Molecular Biosciences Courses

Introduction to research practices; supervised individual undergraduate research in biochemistry. Six to ten laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be taken for a letter grade no more than twice. No more than six semester hours may be counted toward a degree in biochemistry. May be repeated for credit.

BCH 215T: BIOTECHNOLOGY SKILL UP

Explore recent development and research methods in biotechnology and biomanufacturing. Restricted enrollment; contact the department for permission to register for this class. Course number may be repeated for credit when the topics vary. This class is taught in May.

BCH 219L: INTRO BIOCHM LAB PRACTS/SKILLS

Restricted to biochemistry majors. Explore basic skills used by biochemists and an introduction to future career options. Examine basic biochemical concepts and laboratory, computational, and professional skills. Prerequisite: Biology 311D and Chemistry 302 with a grade of at least C- and credit or registration for Chemistry 204. Partially taught as a Web-based course.

BCH 339F: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOCHEMISTRY

Restricted to biochemistry majors. Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides; structure and function of proteins. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biochemistry 339F, 369, Biology 337 (Topic: Foundations of Biochemistry), Chemistry 339K, 369. Prerequisite: One of the following with a grade of at least C-: Chemistry 310M, 318M, 320M, or 328M.

BCH 339JL CHEMICAL & SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

Designed for students pursuing pharmaceutical and biotechnology careers. Topics include enzymatic reaction mechanisms and how they can be manipulated using tools from both chemistry and molecular biology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biochemistry 339J, Chemistry 339J, Systems and Synthetic Biology 339J. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 339F or Chemistry 339K with a grade of at least C-.

BCH 339M: STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF MOLECULAR MACHINES

Function of proteins and protein complexes as machines in the cell, including the interaction of proteins with nucleic acids, synthesis of proteins, and degradation of proteins. Three lecture hours per week for one semester. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 339F or Chemistry 339K with a grade of at least C-.

BCH 339N: SYSTEMS BIOLOGY & BIOINFORMATICS

Restricted to biochemistry majors. Understanding how the cell works as a system with emphasis on the methods used to gather and analyze data and develop/test models of systems level data. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biochemistry 339N, 350, Biology 337 (Topic: Quantitative Analysis of Cellular and Molecular Biology), Chemical Engineering 337, 379 (Topic: Quantitative Analysis of Cellular and Molecular Biology), 381Q. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 339F or Chemistry 339K with a grade of at least C-.

BCH 364C: BIOINFORMATICS

*MEETS WITH GRADUATE COURSE WHEN OFFERED

Restricted to biochemistry majors. Subjects include physical methods for the study of macromolecules, chemistry of proteins, enzyme chemistry, regulatory mechanisms for gene expression, and protein-nucleic acid interactions. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biochemistry 364C, Chemistry 364C, Systems and Synthetic Biology 364C. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 339F or Chemistry 339K with a grade of at least B, and consent of instructor.

BCH 364E: SYSTEMS BIOLOGY

*MEETS WITH GRADUATE COURSE WHEN OFFERED

Restricted to biochemistry majors. Survey of current high-throughput technologies and computational methods for generating data and integrating information at all levels of biological organization. Emphasis on how hypotheses can be generated and tested with these techniques to better understand how model organisms function and evolve. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biochemistry 364E and Chemistry 364E may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 339 or Chemistry 339K with a grade of at least B, and consent of instructor

BCH 364F: BIOCHEMISTRY OF ASTROBIOLOGY

Restricted to biochemistry majors. An overview of the science used in the search for extraterrestrial life, life origins, earth history, evolution, metabolism of extremophiles, biochemistry, and astronomy. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biochemistry 364F and Chemistry 364F may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 339F or Chemistry 339K with a grade of at least B, or consent of instructor.

BCH 365D: STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF PROTEINS & NUCLEIC ACIDS

*MEETS WITH GRADUATE COURSE WHEN OFFERED

Restricted to biochemistry majors. Exploration of the structures and functions of proteins and nucleic acids, utilizing quantitative methods to evaluate the roles of structural features in function, and developing new ways of thinking about the dynamics of macromolecules. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biochemistry 365D and Chemistry 365D may not both be counted. Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least B: Biochemistry 339F or Chemistry 339K, Biochemistry 370 or Chemistry 370, and consent of instructor.

