Biology Course Descriptions
Core Courses
BIOL
5410 (MSEN 5410) Biochemistry of Proteins and Nucleic Acids (4
semester hours) Chemistry and metabolism of amino acids and nucleotides;
biosynthesis of nucleic acids; analysis of the structure and function of proteins
and nucleic acids and of their interactions including chromatin structure.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3361 (biochemistry) or equivalent. (4-0) Y
BIOL
5420 Molecular Biology (4 semester hours) Genetic analysis of
gene structure (mutations and their analysis, complementation, and
recombination), gene expression (transcription, RNA processing, translation),
and the regulation of gene expression in selected model systems (viral,
prokaryotic, organellar, eukaryotic); principles of genetic engineering
(cloning and recombinant DNA technology). (4-0) Y
BIOL
5430 Macromolecular Physical Chemistry (4 semester hours)
Structures and properties of macromolecules, interactions with electromagnetic
radiation, thermodynamics of macromolecular solutions, and transport processes.
Prerequisites: MATH 2417 (calculus) and PHYS 1301 (general physics). (4-0) Y
BIOL
5440 (MSEN 5440) Cell Biology (4 semester hours)
Molecular architecture and function of cells and subcellular organelles;
structure and function of membranes; hormone and neurotransmitter action;
growth regulation and oncogenes; immune response; eukaryotic gene
expression. Prerequisites: BIOL 5410 and
BIOL 5420, or the equivalent, or permission of the instructor. (4-0) Y
Advanced Study
Work is offered beyond the core curriculum in
four major areas that parallel four of the lecture-type core courses. Each area
provides elective courses, advanced colloquia, and dissertation opportunities.
Electives will usually be offered only one semester per year and in some cases
only once every other year.
Topics in
Biochemistry
General
Electives
BIOL
6211 Posttranscriptional Regulation of Gene Expression (2
semester hours) Emphasis on current research in regulation of gene expression
involving posttranscriptional mechanisms.
Topics include translational regulation of gene expression, protein and
messenger RNA turnover, regulation of protein folding and localization, protein
phosphorylation, and the formation of active and inactive protein complexes.
(2-0) T
BIOL
6352 Modern Biochemistry I (3 semester hours) Structure and
function of proteins, including enzyme kinetics and catalytic mechanisms;
structure and metabolism of carbohydrates, including oxidative phosphorylation
and electron transport mechanisms. For
students who have not had undergraduate biochemistry. (3-0) S
BIOL
6353 Modern Biochemistry II (3 semester hours) Continuation of BIOL
6352. Structure and metabolism of lipids, including membrane structure and
function. Nitrogen metabolism: amino acids and nucleotides. Polynucleotide replication, transcription,
and translation. For students who have
not had undergraduate biochemistry. (3-0) Y
BIOL
6354 Microbial Physiology (3 semester hours) Microbial physiology
considers the basic processes of microbes, especially those variations that are
unique to microbes: energy generation, fermentations, and other pathways
specific to bacteria, cellular structure and differentiation, and bacterial
responses to the environment. (3-0) Y
BIOL
6390 (BMEN 6390) Metabolic Pathways for Translational Medicine (3
semester hours) This course will provide extensive discussion of major
metabolic pathways in human and other experimental models of human diseases
with emphasis on biochemical understanding, roles and effects of the pathways
in the entire cellular network, and potential application to medicine.
Prerequisites: BMEN 6389 or BIOL 6385 or instructor permission. (3-0) T
BIOL
6V19 Topics in Biochemistry (2-5 semester hours) May be
repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours. ([2-5]-0) Y
BIOL
6V28 DNA Replication, Recombination, and Repair (2-3
semester hours) Focuses on central aspects of DNA enzymology and metabolism.
The mechanisms of DNA replication, recombination, and repair are fundamental to
understanding many principles of molecular biology, genetics, molecular
medicine, and evolution. This course is
mechanistically oriented and will provide a strong working knowledge of these
processes through an extensive overview, which includes discussions of some of
the most recent publications on these topics. ([2-3]-0) T
Special Electives
BIOL
7V10 Research Seminar in Biochemistry (2-5 semester hours)
Presentation and analysis of ongoing independent research projects, accompanied
by evaluation of recent related literature.
