Overview
The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology consists of the Division of Plant Biology and the Division of Microbial Biology. Programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels have been designed to offer students maximum flexibility in defining their own areas of interest. In addition to departmental resources that are available in Koshland Hall, the facilities of the College of Natural Resources Biological Imaging Facility and the United States Department of Agriculture Plant Gene Expression Center are available for the programs of the department.
The Division of Plant Biology
The Division of Plant Biology program emphasizes basic research and its application to plants and promotes the design of plant biotechnologies. With an increasing awareness of environmental problems, global changes, and emerging food needs, plants are a focal point for new research initiatives and educational training programs. Understanding the biology of plants, their development, their responses to the environment, and the impact of human activities on the plant biosphere are many of the challenges that will continue to fuel the expansion of plant biology research well into the twenty-first century.
The Division of Microbial Biology
The Division of Microbial Biology was established within the department to provide a focus for microbial biology at UC Berkeley. There is a growing awareness that microbes and microbial activities are essential to maintaining a high quality of life for all eukaryotes. Moreover, understanding the microbial world is necessary if we are to comprehend the global ecosystem, evolutionary history, and diversity of life on earth. The twenty-first century will bring a new understanding of the workings of the global ecosystem and a wealth of new technologies derived from the microbial world. The new microbial biology research programs are designed to meet this challenge.
Undergraduate Programs
Genetics and Plant Biology: BS
Microbial Biology: BS
Graduate Programs
Microbiology: PhD
Plant Biology: PhD
Courses
Plant and Microbial Biology
Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020
Changing patterns of agriculture in relation to population growth, the biology and social impact of plant disease, genetic engineering of plants: a thousand years of crop improvement and modern biotechnology, interactions between plants and the environment, and effects of human industrial and agricultural activity on plant ecosystems. Knowledge of the physical sciences is neither required nor assumed.
Plants, Agriculture, and Society: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Staskawicz, David Zilberman
Terms offered: Spring 2020, Spring 2019, Spring 2018
Fungi have interacted with humans in both positive and negative ways throughout history. These interactions have included production of foods, medicines, fuels, plant and animal diseases, decay, allergies, and mind-altering drugs.
Fungi, History, and Society: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Bruns, Taylor
Terms offered: Fall 2022, Spring 2014, Spring 2013
How can genetics help increase the food supply even as farmland conditions degrade? How genetically unique are humans? What do buzzwords like GWAS and epigenetics refer to, and how are they impacting medicine and public health? This introductory course for non-science majors will explore topics like these as students learn the foundations of scientific reasoning, genetics concepts and approaches, and their promise and limits in addressing societal challenges past and present. Objectives include learning fundamentals of biology and their applications; building students’ capacity to make informed interpretations of experimental data and policies involving “genetics” in a changing world; and to understand our place in nature.
Genetics for Nonscientists: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Alternate method of final assessment during regularly scheduled final exam group (e.g., presentation, final project, etc.).
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Fall 2022
This course will include discussions on the academic path (courses) needed for the Genetics and Plant Biology major; an introduction to resources and facilities for studies of the plant sciences at Berkeley, such as the University Herbarium and the Botanical Garden; an exploration of plant science related careers, including presentations from guest speakers who work in organic farming, government, and Cooperative Extension; talks by faculty about their current research, and information about how to do research in a lab.
Introduction to the Plant Sciences at Berkeley: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Alternative to final exam.
Instructors: Feldman, Staskawicz
Introduction to the Plant Sciences at Berkeley: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2016
Although often unseen, microbes are everywhere! This course provides an overview of the beneficial and harmful roles played by microbes, including viruses, archaea, bacteria, protists and fungi. We will examine microbes in terrestrial, marine, and extreme environments and discuss their functions in ecosystem health and climate change. In addition, we will explore the profound effects of microbes on the course of history through their effects on agriculture and human health.
Microbial Friends and Foes: Read More [+]
Objectives & Outcomes
Course Objectives: Understand similarities and differences between viruses, archaea, bacteria, protists, and fungi.
