Course Descriptions

BMSC410 ▪ BMSC412 ▪ BMSC414 ▪ BMSC416 ▪ 400 ▪ 404 ▪ 406
 411 ▪ 412 ▪ 414 ▪ 415 ▪ 417 ▪ 499 ▪500 ▪ 501 ▪522 ▪ 595 ▪ 600

Molecular Biochemistry (BMSC410)
(4 semester hours) (Lecture and Discussion)  Molecular Biochemistry will give students knowledge of the synthesis, structure and function of DNA and proteins.  The course will also present the biochemical pathways of cellular metabolism emphasizing the rate controlling enzymes of these pathways and their regulation.   A series of lectures will compare orthologous components and regulation of the metabolic pathways in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.  The thermodynamic and kinetic energetics of biologically important processes will be emphasized where appropriate.  The goal of the course is to prepare the first year graduate student to progress to a general understanding of basic biochemical principles to form a basis for more advanced biological studies. (Staff)

Cell Biology (BMSC412)
(3 semester hours) (Lecture and Discussion) The general topic of the Cell Biology course is the cell, its structures and functions, and the course will begin with an overview of prokaryotic organisms and then advance to eukaryotic cells.   Throughout the course essential facts will be communicated.  However, a general emphasis will be placed on integrating current knowledge into global principles explaining the nature of the cell.  Cell biology concepts will be communicated in the context of molecular biochemistry, thereby providing students with a core foundation for present-day biomedical research.  Problem solving sessions will be important and essential components for the course.   Weekly problem-solving sessions will help the student to synthesize basic concepts and integrate facts into the framework of the scientific processes of experimentation and discovery. (Staff)

Systems Biology (BMSC414)
(4 semester hours) (Lecture and Discussion) The objective of this course is to provide first year graduate students with an introduction to biological systems. The didactic work of this course directs attention to the more important well-established facts of systems biology, including the central nervous system, endocrinology, cardiovascular system, immunology, microbiology, and histology. Pathology of the systems and their pharmacological treatments are also covered, in order to highlight the importance of biological frontiers in biomedical research. Problem solving classes will be used to demonstrate the application of the topics taught in the didactic sessions. (Staff)

Methods in Biomedical Science (BMSC 416)
(1 semester hour) (Lecture)  The course, presented in lecture-format, will introduce the methods that are relevant to the Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Systems Biology courses, including molecular biology, tissue culture, transgenic model systems, imaging, biochemistry, electrophysiology, and immunology.  The theory behind the techniques, as well as practical considerations will be discussed.  The course will provide students with a conceptual foundation for the critical evaluation of published experiments and guide the choice of methods used in their own research. (Staff)

Advanced Cellular Biochemistry 400
(3 semester hours) (Lecture and Discussion) Prerequisites: Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology.  Includes an examination of current information on the specialized biochemical processes of the differentiated mammalian cell. Topics are in five general areas: (1) signal transduction between cells - cell surface and intracellular receptors, as well as second messenger pathways; (2) apoptosis; (3) cancer biology; (4) cell division, cell cycle, growth factors; and (5) specialized cells and systems as well as the differentiation and development of cells. (Schutlz, Manteuffel, Staff)

Biochemistry and Nutrition 404
(2 semester hours)  (Lecture and Discussion)  Prerequisites: Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology.  Recent developments in the nutritional aspects of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and trace nutritional substances are discussed (Collins)

Special Problems 412
(3 semester hours) (Lecture and Discussion) Offered irregularly.  Prerequisites: BMSC 410 & BMSC 412.  The content of this course is intended to address educational and research areas in molecular and cellular biochemistry that are not currently covered in other program courses or in elective courses.  Topics that are addressed vary;  they are developed in conjunction with current students and faculty members as determined by their specific research and educational interests. (Staff)

Protein Structure and Function 414
(3 semester hours) (Lecture) Prerequisites: Molecular Biochemistry (BMSC 410) and Cell Biology (BMSC 412).  This course focuses on the structural and conformational properties of proteins. Topics include: how proteins fold and the forces that contribute to their stability, patterns of secondary and tertiary folding of proteins, subunit interactions at the quaternary level, allosteric effects, the flexibility of proteins, and ligand binding to proteins. The course progresses to the study of the bio-organic basis for protein catalysis. Topics include the stereochemistry of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, the mechanism for different reaction types, and the role of enzyme prosthetic groups. This leads to a consideration of general association-activation and transition-state stabilization hypothesis of enzyme catalysis. Rate equations for enzyme catalysis are shown and their practical application to different laboratory situations evaluated. A few specific enzyme examples are dicussed in detail to show the experimental basis for knowlege of how enzymes work. Bioinformatics databases are discussed and used. (Schultz, Staff)

Neurochemistry 415
(3 semester hours)  (Lecture)  Prerequisites:  Molecular Biochemistry (BMSC 410) and Cell Biology (BMSC 412).  Weekly lectures and student-directed discussions cover basic topics as well as recent developments in neurochemistry.  Specific topics include the biosynthesis of neuronal and myelin membranes, cerebral metabolism and membrane ATPases, the biochemistry of synaptic function (biosynthesis, release, actions and reuptake of neurotransmitter, with emphasis on the enzymes, receptors, second messengers and transporters), axoplasmic transport, blood-brain barrier, neuronal cell motility and interactions, brain development, brain aging, and biochemical mechansims involved in neurodegenerative conditions and neurotoxicant actions. (Collins, Staff)

Molecular Biology 417
(3 semester hours) (Lecture) Prerequisites: Molecular Biochemistry (BMSC 410) and Cell Biology (BMSC 412).  This course focuses on the mechanics of information storage, transfer, and retrieval in the living cell. Included are advanced topics in nucleic acid structure, DNA replication, gene expression, chromosome structure, eucaryotic transcription, DNA recombination, genomic rearrangement, DNA repair and transcription, RNA processing, translation regulation and protein turnover, post-translational processing, RNA stability, regulation of the cell cycle, oncogenesis and cancer, tumor supressor genes and cancer, eucaryotic development and gene expression, molecular neurobiology. (Frankfater, Staff)

Research in Biochemistry 499
Eligibility, hours, and credit are to be arranged. Thesis or dissertation research is conducted under supervision of a faculty advisor. (Staff)

Biochemistry Journal Club 500 & Critical Thinking
(1 semester hour) Students will present and critically evaluate data from a current paper that was published in a leading journal in biochemistry and molecular biology.  Each student will give a formal lecture style presentation and facilitate a discussion in order to gain experience in both teaching and methodologies.  (Simmons, Staff))

Seminar 501
(1 semester hour) Current research findings are presented in this course. May be repeated. (Collins, Staff)

Molecular Oncology 522
(2 semester hours) (Lecture) Prerequisite: 417 or equivalent. Signal transduction and mechanisms of cellular transformation are treated. (Schultz)

Thesis Supervision 595
(No credit)

Dissertation Supervision 600
(No credit)

Additional elective courses are available from other departments. Consult the Graduate Catalog for more information.