BCH 369: FUNDAMENTAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY (NON-MAJORS)

The basics of protein structure and function, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and molecular biology of macromolecules. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biochemistry 339F, 369, Biology 337 (Topic: Foundations of Biochemistry), Chemistry 339K, 369. May not be counted toward a degree in biochemistry. Prerequisite: One of the following with a grade of at least C-: Chemistry 310M, 318M, 320M, or 328M.

BCH 369K: TECHNIQUES OF RESEARCH (INDEPENDENT RESEARCH)

Advanced laboratory practice and introduction to research. One lecture hour and six laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be taken for a letter grade no more than twice. No more than six semester hours may be counted toward a degree in biochemistry. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Six semester hours of upper-division coursework in biochemistry or chemistry, or five semester hours of coursework in organic chemistry, or consent of the undergraduate faculty adviser in biochemistry.

BCH 369L: BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY

An introduction to modern fundamental techniques of biochemistry. Two lecture hours and seven laboratory hours a week for one semester. Biochemistry 369L and Chemistry 369L may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 339F or Chemistry 339K with a grade of at least C-.

BCH 369T: BIOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY

Advanced techniques in biotechnology. Nine laboratory hours a week for one semester. Biochemistry 369T and Chemistry 369T may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

BCH 370: PHYSICAL METHODS FOR BIOCHEMISTRY

Theory of electrophoresis, ultracentrifugation, spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and diffraction as applied to biological macromolecules. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biochemistry 370 and Chemistry 370 may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 339F or Chemistry 339K with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 160L: IMMUNOLOGY LABORATORY

Current techniques in experimental cellular and humoral immunology. Three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Science 311.

MBS 226L: GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY

Introduction to microbiology laboratory techniques and experimental demonstration of principles of microbiology. One lecture and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Biology 326M or 326R.

MBS 230L: VIROLOGY LABORATORY

Basic experimental techniques applied to selected bacteriophages and animal viruses. Four laboratory hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Biology 226L with a grade of at least C-, and credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Biology 330.

MBS 320: CELL BIOLOGY

Principles of eukaryotic cell structure and function; macromolecules, membranes, organelles, cytoskeleton, signaling, cell division, differentiation, motility, and experimental methodologies. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 320L: CELL BIOLOGY LABORATORY

Explores the complex structures and functions of cells through direct observation and experimentation. Subjects may include regulation of gene transcription and translation, protein sorting, organelles and membrane trafficking, cytoskeletal dynamics, and cell division. Students use a combination of modern molecular biology, biochemistry, and microscopy techniques, with a strong emphasis placed on hypothesis-driven approaches, proper experimental design, and clear scientific writing and presentation. One lecture hour and five laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Sciences 311; and credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Biology 320.

MBS 323L: LABORATORY STUDIES IN CELL BIOLOGY

Research exercises involving light/electron microscopy, image processing, autoradiography, chromatography, fractionation, flow cytometry, spectroscopy, diffraction, antibody labeling, cell growth, and kinetics. One lecture hour and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Sciences 311; and credit or registration for Biology 320.

MBS 326M: INTRODUCTORY MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY

Designed primarily for nursing and prepharmacy students. Overview of the structure, function, and genetics of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, with emphasis on the interactions between micro-organisms and the human host. Includes principles of microbial pathogenesis, the host's innate and adaptive immune responses to infection, epidemiology, laboratory diagnosis, and antimicrobial chemotherapy and vaccines. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Biology 311C; Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-; Chemistry 301 with a grade of at least C-; and one of the following with a grade of at least C-: Mathematics 408C, 408K, 408N, 408R, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302.

