Alternatives for Life Science Requirements

IP 803 Essentials of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The course integrates the fundamental aspects of biochemistry and molecular biology. Topics covered include: biochemical and biophysical principles (bonding, properties of water, thermodynamics, ionization and acid-base theory, and chemical kinetics); structure, synthesis, and function of proteins; nucleic acid metabolism; DNA and chromosome structure and replication; transcription and gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; biomembranes; intracellular organelles and membrane trafficking; and mitochondria and bioenergetics. Credit 6 (6-0).

IP 842 Systems Biology. The course is intended to aid the beginning graduate student to develop an understanding of 1) how each of the major organ systems functions and contributes to the body’s ability to maintain its internal environment in the face of both internal and external disturbances, 2) how the body protects itself from invading pathogens, 3) how drugs affect various processes to produce alterations in cellular or organ system function, and 4) the basic causes of the major types of diseases. Credit 10.

IP 843 Cellular and Molecular Biology. The course integrates the fundamental aspects of biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology. Topics covered include biochemical and biophysical principles (bonding, properties of water, thermodynamics, ionization and acid-base theory, and chemical kinetics); structure, synthesis, and function of proteins; nucleic acid metabolism; DNA and chromosome structure and replication; transcription and gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; biomembranes; intracellular organelles and membrane trafficking; mitochondria and bioenergetics; cell signaling; cytoskeletal structure and function; cell cycle and cell growth; cell differentiation; extracellular matrix and cell adhesion; and genetics of human disease. Credit 8 (8-0).

IP 940 Molecular Biology of Cancer. The course will provide a comprehensive survey of cancer biology, describing the disrupted normal development processes, the altered molecular mechanisms that govern the functioning of malignant cells, the biology and treatments of common types of cancer, and the development of therapies for treatment of resistant and metastatic cancer cells. Credit 4 (4-0).

ANAT 823 Cellular Neuroscience. This course provides the student with an overview of the cellular and molecular processes by which nerve cells communicate. The course covers classical theories and concepts as a basis for appreciation of recent research advances. Lectures by the faculty will provide core material to guide students in presentation of current research topics in Neurochemistry, Neuropharmacology, and Neurophysiology. Extensive reading of the literature will supplement lectures and presentations. Prerequisite: Morphological Neuroscience (822 ANAT) or equivalent. Spring. Credit 3 (3-0).

ANAT 824 Techniques in Neuroscience. This course will train the student in the use of standard and state-of-the-art research techniques in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry. Instruction will be by faculty actively employing these techniques in their own research and who, in several cases, have contributed to the innovation and improvement of a method. It is intended to provide practical experience in the major techniques of neuroscience. This course is intended to (1) acquaint the student with the theoretical basis of each technique, (2) teach the student the laboratory skills necessary to perform each technique, (3) teach the student how to critically evaluate the results and to be aware of the pitfalls of each technique, and (4) acquaint the student with the possible combinations of any single technique with others in designing experiments. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Spring (second half). Credit 3.

ANAT 922 General Cell Biology. A lecture course covering current areas of research in cell biology with particular emphasis on correlation of the ultrastructure of cellular components with their physiological and biochemical function. Prerequisites: Microscopic anatomy and general biochemistry or equivalent. Credit and hours by arrangement.

MSCI 812 Physical Biochemistry and Applications in Structural Biology. A lecture course in physical biochemistry that is divided into two parts. The first part covers the major experimental techniques used in physical biochemistry, including X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, general spectroscopy, and thermodynamics. The theoretical and experimental bases of the techniques will be emphasized. The second part addresses the structure and mechanisms of biological macromolecules, and many of the major classes of proteins will be discussed, as well as the structures of DNA and RNA. Emphasis will be on the physicochemical processes that control the folding and stability of macromolecules and on the processes that determine their unique structures and functions. The course will be accompanied by problem sets and practical sessions in the laboratory, and students will also be provided with software for viewing and manipulating structures on personal computers. Prerequisites: calculus, physics, biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and 811 MSCI or permission of the course director. Offered in alternate years. Credit: 3 (3-0).

MSCI 813 Immunology. A comprehensive survey course of both cellular and molecular immunology. The course analyzes the detailed mechanisms that control rearrangements and expression of genes that encode immune receptors, cell-cell communications among cells that are involved in immune responses, antigen-antibody interactions, and other topics in serology and host immune responses. Offered in alternate years. Credit 3 (30).

MSCI 814 Bioinformatics I. This course consists of eleven 2.5-hour segments. The material will be introduced in a brief lecture format for 30-45 minutes as necessary. The majority of time will be spent using computer applications of bioinformatics tools. The course is designed to provide practical training in bioinformatics methods including accessing the major public sequence databases, using the five BLAST tools to find sequences, analyzing protein and nucleic acid sequences by various software packages like Vector NTI or SeqWeb, detecting motifs or domains in proteins, assembling protein sequences from genomic DNA, detecting exons and finding intron-exon boundaries, aligning sequences (Clustal W), making phylogenetic trees (Phylip), and comparative genomics. Students should leave the course with a working knowledge of how to carry out research using these tools. Prerequisite: general knowledge of gene and protein structure. Credit 2 (1-2).

