MIT 20.380 (Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2020) - This course illustrates how knowledge and principles of biology, biochemistry, and engineering are integrated to create new products for societal benefit, including 'disruptive biotechnologies.' The case study format is used to examine recently developed products of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries: how a product evolves from initial idea, through patents, testing, evaluation, production, and marketing. The course emphasizes scientific and engineering principles, as well as the responsibility scientists, engineers, and business executives have for the consequences of their technology. Instruction and practice in written and oral communication provided, including instruction on how to prepare various 'pitches' for different audiences. The course takes advantage of workshop from local experts in academia, industry, and finance. Enrollment is limited and preference is given to Course 20 undergraduates. Co-taught with Professor Jim Collins in the Fall of 2016.
Dr. Koehler and phd Candidate Shelby Doyle (far right) with the students of 20.380, pRofessor Jim Collins, and teaching staff from the MIT Communication Lab at the fall 2016 final pitch competition.
MIT 20.109 (Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021) - This course introduces experimental biochemical and molecular techniques from a quantitative engineering perspective. Experimental design, rigorous data analysis, and scientific communications for the underpinnings of this subject. Three discovery-based experimental modules focus on genome engineering, expression engineering, and biomaterial engineering Co-taught with Dr. Noreen Lyell, Professor Angela Belcher, and Professor Ernest Fraenkel in the Spring of 2019.
MIT 20.320 (Fall 2015, Fall 2014) - This undergraduate course focuses on computational and experimental analysis of biological systems across a hierarchy of scales, including genetic, molecular, cellular, and cell population levels. The two central themes of the course are modeling of complex dynamic systems and protein design and engineering. Topics include gene sequence analysis, molecular modeling, metabolic and gene regulation networks, signal transduction pathways and cell populations in tissues. Emphasis is placed on experimental methods, quantitative analysis, and computational modeling. Co-taught with Professor Forest White in the Fall of 2015.