Understand both beneficial and harmful functions of microbes in daily life.
Evaluate data and claims relating to microbes in real-life situations such as disease risk, probiotic efficacy, and climate change.
Understand how molecular properties and behaviors of microbes determine how they interact with their environment and with other organisms
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 3 hours of discussion per week
8 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
10 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Glass Ryan Seed
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
Reading and discussion with Plant and Microbial Biology faculty on current research and topics in plant and microbial biology. Topics which may be discussed include microbial biology, plant genetics, plant development, plant pathology, agricultural biotechnology, and genetic engineering. Ideal for students who are considering a major in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology. Enrollment is limited to 20 freshmen.
Freshman Seminar: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final Exam To be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Terms offered: Spring 2012
Freshman and sophomore seminars offer lower division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty, but the suggested limit is 25.
Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-4 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered. Final exam required.
Instructor: Lindow
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
Covers contemporary topics in plant biology. Examines how plants grow, reproduce, and respond to the environment (e.g., to light) in ways distinct from animals. Presents basic principles of genetics, cell, and molecular biology. Basics of genetic engineering and biotechnology reveal how they are used to modify plants, and these socially relevant issues are assessed. Includes visit to modern plant biology research laboratory, and aspects of plant disease and diversity. Knowledge of the physical sciences neither required nor assumed.
The (Secret) Life of Plants: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Zambryski
Terms offered: Spring 2011, Spring 2010, Spring 2009
Sophomore seminars are small interactive courses offered by faculty members in departments all across the campus. Sophomore seminars offer opportunity for close, regular intellectual contact between faculty members and students in the crucial second year. The topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment limited to 15 sophomores.
Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: At discretion of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring:
5 weeks - 3-6 hours of seminar per week
10 weeks - 1.5-3 hours of seminar per week
15 weeks - 1-2 hours of seminar per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 2.5-5 hours of seminar per week
8 weeks - 1.5-3.5 hours of seminar and 2-4 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered. Final exam required.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Students will be introduced to the "culture" of the biological sciences, along with an in-depth orientation to the academic life and the culture of the university as they relate to majoring in biology. Students will learn concepts, skills, and information that they can use in their major courses, and as future science professionals.
Studying the Biological Sciences: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam required.
Instructor: Matsui
Also listed as: INTEGBI C96/MCELLBI C96
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2015
Lectures and small group discussions focusing on topics of interest, varying from semester to semester.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of directed group study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
Lower division independent study and research intended for the academically superior student. Enrollment only with prior approval of faculty advisor directing the research.
Supervised Independent Study and Research: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: GPA of 3.4 or higher; lower division status
Credit Restrictions: Enrollment is restricted; see the section on Academic Policies-Course Number Guide in the Berkeley Guide.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 2.5-8 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1.5-6 hours of independent study per week
10 weeks - 1.5-4.5 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
Students will perform state-of-the-art research to address an important question in modern plant biology. The experimental progression exposes students to a variety of modern molecular approaches and techniques. Experimental design, data acquisition, and analysis of the student's real experimental data is emphasized. Research results will be presented in written and oral formats similar to those used in research laboratories.
Experimental Plant Biology Laboratory: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A-1B; Plant and Microbial Biology 135, 150, and 160 (may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 6 hours of laboratory and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Wildermuth
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course for upper division and graduate students will explore the molecular and cellular basis of microbial pathogenesis. The course will focus on model microbial systems which illustrate mechanisms of pathogenesis. Most of the emphasis will be on bacterial pathogens of mammals, but there will be some discussion of viral and protozoan pathogens. There will be an emphasis on experimental approaches. The course will also include some aspects of bacterial genetics and physiology, immune response to infection, and the cell biology of host-parasite interactions.
