Biosciences (BIOS)

College of Arts and Sciences

701 Biochemical Systematics (3:0:0). Prerequisites: General biochemistry. Introduces students to the biochemical systems now in use to investigate complex, multicomponent, dynamic functions of cellular systems. Readings include articles from the current literature in the molecular biosciences. The application of molecular techniques within biosciences is now universal, and the underlying questions of the course are what is the structure of a cell and how does it function.

702 Research Methods (3:0:0). Prerequisite: Admission to the Ph.D. program in biosciences. Trains students in research methodologies, techniques, and data analysis in life sciences. The course is divided into three modules, which introduce separate but equally significant components of any research project. The first focuses on parameters required to outlining and synthesizing a problem, the second covers techniques of measurement and analysis used by life scientists, and the third covers approaches used for data analysis and interpretations.

703 Laboratory Rotation (1:0:4). Prerequisite: Admission to the Ph.D. program in biosciences. Intensive introduction to a research laboratory in the biosciences. Students read background material pertinent to the problem under study, learn and practice research methods of the laboratory, and formulate a short final project, which may be a proposal or an actual project, demonstrating some mastery of the techniques and approaches employed.

704 Topics in Biosciences (1:1:0). Prerequisite: Admission to the Ph.D. program in biosciences. Required of all students during each semester prior to advancement to candidacy. Combines invited seminars from faculty (both internal and external) with graduate student seminars. Presentation at a seminar is a requirement for advancement to candidacy, generally given in the last semester before candidacy. Includes a discussion section lead by the course coordinator.

710 Planetary Sciences for Astrobiologists (3:3:0). Covers the processes and events that have played a central role in the origin and evolution of the solar system with special emphasis on the terrestrial planets, the unique history of earth, and how it has evolved into a habitable world.

711 Biology for Astrobiologists (3:3:0). Introductory course to astrobiology designed to provide students in the concentration with a common understanding of the principles of biology and microbiology, an overview of microbial survival and physiological adaptations, and how these relate to the search for life on other planets.

713 Seminar in Astrobiology and Ethics (1:1:0). Required of all students in the astrobiology concentration in the Ph.D. in biosciences. Guides students to consider and evaluate the ethical questions involved in the search for life on other planets, what it means to life on Earth, and what it means to them personally.

715 Astrochemistry (3:3:0). Prerequisite: BIOS 710 and 711.Introduces students to the unique aspects of the chemistry of interstellar space, proto-stellar nebulae, and primitive solar system objects. Emphasis on identifying the physical conditions in various objects, time scales for physical and chemical change, chemical processes leading to change, observational constraints and models that attempt to describe the chemical state, and history of astronomical objects in the early solar system.

719 Extremophiles (5:3:2). An in-depth study of microorganisms, their survival and adaptation mechanisms, physiology, and genetics in environments usually considered extreme. Environments to be studied include high-pressure, hypersaline waters, thermophilic and hyperthermophilic temperatures, extreme dry and psychrophillic conditions. Includes a laboratory in which the students isolate and identify extemophiles from selected environments.

721 Cellular Neuroscience (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Admission to the Ph.D. program in biosciences or permission of instructor. Detailed overview of the functioning and inter actions of the cellular elements of the central nervous system. Topics include structure and function relationships, the chemical and physical and electrical basis of neural signaling, local versus long-distance signaling, functional consequences of variations in the typical action potential, and essentials of synaptic conduction.

723 Developmental Neurobiology (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Admission to the Ph.D. program in biosciences or permission of instructor. Detailed summary of the development of the mammalian central nervous system. Topics include genetic determinants of expression; growth processes and stages of growth of individual neurons; chemical and tactile trophic cues; controls over patterning of CNS growth, formation, and maintenance of connections; molecular controls for elaboration of cell processes; activity-dependent growth and connectivity; the role of regressive events such as cell death; hormonal influences on development; developmental plasticity, actions and mechanisms of CNS mutagens; developmental anomalies underlying pathological states; and the aging brain. Students develop a thorough knowledge of current literature.

740 Laboratory Methods in Functional Genomics and Biotechnology (3:1:6). Prerequisite: Admission to the Ph.D. program in biosciences or permission of instructor.Current laboratory techniques in molecular biology and genomics, including nucleic acid isolation, gene cloning and sequencing, gel blot analysis, PCR, in vitro mutagenesis, theory and practice of DNA microarray analysis of gene expression. Topics may vary from year to year depending on advances in the field.

741 Genomics (3:3:0). Prerequisites: At least one undergraduate course in genetics and in molecular biology, or permission of instructor. Genetic structure and function at the whole genome level. Includes some sequence analysis, comparative genomics, classical genetics, and developmental genetics, as well as analysis of synteny groups, isochores, gene families, genetic complexity, the C value paradox, directed discovery of gene functions, and animal models of human disease. Readings are taken both from recent texts and from the primary research literature. Students are expected to give one or two oral presentations of primary research papers, as well as completing midterm and final examinations.

