This course presents a systematic introduction to the fundamentals of computational intelligence, including in-depth examination of artificial neural networks, evolutionary computing, swarm intelligence, and fuzzy systems. Computational intelligence is the study of adaptive mechanisms to enable or facilitate intelligent behavior in complex and changing environments. Specific environments examined will include Laboratory Automation, Automated Process Control, Robotics, and Business Decision Support.

This course examines current biological problems and explore and develop bioinformatic solutions to these issues. Each topic includes a definition of the problem, a review of the basic biological concepts involved, an introduction to the computational techniques used to address the problem along with a utilization of existing web-based tools and software solutions often employed by professionals in the field of bioinformatics. Biological topics include those such as antibiotic resistance, genetic disease, and genome sequencing.

Created in partnership with the Wistar Institute, Life Science Innovation provides students with hands-on science/technology commercialization projects. Cross-listed by the Biology, ISBT and Management & Leaderships programs, interdisciplinary teams of students select technologies from a curated patent portfolio of Wistar inventions. Teams interact with inventor scientists at Wistar to familiarize themselves with the underlying science/technology, as well as with external partners such as venture capitalists, intellectual property lawyers, and biotechnology entrepreneurs—to identify unmet needs the science/technology addresses, and define key commercialization issues such as IP, market opportunity, competition, regulatory pathways, and potential customers. At the end of the semester, teams compete in a “shark-tank” competition and pitch a panel of life science investors.

Biology partners with SEA-PHAGES, to provide an undergraduate research experience funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Phages are viruses that infect and kill bacteria and have been a powerful tool for learning about microbiology. They have also been used as a therapy against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Over the course of two semesters, students isolate, characterize, and identify phages found in soil. Students then use bioinformatics tools to find genes hidden within the DNA of these viruses. Viruses that students discover are housed in a national repository, and genomes that are annotated are published on a national database, with students listed as authors. The SEA-PHAGES program gives students the opportunity to do real research that might one day provide an additional tool in managing infectious disease.

This course covers the topic of sustainability as it relates to our use of our natural resources. We discuss the philosophy, economics, implementation, public and government involvement in this area, the reality and the future of sustainability. We also use current events, policy making, and the media’s treatment of issues surrounding our use of natural resources to put these principles in context.

In this course, we discuss the history, issues, roles, and future trends of the U.S. agencies such as the FDA, EPA, and OSHA that are responsible for administering the major laws and regulations pertaining to the life cycle of products in commerce. Emphasis is on understanding the impacts of environmental, health, safety (EHS), and product laws and regulations with which most businesses have to comply. All of the major EHS Acts are presented and case studies, practical exercises, and team group work are used to discover the business impact.