Bacterial Pathogenesis: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: BIOLOGY 1A and CHEM 3B
Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for MCELLBI C103 after completing PB HLTH 262.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Portnoy
Also listed as: MCELLBI C103
Terms offered: Summer 2019 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2018 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2010 10 Week Session
An introduction to microbiology research in which students generate gene knockouts in Caulobacter and analyze the mutant phenotypes. Each student will disrupt one gene of known function and one gene of unknown function. Students will attend lectures focusing on the techniques to be employed and perform experiments under supervision. This course may be taken by students with no prior laboratory experience to expose them to discovery-oriented research.
Discovery-Based Research in Microbiology: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Summer:
6 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 7.5 hours of laboratory per week
10 weeks - 1.5 hours of lecture and 4.5 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Ryan
Terms offered: Spring 2019, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
An analysis of the structural diversity of land plants plants with emphasis on the developmental mechanisms responsible for this variation in morphology and the significance of this diversity in relation to adaptation and evolution.
Principles of Plant Morphology with Laboratory: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A-1B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture, 1 hour of discussion, and 4 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Specht
Also listed as: INTEGBI C107L
Principles of Plant Morphology with Laboratory: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2016
From the seahorse’s body to the venus flytrap’s jaws to the human brain, nature abounds with amazing adaptations. This interdisciplinary course explores how and why such biodiversity evolves as well as what limits diversity. Lectures and case studies will focus on core concepts, recent advances, and integrative approaches, placing special emphasis on the interplay between gene regulatory networks, the environment, and population genetics.
Evolution and Ecology of Development: Read More [+]
Objectives & Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes: • Explain how an interdisciplinary approach involving genetics, development, evolutionary
biology, and ecology can be used to understand the processes that generate patterns of
biodiversity.
• List and describe major questions, findings, and experimental approaches in the field of
ecological and evolutionary developmental biology.
• Discuss biological research using specialized terminology and defend your opinions.
• Critically evaluate and interpret the primary scientific literature.
• Combine factual material with deductive reasoning to propose hypotheses and future
research directions
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: BIOLOGY 1A and 1B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.
Instructor: Blackman
Also listed as: INTEGBI C109
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2021
Selected aspects of fungi: their structure, reproduction, physiology, ecology, genetics and evolution; their role in plant disease, human welfare, and industry. Offered even fall semesters.
Biology of Fungi with Laboratory: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Bruns, Taylor
Also listed as: INTEGBI C110L
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 10 Week Session, Fall 2023
This course will explore the molecular bases for physiological and biochemical diversity among members of the two major domains, Bacteria and Archaea. The ecological significance and evolutionary origins of this diversity will be discussed. Molecular, genetic, and structure-function analyses of microbial cell cycles, adaptive responses, metabolic capability, and macromolecular syntheses will be emphasized.
General Microbiology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A and 1B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer: 10 weeks - 5 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Ryan
Also listed as: MCELLBI C112
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
Students will become proficient in basic
microbiology research methods and
experimental design. The course covers
fundamental principles and techniques of the
microbiology lab including sterile technique,
culturing, and microscopy. Students will
learn these methods in the context of two
structured, discovery-based research projects:
predicting and analyzing the phenotypes of E.
coli metabolic mutants, and isolating and
characterizing bacteria with novel properties
from environmental samples. Student will
synthesize their results in the format of a
Journal of Bacteriology research article and a
scientific poster presentation.
General Microbiology Laboratory: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: C112 (may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 4 hours of laboratory and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer: 10 weeks - 6 hours of laboratory and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.
Instructors: Komeili, Traxler
Also listed as: MCELLBI C112L
Terms offered: Fall 2019, Fall 2017, Fall 2015
This is a hands-on class in identification of macro fungi. Emphasis will be on laboratory work with fresh and dried fungi. Short lectures at the beginning of labs focus on mushroom systematic, collection techniques, and identification. Three weekend field trips are required in addition to the weekly laboratory. Previous course experience with fungi is recommended, but not required. Grades are based on tests and a collection.
