Undergraduate Courses

To see a complete list of courses offered and their descriptions, visit the online course catalog. Please see the right toolbar for individual course websites.

The courses listed below are provided by Student Information Services (SIS). This listing provides a snapshot of immediately available courses within this department and may not be complete. Course registration information can be found at https://sis.jhu.edu/classes.

Column one has the course number and section. Other columns show the course title, days offered, instructor's name, room number, if the course is cross-referenced with another program, and a option to view additional course information in a pop-up window.

Modeling the Living Cell
AS.250.302 (01)

Previously titled "Models and Algorithms in Biophysics." Introduction to physical and mathematical models used to represent biophysical systems and phenomena. Students will learn algorithms for implementing models computationally and perform basic implementations. We will discuss the types of approximations made to develop useful models of complex biological systems, and the comparison of model predictions with experiment.

  • Credits: 4.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM, M 5:00PM - 6:00PM
  • Instructor: Johnson, Margaret E
  • Room: Jenkins 107
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 4/25
  • PosTag(s): NEUR-CP, CSCI-OTHER

Freshman Seminar in Biophysics
AS.250.131 (01)

Introduction of contemporary biophysics research topics through presentations, discussion and hands-on exercise. Freshmen only. S/U grading only.

  • Credits: 1.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 2:50PM
  • Instructor: Fleming, Karen G, Roberts, Elijah
  • Room: Jenkins 107
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 6/24
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Introduction to Computing
AS.250.205 (04)

This course is useful for many disciplines not only the life sciences. It will introduce students to basic computing concepts and tools useful in many applications. Students learn to work in the Unix environment, to write shells scripts, and to make use of powerful Unix commands (e.g grep, awk, and sed). They will learn to program using the Python programming language, graphing software, and a package for numerical and statistical computing, such as Mathematica or MATLAB. At the end of the semester students will complete a project coupling all components of the semester together. Brief lectures followed by extensive hands-on computer laboratories with examples from many disciplines. No prerequisites. Course offered every semester. Exams will be held on the following dates: Feb 27, Apr 9, May 1 at 7:30-9:00 pm

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
  • Instructor: Procopio, Maria
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 10/39
  • PosTag(s): GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP

Introduction to Biomedical Research and Careers I
AS.250.106 (01)

Lecture Series designed for those curious about a career in life sciences, medicine and public health. A novel format combining presentation with didactic interviews gives a broad view of a range of research topics, experimental approaches and logistics, and practical applications as well as career paths. Emphasis is on the excitement of scientific explorations not an abundance of the technical facts and figures. Freshmen and non-science majors. Co-listed with AS.250.300 and AS.250.306.

  • Credits: 1.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: T 7:30PM - 8:50PM
  • Instructor: Huang, P C
  • Room: Mudd 100
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 28/40
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Introduction to Computing
AS.250.205 (03)

This course is useful for many disciplines not only the life sciences. It will introduce students to basic computing concepts and tools useful in many applications. Students learn to work in the Unix environment, to write shells scripts, and to make use of powerful Unix commands (e.g grep, awk, and sed). They will learn to program using the Python programming language, graphing software, and a package for numerical and statistical computing, such as Mathematica or MATLAB. At the end of the semester students will complete a project coupling all components of the semester together. Brief lectures followed by extensive hands-on computer laboratories with examples from many disciplines. No prerequisites. Course offered every semester. Exams will be held on the following dates: Feb 27, Apr 9, May 1 at 7:30-9:00 pm

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MWF 3:00PM - 3:50PM
  • Instructor: Damjanovic, Ana
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 6/39
  • PosTag(s): GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP

Introduction to Computing
AS.250.205 (06)

This course is useful for many disciplines not only the life sciences. It will introduce students to basic computing concepts and tools useful in many applications. Students learn to work in the Unix environment, to write shells scripts, and to make use of powerful Unix commands (e.g grep, awk, and sed). They will learn to program using the Python programming language, graphing software, and a package for numerical and statistical computing, such as Mathematica or MATLAB. At the end of the semester students will complete a project coupling all components of the semester together. Brief lectures followed by extensive hands-on computer laboratories with examples from many disciplines. No prerequisites. Course offered every semester. Exams will be held on the following dates: Feb 27, Apr 9, May 1 at 7:30-9:00 pm