(P/F grading. May be repeated for
credit.) ([2-5]-0) Y
Topics
in Molecular Biology
General Electives
BIOL
5375 Genes to Genomes (3 semester hours) is an expansive coverage of molecular
genetics with emphasis on genomes rather than genes. Students will gain a new perspective on how
genes function together and in concert in living cells, focusing at the genome
level. Students also will learn how to
study genomes, inspect genome anatomies, analyze how genomes function and
determine how genomes replicate and evolve.
The course is structured to involve students directly in individual
topics by class discussions of research papers and reviews, the latest advances
in genome science and new and innovative techniques. (3-0) Y
BIOL
5376 (BMEN 6387) Applied Bioinformatics (3 semester hours) Genomic
information content; data searches and multiple sequence alignment; mutations
and distance-based phylogenetic analysis; genomics and gene recognition;
polymorphisms and forensic applications; nucleic-acid and protein array
analysis; structure prediction of biological macromolecules. Prerequisites:
STAT 1342 (introductory statistics) and MATH 1325 and MATH 1326 (2 semesters of
calculus). (3-0) T
BIOL
5381 Genomics (3 semester hours) Genome sequence acquisition and analysis;
genomic identification; biomedical genome research; DNA microarrays and their
use in applied and healthcare research.
(3-0) T
BIOL
6121 Biotechnology I (1 semester hour) Gene cloning, nucleotide sequencing and
other aspects of genetic engineering.
This course has between one and five components, which will be offered
sequentially and which may therefore be taken independently (with consent of
instructor). (0-2) Y
BIOL
6122 Biotechnology II (1 semester hour) Gene cloning, nucleotide sequencing and
other aspects of genetic engineering.
This course has between one and five components, which will be offered
sequentially and which may therefore be taken independently (with consent of
instructor). (0-2) Y
BIOL
6123 Biotechnology III (1 semester hour) Gene cloning,
nucleotide sequencing and other aspects of genetic engineering. This course has between one and five
components, which will be offered sequentially and which may therefore be taken
independently (with consent of instructor). (0-2) Y
BIOL
6227 RNA World (2 semester hours) The nature of modern RNA suggests a
prebiotic RNA world. This course will
begin with a presentation of the arguments that a RNA world existed before the
evolution of protein synthesis. Additional topics will include RNA evolution,
the origin and evolution of introns, RNA replication, the evolution and
involvement of tRNAs and rRNAs in protein synthesis, the structure and
mechanism of large catalytic RNAs such as Group I and Group II introns and the
RNase P RNA, the structure and mechanism of small nuclear RNAs such as
hammerheads and hairpins, RNA editing, and the mechanism of telomerase. (2-0) T
BIOL
6228 Prokaryotic Gene Expression (2 semester hours)
Principles of gene regulation in bacteria are discussed. The readings consist of recent developments
described in the research literature.
Topics will vary, but will include bacterial chromosome structure,
function and structure of RNA polymerase and promoters, the mechanism of action
of various repressors and activators, the coordination of gene expression in
phage lambda, during nitrogen limitation, and during sporulation. (2-0) T
BIOL
6335 Graduate Medical Microbiology (3 semester hours) This
course exposes students to advanced concepts and principles of medical
microbiology. In addition, the course
will deal with mechanisms associated with disease processes, microbial
virulence, the control of bacterial growth, and host responses to infection.
(3-0) T
BIOL
6336 Parasitology (3 semester hours) A look at the molecular level at
microorganisms that live at the expense of higher eukaryotes. Emphasis will be given to the latest
scientific literature describing these important pathogenic interactions. Therapeutic treatments and preventive methods
will also be covered. (3-0) T
BIOL
6337 Regulation of Gene Expression (3 semester hours) An in
depth look at how the cell makes use of its genetic information, with a primary
focus on the mechanisms of transcription regulation. The course emphasizes a critical discussion
of techniques and results from the recent scientific literature. Topics are
taken from eukaryotic and/or prokaryotic systems and typically cover areas such
as promoter organization, RNA polymerase and transcription factor structure and
function, the organization and packaging of chromosomes, whole-genome analyses,
and the pathways that control gene expression during growth and development.