California Mushrooms: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of laboratory and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Bruns
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course will provide a comparative overview of virus life cycles and strategies viruses use to infect and replicate in hosts. We will discuss virus structure and classification and the molecular basis of viral reproduction, evolution, assembly, and virus-host interactions. Common features used during virus replication and host cellular responses to infection will be covered. Topics also included are common and emerging virus diseases, their control, and factors affecting their spread.
Introduction to Comparative Virology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Introductory chemistry (Chemistry 1A or 3A-3B or equivalent) and introductory biology (Biology 1A, 1AL, and 1B or equivalent) and general biochemistry (Molecular and Cell Biology C100A or equivalent--preferably completed but may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Glaunsinger
Also listed as: ESPM C138/MCELLBI C114
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2021
This course for upper-division and graduate students will broadly survey myriad types of microbial organisms, both procaryote and eucaryote, using a phylogenetic framework to organize the concept of "biodiversity." Emphasis will be on the evolutionary development of the many biochemical themes, how they mold our biosphere, and the organisms that affect the global biochemistry. Molecular mechanisms that occur in different lineages will be compared and contrasted to illustrate fundamental biological strategies. Graduate students additionally should enroll in C216, Microbial Diversity Workshop.
Microbial Diversity: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing. C112 or consent of instructor and organic chemistry (may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Coates
Formerly known as: 116
Also listed as: MCELLBI C116
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2022, Spring 2020
General biology of freshwater and marine algae, highlighting current research and integrating phylogeny, ecology, physiology, genetics, and molecular biology.
Biology of Algae: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A-1B. Concurrent registration in 120L recommended
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Niyogi
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2022, Spring 2020
Laboratories include study of representative types, identification of specimens collected during several field trips, and experiments on development, physiology, and molecular genetics.
Laboratory for Biology of Algae: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A-1B. Must be taken concurrently with 120
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 4 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam not required.
Instructor: Niyogi
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2021
Offers an assessment of global energy supply and demand, addresses the chemistry of climate change, examines the response of plants and microbes to changes in the environment, and emphasizes the role of biology and photosynthesis in offering solutions to related energy and societal problems. Bioenergy is examined from the point-of-view of potential biofuels, including aspects of the biological generation of hydrogen, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, lipids, and bio-oils, polymers and related materials.
Bioenergy: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A and 1B; Chemistry 3B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Melis
Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
After an introduction to the different aspects of our global energy consumption, the course will focus on the role of biomass. The course will illustrate how the global scale of energy guides the biomass research. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of the biological aspects (crop selection, harvesting, storage and distribution, and chemical composition of biomass) with the chemical aspects to convert biomass to energy. The course aims to engage students in state-of-the-art research.
The Berkeley Lectures on Energy: Energy from Biomass: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Chemistry 1B or Chemistry 4B, Mathematics 1B, Biology 1A
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: Repeatable when topic changes with consent of instructor.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Bell, Blanch, Clark, Smit, C. Somerville
Also listed as: BIO ENG C181/CHEM C138/CHM ENG C195A
The Berkeley Lectures on Energy: Energy from Biomass: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Fall 2022
This course focuses on the structure, functions, and dynamics of eukaryotic chromosomes and their organization within cell nuclei. All life on earth relies on genetic information, which is encoded within nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Most organisms have DNA-based genomes; bacterial and archaeal genomes typically comprise a single circular DNA molecule, while the genomes of most eukaryotes are divided into a variable number of linear DNA molecules. These contiguous DNA strands, along with the associated proteins and other components that contribute to their organization and function, are known as “chromosomes.”
Genome Organization and Nuclear Dynamics: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Dernburg, Karpen
Also listed as: MCELLBI C134
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
A study of physiological and biochemical processes in higher plants, including water relations, ion transport, and hormone physiology; photosynthesis (light utilization and carbon assimilation), nitrogen and sulfur metabolism, and plant-specific biosynthetic pathways.
