Biology 126: Biology for Behavioral Scientists: It’s in our DNA?

Behavior and mental life are framed by genetics, profoundly shaped by the circumstances of our development, and implemented by chemical signaling.   This course is intended as a compact introduction to biological principles that complement exploration of topics like gender, nature vs. nurture, and sociality from cognitive or cultural perspectives. Topics will include genes and genomes, what it means--in operational terms-- for a cell to be alive, how information is encoded into molecular signals, how a complex animal develops from a single cell (i.e., fertilized egg), and the interactions between DNA and environment in producing complex behavior.  The course offers a way for students without a previous background in biology to 1) encounter the analytical tools of current biology; 2) analyze and interpret biological data; 3) apply these basic biological principles to problems in the social and behavioral sciences. This course is not intended for students planning to major, minor, or attend graduate school in the life sciences, and does not substitute for Biology 111.