Xenobiology Department
Xenobiology is the science of life and of living organisms on both Earth and alien worlds, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution. It includes botany and zoology and all their subdivisions.
Most subjects in the Xenobiology department are eligible independant specialization studies.
Courses highlighted in bold green are Academy Core Courses.
Introductory Course
- Xenobiology: Concepts
- The structure, function, heredity, evolution, and ecological interactions of living systems with emphasis on those concepts having major implications for humanoids and their societies.
Cell Biology
- Xenobiology: Cell Biology, Humanoid
- The structure and function of humanoid cells with emphasis on evolutionary principles, basic biochemistry, and scientific epistemology.
- Xenobiology: Cell Biology, Non-Humanoid
- The structure and function of non-humanoid cells with emphasis on evolutionary principles, basic biochemistry, and scientific epistemology.
Physiology
- Xenobiology: Physiology, Terran
- The biological study of the functions of Terrans.
- Xenobiology: Physiology, (Non-Terran, Major Species)
- The biological study of the functions of given Major Species.
- Xenobiology: Physiology, (Non-Terran, Minor Species)
- The biological study of the functions of given Minor Species.
Genetics
- Xenobiology: Genetics, Humanoid 1
- Fundamental principles of heredity, including both Mendelian and molecular genetics. Emphasis is on those principles with the greatest implications to understanding biological systems in general, and humans in particular.
- Xenobiology: Genetics, Humanoid 2
- Current research and paradigms in molecular genetics with emphasis on adaptive and developmental gene regulation, molecular evolution, manipulation for gene engineering, genomics, proteomics, and their implications.
- Xenobiology: Genetics, Non-Humanoid
- Overall view of the principles of sentient non-humanoid heredity, including Reatilian theories.
Evolution & Ecology
- Xenobiology: Evolution, Humanoid
- The mechanisms of evolution, principles of population genetics, selection and adaptation, and the history of life on Earth, and selected Major Species planets. Biological diversity and evolutionary issues for medicine are also covered.
- Xenobiology: Evolution, Non-Humanoid
- The mechanisms of evolution, principles of population genetics, selection and adaptation, and the history of life selected non-humanoid planets.
- Xenobiology: Evolution, Superior Species
- The mechanisms of evolution, principles of population genetics, selection and adaptation for species with higher intelligence or super-human abilities.
- Xenobiology: Botany of Major Worlds
- Survey of algae, nonvascular, and vascular plants, with emphasis on the origin, structure, development, and physiology of flowering vascular plants for select Major worlds.
- Xenobiology: Zoology, General
- A survey of the major phyla, classes, and orders of animals, with emphasis on basic body plans and organization, development, phylogenetic relationships, and the structure and function of representative organ systems for Earth.
- Xenobiology: Zoology, (Non-Terran, Major Worlds)
- A survey of the major phyla, classes, and orders of animals, with emphasis on basic body plans and organization, development, phylogenetic relationships, and the structure and function of representative organ systems.
Microbiology
- Xenobiology: Microbiology 1 (Bacteria)
- Biology of bacteria. Laboratory includes culturing, identification, isolation from environment, and experimentation.
- Xenobiology: Microbiology 2 (Virii)
- Biology of virii. Laboratory includes culturing, identification, isolation from environment, and experimentation.
- Xenobiology: Algae and Fungi, Major Worlds
- Comparative ecology, physiology, and morphology of algae and fungi for select Major worlds.
Immunology & Pathology
- Xenobiology: Immunology, (Non-Terran, Major Species)
- Principles of immunology with an emphasis on the role of experimentation for understanding the response to infectious diseases and the development of new paradigms.
- Xenobiology: Systems 1, Derm/Respir/Cardio/Hematol Systems
- The major focus of this course is on disease mechanisms. Students will learn the processes that cause disease (pathogenesis), the impact of disease on the functioning of the body (pathophysiology), and the consequence of the disease on the structure of the body (pathology). The Dermatologic, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Hematologic are studied, with many opportunities for interdisciplinary learning.
- Xenobiology: Systems 2, GI/Musc/Renal/Endoc/Reprod
- Continuation of Systems 1 course, and focuses on Gastrointestinal, Musculoskelatal, Renal, Endocrine, and Reproductive organ systems.
- Xenobiology: Pathology
- Pathology is an introduction to general pathology, which represents an essential foundation for understanding cell and tissue responses to injury and the pathophysiology of diseases. The course focuses on general pathological mechanisms, including cell injury, inflammation, wound healing and angiogenesis, atherosclerosis and neoplasia, and will be taught primarily using problem-solving, case-based methods in small tutorial sessions and laboratories.
- Xenbiology: Musculoskeletal Pathophysiology
- The course covers growth and development of normal bone and joints, the process of mineralization, the biophysics of bone connective tissues and response to stress, calcium and phosphate homeostasis and regulation by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D, the pathogenesis of metabolic bone diseases and disease of connective tissues, joints and muscle with consideration of possible mechanisms and underlying metabolic derangements.
- Xenobiology: Endocrinology
- Students will study physiology and pathophysiology of the endocrine system. The format of the course will include both didactic lectures on the various glandular systems and presentation of clinical cases with relevant laboratory information. The cases serve to illustrate the pathophysiology and treatment of endocrine disease.
- Xenobiology: Reproductive Biology
- Designed to give the student a clear understanding of the pathophysiology of the menstrual cycle, fertilization, implantation, ovum growth development, differentiation and associated abnormalities. Disorders of fetal development including the principles of teratology and the mechanism of normal and abnormal parturition will be covered as well as will the pathophysiology of the breast and disorders of lactation. Fetal asphyxia and its consequences will be reviewed with emphasis on the technology currently available for its detection. In addition the conclusion of the reproductive cycle, menopause, and the use of hormonal replacement will be covered.
- Xenobiology: Hematology
- The course offers an intensive survey of the biology, physiology and pathophysiology of blood and the blood forming organs, with systematic consideration of hematopoiesis, blood cells, blood coagulation, blood groups, hematological malignancies, bone marrow transplantation, immunoglobulins and other plasma proteins. Emphasis will be given equally to basic scientific and clinical principles. Blood and bone marrow morphology are taught at the microscope. The goal of the course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of hematology for both the clinical and the basic scientist.
- Xenobiology: Neuroscience
- Basic principles of organization and function of the nervous system will be discussed and frequent reference will be made to pathophysiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Students will be provided with a clear picture of modern brain science and the applications of their work in alleviating disease, and of the ways that disease can provide insight into basic scientific questions. The course will span modern neuroscience from molecular neurobiology to perception and cognition, including the following major topics: Anatomy and Development of the Brain; Cell Biology of Neurons and Glia; Ion Channels and Electrical Signaling; Synaptic Transmission, Integration, and Chemical Systems of the Brain; Sensory Systems, from Transduction to Perception; Motor Systems; and Higher Brain Function (Memory, Language, Affective Disorders).
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