(3-0) Y
BIOL
6338 Symbiotic Interactions (3 semester hours) An in depth look, at
the molecular level, of well characterized symbiotic interactions between
prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This course
makes use of recent scientific literature and the latest discoveries in the
area of symbiosis. (3-0) R
BIOL
6356 Eukaryotic Molecular and Cell Biology (3 semester hours)
Regulation of cellular activities in eukaryotic cells; structural and molecular
organization of eukaryotic cells; molecular basis of cell specialization;
membranes and transport. For students
who have not had undergraduate cell biology. (3-0) S
BIOL
6373 (BMEN 6391) Proteomics (3 semester hours) Protein identification,
sequencing, and analysis of post-translational modifications by liquid
chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry; determination of protein three
dimensional structure by x-ray crystallography; its use in drug design; understanding
protein interactions and function using protein chip microarrays.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate or graduate
biochemistry (3-0) T
BIOL
6384 Biotechnology Laboratory (3 semester hours)
Laboratory instruction in LC/MS/MS mass spectral analysis of protein sequence,
ICAT (isotope coded affinity tag) reagents, and MS analysis of cellular
proteomes, PCR and DNA Sequencing, and DNA microarray analysis; fluorescence
and confocal microscopy and fluorescence activated cell sorting. Instructor may require students to
demonstrate adequate laboratory skills in order to enroll. (1-2) Y
BIOL
6385 (BMEN 6389) Computational Biology (3 semester hours) Using
computational and statistical methods to analyze biological data, and perform
mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques to understand the
biological systems. The course
introduces methods in DNA/protein motif discovery, gene prediction,
high-throughput sequencing and microarray data analysis, computational modeling
gene expression regulation, and biological pathway and network analysis. Prerequisite: (BMEN 6374 and BMEN 6387) or
BIOL 5376 or instructor permission. (3-0) Y
BIOL
6V29 Topics in Molecular Biology (2-5 semester hours) May be
repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours. ([2-5]-0) Y
BIOL
6V31 Molecular Genetics (3-4 semester hours) A graduate survey
of the phenomena and mechanisms of heredity, its cytological and molecular
basis, with a focus on bacterial and model eukaryotic systems. Topics will include fundamentals of Mendelian
Genetics, genetic recombination and genetic linkage, as well as gene structure
and replication, gene expression and the transfer of genetic information,
mutation and mutagenesis, and applications of recombinant DNA techniques to
genetic analysis. For students who have
not had undergraduate genetics. ([3-4]-0) Y
BIOL
6V34 Quorum Sensing (2-3 semester hours) The focus of this course is the
analysis of quorum sensing and its role in pathogenic and symbiotic
interactions. This course makes use of
recent scientific literature and the latest discoveries in the area of
population density dependent gene expression. [(2-3)-0] R
Special Electives
BIOL
7V20 Research Seminar in Molecular Biology (2-5 semester hours)
Presentation and analysis of ongoing independent research projects, accompanied
by evaluation of recent related literature. (P/F grading. May be repeated for credit.) ([2-5]-0) Y
Topics In Biophysics
General Electives
BIOL
6358 (MSEN 6358) Bionanotechnology (3 semester hours) Protein,
nucleic acid and lipid structures.
Macromolecules as structural and functional units of the intact
cell. Parallels between biology and
nanotechnology. Applications of nanotechnology to biological systems. (3-0) T
BIOL
6V30 Biopolymers (2-4 semester hours) Structure and properties of
biologically important macromolecules. ([2-4]-0) R
BIOL
6V32 Electron Microscopy (2-3 semester hours) Theory and
practice of electron microscopy. The
laboratory section includes specimen preparation, operation of the electron
microscope, and darkroom work. ([1-2]-2) R
BIOL
6V33 Biomolecular Structure (2-3 semester hours) This course
includes a discussion of DNA structures, protein structures, the folding and
stability of domains, and the binding of proteins to DNA. Methods used to investigate the relation of
structure to function are emphasized.
Types of protein structures whose structure and function are considered
include transcription factors, proteinases, membrane proteins, proteins in
signal transduction, proteins on the immune system, and engineered proteins.