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 3:00PM - 4:15PM
  • Instructor: Procopio, Maria
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 18/39
  • PosTag(s): GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP

Introduction to Computing
AS.250.205 (01)

This course is useful for many disciplines not only the life sciences. It will introduce students to basic computing concepts and tools useful in many applications. Students learn to work in the Unix environment, to write shells scripts, and to make use of powerful Unix commands (e.g grep, awk, and sed). They will learn to program using the Python programming language, graphing software, and a package for numerical and statistical computing, such as Mathematica or MATLAB. At the end of the semester students will complete a project coupling all components of the semester together. Brief lectures followed by extensive hands-on computer laboratories with examples from many disciplines. No prerequisites. Course offered every semester. Exams will be held on the following dates: Feb 27, Apr 9, May 1 at 7:30-9:00 pm

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MWF 10:00AM - 10:50AM
  • Instructor: Damjanovic, Ana
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 3/39
  • PosTag(s): GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP

Introduction to Computing
AS.250.205 (02)

This course is useful for many disciplines not only the life sciences. It will introduce students to basic computing concepts and tools useful in many applications. Students learn to work in the Unix environment, to write shells scripts, and to make use of powerful Unix commands (e.g grep, awk, and sed). They will learn to program using the Python programming language, graphing software, and a package for numerical and statistical computing, such as Mathematica or MATLAB. At the end of the semester students will complete a project coupling all components of the semester together. Brief lectures followed by extensive hands-on computer laboratories with examples from many disciplines. No prerequisites. Course offered every semester. Exams will be held on the following dates: Feb 27, Apr 9, May 1 at 7:30-9:00 pm

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MWF 11:00AM - 11:50AM
  • Instructor: Damjanovic, Ana
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 2/39
  • PosTag(s): GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP

Introduction to Computing
AS.250.205 (05)

This course is useful for many disciplines not only the life sciences. It will introduce students to basic computing concepts and tools useful in many applications. Students learn to work in the Unix environment, to write shells scripts, and to make use of powerful Unix commands (e.g grep, awk, and sed). They will learn to program using the Python programming language, graphing software, and a package for numerical and statistical computing, such as Mathematica or MATLAB. At the end of the semester students will complete a project coupling all components of the semester together. Brief lectures followed by extensive hands-on computer laboratories with examples from many disciplines. No prerequisites. Course offered every semester. Exams will be held on the following dates: Feb 27, Apr 9, May 1 at 7:30-9:00 pm

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
  • Instructor: Procopio, Maria
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 4/39
  • PosTag(s): GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP

Introduction to Biomedical Research and Careers II
AS.250.300 (01)

Lecture Series designed for those curious about a career in life sciences, medicine and public health. A novel format combining presentation with didactic interviews gives a broad view of a range of research topics, experimental approaches and logistics, and practical applications as well as career paths. Emphasis is on the excitement of scientific explorations not an abundance of the technical facts and figures. Freshmen and non-science majors. Co-listed with AS.250.106 and AS.250.306

  • Credits: 1.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: T 7:30PM - 8:50PM
  • Instructor: Huang, P C
  • Room: Mudd 100
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 18/20
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Exploring Protein Biophysics using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
AS.250.310 (01)

NMR is a spectroscopic technique which provides unique, atomic level insights into the inner workings of biomolecules in aqueous solution and solid state. A wide variety of biophysical properties can be studied by solution state NMR, such as the three dimensional structures of biological macromolecules, their dynamical properties in solution, interactions with other molecules and their physical and chemical properties which modulate structure-function relationships (such electrostatics and redox chemistry). NMR exploits the exquisite sensitivity of magnetic properties of atomic nuclei to their local electronic (and therefore, chemical) environment. As a result, biophysical properties can be studied at atomic resolution, and the global properties of a molecule can be deconstructed in terms of detailed, atomic level information. In addition, interactions between nuclei can be exploited to enhance the information content of NMR spectra via multidimensional (2D and 3D) spectroscopy. Since these properties can be studied in solution, NMR methods serve as an effective complement to X-Ray crystallography and electron microscopy. In this course, we will learn about the basics of NMR spectroscopy, acquire 1D and 2D NMR spectra and use various NMR experiments to characterize and probe biophysical properties of proteins at an atomic level.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
  • Instructor: Majumdar, Ananya
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G89
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 1/10
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Introduction to Biomedical Research and Careers III
AS.250.306 (01)

