Basic Biology of Blood and Blood Diseases

Catalog description

This course incorporates biology, physiology, biochemistry, and pathology to understand how one of the most important tissues in the human body functions: blood. The course will investigate the normal flow of traffic in the body, as well as some of the biological diseases that hinder this flow. It will focus on understanding the basic and fundamental principles as it relates to biological and disease processes of blood. The course will apply scientific reasoning and critical thinking in investigating these processes. Additionally, it will explore the basic understanding of how scientific research in the area of hematology and oncology is conducted and how we apply laboratory discoveries towards treating blood-related disorders. Our focus will center upon examining the molecular mechanisms associated with bone marrow and several blood disorders. Specifically, we will study cancer (leukemia and lymphoma), anemia (sickle cell disease), blood coagulation (hemophilia and thrombosis), and atherosclerosis. Upon completion of this course, students will have gained the knowledge to apply basic biological concepts to larger, complex pathological diseases. This course fulfills the Cell & Molecular Breadth Requirement of the BA and BS in Biology. Prereq: Undergraduate Student and BIOL 214 or Requisites Not Met permission.