Models of Biochemical and Cellular Systems. Introductory systems-biology approach to model the design and the function of biological systems. Students will develop an intuition about physical concepts that are fundamental to discuss how biological organisms acquire and process information from the environment. Those concepts and tools will cover probabilities and basic dynamical systems theory. Students will build models of processes of increasing complexity, ranging from viral dynamics, bacterial resistance to drugs, the maintenance of homeostatic equilibrium (trp operon), biological oscillators (mitotic clock) and genetic switches underlying cellular decisions (bacteriophage lambda and lac operon).
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UnitsLetter
Grading1
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeAwful professor. Expects everyone to be an expert in coding and calculus and doesn't accommodate for those who aren't. Posts lecture videos to watch outside class, then lectures the entire class period, then assigns coding and quizzes. Expectations for the midterms are wildly unclear. If you don't have coding experience- buckle up.
Louis genuinely wants everyone to succeed. I was terrified going into this class bc I had no coding experience and hadn't taken calc for 2+ years. Definitely challenging and forces you to think and approach problems differently, but I really felt like I improved over the quarter and was able to walk away with an A. Put in the work & you'll be ok
This professor is truly an angel. The class is extremely challenging, but if you are struggling, talk to him and he will guide you and help you find a way to get through it.
Class shouldn't be required for bio. simple. most of us have not taken calculus since freshman year and this has nothing to do with Biochem. If you are a senior just switch majors back to Biological Sciences. Teacher is nice and cares but it is extremely rare for 50% of class to get iclicker correct, so much excess material that is not on tests.
I had Prof. Louis during Spring 2020 aka rona time. This was his first time teaching this course online and he did an excellent job with well edited lecture videos, lots of practice problems, etc. It was definitely hard, especially because I had no coding experience, but its doable with effort. Definitely review some calc before the class
Easily one of the hardest classes I have taken in the bio department. Highly recommend going over some general calculus before this class starts. Louis was very understanding and willing to help when you need it but his lectures were pretty scattered. Do all coding assignments and practice problems to prepare for exams.