Department of Life Sciences

Introduction

Life sciences constitute the parts of natural sciences and are involved in the study of living organisms and the related systems.

The Department of Life Sciences hosts six faculty research laboratories working on the areas spanning the breadth of modern biological study areas from taxonomy to cellular, genomic and systems biology, providing broad educational and research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. In our unified and strong education programs, students learn how to integrate and interpret biological phenomena into logical and meaningful decisions. As commonly recognized, deep knowledge of life sciences is becoming critical to further studies for medical or dental courses and to an intelligent evaluation of major environmental and social issues. Students in this department have the choice of a variety of inter-disciplinary streams, co-op programs and laboratory-based research projects with wide options for professional and personal development. We invite you to join us experiencing together new world of life sciences.

History

The Department of Life Sciences opened in 1978 with a total enrollment of 40 undergraduate students at the College of Sciences. Thirty years on, we have updated our education programs and have established many new facilities and research activities as followed.

In 1978, Department of Biology was established at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
In 1980, the department became the member of the College of Natural Sciences.
In 1981, MS degree program was authorized and opened.
In 1981, the biology education program was added to the graduate program.
In 1982, the department had its first B.S. graduates in Biology.
In 1983, PhD degree program was authorized and opened.
In 1984, the department was moved to Biology Hall (Science Building II and III).
In 2010, the department was renamed as ’Dept. of Life Sciences’.

Job Fields

Education: life science educators work with people and encourage them to learn new things, whether in a classroom, a research lab, the field, or a museum, as professors, lecturers, teachers and curators/scientists in museums, zoos, parks and nature centers.

Environmental management and conservation: biologists in environmental management and conservation are interested in solving environmental problems and preserving the natural world for future generations, for examples, park rangers and managers, scientists and administrators in government agencies, wildlife and marine biologists, and naturalists.

Research: biologists apply scientific principles to develop and enhance products, tools, and technological advances in fields such as agriculture, food science, and medicine, for examples, biotechnologists, forensic scientists, toxicologists, medical technicians, and biostatisticians.

New directions in biological careers: There are many careers for biologists who want to combine their scientific training with interests in other fields, for examples, medical doctors, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists, science writers (journalists), and programmers (specially with bioinformatics).

Faculty

Seon-Joo Park, Professor

- Korea Univ., Plant Phylogenetics
sjpark01@ynu.ac.kr
Ho Young Suk, Professor

- Seoul National Univ.
hsuk@ynu.ac.kr
YOO, SIUK, ProfessorHomepage

- Univ. of Tennessee - Knoxville, Developmental Genetics
yoosiuk@ynu.ac.kr
Jang, Gab Sue, Professor

- Kyungpook National Univ.
sunside@ynu.ac.kr
Minseok Song, Associate Professor

- , Molecular Neuroscience
minseok@yu.ac.kr
PURANIK NIDHI, International Research Professor

- Bharathiar Univ.
nidhi.puranik30@gmail.com
PANDIYAN RAGHURAMAN, International Research Professor

- Vellore Institute of Technology
praghuramanbiophysics@gmail.com
GURUSAMY RAMAN, International Research Professor

-
bioramg@gmail.com
SINGH ALKA, International Research Professor

-
alkasingh10f@gmail.com
Wajid Zaman, International Research ProfessorHomepage

- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, Plant Phylogenetics
wajidzaman@yu.ac.kr
Dhakal Thakur, International Research Professor

- Kangwon National Univ.
thakurdhakal2003@gmail.com
TIWARI SHRADDHA, International Research Professor