Physiology and Biochemistry of Plants: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A-1B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Melis, Terry
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
Students will build on the central metabolic pathways to learn about plant-specific metabolism from a more mechanistic perspective, including photosynthesis, regulation of sugar and starch metabolism, chloroplast-based pathways of inorganic nutrient (nitrogen, sulfur) processing, N2 fixing in free-living and symbiotic bacteria, polyunsaturated fatty acid and oil biosynthesis and accumulation, secondary metabolism, cell-wall structure and biosynthesis. Instruction will focus on a research-based approach, including retrieving and researching the primary literature, and understanding experimental design in modern plant biochemistry.
Advanced Plant Biochemistry: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in MCELLBI C100A/CHEM C130, MCELLBI 102, MCELLBI 104, MCELLBI 140, PLANTBI 135, or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture, 1 hour of discussion, and 1 hour of tutorial per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Merchant
Also listed as: MCELLBI C117
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Fall 2022
Biology has become a data science! This lab course aims for student curiosity to drive hands-on
case studies and coding projects about biological applications of data science. The course design
supports students’ development of fundamental and transferable computational and statistical
skills for critically thinking about and using data in biology. Ethical considerations are
interwoven throughout. This course offers projects with multiple levels of sophistication and
complexity, enabling participation for students with varying levels of experience.
Data Science for Biology: Read More [+]
Objectives & Outcomes
Course Objectives: Students will become empowered to use basic coding approaches to access, work with, and
analyze biological data
Students will learn how to appropriately apply statistical tests to biological data
Students will learn how to select and evaluate methods and tools for data analysis
Students will understand how to grapple with the ethical considerations of biological data
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A; Biology 1B (can be taken concurrently); Data C8 or equivalent statistics and programming experience
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 4 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternate method of final assessment during regularly scheduled final exam group (e.g., presentation, final project, etc.).
Instructors: Brenner, Eisen
Also listed as: BIO ENG C146/CMPBIO C146/MCELLBI C146
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
Course emphasizes bacterial and archaeal genetics and comparative genomics. Genetics and genomic methods used to dissect metabolic and development processes in bacteria, archaea, and selected microbial eukaryotes. Genetic mechanisms integrated with genomic information to address integration and diversity of microbial processes. Introduction to the use of computational tools for a comparative analysis of microbial genomes and determining relationships among bacteria, archaea, and microbial eukaryotes.
Microbial Genomics and Genetics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Molecular and Cell Biology C100A/Chemistry C130 or Molecular and Cell Biology 102
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer:
8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
10 weeks - 5 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Brenner, Taga
Also listed as: MCELLBI C148
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
An introduction to the structure, dynamics, and function of plant cells: organelle structure and development; intracellular trafficking of small and macromolecules; cellular signaling; cell division and specialization.
Plant Cell Biology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A-1B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Luan, Quail
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
A consideration of plant genetics and molecular biology. Topics include principles of genomics and gene functional analysis; regulation of gene expression in response to environmental and developmental stimuli; intercellular and intracellular signaling pathways; and the molecular and genetic basis for the exceptional cellular and developmental strategies adopted by plants.
Plant Molecular Genetics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A-1B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Fletcher, Daniel Zilberman
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course will cover topics in molecular plant-microbe interactions ranging from how microbes cause disease to how plants defend themselves. A second goal of the course is to engage students in state-of-the-art research in the area of plant-microbe interactions.
Plant-Microbe Interactions: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A-1B, Statistics 2 or 20 or 131A or Public Health 142. Completion of an upper division plant biology and an upper division microbiology course is recommended
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.
Instructors: Somerville, Baker, Lewis
Terms offered: Spring 2013, Spring 2012, Spring 2010
This course is designed to introduce students to the principles and applications of modern plant biotechnology. Basic concepts of modern agriculture will be reviewed in light of emerging biotechnology applications. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the tools and strategies involved in optimizing plant productivity.
Modern Applications of Plant Biotechnology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A-1B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Baker, Somerville
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
This course will cover several aspects of communicating quantitative information, with a primary focus on visualizations for publications, presentations, and posters. Other topics include sharing of data and analyses, such as new publication models and interactive notebooks, as well as lifecycle data management and publication. Primary discussion will be on conceptual issues, and students will be expected to use various systems and resources as self-directed homestudy.