742 Biotechnology (3:0:0). Prerequisites: Undergraduate course work in genetics and molecular biology. Theory and applications of biotechnology. Includes promoter design, gene fusions, protein targeting, techniques of protein purification, construction of transgenic organisms, cloning of animals and plants, ethical and legal issues. This is a relatively new area of study that is rapidly changing, and the course strives to keep students abreast of the current literature.

744 Molecular Genetics (3:3:0). Prerequisites: Undergraduate course work including BIOL 311, CHEM 313, 314, 315 and 318 (or equivalents), or permission of instructor. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the principles of modern molecular genetics and methods of investigation of genomes of pro- and eukaryotes, including an understanding of the types of genetic manipulations that are carried out in research laboratories today.

760 Seminar in Molecular Systematics (1-3:1-3:0). A seminar with presentations and discussion by students and faculty of research papers and projects.

762 Phylogenetic Analysis (4:3:3). A consideration of molecular systematics techniques in biology, especially cladistics and phenetics methods. Species concepts, biological nomenclature and classifications will also be discussed. Laboratory will emphasize phylogenetic methods using online sources of comparative data.

765 Molecular Systematics (3:3:0). Comparative evolutionary techniques applied to molecular data. Use of molecular techniques, molecular, databases, and analytical techniques will be covered.

767 Molecular Evolution (3:3:0). A review of the diversity and organization of genomes and evolutionary processes that operate at the molecular level. Emphasis will be placed on processes of molecular evolution and techniques used to analyze these processes.

780 Bioethics Foundations I (3:3:0). This foundations course is designed for students without prior background in ethics and intends to ground students in fundamental ethical theory and reasoning using lecture and case study format. Involves an interplay between theory and cases, drawing on classical and emergent theories of ethics; religious and international perspectives, and contemporary application.

781 Bioethics Foundations II: Management and Policy (3:3:0). Prerequisite: BIOS 780. Overview of legislative, organizational, and legal frameworks within which bioethics takes place. The goal is to improve effectiveness within the legal and organizational setting and covers three modules: the health care system, the legislative process, and management. Includes theories of decision making, negotiation, leadership, and managerial skill building. Seminar format requiring a research project.

782 Interdisciplinary Issues in Bioethics: Law and Policy (3:3:0). Brings together diverse participants in the bioethics arena from biocommerce, law, policy, science, and medicine. In a format designed to provide discussion and speakers, debated are such legal issues as personhood, ownership of genomic information and privacy; policy concerns germane to genomics; business issues such as venture capital and biocommerce management. Lecture discussion with guest speakers.

783 Interdisciplinary Research Methods in Bioethics (3:3:0). Prerequisite: BIOS 780 and 781, or permission of instructor. Provides analysis of research methodology used in bioethics to advance students' research and analytical skills. Covers pertinent quantitative and qualitative methods, legal research methods, and policy analysis. Aims to teach students the logic used by bioethics participants and to discern between good and faulty research methods. Lecture and discussion. Research project required.

787 Literature of Astrobiology I: Earth as an Environment for Life's Origin (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Science degree or permission of the instructor. Explores the diverse and growing primary literature of astrobiology with an emphasis on prebiotic physical and chemical environment of the early Earth, the setting for life's origin.

788 Literature of Astrobiology II: The Emergence of Life on Earth (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Science degree or permission of the instructor. Considers the primary literature of origin of life research with consideration of both the "bottom up" chemical processes of synthesis and mo lecular organization, and the "top-down" study of fossil and living organisms.

880 Capstone Seminar in Bioethics (3:3:0). Prerequisite: BIOS 780, 781 and 783 or permission of instructor. Student-led seminars in selected topic areas, providing students with an in-class laboratory for presenting bioethics issues. Students will research a topic, select and provide substantial readings for the class, present and discuss the topic using a variety of media and pedagogical tools. Serves to provide an experience in both teaching and debate. Students are peer-reviewed and graded on the basis of creativity as well as the depth of their presentations and capability to generate discussion and debate and articulate divergent points of view.

898 Directed studies in Biosciences (1-12:0:0). Prerequisite: Permission of research advisor. Studies of specialized topics in biosciences. Specific arrangements for designing the scope and area of study to be determined in consultation with the instructor. May involve literature searches and review, workshops, or tutorials.

899 Directed Research in Biosciences (1-12:0:0). Prerequisite: Permission of research advisor. Research on a pertinent topic in biosciences. The scope and subject of research to be determined by the instructor.

998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (1-6:0:0). Prerequisite: Permission of research advisor. Research and writing of a research proposal for the doctoral dissertation. Graded S/NC.

999 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-24:0:0). Prerequisite: Approved dissertation proposal. Research in the concentration pertinent to students' program of study. A maximum of 24 credits can be applied toward their degree. Graded S/NC.