Life Sciences

Faculty of the Committee on Life Sciences

Douglas A. Melton, Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor of the Natural Sciences (Chair) (ex officio)
Mahzarin R. Banaji, Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics (on leave 2007-08)
John E. Dowling, Gordon and Llura Gund Professor of Neurosciences (FAS) and Professor of Ophthalmology (Medical School)
Rachelle Gaudet, Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Ann Georgi, Undergraduate Research Adviser for the Life Sciences (ex officio)
David A. Haig, George Putnam Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
Georgene B. Herschbach, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs (ex officio)
Eric N. Jacobsen, Sheldon Emery Professor of Chemistry, Tutor in Biochemical Sciences (on leave 2007-08)
Daniel E. Kahne, Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (FAS) and Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (Medical School)
Daniel E. Lieberman, Professor of Anthropology
Richard M. Losick, Maria Moors Cabot Professor of Biology
Robert A. Lue, Professor of the Practice of Molecular and Cellular Biology (Director of Life Sciences Education)
Lee Ann Michelson, Director of Premedical and Health Career Advising (ex officio)
Ken Nakayama, Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology
Erin K. O’Shea, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology and of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
David Pilbeam, Henry Ford II Professor of Human Evolution

Other Faculty Offering Instruction in Life Sciences

Andrew A. Biewener, Charles P. Lyman Professor of Biology
Tamara J. Brenner, Lecturer on Molecular and Cellular Biology
Jon Clardy, Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (Medical School)
Peter T. Ellison, John Cowles Professor of Anthropology
Daniel L. Hartl, Higgins Professor of Biology
Roberto G. Kolter, Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (Medical School)
George V. Lauder, Professor of Biology and Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology
Ann Pearson, Thomas D. Cabot Associate Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Gary B. Ruvkun, Professor of Genetics (Medical School)
Maryellen Ruvolo, Professor of Anthropology
Michael J. Sandel, Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government
Gregory C. Tucci, Senior Lecturer on Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Alain Viel, Senior Lecturer on Molecular and Cellular Biology
John R. Wakeley, Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

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 and core curriculum 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 should take advantage of Harvard’s Chemistry and Life Sciences Placement Test, as well as 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 Life Sciences Placement Test results recommend the appropriate beginning course for students interested in pursuing the life sciences, either Life Sciences 1a/1b or Life and Physical Sciences a. Life and Physical Sciences a is a one-semester introduction to fundamental chemical and biological concepts, and will prepare students to take Life Sciences 1a, Life Sciences 1b, or Physical Sciences 1. Life Sciences 1a integrates chemistry with molecular and cellular biology, and Life Sciences 1b covers genetics, genomics, and evolution.

Life and Physical Sciences

Primarily for Undergraduates

Life and Physical Sciences A. Foundational Chemistry and Biology - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 3956
Gregory C. Tucci and Tamara J. Brenner
Half course (fall term). M., W., F., at 9 and and one hour per week of discussion section and one hour per week of review. 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, cell structure and physiology, and natural selection.
Note: For students with little or no previous study of chemistry or biology. This course assumes fluency with high school algebra. Life and Physical Sciences A gives solid preparation for Life Sciences 1a, Life Sciences 1b, and Phsical Sciences 1.

Life Sciences

Primarily for Undergraduates

Life Sciences 1a. An Integrated Introduction to the Life Sciences: Chemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology
Catalog Number: 2137
Erin K. O’Shea, Daniel E. Kahne, and Robert A. Lue
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30, and three hours of laboratory/discussion weekly. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
What are the fundamental features of living systems? What are the molecules that impart these features, and how do their chemical properties explain their biological roles? The answers to these questions form the basis for an understanding of the molecules of life, the cell, diseases, and medicines. In contrast with a traditional presentation of relevant scientific disciplines in separate courses, the above concepts are examined through an integrated presentation of 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. When taken for a letter grade, Life Sciences 1a meets 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, Maryellen Ruvolo, and John R. Wakeley
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. When taken for a letter grade, Life Sciences 1b meets the Core area requirement for Science B.

Life Sciences 2. Evolutionary Human Physiology and Anatomy - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 9007 Enrollment: Limited to 200.
George V. Lauder, Andrew A. Biewener, Peter T. Ellison, 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 and HEB 1420. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets 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). Tu., 2–4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
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: 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.

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 Department
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Fall: W., 1–3; Spring: F., 1–3. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
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 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 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 - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 5701
Ann Pearson, Jon Clardy (Medical School), and Roberto G. Kolter (Medical School)
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 8:30–10. EXAM GROUP: 10, 11
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: Life Sciences 1a and Life Sciences 1b or higher, or Physical Sciences 1 or higher, or permission of the instructor.

*Life Sciences 190r. Diverse Microbial Strategies for Metabolism, Pathogenesis, and Chemical Signaling - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 7185 Enrollment: Limited to 30.
Gary B. Ruvkun (Medical School), and members of the Faculty
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Fall: F., at 8:30, F., 9:45–11:45; Spring: F., 9–12. EXAM GROUP: Fall: 1, 2, 3, 4; Spring: 2, 3, 4
This is an interdisciplinary graduate-level and advanced undergraduate-level course in which students explore topics in molecular microbiology, microbial diversity, and microbially-mediated geochemistry in depth. This course will be taught by faculty from the Microbial Sciences Initiative.
Prerequisite: For advanced undergraduates, Life Sciences 1a and 1b are required, or permission of instructor. MCB 52 is recommended.


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