([2-3]-0) Y
BIOL
6V39 Topics in Biophysics (2-5 semester hours) May be repeated
for credit to a maximum of 9 hours. ([2-5]-0) T
Special Electives
BIOL
7V30 Research Seminar in Biophysics (2-5 semester hours)
Presentation and analysis of ongoing independent research projects, accompanied
by evaluation of recent related literature.
(P/F grading. May be repeated for
credit.) ([2-5]-0) R
Topics In Cell Biology
General Electives
BIOL
6340 Developmental Neurobiology (3 semester hours) The
course will cover the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying key
processes in the development of the vertebrate nervous system such as neural
induction, k morphogenesis of the neural tube, patterning of the brain,
differentiation and migration of neurons, axon guidance, synaptogenesis and the
regulation of neuronal survival. The
course is designed to be interactive and will include lectures, student
presentations, and discussion of important discoveries in the area. (3-0) Y
BIOL
6345 Molecular Basis of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (3
semester hours) Topics include an analysis of the molecular basis of the
infection of target cells by HIV, the intracellular replication of
retroviruses, with special attention given to the HIV tat and rev genes, and an
analysis of the roles of the HIV accessory genes: vif, vpr, vpu and nef. The immunological response of the host to HIV
is considered, as is the biological basis for the ultimate failure of the
immune system to contain this virus, with attendant immune collapse. The molecular basis of a variety of existing
and potential anti-retroviral therapies is considered. (3-0) Y
BIOL
6351 Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Immune System (3
semester hours) Innate and adaptive immunity.
Structure and function of immunoglobulins and MHC molecules, and their
role in the adaptive immune response.
Function of the primary and secondary lymphoid tissues, and the role of
professional antigen presenting cells.
The molecular basis for the generation of diversity during cellular
development of B and T lymphocytes. The role of complement in innate immunity,
and details of T cell and B cell mediated immunity. (3-0) Y
BIOL
6357 Cell Signaling (3 semester hours) This course will provide information on
signal transduction pathways controlling growth, development and diseases. Students will be required to present research
papers and discuss experimental data. (3-0) R
BIOL
6359 Medical Cell Biology for MAT (3 semester hours)
Organization of cells, structure and function of DNA and proteins, gene therapy,
regenerative medicine, and the endocrine system. Designed for students who are pursuing a MAT
degree. (3-0) S
BIOL
6360 Medical Cell Biology for Biotechnology (3 semester hours)
This course will explore cell structure, the structure of DNA, mutations in
DNA, gene therapy, stem cells, cell signaling, and the immune system etc. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the
cellular and molecular basis of health and disease. For students who have not had undergraduate
cell biology and/or molecular genetics.
(3-0) S
BIOL
6V41 Oncogenes (2-4 semester hours) Properties of cancer cells, in vivo and
in vitro. Telomeres and cellular
immortality. The role of DNA and RNA
viruses in human cancers. Molecular
biology of chronic leukemia retroviruses and the acutely transforming
retroviruses. Retroviral oncogenes; the
role of mutation, amplification, and chromosomal translocation of cellular
oncogenes in human cancer. Regulation of
the eukaryotic cell cycle, and the role of tumor suppressor genes. The role of oncogenes in growth hormone
signal transduction. The role of
apoptosis, and developmental signaling pathways in cancer. ([2-4]-0) Y
BIOL
6V42 Membrane Biology I (2-4 semester hours) Membrane traffic
in the secretory pathway. Topics covered
include insertion of proteins into membranes, the mechanism of vesicular
traffic from the rough endoplasmic reticulum through the Golgi apparatus to the
plasma membrane, protein sorting during secretion and membrane biogenesis.