MSCI 815 Bioinformatics II. This course consists of six 2.5-hour segments partially as lecture and partially as computer tutorial sessions to demonstrate advanced bioinformatics methods and the use of databases. The course follows Bioinformatics I. Topics include finding and using public databases other than NCBI; private databases and understanding the politics of genomics; genome browsers and NCBI’s genomic biology section; gene arrays-their construction, use, and data analysis; mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and radiation hybrid mapping; and 3D protein structure viewers and threading. Prerequisites: Bioinformatics I or permission of the instructor. Credit 1 (0-2).

MSCI 861 Cellular Signaling. The course will provide a comprehensive survey of cellular signaling, describing, mechanisms of signal transduction. The lectures will detail cellular signaling from the major classes of cell surface receptors to the impact on nuclear events. The class will emphasize the integration and coordination of signaling pathways in the cell and how this impacts on the fact of the cell. Prerequisites: IP 842 and IP 843 or permission of course directors. Credit: 3 (3-0).

MSCI 911 Applied Proteomics. The goal of this course will be to systematically evaluate the use of proteomics in defined experimental situations. In the first part of the course this will be accomplished by requiring students to read and present relevant articles from the proteomic literature to learn the strengths and weaknesses of different proteomic approaches. Subsequently, direct perspective of the practicality/efficiency of these approaches will be gained by applying proteomics to research projects of each student followed by class presentation, discussion, and analysis of real proteomics data and results. These research projects may be actual components of the graduate research project, or hypothetical, correct application of current methods relevant to the students’ graduate work or special interest. Credit: 2.

MSCI 926 Proteins and Enzymes. A course on structure of proteins and enzyme catalysis as well as regulation. Prerequisite: 811 MSCI. Offered in alternate years. Credit 3 (3-0).

MSCI 930 Molecular and Cellular Basis of Pathogenesis. The course will provide a comprehensive overview of both viral and bacterial pathogenesis from the perspective of both host and pathogen. The lectures are intended to complement the immunology and pathophysiology lectures in IP 842 “Systems Biologyâ€? to provide a comprehensive and fundamental understanding of the concepts that govern host-pathogen interactions. Lectures will present in detail the molecular genetic, structural, and cellular mechanisms that viral and bacterial pathogens use to infect cells and tissues of the host and the subsequent disease consequences of infection. Prerequisite: IP842 Systems Biology and IP843 Cellular and Molecular Biology or permission of the course director. Credit 3 (3-0). *Required of all Molecular Sciences graduate students.

PATH 826 Cell Biology. A course in cell biology that requires 811 BIOC as a prerequisite. The course covers introduction to the cell, cell motility/cell migration, cell cycle regulation/multiplication, nucleus/gene expression, membrane maintenance of cellular compartments, and extracellular matrix. Spring. Credit 4 (4 0).

CMED 711 Essentials of Animal Experimentation. This course is designed to provide an overview of appropriate and effective use of animals in biomedical research. Topics to be covered include regulatory requirements, biomethodology, principles of experimental animal surgery, postoperative veterinary care, and animal care and use procedures. Emphasis is placed on practical experience with living animals and practice of techniques under anesthesia. No text is required. Scheduling of lecture and laboratory will be done following registration to accommodate other courses and time obligations. Fall. Credit 2 (2-1).

CMED 712 Biology and Pathophysiology of Laboratory Animals I. This course expands on much of the material covered in 711 CMED. Emphasis will be placed on the following species: mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters. Subjects to be covered include the taxonomy, applied anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, genetics, immunology, nutrition, behavior, husbandry, use as an animal model, and in-depth pathophysiology of significant diseases of each species. Laboratory procedures available for diagnosing these diseases will be discussed, including their limitations and how adventitious pathogens disrupt and confound experimental results derived from infected animals. Emphasis will be placed on features that make a particular species uniquely suitable for certain types of research. Prerequisite: 711 COMED or permission of instructor. Spring, alternate years. Credit 2 (2-0).

PHAC 911 Delivery and Biocompatibility of Protein and Nucleic Acid Drugs. This course is designed to teach students about the use of biomaterials for delivery and biocompatibility of proteins, peptides, and various nucleic acid drugs. It will cover (1) design, synthesis, and characterization of polymers; (2) biocompatibility; (3) various approaches to proteins and peptide delivery; (4) introduction to different types of nucleic acid drugs; and (5) antisense and nonviral gene therapy. Prerequisites: 1 year of organic, medicinal, or physical chemistry (or equivalent) or B.S. in Pharmacy, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or Medical Sciences (or equivalent) or permission of the instructor. A basic understanding of cell and molecular biology is desirable but is not required. Credit 3 (3-0).