Nature, In Code - Biology in JavaScript
BIO-689 / 3 credits
Teacher: Salathé Marcel
Language: English
Remark: MOOC available as of May 1, 2017
Frequency
Every year
Summary
Nature, In Code teaches basic biological principles - such as natural selection, epidemics, the evolution of cooperation - by implementing those priciples in the programming language JavaScript. The course teaches both the biological principles and the programing language at the same time.
Content
This course is based on a book "Nature, in Code" which has the following chapters, and which will be followed in the course:
1. Introduction
2. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium ¿ the null model of evolutionary biology
3. Stochastic drift
4. Mutation
5. Spatial models
6. Natural Selection
7. Infectious Disease Spread
8. Evolution of Cooperation
With the exception of chapter 8, all content is available as a MOOC on the EdX platform under the title "Nature, in Code".
This is an online course available as of May 1, 2017 which can be taken anytime throughout the year. Please get in touch with Prof. Salathé once you have finished all the material in the book and the course, in order to define a capstone project.
Note
Once you have successfully completed the final project, please contact the EDBB administrator at edbb@epfl.ch to ask for the attendance sheet to be sent to the teacher for the validation of the credits.
Keywords
Population Genetics
Computational Thinking
JavaScript
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Know how to code in JavaScript
- Know how to reason about scientific problems using code
- Understand the basic forces of evolution
Resources
Bibliography
Yes
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Exam form: Project report (session free)
- Subject examined: Nature, In Code - Biology in JavaScript
- Lecture: 20 Hour(s)
- Exercises: 20 Hour(s)
- Practical work: 50 Hour(s)
- Exam form: Project report (session free)
- Subject examined: Nature, In Code - Biology in JavaScript
- Lecture: 20 Hour(s)
- Exercises: 20 Hour(s)
- Practical work: 50 Hour(s)