Conceptual overview of the course. (Courtesy of Eric Lander.)
This course is taught by Robert A. Weinberg, winner of the 1997 National Medal of Science, and Eric Lander, director of the Whitehead Center for Genome Research and a principal leader of the Human Genome Project. One of three versions of introductory level biology courses at MIT, Course 7.012 focuses on current research in cell biology, immunology, neurobiology, genomics, and molecular medicine.
» View this course en Español or em Portugues courtesy of Universia.
» View this course in Simplified Chinese courtesy of China Open Resources for Education (CORE).
All three courses: 7.012, 7.013 and 7.014 cover the same core material which includes: the fundamental principles of biochemistry as they apply to introductory biology, genetics, molecular biology, basic recombinant DNA technology, and gene regulation.
In addition, each version of the subject has its own distinctive material, described below. Note: All three versions require a familiarity with some basic chemistry. For details, see the Chemistry Self-evaluation.
7.012 focuses on cell biology, immunology, neurobiology, and includes an exploration into current research in cancer, genomics, and molecular medicine.
7.013 focuses on the application of the fundamental principles toward an understanding of cells, human genetics and diseases, infectious agents, cancer, immunology, molecular medicine, and development.
7.014 focuses on the application of the fundamental principles toward an understanding of microorganisms as geochemical agents responsible for the evolution and renewal of the biosphere and their role in human health and disease.
Education development efforts for these courses are one of many activities conducted by the HHMI Education Group at MIT. This group focuses on curriculum development work for creating teaching tools in undergraduate biology courses.
Acknowledgements
The study materials, problem set, and quiz materials used during Fall 2001 for 7.012 were developed by past members of the 7.012 staff including:
Brian White
John Doench
Anna Heineman
Kristen Johnson
Brian Joughin
Julian Lange
Chris Petersen
Robyn Tanny
Claudette Gardel
Michelle Mischke