_Fundamentals of Biology_ focuses on the basic principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and recombinant DNA. These principles are necessary to understanding the basic mechanisms of life and anchor the biological knowledge that is required to understand many of the challenges in everyday life, from human health and disease to loss of biodiversity and environmental quality.
##### Course Format
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[](pages/syllabus) This course has been designed for independent study. It consists of four units, one for each topic. The units can be used individually or in combination. The materials for each unit include:
* **Lecture Videos** by MIT faculty.
* Learning activities, including **Interactive Concept Quizzes**, designed to reinforce main concepts from lectures.
* **Problem Sets** you do on your own and check your answers against the **Solutions** when you're done.
* **Problem Solving Video** help sessions taught by experienced MIT Teaching Assistants.
* Lists of important **Terms and Definitions.**
* **Suggested Topics and Links** for further study.
* **Exams** with **Solution Keys.**
##### Content Development
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Eric Lander
Robert Weinberg
Tyler Jacks
Hazel Sive
Graham Walker
Sallie Chisholm
Dr. Michelle Mischke
Overview
Syllabus
- Alternative Approaches to Molecular Biology
- Biochemical Reactions, Enzymes, and ATP
- cDNA Libraries and Expression Libraries
- Constructing and Screening a Recombinant DNA Library
- Covalent Bonds
- Covalent Bonds, Hydrogen Bonds
- DNA Replication
- Glycolysis, Respiration, and Fermentation
- Linkage and Recombination, Genetic maps
- Photosynthesis
- Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, DNA Sequencing, PCR, Excerpt 1
- Basic Mechanisms of Cloning, Excerpt 1
- DNA Structure and Classic experiments, Excerpt 1
- Macromolecules: Lipids, Carbohydrates, Nucleic Acid, Excerpt 1
- Mendel's Laws, Excerpt 1
- Overview of Recombinant DNA, Excerpt 1
- Proteins, Levels of Structure, Non-Covalent Forces, Excerpt 1
- Transcription and translation, Excerpt 1
- Types of Organisms, Cell Composition, Excerpt 1
- Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, DNA Sequencing, PCR, Excerpt 2
- Basic Mechanisms of Cloning, Excerpt 2
- DNA Structure and Classic experiments, Excerpt 2
- Macromolecules: Lipids, Carbohydrates, Nucleic Acid, Excerpt 2
- Mendel's Laws, Excerpt 2
- Overview of Recombinant DNA, Excerpt 2
- Proteins, Levels of Structure, Non-Covalent Forces, Excerpt 2
- Transcription and translation, Excerpt 2
- Types of Organisms, Cell Composition, Excerpt 2
- Basic Mechanisms of Cloning, Excerpt 3
Taught by
Prof. Sallie Chisholm, Prof. Tyler Jacks, Prof. Eric Lander, Dr. Michelle Mischke, Prof. Hazel Sive, Prof. Graham Walker, and Prof. Robert Weinberg