Lecture Series designed for those curious about a career in life sciences, medicine and public health. A novel format combining presentation with didactic interviews gives a broad view of a range of research topics, experimental approaches and logistics, and practical applications as well as career paths. Emphasis is on the excitement of scientific explorations not an abundance of the technical facts and figures. Freshmen and non-science majors. Co-listed with AS.250.106 and AS.250.300

  • Credits: 1.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: T 7:30PM - 8:50PM
  • Instructor: Huang, P C
  • Room: Mudd 100
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 8/10
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Advanced Seminar in Membrane Protein Structure, Function & Pharmacology
AS.250.421 (01)

Topics are meant to illustrate the physical basis of membranes and membrane proteins towards understanding their functions and pharmacological importance including aspects of drug design as it relates to membranes. Contemporary issues in the field will be covered using primary literature articles, structural manipulations in pymol, and computational binding simulations. Recommended Course Background: AS.030.205, AS.250.307, and AS.250.372

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Instructor: Fleming, Karen G
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G89
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 1/12
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Spectroscopy and Its Application in Biophysical Reactions
AS.250.381 (01)

Continues Biophysical Chemistry (AS.250.372). Fundamentals of quantum mechanics underlying various spectroscopies (absorbance, circular dichroism, fluorescence, NMR); application to characterization of enzymes and nucleic acids.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MWF 9:00AM - 9:50AM
  • Instructor: Lecomte, Juliette
  • Room: Jenkins 107
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 4/32
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Molecular Biophysics Laboratory
AS.250.383 (01)

An advanced inquiry based laboratory course covering experimental biophysical techniques to introduce fundamental physical principles governing the structure/function relationship of biological macromolecules. Students will investigate a “model protein”, staphylococcal nuclease, the “hydrogen atom” of biophysics. Using a vast library of variants, the effect of small changes in protein sequence will be explored. A variety of techniques will be used to probe the equilibrium thermodynamics and kinetic properties of this system; chromatography, spectroscopy (UV-Vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance), calorimetry, analytical centrifugation, X-ray crystallography, mass spectroscopy, and computational methods as needed for analysis. These methods coupled with perturbations to the molecular environment (ligands, co-solvents, and temperature) will help to elucidate protein function. Prerequisite: Introduction to Scientific Computing (250.205) or equivalent. Biophysical Chemistry (250.372 or 020.370) or equivalent. Course taught in Fall and Spring.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 5:30PM
  • Instructor: Fitch, Carolyn A
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G96
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/12
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Biochemistry II
AS.250.316 (01)

