These are the prerequisites for success in Honors 396C.  These are not
absolutely required - if you can pick them up as we go, it will be
sufficient.

Biomedical knowledge: the student should be familiar with basic
concepts of modern biology (genes, proteins, DNA, basic functions of
living organisms), and have some experience with disease, treatment
and the health care system.

Computer skills and knowledge:

Prior programming experience is not required, but some familiarity
with computers in general will be very valuable, including the
following:

1. type commands in a command window, including correction of typing
   errors (when can you use backspace, delete etc.).  Know what a
   command interpreter does, and know that there are many different
   ones.  (the context for this can be a DOS command window in
   MS-Windows or any variety of terminal window programs on various
   Unix/Linux systems, e.g., xterm)

2. know the basic operating system commands - run a program by name,
   list the files in a directory, change the working directory,
   rename, copy, and delete files.

3. create files of plain (ASCII) text using a text editor (NOT a word
   processing program).  To be able to differentiate between text
   files and other kinds of files (binary executable, word processor
   document, etc.)

4. print text files on various printers.

5. create a "terminal emulation" window and login to a remote (time
   sharing) computer that is running a Unix type operating system,
   using a secure connection (ssh).

6. copy files from one computer to another using secure copy programs.

7. use Internet domain names and IP addresses in the above where
   appropriate.

8. navigate web sites where programs are available for download, and
   to be able to download and install programs like compilers,
   interpreters and text editors for various programming environments.

Mathematical skills and knowledge:

1. Basic algebra and trigonometry

2. Basic understanding of functions, variables, graphs

3. Analytic geometry: vectors and coordinate systems, curves and their
   formulas.

4. Exposure to Calculus will be helpful.