Fall 2025 Special Topics & Capstone Courses
See the Supplemental Course List for your curriculum to learn how the course will count toward your degree.
Capstone Courses
BIO 483 – Neuroimmunology and Mental Health
While historically seen as separate systems, the immune and nervous systems are increasingly recognized as intricately connected, with profound implications for physical and mental health. In this course we will explore how these two systems interact with each other to influence brain and behavioral health and disease in both humans and non-human animals. Students will learn to critically analyze, synthesize, and present current literature in neuroimmunology as well as learn about state-of-the-art techniques in the field. The course format includes introductory lectures by the instructor, followed by student-led discussions on preclinical and clinical scientific papers linking immunology to mental health. A key component of the course will be the development of a mini-review on a topic of interest, which will serve as the final project and will be presented during a poster session, offering the students the chance to receive direct feedback from peers and other faculty members. By the end of the course, students will not only have a comprehensive understanding of neuroimmunology but also the ability to critically evaluate and contribute to this rapidly evolving field of study. Additionally, they will acquire proficiency in scientific writing and oral presentation skills, further enhancing their ability to effectively communicate scientific information.
Contact Dr. Natalia Duque-Wilckens (nduquew@ncsu.edu) for more information.
BIO 484 – Circadian Clocks, Cancer and Environmental Health
State-of-the-art advances in circadian clock biology and its mechanistic role in carcinogenesis, pharmacological, and toxicological sciences presented with applications in environmental health, cancer, aging, cardiovascular, and sleep physiology.
Contact Dr. Shobhan Gaddameedhi (sgaddam4@ncsu.edu) for more information
Special Topics and New Courses
BIO 214 – Cell and Molecular Science
In this course, students will:
- Describe the structure, functions, and transport mechanisms of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells including evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of genetic regulation.
- Integrate the structure of organic molecules (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes) with their localization and function in signal transduction pathways.
- Distinguish the properties of functional groups and chirality as they relate to cellular function and reactions within the cell.
- Identify, analyze, and evaluate social and ethical issues in the research and treatment of cellular disorders.
- Demonstrate verbal and written language skills essential to effective communication in an interdisciplinary scientific community.
BSC 295 (10) – Acoustic Communication
Across the animal kingdom, sounds play critical roles in species survival, including mating, parental care, and predator avoidance. In this course, we will adopt a broad, integrative approach to this subject, examining the role of particular acoustic communication systems from the proximate level (i.e., how do brains produce and detect sounds) to the ultimate/evolutionary level (i.e., how does this acoustic signal affect fitness?) Topics that might be covered include ultrasonic communication, duetting, acoustic threat displays, bird song learning/tutoring, sound-based mate localization, and/or eavesdropping by predators, parasites or “sneaker” males.
Data Science Academy Courses (Many Options Linked Here)
GGA 295 (005) – Hold My Beer! The Genetics and Genomics of Brewing
GGA 295 (008) – Behind the Genetic Diseases
GGA 295 (009) – Biotechnology and Bioengineered Foods
GGA 295 (010) – Evolution and Society
GGA 295 (301) – Genes, Race, and Society
NTR 495 (001) – Introduction to Sports Nutrition
AEC 295 (003) – Global Change Ecology
MEA 493 (006) – Land & Seascape Ecology