-
shraddha.dhakaltiwari@gmail.com

※ sorted by the position and Korean name

Curriculum
1-1	GENERAL CHEMISTRY I The General Chemistry(I) introduces the basic concepts of the properties, constitution, structure and the reaction of matters, which is essential in modern chemistry, physics, biology and engineering.
1-1	LIFE SCIENCE (1) In this course, students learn the topics of cell biology, structure, and function, reproduction, genetics, physiology, development, diversity, evolution, and ecology. This is an introductory course designed for students who plan to take further coursework in the life sciences, including biology majors and minors, premedical students, wildlife majors, and others. The ultimate aims are to offer students with a working knowledge and an understanding of (1) the chemical basis of life, (2) how energy is harvested, used and transformed in cells, (3) basic patterns of inheritance and modern biotechnology protocols, and (4) the principle of evolution and the origin of species.
1-1	LIFE SCIENCE LABORATORY (1) This course provides biology and other science majors their first experience in the laboratory to offer students with critical thinking skills and to help students design and execute original experiments based on the working knowledge of topics in cell biology, genetics and evolution.
1-1	SEMINAR FOR ACADEMIC LIFE 1. Summary of the course This course is to assist university freshmen in CRM designing to adapt university life well through the instruction and counselling of supervising professor. (This course is composed of self analysis, personality type test, career research, instruction for the success of university life, career plan and direction setting, CRM designing method and CRM designing. The course should be teaching in classes of the students by supervising professor.) 2. Course objectives This course is to motivate the students before the mid term exam and provide students with self analysis, personality type test (MBTI or TCI) and career research (YAT test). Also, this course shall has a plan to instruct the students to enhance the efficiency of university life through career and time management. In addition, this course is to make a chance for the students to have practical assistance to university life by providing study method, report designing strategy and the information on academic system and various kinds of internal programs of the university. After the mid term exam, the students will be instructed to set the direction of career designing through continuous counselling of supervising professor and the students will be able to establish CRM designing and execution plan.
1-1	SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION AND SERVICE This course is to cultivate community sense as members of society and the global village for students in order to develop the basic knowledge required as global citizens. Especially, this course is to foster the spirit of cooperation, sharing, service, and creativity and study the social contribution and leadership to solving the challenges the global community faces. As a liberal arts course, it is centered to nurture a leader having the global capability to contribute to community development through learning the knowledge and the case on the value & logic of social responsibility focused on environmental preservation, social contribution, and good governance(ESG). This course aims to foster a generous mind, learn knowledge and technology and build the capacity to contribute to building a society towards a safer and happier world through the study of theory and practice.
1-2	LIFE SCIENCE (2) In this course, students learn the topics of cell biology, structure, and function, reproduction, genetics, physiology, development, diversity, evolution, and ecology. This is an introductory course designed for students who plan to take further coursework in the life sciences, including biology majors and minors, premedical students, wildlife majors, and others. The ultimate aims are to offer students with a working knowledge and an understanding of (1) the evolution of biological diversity, (2) chemical and physical processes in animals, (3) chemical and physical processes in plants, and (4) ecological principles and their application to human impacts on the environment.
1-2	LIFE SCIENCE LABORATORY (2) This course provides biology and other science majors their first experience in the laboratory to offer students with critical thinking skills and to help students design and execute original experiments based on the working knowledge of topics in animal and plant physiology, biodiversity and ecology.
1-2	PRACTICAL ENGLISH The aim of the course is to help students develop basic English verbal skills in real life situations. The course will be co-taught by Korean and Native English instructors. Korean instructors will provide students with basic English structure, vocabulary, and expressions, and students will be encouraged to practice speaking English utilizing basic English structures. Students will further practice expressing themselves in English with native English instructors.
1-2	READING AND DISCUSSION This class aims to make students realize the joy of readings as well as understand the deep structure of their own lives by reading and criticizing literatures such as poems and novels. Further, this class attempts to have students learn the wisdom and courage with which they will perform the true value of their own lives.
1-2	SOFTWARE AND AI Software and AI (Artificial Intelligence) course aims to educate the basic concepts of software and computational thinking to use them in various applications. It allows students of various majors to experience the core technologies of the 4th industrial revolution, such as big data, machine learning, and AI. It also introduces various applications of AI so that students can easily apply these technologies to their field of study. This course classifies the lecture types into three categories, and adjust the lecture difficulty according to the student's academic ability.

