2024 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Basic science and technology courses
Fundamental Life Science 2-1 E
- Academic unit or major
- Basic science and technology courses
- Instructor(s)
- Tomoyo Akashi / Ako Fujita / Yuichi Hongoh / Yuki Yamaguchi / Hideki Taguchi / Hiroshi Kimura / Shunichiro Ogura / Mie Shimojima / Tetsuya Kitaguchi / Shoen Kume
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Fri
- Class
- E
- Course Code
- LAS.B103
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course gives fundamentals of diverse fields of life science and introduction of current topics. On the basis of the knowledge given in "Fundamental Life Science 1-1", the classes cover more details of the central dogma and protein functions, and fundamentals of enzymes, lipids and membranes, signal transduction and membrane transport, as well as current topics such as biofuel and developmental engineering.
This course aims to provide fundamental knowledge on life sciences as the basis not only for advanced life sciences but also for broad fields in science and technology.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will understand the fundamentals of life sciences, which shall be the basis for broad fields in advanced science and technology. In addition, the students will more deeply understand current topics related to life sciences.
Keywords
biology, genome, enzyme, body plan, bioinformatics
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Students will learn about the topics with a textbook, PowerPoint slides, and handouts. Students are divided into eight classes (in Japanese) and one (in English, by Assoc. Prof. Steven Davis), taking a class session once per week. In class K, the order and contents of the course can differ from the Japanese classes (please ask Assoc. Prof. Steven Davis).
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Gene expression and its regulation | Understand the basic mechanisms for gene expression and its regulation |
| Class 2 | DNA replication and repair | Understand the basic mechanisms of DNA replication and repair |
| Class 3 | Protein synthesis (translation, modification, folding) and degradation | Understand the basic processes of protein synthesis and degradation |
| Class 4 | Enzyme and chemical kinetics: proteins as catalysts | Understand the basis of enzymatic reactions |
| Class 5 | Signal transduction and membrane transport | Understand the basic mechanisms of signal transduction and membrane transport |
| Class 6 | Stem cell and developmental engineering | Understand the basis of stem cell and developmental engineering |
| Class 7 | Lipids, biological membrane, and biofuel | Understand the basic structure and functions of lipids and biological membranes |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
"Biology", C. Starr, C.A. Evers, L. Starr
Reference books, course materials, etc.
"Campbell Biology" and "Biotechnology, 2nd edition, Clark and Pazdernik" (K class)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Learning achievement is evaluated by short tests using Google Form or marksheet in every classes and a final exam (basically in face).
Related courses
- Fundamental Life Science 1-1
- Fundamental Life Science1-2
- Fundamental Life Science 2-2
- Fundamental Life Science Laboratory
Prerequisites
Students are expected to have completed Fundamental Life Science 1-1 and Fundamental Life Science1-2 (not conditioned).