Teaching

Professor Sakaguchi lecturingHere is a list of courses for which Professor Sakaguchi has recently served as an instructor.

BIOL 111: Opportunities in Biology

Instructor: Dr. Don Sakaguchi
Cr. 0.5 S. 

  • Prereq: Direct-from-high school students only 
    Orientation to opportunities in Biology. Introduction to biological science disciplines, career awareness, and professional development opportunities. Required for first-year direct from high school Biology majors. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

BIOL 212 Principles of Biology II

Instructors: Drs. C. Manz and D. Sakaguchi (Spring semester)
Instructors: Drs S. Kukday and D. Sakaguchi (Fall semester)
Cr. 3. S. 

  • Prereq: High School Biology; high school chemistry or credit or enrollment in CHEM 163 or CHEM 177.
    Introduction to the chemical, molecular, and cellular basis of life; form and function of microbial, plant, and animal life. Intended for life science majors.

BIOL 394. Caribbean Marine Biology.BIOL 394-Gettin ready for a night dive

Instructors: Drs. D. Sakaguchi and J. Serb
Cr. 2 S. (generally offered alternate spring semesters - contact Dr. Sakaguchi (dssakagu@iastate.edu) for additional information. This course is designed to provide students with a coral reef biology and aquatic animal and ecosystem field experience. Field trip component during spring break involves on-site lectures by local experts and extensive snorkeling/diving activities in a variety of marine habitats.

  • Prereq: Two courses in the biological sciences and by approval of application. Students must possess an exceptionally strong desire to learn more about marine science and the marine environment. Students must be very comfortable in an aquatic environment (i.e. extensive marine activities: snorkeling and/or SCUBA diving). 
    SCUBA certification is NOT a requirement.
    Course credits can apply towards International Perspectives Requirement.
    View sample syllabus for seminar (BIOL 394 A) and field trip (BIOL 394 B).
  • Check out a recent news article about the course.

BIOL 436. Neurobiology

Instructors: Drs. K. Haen, D. Sakaguchi, and J. Essner
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: BIOL 212. 

  • Basic principles of brain function and development. Signaling of nerve cells, synaptic transmission, structure/function of ion channels and receptors, memory and synaptic plasticity, movement and central control, sensation and sensory processing, construction of neural circuits, early brain development, complex brain functions in health and disease.

BIOL/GEN 299. Introduction to Undergraduate Research.

Instructors: Dr D. Sakaguchi
Cr. 1-2. F.S.SS. Identify a research opportunity on campus and conduct guided research under the supervision of a research mentor.

BIOL/GEN 499 DS. Biology/Genetics Undergraduate Research.

Instructor: Dr. D. Sakaguchi
Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S. Prereq: 15 Credits in biological sciences; Permission of instructor.

  • The course may be taken for 1 to 3 credits. The BIOL 499 course is repeatable, but only 6 credits may be applied as advanced biology coursework*, and no more than 9 may be applied towards graduation. * A maximum of 7 credits total from BIOL 480, BIOL 481, BIOL 490, BIOL 491, BIOL 494, and BIOL 499 can be applied towards advanced biology course requirements. 

VIP (Vertically Integrated Project): BIOL/GEN 499 DS. VIP Undergraduate Research.Adam at Diaphot

Instructor: Dr. D. Sakaguchi
Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

  • The course may be taken for 1 to 3 credits and is repeatable.
    Bioengineering Brain and Tissue Repair: This interdisciplinary, Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) has a goal that seeks to develop novel approaches to facilitate repair and regeneration of damaged tissues, including brain, retina and bone. 
    View the syllabus from spring 2022.

GDCB 590. Special Topics. Special Topics in Developmental Neuroscience.

Instructor: Dr. D. Sakaguchi 
Cr. arr. Repeatable. Offered: F.S. Prereq: Permission of instructor

  • Students in the College of Agriculture may use no more than 6 credits of 490 toward the total of 128 credits required for graduation; students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences may use no more than 9 credits of 490 toward graduation. 

NEURO 699/MCDB 699/GDCB 699. Research.Microphot-Blue

Instructor: Dr. D. Sakaguchi
Cr. arr. Repeatable. 

  • Research for thesis or dissertation.

 

LAS103D (Section 1): Stem Cells and Cellular Engineering: Biomedical Applications, Politics, and Ethics

Instructor: Dr. Don Sakaguchi
Cr. 1. S. Day and Time: TBD

  • Are you interested in stem cells? Advances in stem cell research are occurring at a rapid pace. New discoveries may lead to regenerative therapies for diabetes, heart disease, neurodegenerative conditions, and even blindness. Realizing the potential benefits requires continued scientific advances but also negotiation of regulatory issues, ethical considerations and the political climate. Learn about, and discuss important issues surrounding stem cell biology (embryonic, adult and induced stem cells), ethics, and politics. We will discuss all of these topics and methods to harness the power of stem cells using cellular engineering approaches. As a student, you’ll participate in weekly presentations on current events relevant to stem cells (biology, ethics, and politics). Come join the fun!!
  • Target Student Population: Students from any major interested in stem cells (such as BIOL, GEN, POL S, PSYCH, PHIL, ENGR, BBMB, etc.)
  • Sample syllabus/schedule of topics.