Communicating Quantitative Information: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Instructor Approval
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5 hours of seminar and 1.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.
Instructor: Brenner
Terms offered: Fall 2019, Fall 2017, Fall 2015
An integrated and multidisciplinary approach to the study of interactions between plants and the environment. Introduces physical parameters in the global and micro-environment that affect plant function; and molecular, cellular, and developmental aspects of plant response to suboptimal/adverse conditions. Underlying biochemistry, physiology, and molecular biology of plant adaptation and acclimation mechanisms. Examines consequences of industrial activity on plant growth and productivity.
Environmental Plant Biology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A-1B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Terry
Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021
The course will be a detailed overview of the practice of light microscopy as applied to scientific investigation. The emphasis of the course will be on the correct and appropriate use of the light microscope for biological scientists; however students of other disciplines are welcome. The course will cover optical microscope theory, microscope components and mechanics, and optical techniques including detailed descriptions, demonstrations, and use of all the modern light microscope contrast methods. Students will receive hands-on experience in all microscope and digital imaging techniques via direct instruction and use of instrumentation in the College of Natural Resources Biological Imaging Facility.
Techniques in Light Microscopy: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Ruzin
Terms offered: Summer 2014 Second 6 Week Session, Spring 2012, Spring 2011
This class is designed to develop skills in critical analysis of specific plant and/or microbial biology issues. Topics may vary from semester to semester.
Special Topics in Plant and Microbial Biology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Upper division standing or consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-4 hours of lecture per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 3-10 hours of lecture per week
8 weeks - 2-8 hours of lecture per week
10 weeks - 1.5-6 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Special Topics in Plant and Microbial Biology: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2020, Spring 2019, Fall 2018
Seminar in which students consider how modern biotechnological approaches, including recombinant DNA methods, can be used to recognize and solve problems in the area of conservation, habitat and endangered species preservation, agriculture and environmental pollution. Students will also develop and present case studies of environmental problems solving using modern molecular methods.
Molecular Approaches to Environmental Problem Solving: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing in the Genetics and Plant Biology or Microbial Biology major, or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructor: Lindow
Formerly known as: Environ Sci, Policy, and Management 192
Also listed as: ESPM C192
Molecular Approaches to Environmental Problem Solving: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
Supervised independent honors research specific to aspects of the plant and microbial biology major, followed by an oral presentation and a written report. Honors students must complete two semesters of research.
Honors Research - Plant and Microbial Biology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Upper division standing and minimum GPA. See College of Natural Resources Honors website for current minimum GPA. http://nature.berkeley.edu/site/honors_program.php
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-4 hours of independent study per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 1.5-7.5 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam not required.
Honors Research - Plant and Microbial Biology: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Group studies of selected topics.
Directed Group Studies in Plant Biology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of directed group study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
Terms offered: Spring 2023, Fall 2021, Fall 2020
Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
Supervised Independent Study and Research: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor; overall GPA of 3.0
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 1-3 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1-3 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
Terms offered: Not yet offered
The Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) program helps students get involved in research projects with world renowned faculty and staff researchers in the Rausser College of Natural Resource
Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR): Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-12 hours of laboratory per week
Summer: 12 weeks - 5-18 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Alternative to final exam.
Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR): Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
The students will be provided with both the basic framework and current topics of plant developmental genetics.
Plant Developmental Genetics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Hake
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Principles of computational and genomic biology. Covers evolutionary, algorithmic, and statistical foundations of sequence analysis, allowing students to understand concepts underlying modern computational methods. Practical applications wil be pursued in student-coordinated sessions. Combined lecture with 220B.
Genomics and Computational Biology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Freeling
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This course will introduce the students to the diversity of plant form and function and provide them with a basic understanding of the tools and techniques used to study plant diversification and evolution. Molecular and morphological data will be discussed and plant diversity will be introduced at molecular, population, organismal, and ecological levels.
