Graduate Course Offerings

Core Curriculum

GRADUATE GENETICS BGE 510, SPRING
This course investigates the fundamental aspects of the transmission and expression of genetic information in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. The course is organized so as to help students appreciate the breadth of genetics research while also gaining an in-depth understanding of selected important topics. Lectures are given by many different faculty, who address their own areas of interest and expertise. Students explore the use of both classical and molecular genetic approaches to understand biological processes in genetics model systems including yeast, flies, worms, mice, and man.

MOLECULAR GENETICS MCB/HBM 503, FALL
This course provides an introduction to the classical work and current developments in lower and higher genetics systems. Gene structure and regulation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, mutational analysis and mapping, transposable elements, and biological DNA transfer mechanisms are all addressed. Bacteriophage, as well as lower and higher eukaryotic systems, are used to illustrate aspects of molecular genetic structure and function.

GRADUATE BIOCHEMISTRY MCB 520, FALL
Several topics in modern biochemistry are treated at an advanced level. Topics covered include protein structure, methods of peptide and protein analysis and purification, enzyme kinetics and mechanisms, and enzyme regulation.

CELL BIOLOGY MCB 656, SPRING
An introduction to the structural and functional organization of cells and tissues and to the way structure relates to function. Particular emphasis is placed on nuclear and chromosomal structure, signal transduction, protein translocation, the cytoskeleton, and the extracellular matrix. The interaction of the cellular structures and components and their regulation is stressed as is the organization and interaction of cells in tissues. The course is comparative and includes examples of cells and tissues from vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and prokaryotic systems.

Examples of Elective Courses
This is only a sample of the courses available to you as electives. If you would like to enroll in another university course that is not listed, please contact the Program Director, for approval.

BIOLOGICAL CLOCKS HBA 536, SPRING
A consideration of the temporal dimension of biological organization and of periodic phenomena that are a basic property of living systems. Topics include a survey of circadian rhythms; the influence of light, temperature, and chemicals; use of the clock for adaptation to diurnal, tidal, and lunal cycles for direction finding (homing and orientation) and for day length measurement (photperiodism); chronopathology and chronopharmacology; aging and life cycle clocks; possible molecular mechanisms of the clock.

PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT MCB 657, FALL
This course deals with developing systems at all levels from the morphological to the molecular. Illustrative material from both animal and plant kingdoms is used. Special attention is given to gametogenesis, genetic control of early development, transcriptional, and translational control of protein synthesis, the role of cell division and cell movements, and cell-to-cell interactions in defining developing systems.

PRINCIPLES OF EVOLUTION BEE 551
This course studies biological evolution, including the genetics of populations, speciation, evolution of higher taxa, and the fossil record.

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY BNB 579, SPRING
An introduction to the development of the nervous system. Topics include neuroembryology, neuronal differentiation, synapse formation, and specificity and plasticity of connections in vertebrates and invertebrates.

BIOLOGY OF CANCER HBM 522, SPRING, Alternate years
A short course with the emphasis on cancer as a disease of man. Lectures address human cancer as seen by the clinician and as basic research relates to human disease. This course provides students with a link between courses in cell and molecular biology and the application of this basic information to tumor management.

MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS HBM 640, FALL
This course covers the molecular mechanisms of a selected group of important viral and bacterial pathogens. It also focuses on the principles of microbial pathogenesis as illustrated by the best understood viral and bacterial pathogens.


IMMUNOLOGY HBP 533, FALL
Principles of immunology for graduate students in the biological sciences including the definition of antigens and antibodies, the specificity of the immune response, serological quantitation of proteins and hormones, immunoglobulin structure, the genetics of immunoglobulin synthesis, cellular cooperation in the immune response, hypersensitivity, tolerance, and transplantation.

PROPOSAL PREPARATION IN REGULATORY BIOLOGY HBH 560, SPRING, EVEN YEARS
A literature-based course that focuses on major research areas in molecular and biochemical pharmacology. The first part of the course exposes students to a series of recent grant proposals. The second part of the course features student presentations of their research proposals.

Non-Lecture Courses
LABORATORY ROTATION BGE 530, FALL AND SPRING
The student rotates through the laboratories of three or four different Genetics faculty members during the first year. The selection of the laboratories is made by the student in conjunction with individual program faculty and with the approval of the Program Director. By taking part in ongoing projects, the student will learn experimental procedures and techniques and become acquainted with research opportunities in the participating laboratories.

GRADUATE STUDENT SEMINAR IN GENETICS BGE 531, FALL AND SPRING
Students have the opportunity to present their research to other students and faculty in the program on an annual basis. Students in their first or second years will present brief seminars as part of a one-day symposium with all of their classmates. Advanced students present research seminars as part of a weekly research seminar series attended by program faculty and students. Although the first- and second-year students do not present in this weekly seminar series, they should attend these seminars as it provides an excellent mechanism for learning about current areas of research interest.

READINGS IN GENETICS BGE 691, FALL AND SPRING
Readings in Genetics literature and ethical questions.

GRADUATE RESEARCH BGE 599 FALL AND SPRING
Original investigation undertaken with the supervision of a member of the program.

DISSERTATION RESEARCH BGE 699, FALL AND SPRING
Original investigations undertaken as part of the Ph.D.
program under supervision of a member of the program.

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