Biochemical anabolism, nucleic acid structure, molecular basis of transcription, translation and regulation, signal transduction with an emphasis on physical concepts and chemical mechanisms. Format will include lectures and class discussion of readings from the literature.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
  • Instructor: Rokita, Steven, Woodson, Sarah
  • Room: Jenkins 107
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 5/35
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Course # (Section) Title Day/Times Instructor Room PosTag(s) Info
AS.250.302 (01)Modeling the Living CellTTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM, M 5:00PM - 6:00PMJohnson, Margaret EJenkins 107NEUR-CP, CSCI-OTHER
AS.250.131 (01)Freshman Seminar in BiophysicsW 1:30PM - 2:50PMFleming, Karen G, Roberts, ElijahJenkins 107
AS.250.205 (04)Introduction to ComputingTTh 9:00AM - 10:15AMProcopio, MariaUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP
AS.250.106 (01)Introduction to Biomedical Research and Careers IT 7:30PM - 8:50PMHuang, P CMudd 100
AS.250.205 (03)Introduction to ComputingMWF 3:00PM - 3:50PMDamjanovic, AnaUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP
AS.250.205 (06)Introduction to ComputingTTh 3:00PM - 4:15PMProcopio, MariaUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP
AS.250.205 (01)Introduction to ComputingMWF 10:00AM - 10:50AMDamjanovic, AnaUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP
AS.250.205 (02)Introduction to ComputingMWF 11:00AM - 11:50AMDamjanovic, AnaUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP
AS.250.205 (05)Introduction to ComputingTTh 12:00PM - 1:15PMProcopio, MariaUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G98GECS-SCI, COGS-COMPCG, NEUR-CP
AS.250.300 (01)Introduction to Biomedical Research and Careers IIT 7:30PM - 8:50PMHuang, P CMudd 100
AS.250.310 (01)Exploring Protein Biophysics using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) SpectroscopyTTh 12:00PM - 1:15PMMajumdar, AnanyaUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G89
AS.250.306 (01)Introduction to Biomedical Research and Careers IIIT 7:30PM - 8:50PMHuang, P CMudd 100
AS.250.421 (01)Advanced Seminar in Membrane Protein Structure, Function & PharmacologyTTh 10:30AM - 11:45AMFleming, Karen GUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G89
AS.250.381 (01)Spectroscopy and Its Application in Biophysical ReactionsMWF 9:00AM - 9:50AMLecomte, JulietteJenkins 107
AS.250.383 (01)Molecular Biophysics LaboratoryW 1:30PM - 5:30PMFitch, Carolyn AUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G96
AS.250.316 (01)Biochemistry IITTh 9:00AM - 10:15AMRokita, Steven, Woodson, SarahJenkins 107

Column one has the course number and section. Other columns show the course title, days offered, instructor's name, room number, if the course is cross-referenced with another program, and a option to view additional course information in a pop-up window.

Protein Biochemistry and Engineering Laboratory
AS.250.254 (21)

A project laboratory where students will use the techniques of protein engineering to attempt to modify existing proteins to endow them with new structural or physical properties. This course will provide an introduction to standard biochemistry laboratory practice and to protein science, including experiments in site-directed mutagenesis, protein purification and characterization of proteins in regard to structure, function and stability.

  • Credits: 4.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MTWTh 1:00PM - 6:00PM
  • Instructor: Fitch, Carolyn A
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G96
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 10/28
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Practical Programming: UNIX and PYTHON
AS.250.206 (11)

This course is useful for many disciplines not only the life sciences. It will introduce students to basic computing concepts and tools useful in many applications. Students learn to work in the Unix environment, to write shells scripts, and to make use of powerful Unix commands (e.g grep, awk, and sed). They will learn to program using the Python programming language, graphing software, and a package for numerical and statistical computing, such as Mathematica or MATLAB. At the end of the semester students will complete a project coupling all components of the semester together. Brief lectures followed by extensive hands-on computer laboratories with examples from many disciplines. No prerequisites. Course offered every semester.

  • Credits: 4.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MTWTh 9:30AM - 12:00PM
  • Instructor: Fitch, Carolyn A
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G96
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 23/24
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Protein Biochemistry and Engineering Laboratory
AS.250.254 (11)

A project laboratory where students will use the techniques of protein engineering to attempt to modify existing proteins to endow them with new structural or physical properties. This course will provide an introduction to standard biochemistry laboratory practice and to protein science, including experiments in site-directed mutagenesis, protein purification and characterization of proteins in regard to structure, function and stability.

  • Credits: 4.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MTWTh 1:00PM - 6:00PM
  • Instructor: Fitch, Carolyn A
  • Room: UG Teaching Lab (UTL) G96
  • Status: Approval Required
  • Seats Available: 24/24
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Course # (Section) Title Day/Times Instructor Room PosTag(s) Info
AS.250.254 (21)Protein Biochemistry and Engineering LaboratoryMTWTh 1:00PM - 6:00PMFitch, Carolyn AUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G96
AS.250.206 (11)Practical Programming: UNIX and PYTHONMTWTh 9:30AM - 12:00PMFitch, Carolyn AUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G96
AS.250.254 (11)Protein Biochemistry and Engineering LaboratoryMTWTh 1:00PM - 6:00PMFitch, Carolyn AUG Teaching Lab (UTL) G96