do their chemical properties explain their biological roles? The answers form a basis for understanding the molecules of life, the cell, diseases, and medicines. In contrast with traditional presentations of relevant scientific disciplines in separate courses, we take an integrated approach, presenting chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology framed within central problems such as the biology of HIV and cancer.
Note: This course, in combination with Life Sciences 1b, constitutes an integrated introduction to the Life Sciences. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement in Science of Living Systems or the Core area requirement for Science A.

Life Sciences 1b. An Integrated Introduction to the Life Sciences: Genetics, Genomics, and Evolution
Catalog Number: 2159
Daniel L. Hartl and Maryellen Ruvolo
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 10-11:30, and three hours of laboratory/discussion weekly. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Why is there so much variation among individuals? Why are species so different? Biological variation reflects differences among genes and genomes: how genetic information is transmitted, how it functions, how it mutates from one form to another, how it interacts with the environment, and how it changes through time. These and related issues are examined in depth with special emphasis on complex traits whose expression is determined by a complex interplay between genes and environment.
Note: May not be taken for credit if Biological Sciences 50 has already been taken. This course, in combination with Life Sciences 1a, constitutes an integrated introduction to the Life Sciences. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement in Science of Living Systems or the Core area requirement for Science B.

Life Sciences 2. Evolutionary Human Physiology and Anatomy
Catalog Number: 9007 Enrollment: Limited to 200.
George V. Lauder, Andrew A. Biewener, and Daniel E. Lieberman
Half course (fall term). M., W., F., at 1, and three hours of laboratory/discussion weekly. EXAM GROUP: 6
Why is the human body the way that it is? This course explores human anatomy and physiology from an integrated framework, combining functional, comparative, and evolutionary perspectives on how organisms work. Major topics, which follow a life-course framework, include embryogenesis, metabolism and energetics, growth and development, movement and locomotion, food and digestion, stress and disease, and reproduction. Also considered is the relevance of human biology to contemporary issues in human health and biology.
Note: This course replaces OEB 102. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement in Science of Living Systems or the Core area requirement for Science B.

[Life Sciences 60 (formerly MCB 60). Ethics, Biotechnology, and the Future of Human Nature]
Catalog Number: 2164
Douglas A. Melton and Michael J. Sandel
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Explores the moral, political, and scientific implications of new developments in biotechnology. Does science give us the power to alter human nature? If so, how should we exercise this power? The course examines the science and ethics of stem cell research, human cloning, sex selection, genetic engineering, eugenics, genetic discrimination, and human-animal hybrids. Readings will be drawn from literature in the areas of biology, philosophy, and public policy.
Note: Expected to be given in 2010–11. May not be taken concurrently with Government 1093. May not be taken for credit if Government 1093 has already been taken. The course is open to both science and non-science concentrators. Moral Reasoning 22 is recommended as a background. Enrollment may be limited. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement in Ethical Reasoning or the Core area requirement for Moral Reasoning

Cross-listed Courses

[MCB 192. Principles of Drug Discovery and Development]
Science of Living Systems 11. Molecules of Life
*Visual and Environmental Studies 54s. Animating Science - (New Course)

For Undergraduates and Graduates

*Life Sciences 100r (formerly *MCB 100r). Experimental Research in the Life Sciences
Catalog Number: 2122 Enrollment: Limited to 30.
Alain Viel and members of the Committee
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Fall: Tu., 1–3; Spring: M., 3–5. EXAM GROUP: Fall: 15, 16; Spring: 8, 9
A laboratory course that immerses students in a dynamic project-based research environment. Participate in experimental projects directly linked with ongoing faculty research. Students select a project from the following research tracks: neurobiology, microbial sciences, cell biology, and synthetic biology. New projects, including some in other research fields, are offered every term. In a highly collaborative atmosphere, students form a fully-functional and diverse research group based on the sharing of ideas and progress reports between projects.
Note: Location of the first meeting will be announced on the course website. Open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, regardless of concentration, and suitable for students either with or without extensive laboratory experience. The course may only be repeated once and the second enrollment must be approved by the instructor.
Prerequisite: Life and Physical Sciences A or Life Sciences 1a or permission of the instructor. Students interested in a neurobiology project will need MCB 80 or permission of the instructor.

Life Sciences 110. A Microbial World
Catalog Number: 5701
Roberto G. Kolter (Medical School) and Jon Clardy (Medical School)
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
This course will cover the broad spectrum of microbial sciences from biodiversity to the crucial impact of microorganisms on geological history, the environment, climate, and world health. The course will be taught by an academically diverse team of three Microbial Sciences Initiative (MSI) faculty at a rigorous and fast-paced level appropriate for upper-level undergraduates. Topics include the origins and molecules of life, biogeochemical cycles, microbial diversity, and ecology.
Prerequisite: Ordinarily completion of Life and Physical Sciences A or Life Sciences 1a or higher, or Physical Sciences 1 or higher, or permission of the instructor.


For additional courses in the Life Sciences, see offerings in the following chapters: