Lecture, four hours; discussion, two hours. Preparation: prior satisfactory molecular biology coursework. Requisite: course 252. Fundamental concepts and methodologies in modern biology and medicine, with emphasis on systems-based research and mechanistic understanding to human diseases and therapies as they apply to neural, cardiovascular, and metabolic systems. Includes reading, review, and discussion of primary research literature addressing fundamental concepts and methodologies in related topic areas of human biology and diseases. Emphasis on development of scientific skills in critical analysis, knowledge acquisition and self-learning, and effective articulation in scientific debate and exchange. Letter grading.