Curriculum
2-1	ANIMAL SYSTEMATICS A focus on the principles of classification, characteristics and interrelationships of animal taxa with a study of the structure and life histories of animals. A comparative study of the characters of various systematic groups including fossils, and to understand the products of animal evolution. Topics include explanation of biodiversity and the skills used to investigate these topics.
2-1	ECOLOGY LABORATORY Experiments and practices on he structure and function of ecosystem, environmental factors, population and community concepts.
2-1	FIELD STUDY I Recognize morpholegy and structure of plant and animal through field practice, and learn by observation equipment connected with zoo, botanical garden etc.
2-1	CELL BIOLOGY This course introduces the phenomenon of the structure, function, and physiology of the cell. It guides also students to easily understand when they study anatomy, embryology and histology.
2-1	CELL BIOLOGY LABORATORY Laboratory in cell biology lead to understanding the relationship between cell structure and its functions, and observation of the ultrastructure of the intracellular components with various electromicrographs. In addition to analysis of biochemical components with biochemical technique (isolation and separation of cell organelles) is emphasized in the laboratory work.
2-1	ECOLOGY An introduction to the research methods in plant ecosystems and succession of plant community, with emphasis on the influences of the environmental factors such as temperature, light, soil, precipitation and pollution in vegetative and reproductive growth during plant ontogeny.
2-1	PLANT SYSTEMATICS This course introduces concepts and principles of plant systematics including species concept, nomenclature, speciation mechanism, phylogenetics and vascular plant classification
2-1	PLANT SYSTEMATICS LABORATORY This course teach the identification techniques of major vascular plant families. There will be 30 must known families and 40 common families. Student will be observe and understand a series of key identification characters based on the living flower materials and permanent anatomical slides.
2-2	BEHAVIORAL BIOLOGY Behavioral patterns represent the ability of an animal to deal with its environment in a dynamic fashion. This course examines some of the most interesting questions in animal behavior. Emphasis throughout the course is on evolution to examine why animals behave the way they do. We look at questions such as: why do some animals live in groups and others live alone?; why are some species monogamous and others are polygynous?; why do some males help raise offspring and others don't? Topics include methodologies, behavioral genetics, neurobiological models of behavior, communication, economic decision (games and optimality theories), competition and mating systems. Students will achieve comprehension and familiarity with the historical development of the field of behavioral ecology through discussions and writing.
2-2	BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY This course discusses the biochemistry of cellular constituents and relationship to cellular metabolism. Emphasis is placed on structure and function relationships of the major chemical components of living matter.
2-2	BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY Experimental approaches to understand basic principles of biological chemistry introducing biochemical instruments.
2-2	GENETICS Introduction to studies on the law of inheritance, chromosome, linkage, genetic material, expression of gene, molecular genetics, and population genetics will be carried out.
2-2	GENETICS LABORATORY Laboratory study for chromosome, mutation, isolation of plasmid DNA, computation of restriction fragment sizes, and RNA extraction. The course also contains mono- and di-hybrid experiments, sex-linked inheritance, and chromosome mapping.
2-2	PLANT MORPHOLOGY This course introduce general external and internal features of land plants and how their features correlated to the functional aspects of plant. The course also introduce morphogenesis of Developmental features of plant.
2-2	PLANT MORPHOLOGY LABORATORY Student observe external and internal features of land plants including Hepatophyta, Anthocerotophyta, Bryophyta, Psilotophyta, Microphyllophyta, Athrophyta, Pteridophyta, Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, Coniferophyta, Gnetophyta, and Angiosperms

