Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Changing patterns of agriculture in relation to population growth, the biology and social impact of plant disease, genetic engineering of plants: a thousand years of crop improvement and modern biotechnology, interactions between plants and the environment, and effects of human industrial and agricultural activity on plant ecosystems. Knowledge of the physical sciences is neither required nor assumed.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Fungi have interacted with humans in both positive and negative ways throughout history. These interactions have included production of foods, medicines, fuels, plant and animal diseases, decay, allergies, and mind-altering drugs.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
This course will include discussions on the academic path (courses) needed for the Genetics and Plant Biology major; an introduction to resources and facilities for studies of the plant sciences at Berkeley, such as the University Herbarium and the Botanical Garden; an exploration of plant science related careers, including presentations from guest speakers who work in organic farming, government, and Cooperative Extension; talks by faculty about their current research, and information about how to do research in a lab.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 10 Week Session, Spring 2017
Although often unseen, microbes are everywhere! This course covers the role that microbes, including archaea, bacteria, protists and fungi, play in terrestrial, marine and extreme environments and their effect on the geochemistry of the earth. In addition, we will explore the profound effects of microbes on human and plant health and how microbes have changed the course of human history.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Reading and discussion with Plant and Microbial Biology faculty on current research and topics in plant and microbial biology. Topics which may be discussed include microbial biology, plant genetics, plant development, plant pathology, agricultural biotechnology, and genetic engineering. Ideal for students who are considering a major in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology. Enrollment is limited to 20 freshmen.

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Spring 2012, Fall 2011
Freshman and sophomore seminars offer lower division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty, but the suggested limit is 25.

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Covers contemporary topics in plant biology. Examines how plants grow, reproduce, and respond to the environment (e.g., to light) in ways distinct from animals. Presents basic principles of genetics, cell, and molecular biology. Basics of genetic engineering and biotechnology reveal how they are used to modify plants, and these socially relevant issues are assessed. Includes visit to modern plant biology research laboratory, and aspects of plant disease and diversity. Knowledge of the physical sciences neither required nor assumed.

Terms offered: Spring 2012, Fall 2011, Spring 2011
Sophomore seminars are small interactive courses offered by faculty members in departments all across the campus. Sophomore seminars offer opportunity for close, regular intellectual contact between faculty members and students in the crucial second year. The topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment limited to 15 sophomores.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Freshmen will be introduced to the "culture" of the biological sciences, along with an in-depth orientation to the academic life and the culture of the university as they relate to majoring in biology. Students will learn concepts, skills, and information that they can use in their major course, and as future science professionals. Restricted to freshmen in the biology scholars program.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Lectures and small group discussions focusing on topics of interest, varying from semester to semester.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 10 Week Session, Summer 2017 8 Week Session
Lower division independent study and research intended for the academically superior student. Enrollment only with prior approval of faculty advisor directing the research.

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Students will perform state-of-the-art research to address an important question in modern plant biology. The experimental progression exposes students to a variety of modern molecular approaches and techniques. Experimental design, data acquisition, and analysis of the student's real experimental data is emphasized. Research results will be presented in written and oral formats similar to those used in research laboratories.

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
This course for upper division and graduate students will explore the molecular and cellular basis of microbial pathogenesis. The course will focus on model microbial systems which illustrate mechanisms of pathogenesis. Most of the emphasis will be on bacterial pathogens of mammals, but there will be some discussion of viral and protozoan pathogens. There will be an emphasis on experimental approaches. The course will also include some aspects of bacterial genetics and physiology, immune response to infection, and the cell biology of host-parasite interactions.

Terms offered: Summer 2017 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2010 10 Week Session, Summer 2009 10 Week Session
An introduction to microbiology research in which students generate gene knockouts in Caulobacter and analyze the mutant phenotypes. Each student will disrupt one gene of known function and one gene of unknown function. Students will attend lectures focusing on the techniques to be employed and perform experiments under supervision. This course may be taken by students with no prior laboratory experience to expose them to discovery-oriented research.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
An analysis of the structural diversity of land plants plants with emphasis on the developmental mechanisms responsible for this variation in morphology and the significance of this diversity in relation to adaptation and evolution.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016
From the seahorse’s body to the venus flytrap’s jaws to the human brain, nature abounds with amazing adaptations. This interdisciplinary course explores how and why such biodiversity evolves as well as what limits diversity. Lectures and case studies will focus on core concepts, recent advances, and integrative approaches, placing special emphasis on the interplay between gene regulatory networks, the environment, and population genetics.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
Selected aspects of fungi: their structure, reproduction, physiology, ecology, genetics and evolution; their role in plant disease, human welfare, and industry. Offered even fall semesters.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 10 Week Session, Fall 2016
This course will explore the molecular bases for physiological and biochemical diversity among members of the two major domains, Bacteria and Archaea. The ecological significance and evolutionary origins of this diversity will be discussed. Molecular, genetic, and structure-function analyses of microbial cell cycles, adaptive responses, metabolic capability, and macromolecular syntheses will be emphasized.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 10 Week Session, Spring 2017
Experimental techniques of microbiology designed to accompany the lecture in C112 and C148. The primary emphasis in the laboratory will be on the cultivation and physiological and genetic characterization of bacteria. Laboratory exercises will include the observation, enrichment, and isolation of bacteria from selected environments.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
This is a hands-on class in identification of macro fungi. Emphasis will be on laboratory work with fresh and dried fungi. Short lectures at the beginning of labs focus on mushroom systematic, collection techniques, and identification. Three weekend field trips are required in addition to the weekly laboratory. Previous course experience with fungi is recommended, but not required. Grades are based on tests and a collection.

