Joan Lau

Joan Lau
  • Lecturer

Contact Information

Teaching

Past Courses

  • BIOL480 - ADVANCED CELL BIOLOGY

    This course is designed for beginning graduate students and advanced undergraduates with a particular enthusiasm for cell biology. Biology 480 does not attempt to cover all aspects of cell biology, and is therefore not appropriate for students seeking a lecture course which provides a comprehensive survey of the field. Rather, the primary objective of this course is to teach those students considering a career in the biomedical sciences how to read, discuss, and question original research papers effectively. Intensive classroom discussions focus on the experimental methods used, results obtained, interpretation of these results in the context of cell structure and function, and implications for further studies. There is no assigned text; students learn to critically evaluate current literature by reading original papers on selected topics in modern cell biology. Accordingly, class participation/discussion is essential and the grade will be determined significantly by that. In addition, there will be two exams including answering short questions and an essay critiquing an original paper that is selected on a topic in Cell Biology.

Knowledge@Wharton

Will Biden’s American Families Plan Pay Off?

The American Families Plan would cost significantly more than the Biden administration's estimate of $1.8 trillion, according to a new analysis by the Penn Wharton Budget Model. But the plan’s proposals for free education would help to offset some of those costs in the long run.

Knowledge @ Wharton - 5/11/2021
What Stops Digital Businesses from Succeeding Globally?

In an interview about his new book ‘The Platform Paradox,’ Wharton’s Mauro Guillén explains why digital platforms can dominate some markets while floundering in others, and what it takes to create a successful global strategy.

Knowledge @ Wharton - 5/11/2021
Do You Prefer Cats or Dogs? Why Self-expression Increases Giving

People donate more to charity and tip more when they are given a chance to express themselves through choices, according to a new study co-authored by Wharton’s Jonah Berger.

Knowledge @ Wharton - 5/10/2021