Curriculum
3-1	ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY Experimental works illustrating the physiology of human and animals including blood, muscles, nervous system and circulatory system.
3-1	BIOSTATISTICS Biological statistics is a lecture which helps students investigating biological experiments using statistical methods. Many students, studying about life science, may feel so hard to try a statistical experience in their researches. Through this lecture, students will surely understand biological phenomena by exercising practical statistics.
3-1	IMMUNOLOGY General introduction of new knowledge in immunology areas including the anatomy organization of the immune system, the mechanisms of antigen capture and transport to the sites of immune responses, the molecular basis of antigen processing, and the mechanisms of immunologic tolerance.
3-1	SCIENCE EDUCATION This lecture deals with the fundamental concept of sciences, including chemistry, physics and biology which is necessary for science education in secondary schools. The topic of this course consists of the object of science education, historical background, method in teaching, usage of experiment and analysis of the content of science in secondary school.
3-1	ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY The course is about a study of the life processes in human and animals, with emphasis upon basic mechanisms.
3-1	DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY This course introduces general feature of the events of development ; gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, neurulation and organogenesis, and the regulation of morphogenesis and cellular differentiation, which are the main principles of development, in terms of cellular, biochemical and cellular biology.
3-1	DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY Introduction to supermatogenesis & oogenesis, fertilization, cleavage, blastulation, gastrulation and neurulation in vertebrates and invertebrates.
3-2	ACTUAL GENETIC ENGINEERING Practice in Genetic Engineering This course introduces the theoretical background for the core technology of genetic engineering, and focuses on the practical techniques that can be applied in the biotechnology field. This course consists of 2 credits for lecture and 1 credit for experiment. The laboratory experiment will start immediately after the theoretical lecture.
3-2	BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION Conservation Biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of local and global biodiversity with the goal of protecting species, their habitats and ecosystems from excessive contemporary rates of extinction. It is a relatively new subdiscipline in the biological sciences. This is an interdisciplinary class drawing on many biological areas (dominantly focusing on evolution, genetics and ecology), other science areas, economics, politics and the practice of natural resource management.
3-2	CAPSTONE DESIGN FOR LIFE SCIENCES (1) Students will obtain creative and independent research capability by performing teamwork experiments which combine theoretical knowledges learned from lectures in subdivisions of Life Sciences.
3-2	COMPARATIVE ANIMAL ANATOMY The course is designed to be an overview of the structure and adaptations of animals. Evolution of the various system of the animal body is emphasized in lecture. This class will introduce the students to normal anatomy and basic principles of how the animal body works.
3-2	ENTOMOLOGY A study of the biology of insect, including anatomy, physiology, behavior,ecology, evolution, taxonomy, and indentification. Field investigation and current research in Entomology are emphasized.
3-2	FIELD STUDY II Recognize morpholegy and structure of plant and animal through field practice, and learn by observation equipment connected with zoo, botanical garden etc.
3-2	FIELD WORK FOR LIFE SCIENCES (1) The objective of this course is designed for the students in the major of Life Sciences to achieve both the practical knowledge and the experience in the related job fields.
3-2	HUMAN BIOLOGY The course is designed to introduce student to concepts of human organism. Introduction to gross anatomy (to provide students with a vocabulary of human body structure), general embryology (development of the human from fertilization to parturition) and microscopic anatomy (structure of tissues and cells of organs of the human body).
3-2	PLANT PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY Principles of spectrophotometer, analysis of chlorophyll, total sugars, amino acids, amylose, and using spectrophotometer, analysis by micro Kjeldahl, analysis of N, P, Ca, Mg, and K using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, leaf area measurement, photosynthesis measurement by infra-red CO2 gas analyser.
3-2	RESEARCH AND TEACHING IN SCIENCE EDUCATION The course, research and teaching in Science education, is for learning the efficient education method for middle and high school science by investigation of class process and teaching methods with analyses of science textbook and assessment methods
3-2	MICROBIOLOGY We discuss the experimental basis of microbiology, the general principles of cell structure and function, the classification and diversity of microorganisms, biochemical processes in cells, and the genetic basis of microbial growth and evolution.
3-2	PLANT PHYSIOLOGY This course is a general introduction to vital phenomena in plants, with emphasis on the functions of cells and organelles, movement of ions and water, photosynthesis, respiration, phytohormones, and reproductive growth, the responses of plants to changes in the environments are also discussed.