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
This course will provide a comparative overview of virus life cycles and strategies viruses use to infect and replicate in hosts. We will discuss virus structure and classification and the molecular basis of viral reproduction, evolution, assembly, and virus-host interactions. Common features used during virus replication and host cellular responses to infection will be covered. Topics also included are common and emerging virus diseases, their control, and factors affecting their spread.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
This course for upper-division and graduate students will broadly survey myriad types of microbial organisms, both procaryote and eucaryote, using a phylogenetic framework to organize the concept of "biodiversity." Emphasis will be on the evolutionary development of the many biochemical themes, how they mold our biosphere, and the organisms that affect the global biochemistry. Molecular mechanisms that occur in different lineages will be compared and contrasted to illustrate fundamental biological strategies. Graduate students additionally should enroll in C216, Microbial Diversity Workshop.

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
General biology of freshwater and marine algae, highlighting current research and integrating phylogeny, ecology, physiology, genetics, and molecular biology.

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Laboratories include study of representative types, identification of specimens collected during several field trips, and experiments on development, physiology, and molecular genetics.

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Offers an assessment of global energy supply and demand, addresses the chemistry of climate change, examines the response of plants and microbes to changes in the environment, and emphasizes the role of biology and photosynthesis in offering solutions to related energy and societal problems. Bioenergy is examined from the point-of-view of potential biofuels, including aspects of the biological generation of hydrogen, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, lipids, and bio-oils, polymers and related materials.

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
After an introduction to the different aspects of our global energy consumption, the course will focus on the role of biomass. The course will illustrate how the global scale of energy guides the biomass research. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of the biological aspects (crop selection, harvesting, storage and distribution, and chemical composition of biomass) with the chemical aspects to convert biomass to energy. The course aims to engage students in state-of-the-art research.

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
Survey of behavior, structure, and function of chromosomes with emphasis on behavior in model organisms. Topics include mitosis, meiosis, chromosome aberrations, genome function, dosage compensation, transposons, repetitive DNA, and modern cytological imaging.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
A study of physiological and biochemical processes in higher plants, including water relations, ion transport, and hormone physiology; photosynthesis (light utilization and carbon assimilation), nitrogen and sulfur metabolism, and plant-specific biosynthetic pathways.

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Course emphasizes bacterial and archaeal genetics and comparative genomics. Genetics and genomic methods used to dissect metabolic and development processes in bacteria, archaea, and selected microbial eukaryotes. Genetic mechanisms integrated with genomic information to address integration and diversity of microbial processes. Introduction to the use of computational tools for a comparative analysis of microbial genomes and determining relationships among bacteria, archaea, and microbial eukaryotes.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
An introduction to the structure, dynamics, and function of plant cells: organelle structure and development; intracellular trafficking of small and macromolecules; cellular signaling; cell division and specialization.

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
A consideration of plant genetics and molecular biology. Topics include principles of genomics and gene functional analysis; regulation of gene expression in response to environmental and developmental stimuli; intercellular and intracellular signaling pathways; and the molecular and genetic basis for the exceptional cellular and developmental strategies adopted by plants.

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
This course will cover topics in molecular plant-microbe interactions ranging from how microbes cause disease to how plants defend themselves. A second goal of the course is to engage students in state-of-the-art research in the area of plant-microbe interactions.

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Spring 2012, Spring 2011
This course is designed to introduce students to the principles and applications of modern plant biotechnology. Basic concepts of modern agriculture will be reviewed in light of emerging biotechnology applications. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the tools and strategies involved in optimizing plant productivity.

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2014
An integrated and multidisciplinary approach to the study of interactions between plants and the environment. Introduces physical parameters in the global and micro-environment that affect plant function; and molecular, cellular, and developmental aspects of plant response to suboptimal/adverse conditions. Underlying biochemistry, physiology, and molecular biology of plant adaptation and acclimation mechanisms. Examines consequences of industrial activity on plant growth and productivity.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015

The course will be a detailed overview of the practice of light microscopy as applied to scientific investigation. The emphasis of the course will be on the correct and appropriate use of the light microscope for biological scientists; however students of other disciplines are welcome. The course will cover optical microscope theory, microscope components and mechanics, and optical techniques including detailed descriptions, demonstrations, and use of all the modern light microscope contrast methods. Students will receive hands-on experience in all microscope and digital imaging techniques via direct instruction and use of instrumentation in the College of Natural Resources Biological Imaging Facility.

Terms offered: Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2015 Second 6 Week Session
This class is designed to develop skills in critical analysis of specific plant and/or microbial biology issues. Topics may vary from semester to semester.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Seminar in which students consider how modern biotechnological approaches, including recombinant DNA methods, can be used to recognize and solve problems in the area of conservation, habitat and endangered species preservation, agriculture and environmental pollution. Students will also develop and present case studies of environmental problems solving using modern molecular methods.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
Supervised independent honors research specific to aspects of the plant and microbial biology major, followed by an oral presentation and a written report. Honors students must complete two semesters of research.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Group studies of selected topics.

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session
Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.