The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is an affiliate of the University of Chicago. Located in a small village on the ocean, it is a beautiful and historic place to engage in the life of the mind. It is equipped with single dorm rooms with private bathrooms, and a large dining facility. There is excellent WiFi, so students would have no trouble participating in remote UChicago classes. In addition, students electing to spend their Autumn Quarter at MBL have the option of 3 different in-person classes (listed below). Students living at MBL would plan to take at least 1, but no more than 2, of these classes.
The two Biological Sciences courses offered (Microbiomes Across Environments, Imaging For Biological Sciences) will be project-based and will give students an opportunity to learn and conduct research in a small group at MBL. These courses are appropriate for science majors or for any student with an interest in the area. The course credits can be used as upper-level electives for the Biology major, or towards the General Education requirement in the Biological Sciences. In contrast, the NSCI class is limited to students who have completed introductory courses in NSCI.
There is a fee of $6000 for this program. This fee covers a single room and a full meal plan at the MBL cafeteria (three meals per day). This fee is comparable to housing and dining costs on the Hyde Park campus. For eligible students, financial aid for housing, dining and travel can be applied towards this fee.
MBL program participants will be guaranteed on-campus housing in Winter and Spring when returning from the MBL program.
Students will arrive at MBL on Thursday September 24, and will depart on Saturday, November 21. If traveling by plane, students will fly into Boston Logan Airport, and take the Peter Pan bus line to travel between the airport at MBL. Students may also drive to MBL.
Registration for Autumn Quarter 2020 is now closed
Course Bundle offered in Autumn Quarter at MBL
BIOS 27720. Microbiomes Across Environments
David Mark Welch, Elena Lopez Peredo
Lecture: Mon/Wed/Fri: 8 - 8:50 AM CST Lab: Tue 1 - 4 PM CST
Lecture: Mon/Wed/Fri: 9 - 9:50 AM EST Lab: Tue 2 - 5 PM EST
Microbiomes Across Environments provides a comprehensive introduction to microbiome research, tools and approaches for investigation, and a lexicon for biological understanding of the role of microbial communities in environmental and host environments. Microbiome science is an emerging field that bridges disciplines, merging microbiology with genomics, ecosystem science, computation, biogeochemistry, modeling, medicine, surgery, immunology, molecular engineering, and many others, including architecture, social science, chemistry and even economics. In this course we will uncover the vast biochemical and metabolic diversity of the microbial world by examining life in ocean and marine systems, terrestrial ecosystems, and animal (including human) host-associated contexts. Students will develop or strengthen biological field/lab techniques, analyze and compare data prepared from student-collected samples, and will integrate fundamental knowledge, modeling, and theory as it pertains to microbiome research.
PQ: None
NSCI 23810. Neurons and Glia: A Cellular and Molecular Perspective. 100 Units.
Bill Greene, Robert Carrillo
Mon/Wed/Fri 10:20 AM - 11:10 AM CST
Mon/Wed/Fri 11:20 AM - 12:10 PM EST
This course will be an interactive, in-depth analysis of the cell biology of neurons and glia. We will learn and discuss the latest techniques used, for example, to study the structure and function of neuronal proteins. In this way we will illuminate the central concepts that define our understanding of the cell and molecular biology of neurons and glia. The course will consist of lectures and critical reading of contemporary literature.
PQ: NSCI 20101-20130 (Fundamental Neuroscience Sequence) or consent of the instructor
BIOS 27724. Imaging for Biological Research
Nipam Patel, Louis Kerr, Carsten Wolff
Lecture: Mon 9:10 - 10:00 AM CST Lab: Mon/Wed 1:50 - 4:50 PM CST
Lecture: Mon 10:10 - 11:00 AM EST Lab: Mon/Wed 2:50 - 5:50 PM EST
Imaging has been, and continues to be, a critical tool in biological research. This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of imaging, but will quickly advance to discussing cutting edge advancements in the field. More importantly, the course will focus on hands-on opportunities to use state-of-the art microscopes, as well as provide an opportunity for students to design and execute an original research project which makes use of the skills gained during the course. Students will begin by building their own, simple microscopes, and then move on to learning how to use confocal and electron microscopes, as well as mastering techniques for fixed and live sample preparation. In addition, students will analyze the data they collect using several software tools. Lectures will be designed to introduce each topic, as well as highlight limitations and challenges in the field.
PQ: None