MBS 326R: GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY

Overview of the major areas of microbiological study, including cell structure and function, genetics, host-microbe interactions, physiology, ecology, diversity, and virology. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Biology 325 or 325H, and Chemistry 302 or 302H with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 372E: EPIGENETICS

A study of epigenetic modifications, the covalent modifications of DNA or histones that cause changes in gene expression. Particular attention is given to how experience or environmental factors epigenetically modify health or behavior in animals. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 327E and 337 (Topic: Epigenetics) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 327G: GENOMICS

Genome structure, organization, and function of model organisms; theory and methodology of genetic and physical mapping; sequencing analysis and annotation; genome duplication and evolution; and ethics for biotechnology and cloning. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 327G and 337 (Topic: Genomics) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 328: INTRODUCTORY PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

General principles of the mineral nutrition, water relations, metabolic activities, growth and development of green plants. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-, and Chemistry 302 or 302H.

MBS 330: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF ANIMAL VIRUSES

Mechanisms by which viruses replicate and kill or transform cells. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H, and 326M or 326R with a grade of at least C- in each.

MBS 331L: LABORATORY STUDIES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

The methods and principles of molecular biology in a research laboratory context. Students conduct a research project directed by a faculty member. One lecture hour and four and one-half laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Sciences 311.

MBS 335: INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Microorganisms in chemical and biochemical synthesis; genetic manipulation of cells by classical and recombinant DNA techniques. Enzyme technology; design of bioreactors and microbial fermentations; separations of biological products. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 335, Biomedical Engineering 339, Chemical Engineering 339, 379 (Topic: Introduction to Biochemical Engineering). Prerequisite: Biochemistry 339F (or Chemistry 339K) or 369 (or Chemistry 369), and Biology 311C with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 336: TUMOR BIOLOGY

Covers core aspects of cancer pathology, treatment, epidemiology, the discovery of oncogenes and tumor suppressors, and the molecular genetics underlying the characteristic features of malignant tumors (including metastatic behavior, genomic instability, angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis). Strong emphasis on the biochemical functions of cancer-related proteins and enzymes and therapeutic approaches based on our understanding of these proteins. Important experimental approaches that have influenced our current understanding of cancer will also be stressed. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 336 and 391M may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-, and Biology 330 or 360K with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 339: METABOLISM AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF MICROORGANISMS

A study of the metabolic processes of microorganisms, using a biochemical approach. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 339 and 391R may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biology 326R with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 344: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Molecular basis of cellular processes: gene structure and function, DNA replication, RNA and protein synthesis, viruses, molecular aspects of immunology and cancer, and recombinant DNA. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 349: DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

Principles of animal development, with emphasis on developmental mechanisms. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 349L: EXPERIMENTS IN DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

An investigation of methods and principles of developmental biology in a laboratory context, with emphasis on animal embryology using molecular techniques and microscopy. One lecture hour and six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Science 311; and credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Biology 349.

MBS 350M: PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Fundamentals of plant molecular biology, including structure and expression of the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 350M and 388M may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 354C: CELL BIOLOGY OF HUMAN BIRTH DEFECTS

Explores the link between basic cell biology, human genetics, and human birth defects using current scientific literature exposing students to critical thinking and the scientific method, as well as the application of these tools to the study of biology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 337 (Topic: Developing Biology) and Biology 354C may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biology 349 with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 360K: IMMUNOLOGY

The basic concepts of humoral and cell-associated immune phenomena. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 326R or 326M.

MBS 360M: MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY

An advanced immunology course with an emphasis on molecular models and medical relevance. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 337 (Topic: Molecular Immunology) and 360M may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-, and Biology 360K with a grade of at least B-.

MBS 361: HUMAN INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and immunobiology of the major microbial diseases, with emphasis on their prevention. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 326M or 326R with a grade of at least C- in each.

MBS 361L: CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY LAB

Training in techniques required for independent work in diagnostic and epidemiological bacteriology. Two lecture hours and five laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C- in each: Biology 325 or 325H; 226L; and 326R or 326M.

MBS 366: MICROBIAL GENETICS

Molecular biology of nucleic acids; biosynthesis of macromolecules, transfer of genetic material from cell to cell, recombination, mutagenesis, and regulatory mechanisms. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 366 and 391S may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-, and Biology 326R with a grade of at least C-.

MBS 366R: MOLECULAR GENETICS IN MEDICINE

Implementation of molecular genetics techniques in medicine. Includes application of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for several genetic disorders and infectious diseases. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.