Courses

Instructor, Richard S. Myers, Ph.D.

2 credits Fall & Spring Semesters

Students will collaborate on a research project and learn valuable laboratory skills. The goal for this course is to make students “research-ready” through an active, inquiry-based, platform for developing core competencies in biology, genetics, BMB (biochemistry & molecular biology), bioinformatics, scientific discourse and ethics.

INSTRUCTOR CONSENT REQUIRED

Instructor, Richard S. Myers, Ph.D.

2 credits Fall & Spring Semesters & First & Second Summer Sessions

Students shadow a research assistant in the lab of a BMB faculty member and learn about the research projects and techniques used by the group. Students will assist in preparing reagents, conducting experiments, analyzing data and generating brief reports. Attendance in lab group meetings is expected. Students maintain a weekly online journal and will write a paper describing the research in the lab and proposing a research problem and approach to solve in BMB545.

INSTRUCTOR CONSENT REQUIRED

Instructor, Arun Malhotra, Ph.D.

1 credit Spring Semester

Students acquire and discuss basic BMB information in a group project setting. Topics are identified by the instructor but refined in response to student interest and discovery. As students create a scientific review manuscript suitable for publication, they learn about the publication process, research ethics and politics.

Instructor, Thomas K. Harris, Ph.D. 

4 credits Fall & Spring Semester

The biochemical composition, structure, and cellular metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids are rigorously described, emphasizing problem solving strategies required of biomedical field applications.

PREREQUISITE: CHM222

Instructor (Fall), Ralf Landgraf , PhD
Instructor (Spring), Flavia Fontanesi, PhD

2 credits Fall & Spring Semesters

The course introduces students to standard BMB techniques such as PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, protein purification, electrophoresis, and spectrophotometry. Emphasis is placed on analytical and quantitative aspects of experimental BMB, such as experimental design, data collection, and analyses.

PREREQUISITE: either CHM 202 or CHM 222

Instructor (Fall & Spring), Arun Malhotra, Ph.D.

1 credit Fall & Spring Semesters

Students read and discuss one BMB primary research article each week and answer a set of questions meant to provoke critical evaluation of the work. The course introduces students to critical reading of the primary literature in BMB and is open to students at any level. Peer-mentoring and informal student-led instruction is central to the course.

Instructor, Thomas K. Harris, Ph.D.

3 credits Fall Semester

This course provides thorough understanding of the role of different nutrients, their occurrence in food, uptake in the digestive system, transport in blood or lymph, uptake in cells, storage, function and metabolism and excretion. Biosynthesis of nutrients in plants and micro-organisms is also considered, and students are taught how to gather information about the course topics.

PREREQUISITE: BMB 401

Instructor, Arun Malhotra, Ph.D.

1 credit Fall & Spring Semesters

Students attend seminars of their own choice, presented by either visiting/residing faculty or graduate/postdoctoral students on recent research topics in BMB or any other discipline in the basic biomedical sciences. Students write short reports on these seminars and critically evaluate the presentations. This course can be taken more than once.

PREREQUISITE: BMB 401

Instructor, Richard S. Myers, Ph.D.

1 credit Fall & Spring Semesters

Students explore topics in BMB in the context of solving problems presented in a clinical/biomedical framework. Students work in small groups and independently to acquire, critically evaluate, synthesize and present information.

PREREQUISITE OR COREQUISITE: BMB 401

Instructor, Arun Malhotra, Ph.D.

3 credits Fall Semester

The physical characteristics and behavior of proteins are described, including structure, folding, dynamics, modifications, and interactions. In addition, experimental approaches to protein structure and function are addressed. Readings include both textbook assignments and current research articles, and a term paper is written and submitted for writing credit.

PREREQUISITE: BMB 401

Instructor, Richard S. Myers, Ph.D.

3 credits Spring Semester

Biochemical processes involved in the flow of genetic information in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes are described, including DNA replication, repair, genetic recombination, RNA transcription and processing, protein synthesis, control of gene expression, cell differentiation, and recombinant DNA technology. Extensive classroom discussion is mandatory. Reading includes BMB primary research papers, course notes and a textbook.

PREREQUISITE: BMB 401

Instructor, Richard S. Myers, Ph.D.

2-3 credits Fall & Spring Semesters & First & Second Summer Session

Students independently explore the literature in BMB with guidance by a BMB Faculty mentor. BMB primary research literature in an area of mutual interest to the student and the Faculty mentor (usually a content expert in that area) is discussed. Students prepare a paper or other appropriate product (e.g. computer software, a structural model, a dynamic simulation) for evaluation. Writing credit is available for papers.

INSTRUCTOR CONSENT REQUIRED

Instructor, Richard S. Myers, Ph.D.

3 credits Fall Semester
3 credits Fall Semester

Students learn quantitative and analytical problem solving, as well as spatial reasoning in genetics. For example, students learn how to propose genetic hypotheses, identify genetic predictions, create genetic systems for challenging these predictions, and analyze genetic data to solve practical problems.

PREREQUISITE: BMB 401

Instructor, Shanta Dhar, Ph.D.

3 credits Spring Semester

Students will learn how various nanomaterials are synthesized, characterized, and utilized in various medical applications, including imaging, drug delivery, gene therapy, and tissue engineering. Student abilities to read and comprehend advanced research topics and applications in nanotechnology and applications to medicine will be considerably enhanced.

PREREQUISITE: BMB 401

Instructor, Feng Gong, Ph.D.

3 credits Spring Semester

The influence of nutrition on gene expression through modification of DNA and proteins in chromatin is described (i.e., epigenetics). Also, genetic variations, as well as the influence of bacterial flora of the digestive tract, are considered with respect to abilities to metabolize various dietary components. Students learn how to gather information about course topics and present their findings.

PREREQUISITE: BMB 401

Instructor, Richard S. Myers, Ph.D.

3-12 credits Fall & Spring Semesters & First & Second Summer Sessions

Students actively participate in the research laboratory of a faculty mentor to work on an independent research project. Students develop abilities to formulate good questions and sound hypotheses, design practical experiments, collect and analyze useful data, and make justifiable conclusions. Students maintain a weekly online journal, write a paper, and present their research in the lab. Two semesters of BMB545 is required to write a thesis (pre-requisite for graduating with honors in BMB). Writing credit is available for papers.

INSTRUCTOR CONSENT REQUIRED

Instructor, Yanbin Zhang, Ph.D.

3 credits Spring Semester

Students learn composition and function of cellular organelles, and closely examine their biogenic and degradative pathways. Next, students learn cell signaling pathways and mechanisms controlling mitosis, meiosis, and cytokinesis that account for inherited traits. Studies of the molecular basis of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions provide students with better understanding of tissue stability and function. Modern perspectives regarding stem and cancer cell biology are explored, along with new cell-based therapeutic strategies.

PREREQUISITE: BMB 401