This course provides an outline of vertebrate functional neuroanatomy, aided by studies of comparative neuroanatomy and evolution, and by studies of brain development. Topics include early steps to a central nervous system, basic patterns of brain and spinal cord connections, regional development and differentiation, regeneration, motor and sensory pathways and structures, systems underlying motivations, innate action patterns, formation of habits, and various cognitive functions. In addition, lab techniques are reviewed and students perform brain dissections.

This is a site where educators can dialog on CA NGSS, share resources, and collaborate.

Medical Terminology and Body Systems I prepares you to use appropriate medical terminology to identify the structural organization of the body, identify body systems, and describe body special orientation. You will identify the normal function of each body system. You will identify word parts and abbreviations as they relate to body systems. This course has 4 Credit Units that will assist you in learning the course objectives.

NOTE: This is a Terminology course which will require you to properly pronounce words. You will need a set of headphones with a microphone attached in order to complete some assignments. Ear buds with microphone work just fine.

Course Outcomes:
1. Describe the structural organization of the human body and to identify Body Systems.
2. Describe Body Planes, Directional terms, quadrants, and cavities.
3. Describe the normal function of each body system, identify its major organs as well as their anatomical location.
4. Identify medical terms, labeling the word parts and define both medical terms and abbreviations related to all body systems.
5. Identify and analyze treatment modalities, normal function, organization, and diagnostic measures, for the following body systems: a. Integumentary System b. Skeletal System c. Muscles and Joints d. Nervous System e. Blood and Lymphatic Systems

Medical Terminology and Body Systems II prepares you to list major organs in each body system, describe their function, and identify and analyze pathologies related to each system. You will be able to discuss implications for disease and disability as it relates to each system, as well as issues related to treatment for each pathology and how it changes throughout the lifespan. This course has 4 Credit Units that will assist you in learning the course objectives.

Course Outcomes:
1. Describe the normal function of the following body systems, identifying major organs as well as their anatomical location: a. Cardiovascular b. Respiratory c. Digestive d. Endocrine e. Eyes and Ears f. Urinary g. Male and Female Genital and Reproductive Systems h. Obstetrics
2. Identify major organs as well as their anatomical location in the following body systems: a. Cardiovascular b. Respiratory c. Digestive d. Endocrine e. Eyes and Ears f. Urinary g. Male and Female Genital and Reproductive Systems h. Obstetrics
3. Analyze treatment modalities and diagnostic measures for the following body systems: a. Cardiovascular b. Respiratory c. Digestive d. Endocrine e. Eyes and Ears f. Urinary g. Male and Female Genital and Reproductive Systems h. Obstetrics

This course prepares the student to list major specialties in medicine, allied health, and their qualifications as well as their contribution to the overall health care system. The student will be able to discuss acute and chronic body system diseases, processes, and failures addressed by these major specialties and branches of allied health, as well as common treatment modalities for each system and how these might change throughout the lifespan.

Course Outcomes:
1. Describe the normal scope of practice of the following disciplines: a. Pediatrics b. Diagnostic Imaging c. Oncology d. Pharmacology e. Mental Health f. Gerontology
2. Analyze treatment modalities and diagnostic measures for the following disciplines: a. Pediatrics b. Diagnostic Imaging c. Oncology d. Pharmacology e. Mental Health f. Gerontology
3. Demonstrate the coordination of necessary care planning for chronic disease management in all body systems.

During Fall 2021, all MIT students and the general public are welcome to join Professors Richard Young and Facundo Batista as they discuss the science of the COVID-19 pandemic. The livestream of the lectures is available to the public, but only registered students are able to ask questions during the Q&A.
Lectures will be given by leading experts on the fundamentals of coronavirus and host cell biology, immunology, epidemiology, clinical disease, and vaccine and therapeutic development. Guest faculty include Amy Barczak, Dan Barouch, Arup Chakraborty, Victoria Clark, Shane Crotty, Anthony Fauci, Britt Glaunsinger, Salim Karim, Shiv Pillai, Rochelle Walensky, Bruce Walker, Laura Walker, and Andrew Ward.

During Fall 2020, all MIT students and the general public were welcomed to join Professors Richard Young and Facundo Batista as they discussed the science of the pandemic during this new class. The livestream of the lectures was available to the public, but only registered students were able to ask questions during the Q&A. 
Special guest speakers included: Drs. Anthony Fauci, David Baltimore, James Bradner, Victoria Clark, Kizzmekia Corbett, Britt Glaunsinger, Akiko Iwasaki, Eric Lander, Michael Mina, Michel Nussenzweig, Shiv Pillai, Arlene Sharpe, Skip Virgin, and Bruce Walker.
NOTE: This class ran from September 1, 2020 through December 8, 2020.

CREATES is a set of 6 steps that help learners read and critically analyze scientific papers. The CREATES method, pioneered by Dr. Sally Hoskins, has a demonstrated positive impact on undergraduate students' self-confidence in scientific reading, as well as in their general perceptions of and beliefs about science and scientific thinking (Hoskins, et. al, 2017).

The new CREATES site, created in collaboration with Jordan Moberg Parker, UCLA's Director of Undergraduate Laboratory Curriculum and Assessment in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, uses interactive media, step-by-step directions, and detailed annotation of authentic examples to guide students through the process.