Plant Diversity and Evolution: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Blackman
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
The course will describe the conceptual framework of plant cell biology followed by in-depth discussion of several active areas of research including cell wall biology, membrane transport, cellular trafficking, and cell signaling.
Plant Cell Biology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Luan
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Fall 2021
The aim of this course is to augment the student's knowledge of key plant-specific (or particularly relevant) biochemical processes focusing on the underlying experiments used to deduce key cycles coupled with current areas of exploration and debate surrounding a given topic area. In addition, this section will broaden and deepen the student's knowledge of biochemistry in general including basic enzyme kinetics, assessment of enzymatic (biochemical) function, and modes of regulation.
Plant Biochemistry: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Scheller
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
Students will be provided with both the historical framework and current topics in the molecular mechanisms underlying plant dynamic responses to external signals and stresses.
Plant-Environment Interactions: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Harmon
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Presentation and discussion of faculty research in the areas of plant and microbial biology. Faculty speakers review recent advances in their area of expertise and present an outlook of current research activities in their laboratories. The format of the class is designed to stimulate a dialogue between instructor and students in the course of each presentation.
Faculty Research Review: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Presentation and discussion of faculty research in the area of microbial biology. Faculty speakers review recent advances in their area of expertise and present an outlook of current research activities in their laboratories. The format of the class is designed to stimulate a dialogue between instructor and students in the course of each presentation.
Faculty Research Review: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Closely supervised experimental work under the direction of an individual faculty member; an introduction to experimental methods and research approaches in particular areas of plant and microbial biology.
Introduction to Research: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-12 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade. This is part one of a year long series course. A provisional grade of IP (in progress) will be applied and later replaced with the final grade after completing part two of the series.
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
Closely supervised experimental work under the direction of an individual faculty member; an introduction to experimental methods and research approaches in particular areas of plant and microbial biology.
Introduction to Research: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-12 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade. This is part two of a year long series course. Upon completion, the final grade will be applied to both parts of the series.
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
The objectives of this class are to teach students to critically read and interpret scientific papers. Students will read and discuss strongly and poorly reasoned papers. At the end of the class the student should understand the logic and reasoning which make a paper strong, often classic, contribution.
Scientific Reasoning and Logic: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Quail
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2021
This workshop for graduate students will parallel C116, Microbial Diversity, which should be taken concurrently. Emphasis in the workshop will be on review of research literature and formulation of paper pertinent to research in microbial diversity.
Microbial Diversity Workshop: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing; C112 or consent of instructor and organic chemistry (may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of workshop and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Coates
Formerly known as: Molecular and Cell Biology C216, Plant and Microbial Biology C216
Also listed as: MCELLBI C216
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
The students will learn fundamental principles and advanced techniques in microbial genetics. The use of genetics in deducing biochemical pathways, protein interactions, and signal transduction pathways will be explores through reading and discussion of current and classic papers from the primary literature. Experimental design and interpretation will be the focus of problem sets solved in student-coordinated sessions.
Microbial Genetics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Taga
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Principles of computational and genomic biology. Covers evolutionary, algorithmic, and statistical foundations of sequence analysis, allowing students to understand concepts underlying modern computational methods. Practical applications will be pursued in student-coordinated sessions. Combined lecture with 200B.
Genomics and Computational Biology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Grigoriev
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023
The students will be provided with both the basic framework and current topics of microbial diversity and evolution.
Microbial Diversity and Evolution: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Brem
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
The students will be provided with both the basic framework and current topics of cell structure and function.
Cell Structure and Function: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Komeili
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
The students will be provided with both the basic framework and current topics of microbial physiology.
Microbial Physiology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Coates
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
The students will be provided with both the basic framework and current topics of microbial ecology.
