BIOL 5010 Nobel Prize Winning Research in Medicine or Physiology
Satisfies the advanced experience requirement for the Biology major. In this course we will discuss primary research literature in the fields of cell and developmental biology that have led to the award of the Nobel Prize. Each student will select a primary paper cited by the Nobel Foundation as justification for the award together with a supportive current review on the topic and present the background information to the class. The primary paper will be discussed at the following class period, with all students having defined responsibilities for discussion of the figures and data.
Course overview
- Department
- Biology
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 2
- Level
- Both
- Offered
- Annually
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.73 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.68 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 10
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | David Burgess | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 25 of 27 |
| Fall 2025 | David Burgess | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 12 of 15 |
| Spring 2025 | David Burgess | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 14 of 18 |
| Fall 2024 | David Burgess | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 17 of 18 |
| Spring 2024 | David Burgess | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 11 of 13 |
| Fall 2023 | David Burgess | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 of 24 |
| Spring 2023 | David Burgess | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 12 of 13 |
| Fall 2022 | David Burgess | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 11 of 13 |
| Spring 2022 | David Burgess | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 7 of 11 |
| Fall 2021 | David Burgess | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 9 of 11 |