([2-4]-0) T
BIOL
6V43 Membrane Biology II (2-4 semester hours) Membrane traffic
in the endocytic pathway. Topics covered
include the structure, function and sorting of membrane receptors, the
formation and function of clathrin-coated pits, membrane recycling and the
biogenesis of endosomes and lysosomes. ([2-4]-0) R
BIOL
6V44 Animal Cell Culture (2-4 semester hours) Theory and
practice of the growth of animal cells in culture. Topics include: the isolation and
characterization of mammalian cell mutants, chromosome mapping, the use of
somatic cell hybrids to investigate eukaryotic gene regulation, gene transfer
into animal cells, gene targeting and production of gene knockouts. ([2-4]-0) R
BIOL
6V49 Topics in Cell Biology (2-5 semester hours) May be repeated
for credit to a maximum of 9 hours. ([2-5]-0) Y
Special Electives
BIOL
7V40 Research Seminar in Cell Biology (2-5 semester hours)
Presentation and analysis of ongoing independent research projects, accompanied
by evaluation of recent related literature.
(P/F grading, may be repeated for credit.) ([2-5]-0) Y
General Topics in
Molecular and Cell Biology
General Electives
BIOL
5V00 Topics in Biological Sciences (1-6 semester hours) May be
repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours. ([1-6]-0) Y
BIOL
5V01 Topics in Biological Sciences (1-6 semester hours)
Includes a laboratory component. May be
repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours (1-[0-10]) Y
BIOL
5V95 Advanced Topics in Molecular and Cell Biology (1-6
semester hours) (Individual instruction) May be repeated for credit with
permission of the graduate advisor. ([1-6]-0) Y
BIOL
6V00 Topics in Biological Sciences (1-6 semester hours) May be
repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours. ([1-6]-0) Y
BIOL
6V01 Topics in Biological Sciences (1-6 semester hours)
Includes a laboratory component. May be
repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours. (1-[0-10]) Y
BIOL
6V04 Biology Seminar (1-6 semester hours) May be repeated for credit to a maximum
of 6 hours. ([1-6]-0) Y
BIOL
6V92 Readings in Molecular and Cell Biology (3-9 semester hours)
([3-9]-0) Y
BIOL
6V95 Advanced Topics in Molecular and Cell Biology
(Individual Instruction) (1-6 semester hours) May be repeated for credit with
permission of the graduate advisor. ([1-6]-0) Y
Special Electives
BIOL
6150 Current Research in Molecular and Cell Biology (1
semester hour) Analysis of recent developments in molecular and cell
biology. Students will attend
presentations of current research literature.
P/F grading only. May be repeated
for credit (4 hours maximum). (1-0) Y
BIOL
6193 Colloquium in Molecular and Cell Biology (1 semester hour)
Required for all degree students except non-thesis M.S., to be taken before a
Supervising Committee is appointed. (P/F
grading) (1-0) Y
BIOL
6252 Current Research in Molecular Biology (2 semester hours)
Recent developments in biosynthesis, structure, function and expression of
nucleic acids in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Students will participate in a critical analysis of current research
publications. (P/F grading, may be repeated for credit to a maximum of 8 hours.)
(2-0) S
BIOL
6V02 The Art of Scientific Presentation (1-2 semester hours)
Students learn how to give an effective seminar by reading scientific articles
on a central theme in biology and then delivering a presentation, first to
their classmates, followed by another presentation to the Molecular and Cell
Biology faculty and students. While
learning the focused theme, students acquire skill sets in critical reading of
scientific literature and oral presentation. Required for all Ph.D. students.
(P/F grading) ([1-2]-0) Y
BIOL
6V03 Research in Molecular and Cell Biology (1-9 semester hours)
(May be repeated for credit.) ([1-9]-0) S
BIOL
6V50 Internship in Biotechnology/Biomedicine (1-6 semester
hours). Provides faculty supervision for a student's internship. Internships
must be in an area relevant to the student's coursework for the MS in
Biotechnology. ([1-6] - 0) R
BIOL
6V98 Thesis (3-9 semester hours) (May be repeated for credit.) ([3-9]-0)
S
BIOL
7450 Research Seminar in Molecular and Cell Biology (4
semester hours) Presentation and analysis of ongoing independent research
projects, accompanied by evaluation of recent related literature. (P/F
grading. May be repeated for credit.)
(4-0) S
BIOL
8V01 Research in Molecular and Cell Biology (1-9 semester hours)
(May be repeated for credit.) ([1-9]-0) S
BIOL
8V99 Dissertation (1-9 semester hours) (May be repeated for credit.) ([1-9]-0)
S