MCSB: Mathematical, Computational and Systems Biology at UC Irvine

Didactic courses:
Students are expected to take a minimum of 6 didactic courses in preparation for thesis research. Within the framework of the MCB Gateway program, these courses will typically be taken during the first year of graduate school, and will consist of two courses per quarter from the following list

Fall Quarter

Biophysics of Molecules and Molecular Machines (Physics 230A).
Thorsten Ritz

Mathematical and Computational Biology I (Math 227A)
Frederic Y.M. Wan/Qing Nie

Winter Quarter

Systems Cell Biology (Dev Bio 232)
Lee Bardwell/Arthur Lander

Mathematical and Computational Biology II (Math 227B)
Frederic Y.M. Wan/Qing Nie/John Lowengrub

Dynamic Systems with Applications to Biology and Medicine (BME 233)*
Zoran Nenadic
* an alternative to Math 227A

Spring Quarter

Population Dynamics (Eco Evo 251)
Dominik Wodarz

Computational Systems Biology (ICS 284C)
Eric Mjolsness

Appropriate courses may be substituted for the above with the approval of a student's advisory committee. Following the first year, students may also be required to take additional coursework determined by the department in which the student completes thesis research.

Bootcamps
Depending on their preparation, incoming students will be given 1-2 week "bootcamps" in biology, mathematics and/or computation, during the period just prior to the start of the fall quarter. These intensive training experiences, which involve lectures, demonstrations, and one-on-one instruction, are designed to help students achieve a basic understanding in areas in which they may have received little formal education.

Skill building coursework
During the fall quarter of the first year, all students take " Critical Thinking in Systems Biology ", which is based upon reading and directed discussion of papers from the literature. Currently under development is a course entitled, " Collaboration 101 ", that will utilize papers from the Systems Biology literature and guest speakers to discuss the central questions of collaboration--when? with whom? how? for how long?--and the logistical and ethical problems that often arise when scientists work together.

Focused workshops:
Workshops of 2-5 days duration are offered on a rotating basis, and include topics such as Basic and Advanced Fluorescence Techniques; Biological Modeling; Basic Programming; and a Mathematics Clinic.