In this course we will explore how altered metabolism drives cancer progression. Students will learn (1) how to read, discuss, and critically evaluate scientific findings in the primary research literature, (2) how scientists experimentally approach fundamental issues in biology and medicine, (3) how recent findings have challenged the traditional “textbook” understanding of metabolism and given us new insight into cancer, and (4) how a local pharmaceutical company is developing therapeutics to target cancer metabolism in an effort to revolutionize cancer therapy.

This course serves as an introduction to the structure and function of the nervous system. Emphasis is placed on the cellular properties of neurons and other excitable cells. Topics covered include the structure and biophysical properties of excitable cells, synaptic transmission, neurochemistry, neurodevelopment, and the integration of information in simple systems and the visual system.

This course includes:

Surveying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal communication.
Coversion channels in excitable membrane, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity.
Correlation of the properties of ion channels and synaptic transmission with their physiological function such as learning and memory.
Discussion of the organizational principles for the formation of functional neural networks at synaptic and cellular levels.

This course reviews the processing and structure of cellular materials as they are created from polymers, metals, ceramics, glasses, and composites, develops models for the mechanical behavior of cellular solids, and shows how the unique properties of honeycombs and foams are exploited in applications such as lightweight structural panels, energy absorption devices and thermal insulation. The applications of cellular solids in medicine include increased fracture risk due to trabecular bone loss in patients with osteoporosis, the development of metal foam coatings for orthopaedic implants, and designing porous scaffolds for tissue engineering that mimic the extracellular matrix. Modelling of cellular materials applied to natural materials and biomimicking is explored. Students taking the graduate version of the class are required to complete additional assignments.

This course applies the concepts of reaction rate, stoichiometry and equilibrium to the analysis of chemical and biological reacting systems, derivation of rate expressions from reaction mechanisms and equilibrium or steady state assumptions, design of chemical and biochemical reactors via synthesis of chemical kinetics, transport phenomena, and mass and energy balances. Topics covered include: chemical/biochemical pathways; enzymatic, pathway, and cell growth kinetics; batch, plug flow and well-stirred reactors for chemical reactions and cultivations of microorganisms and mammalian cells; heterogeneous and enzymatic catalysis; heat and mass transport in reactors, including diffusion to and within catalyst particles and cells or immobilized enzymes.

This kit is a historical overview of American representations of chemicals from the three sisters to the Love Canal. It compares conflicting constructions about nuclear reactor safety, depleted uranium, Rachel Carson and DDT. Through analyzing diverse historic and contemporary media messages, students understand changing public knowledge, impressions and attitudes about chemicals in the environment.

This course addresses the challenges of defining a relationship between exposure to environmental chemicals and human disease. Course topics include epidemiological approaches to understanding disease causation; biostatistical methods; evaluation of human exposure to chemicals, and their internal distribution, metabolism, reactions with cellular components, and biological effects; and qualitative and quantitative health risk assessment methods used in the U.S. as bases for regulatory decision-making. Throughout the term, students consider case studies of local and national interest.

The seminar is designed to look at the science of triathlons and sports from a molecular/chemical biological point of view. We will be able to use our own bodies to see how exercise affects the system, through observations written in a training journal. We will also improve the overall fitness of the class through maintaining a physical fitness program over the course of the term. The end of the term will have us all participate in a mini-triathlon.

This course is designed to provide an understanding of how the human brain works in health and disease, and is intended for both the Brain and Cognitive Sciences major and the non-Brain and Cognitive Sciences major. Knowledge of how the human brain works is important for all citizens, and the lessons to be learned have enormous implications for public policy makers and educators.
The course will cover the regional anatomy of the brain and provide an introduction to the cellular function of neurons, synapses and neurotransmitters. Commonly used drugs that alter brain function can be understood through a knowledge of neurotransmitters. Along similar lines, common diseases that illustrate normal brain function will be discussed. Experimental animal studies that reveal how the brain works will be reviewed.
Throughout the seminar we will discuss clinical cases from Dr. Byrne's experience that illustrate brain function; in addition, articles from the scientific literature will be discussed in each class.

Has your attention recently been caught by news of coastal catastrophes such as hurricanes and tsunamis? Do you wonder why so many coastal communities in the world are vulnerable to flooding and other coastal hazards? Have you considered what coastal flood protections cities like Houston and Miami will need in the future to protect their residents? This course will provide a better understanding of these phenomena. We present a global perspective of coastal landscapes, the geologic processes responsible for their formation, and ways that society responds to hazards like sea level rise and catastrophic weather events. You will participate in active learning exercises such as analyzing real-world datasets and applying critical thinking to real-world societal problems while investigating a coastal community.

How genetics can add to our understanding of cognition, language, emotion, personality, and behavior. Use of gene mapping to estimate risk factors for psychological disorders and variation in behavioral and personality traits. Mendelian genetics, genetic mapping techniques, and statistical analysis of large populations and their application to particular studies in behavioral genetics. Topics also include environmental influence on genetic programs, evolutionary genetics, and the larger scientific, social, ethical, and philosophical implications.

This course explores the cognitive and neural processes that support attention, vision, language, motor control, navigation, and memory. It introduces basic neuroanatomy, functional imaging techniques, and behavioral measures of cognition, and discusses methods by which inferences about the brain bases of cognition are made. We consider evidence from patients with neurological diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Balint's syndrome, amnesia, and focal lesions from stroke) and from normal human participants.