Microbial Ecology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Lindow
Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013
This course offers a consideration of genes, enzymes, metabolic pathways and biochemical processes leading to the generation of hydrogen, bio-oils, ethanol, and other biofuels. Discussion of biochemistry is extended to cover product yields and techno-economic analyses of commercial viability of the various biofuel products. Lectures are based on historical and contemporary papers in plant and microbial biochemistry, integrating structure, function and evolution of the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels, and discussing how this knowledge can be applied in the generation of renewable biofuels.
Biochemistry of Biofuels: Concepts and Foundations: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Melis
Biochemistry of Biofuels: Concepts and Foundations: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
After an introduction to the different aspects of our global energy consumption, the course will focus on the role of biomass. The course will illustrate how the global scale of energy guides the biomass research. Emphasis will be places on the integration of the biological aspects (crop selection, harvesting, storage, and distribution, and chemical composition of biomass) with the chemical aspects to convert biomass to energy. The course aims to engage students in state-of-art research.
The Berkeley Lectures on Energy: Energy from Biomass: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Biology 1A; Chemistry 1B or 4B, Mathematics 1B
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: Repeatable when topic changes with consent of instructor.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructors: Bell, Blanch, Clark, Smit, C. Somerville
Also listed as: BIO ENG C281/CHEM C238/CHM ENG C295A
The Berkeley Lectures on Energy: Energy from Biomass: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Fall 2013
Special Topics and Advanced Seminars in Plant Pathology. Seminar/discussion by graduate students of current research in the field of plant pathogenic bacteria.
Readings in Environmental Microbiology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Instructor: Lindow
Formerly known as: Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 238A
Terms offered: Fall 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019
This course will cover several aspects of communicating quantitative information, with a primary focus on visualizations for publications, presentations, and posters. Other topics include sharing of data and analyses, such as new publication models and interactive notebooks, as well as lifecycle data management and publication. Primary discussion will be on conceptual issues, and students will be expected to use various systems and resources as self-directed homestudy.
Communicating Quantitative Information: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5 hours of seminar and 1.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: Brenner
Also listed as: MCELLBI C277
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
Advanced study in various fields of plant biology and microbial biology. Topics will be announced in advance of each semester. Enrollment in more than one section permitted.
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring:
8 weeks - 2-4 hours of seminar per week
15 weeks - 1-2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
Lectures, reports, and discussions on current research in plant and microbial biology. Sections are operated independently and directed toward different topics.
Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Open to properly qualified graduate students with consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
Graduate student independent study under the supervision of a faculty member. Sections are operated independently and directed toward different topics.
Graduate Supervised Independent Study: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-12 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 2.5-30 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1.5-22.5 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
Each student will write a grant proposal in three steps: a one page outline, a three-page pre-proposal, and a complete 10-page grant proposal. There will be feedback at each step in the process -- each participant will review the other grant proposals. Some of the scheduled classes will include discussion of the outlines and pre-proposals, and the last class will be organized as a grant panel, with students assigned as primary and secondary reviewers.
Grant Writing and Research Presentations: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructor: McCormick
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
Advanced study of research topics which will vary semester to semester. Enrollment in more than one section permitted.
Plant Biology Group Studies: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-6 hours of colloquium per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
Graduate student research.
Graduate Research: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 1-12 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1-12 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018
Designed for all graduate students. This course has two goals: discussion of questions and problems relating to the GSI's teaching, and learning how to design and execute a whole course. Effective teaching methods will be introduced by experienced GSIs and faculty. Students will participate in reciprocal classroom visits, visitation and critique of faculty lectures, course design, lecture preparation, sample lecture presentation, and discussion of current literature on teaching.
Workshop on Teaching: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate student status
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit up to a total of 4 units.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Instructors: Fischer, Kerfeld
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
Individual study in consultation with the major field advisor, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare for examinations required of Ph.D. candidates
Individual Study for Graduate Students: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and instructor consent
Credit Restrictions: Course does not satisfy unit or residence requirements for doctoral degree.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit with instructor consent.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-2 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 1-2 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1-2 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate examination preparation
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Contact Information
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology
111 Koshland Hall
Phone: 510-642-9999