Course Description

This course -- taught entirely on-line -- provides an introduction to two important aspects of modern biochemistry, molecular biology, and biophysics: computer simulation and data analysis. The availability of very capable but inexpensive personal computers and software makes it possible to do such work at a much higher level, but in a much easier way, than ever before. In this course you will learn to use readily available computer tools to formulate quantitative models and analyze experiments in a way that measures up to the standards of biology in the 21st century. In particular, you will learn how to use the free, open source software program R in a variety of biological applications. The course is intended for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students, who have had basic instruction in biochemistry and calculus-level mathematics. Specific topics to be covered include R as a tool for numerical, graphical, and programming work; equilibrium and kinetics of biochemical reactions; regulation of metabolic and transcriptional networks; probability and sequence analysis; and analysis of proteomic and microarray data. Since this is a completely online course, efforts will be made to maintain an active class listserv, so that students and instructor can discuss questions and issues related to the course.