Biotechnology Course Descriptions
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
CS
6325 Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 semester hours) The
course provides a broad overview of the bioinformatics field. Comprehensive introduction to molecular
biology and molecular genetics for a program of study in bioinformatics. Discussion of elementary computer algorithms
in biology (e.g., sequence alignment and gene finding). Biological databases, data analysis and
management. Prerequisite: Knowledge equivalent to CS 2302. (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
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
Electives
A sampling of electives
available to students in the Biotechnology M.S. program follows:
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
6V49 Topics in Cell Biology (2-5 semester hours) May be repeated
for credit to a maximum of 9 hours. ([2-5]-0) Y
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
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
BIOL
6V98 Thesis (3-9 semester hours) (May be repeated for credit.) ([3-9]-0)
S
CS
5343 Algorithm Analysis & Data Structures (3 semester hours)
Formal specifications and representation of lists, arrays, trees, graphs,
multilinked structures, strings and recursive pattern structures. Analysis of associated algorithms. Sorting and searching, file structures. Relational data models. Prerequisites: CS
5303, CS 5333. (3-0) S
CS
6360 (SE 6360) Database Design (3 semester hours) Methods,
principles, and concepts that are relevant to the practice of database software
design. Database system architecture; conceptual database models; relational
and object-oriented databases; database system implementation; query processing
and optimization; transaction processing concepts, concurrency, and recovery;
security. Prerequisite: CS 5343. (3-0) S
CS
6363 (CE 6363) Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms (3
semester hours) The study of efficient algorithms for various computational
problems. Algorithm design
techniques. Sorting, manipulation of
data structures, graphs, matrix multiplication, and pattern matching. Complexity of algorithms, lower bounds, NP
completeness. Prerequisite: CS 5343.
(3-0) S
CS
6379 Biological Database Systems and Data Mining (3
semester hours) Relational data models and database management systems;
theories and techniques of constructing relational databases to store
biological data, including sequences, structures, genetic linkages and maps,
and signal pathways. Introduction to a
relational database query language (SQL) with emphasis on answering
biologically important questions.
Summary of current biological databases.
Data integration from various sources and security. Novel data mining
methods in bioinformatics with an emphasis on protein structure prediction,
homology search, genomic sequence analysis, gene finding and gene mapping. Future directions for biological database
development. Prerequisites: BIOL6373/BMEN 6391, BIOL 5381, and CS 5343 or
consent of the instructor. (3-0) T
ENTP
6370 Entrepreneurship (3 semester hours) This course provides an introduction to
entrepreneurship, with an emphasis on identifying, evaluating and developing
new venture opportunities. Topics
include opportunity identification and evaluation, startup strategies, business
valuation, business plan development, attracting stakeholders, financing the
venture, managing the growing business and exit strategies. Case studies and guest lectures by
entrepreneurs and venture capital partners provide a real-world perspective. The major deliverable of this course is an
early stage feasibility analysis of a venture of the student's choosing. Prerequisite: ACCT 6201 or ACCT 6305 or
consent of instructor. Topics may vary.
(3-0) S
FIN
6301 (SYSM 6312) Systems Financial Management (3 semester hours)
Theoretical and procedural considerations in the administration of the finance
function in the individual business firm; planning, fundraising, controlling of
firm finances; working capital management, capital budgeting and cost of
capital. Pre-/Corequisite: OPRE 6301; AND Pre-/Corequisite Acct 6201 OR
Prerequisite Acct 6305, OR Consent of Instructor. (3-0) Y
STAT
5351 Probability and Statistics I (3 semester hours) A
mathematical treatment of probability theory.
Random variables, distributions, conditioning, expectations, special
distributions and the central limit theorem.
The theory is illustrated by numerous examples. This is a basic course in probability and
uses calculus extensively. Prerequisite:
Multivariable calculus (MATH 2451). (3-0) T
STAT
5352 Probability and Statistics II (3 semester hours) Theory
and methods of statistical inference.
Sampling, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, analysis
of variance, and regression with applications. Prerequisite: STAT 5351. (3-0) T
MATH
6345 Mathematical Methods in Medicine and Biology (3
semester hours) Introduction to the use of mathematical techniques in solving
biologically important problems. Some
examples of topics that might be covered are biochemical reactions, ion
channels, cellular signaling mechanisms, kidney function, and nerve impulse
propagation. Prerequisites: MATH 2417,
MATH 2419. (MATH 2420 recommended). (3-0) T SCI 5V06 Special Topics in Science (1-3 semester hours) May
be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours. [(1-3)-1] S