Curriculum
4-1	ADVANCED LIFE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTSⅠ This class is an experimental course for seniors. The students will choose one of the major fields in life sciences such as cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, physiology, systematics and phylogenetics, and ecology, and learn the latest technology and techniques. The students will perform the actual experiment based on this techniques, and then interpret the experimental data, and learn how to write a simple thesis.
4-1	CAPSTONE DESIGN FOR LIFE SCIENCES (2) Students will obtain creative and independent research capability by performing teamwork experiments which combine theoretical knowledges learned from lectures in subdivisions of Life Sciences.
4-1	FIELD WORK FOR LIFE SCIENCES (2) The objective of this course is designed for the students in the major of Life Sciences to achieve both the practical knowledge and the experience in the related job fields.
4-1	FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS The completion of genome projects including fruit fly, mouse, and human opens new vistas for functional analysis of genomes (the complete set of genes in a organism) and proteomes (the complete set of protein in a organism). Therefore, future research will concentrate on defining the functional role of newly discovered genes and their products in complex pathways. The course will focus mainly on the basic concepts and major applications of genomics and proteomics. Students in the course also learn the latest methods such as genome-wide RNA interference screen, microarray two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry. Strongly recommend to take Genetics and Bioinformatics in advanced.
4-1	LIFE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Life Resource Management aims to obtain career-related certifications for seniors who are looking for employment. The main purpose of this class is to obtain the ecological restoration and biological classification certificates among various certificates in the field of life sciences. Ecological restoration engineers are in charge of systematically managing and restoring natural ecosystems and evaluating ecosystem risks. Bio-classification engineers are responsible for the collection of biological specimens, bio-materials, genetic resources, identification and systematic management, and assessment of usefulness and rarity. Students taking this course can enter ecological restoration companies, environmental impact assessment companies, national park management agencies, government investment agencies, national research institutes, etc.
4-1	MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY Experiments in Molecular Biology provides a thorough introduction to recombinant DNA methods used in molecular biology, RNA, and Genomics This unique laboratory manual is particularly appropriate for courses in molecular cloning, molecular genetics techniques, molecular biology techniques, recombinant DNA techniques, plant genetics techniques, and genetic engineering. Included is an especially helpful section to aid new instructors in avoiding potential pitfalls of specific experiments.
4-1	SCIENTIFIC REASONING AND ESSAY The general purpose of this course is to introduce definition and methodology of logical reasoning including arguments, explanations, deductive and inductive reasoning, common fallacies in scientific reasoning, and hypotheses. A unique feature of the course is the study of pseudo science. This course also emphasizes exercise of essays on the various scientific topics and phenomena. Students learn some of the most effective methods of inquiry, analysis, and criticism in the fields of the natural sciences by essay writing.
4-1	MOLECULAR BIOLOGY This course focuses on the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of some of the most fundamental concepts in molecular biology including structure, replication and repair of nucleic acids. The control mechanisms in prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expressions are also discussed. This course is also the study of the various molecular mechanisms at the cell levels.
4-2	ADVANCED LIFE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTSⅡ This class is an experimental course for seniors. The students will choose one of the major fields in life sciences such as cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, physiology, systematics and phylogenetics, and ecology, and learn the latest technology and techniques. The students will perform the actual experiment based on this techniques, and then interpret the experimental data, and learn how to write a simple thesis.
4-2	BIOINFORMATICS This course teach various topics of modern bioinformatics including the organization of genetic information, the preparation of data base genome information and using methods of genetic information. This course also introduced the various genome project, the functional genomics, the structural genomics and the evolutionary genomics to students.
4-2	NEUROBIOLOGY Neurobiology is the study of all nervous systems, including the brain, which focuses on how we perceive and experience the external environment and how we interact with others. Neurobiology is closely related to many areas of life sciences: genetics, developmental biology, biochemistry, physiology, evolution, etc., and also in other fields such as psychology, computer science, statistics, physics, linguistics, philosophy and mathematics. Neurobiology deals with molecular, cellular, developmental, structural, functional, evolutionary, computer-related, and medical aspects. Recently, the research on neural networks as well as the molecular and cellular levels of individual neurons is underway.
4-2	TISSUE CULTURE This course deals with basic skills of cell culture derived from various animal tissues and plants. Later, Primary cell culture is also performed from various tissues. the main focus of this course is to learn principle and knowledge of cell culture.
4-2	BIOLOGY SCIENCE OF EVOLUTION This course examines the evidence for evolution beginning with Darwin and ending with our current understanding of the human genome. The course thus covers the theory of natural selection, the basis of heredity and variation, population structure and genetics, and mechanisms of speciation at a variety of scales, from molecular to ecological, and from changes in populations over a few generations to patterns over millennia. Special topics include human evolution, molecular evolution, and the relationship of evolution to society, philosophy, and religion. Along with these topics we will explore the ways that questions about evolution are answered.

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