Description: Can computers reproduce? Can DNA compute? Can evolution give us hints on solving big problems? Is life's blueprint inefficient? This course looks at the way computers are shaped by biological thinking, and the way that biologists make use of computational theories. Topics range from artificial life to identification of genes to the susceptibility of machines to viruses. Lectures investigate new and novel ways of thinking about computers and biology. Labs experiment with parameters of problems of common interest to computers scientists and biologists. Students will learn to use common programming tools to aid in the manipulation and analysis of basic biological data.

Format: lectures/labs. Evaluation will be based on performance on problem sets, laboratory assignments, and examinations.

Fulfills the Quantitative Reasoning requirement

Prerequisites: No programming or biology skills are assumed. This course is not open to students who have completed Computer Science 136 or above.

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