701 Biochemical Systematics (3:3:0) Prerequisites: general biochemistry. Introduces biochemical systems to investigate complex, multicomponent, dynamic functions of cellular systems. Readings include articles from current literature in molecular biosciences. Application of molecular techniques within biosciences is now universal, and underlying questions is, “What is the structure of a cell, and how does it function?”
702 Research Methods (3:0:0) Prerequisite: admission to PhD program in biosciences. Trains students in research methodologies, techniques, and data analysis in life sciences. Divided into three modules that introduce separate but equally significant components of any research project: parameters required to outline and synthesize a problem, techniques of measurement and analysis used by life scientists, and approaches for data analysis and interpretations.
703 Laboratory Rotation (1:0:4) Prerequisite: admission to PhD program in biosciences. Intensive introduction to research laboratory in biosciences. Students read background material pertinent to problem under study, learn and practice research methods of laboratory, and formulate short final project that may be proposal or actual project, demonstrating some mastery of techniques and approaches employed. Should be repeated three times (except by permission of concentration director).
704 Topics in Biosciences (1:1:0) Prerequisite: admission to PhD program in biosciences. Required of all students during each semester prior to advancement to candidacy. Combines invited seminars from internal and external faculty with graduate student seminars. Seminar presentation required for advancement to candidacy, generally given in last semester before candidacy. Includes discussion section led by course coordinator. Should be repeated three times (except by permission of concentration director).
710 Current Topics in Bioscience (1–3:1–3:0). Prerequisite: admission to biosciences PhD or biology MS program. Studies current topic in biosciences. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with permission of concentration director.
740 Laboratory Methods in Functional Genomics and Biotechnology (3:2:3) Prerequisite: admission to PhD 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, and theory and practice of DNA microarray analysis of gene expression. Topics may vary from year to year depending on advances in field.
741 Genomics (3:3:0) Prerequisites: at least one undergraduate course in genetics and molecular biology, or permission of instructor. Genetic structure and function at 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, C value paradox, directed discovery of gene functions, and animal models of human disease. Readings from recent texts and primary research literature. Students expected to give one or two oral presentations of primary research papers, as well as complete midterm and final exams.
742 Biotechnology (3:3:0) 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; course strives to keep students abreast of current literature.
743 Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics (3:3:0). Prerequisite: admission to biosciences PhD or biology MS program. Fundamental methods for analyzing genomic and proteomic data, including nucleic acid and protein sequences, pair-wise and multiple alignment, database search methods, clustering and presentation of data, prediction modeling, and survey of available software and freeware tools.
744 Molecular Genetics (3:3:0) Prerequisites: undergraduate course work including BIOL 311; CHEM 313, 314, 315, and 318; equivalents; or permission of instructor. Develops understanding of principles of modern molecular genetics and methods of investigation of genomes of pro- and eukaryotes, including types of genetic manipulations conducted in research laboratories today.
760 Seminar in Molecular Systematics (1–3:1–3:0) Presentations and discussion by students and faculty of research papers and projects.
761 Dispersal Patterns of Biological Agents (3:3:0). Prerequisites: admission to biosciences PhD or biology MS program, and permission of instructor. Introduces military and terrorist methods of dispersal patterns. Covers physics of aerosols, engineering and mechanics of building ventilation systems, and mechanical dissemination including hand-held, automatic, vehicle, and truck-mounted systems. Also covers viability of specific agents involved.
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.
898 Directed Studies in Biosciences (1–12:0:0) Prerequisite: permission of research advisor. Studies of specialized topics in biosciences. Specific arrangements for designing scope and area of study to be determined in consultation with 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. Scope and subject of research to be determined by instructor.
998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (1–6:0:0) Prerequisite: permission of research advisor. Research and writing of research proposal for doctoral dissertation. Graded S/NC.
999 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1–24:0:0) Prerequisite: approved dissertation proposal. Research in concentration pertinent to students’ program of study. Maximum of 24 credits can be applied toward degree. Graded S/NC.