Biological Sciences Course Descriptions
Advanced Cell Biology, BS761
This course is designed to give the student a working
knowledge of the most recent advances in "hot" topics in
cell biology through critical analysis of current literature.
(Prerequisite: one semester of cell biology, biochemistry,
or genetics, or permission of instructor)
Cell Biology Methods, BS763
This course covers the theory of methodologies and
techniques commonly used in modern cell biology and
biochemistry laboratory settings. Each student will be
required to develop an understanding of the theory and
current practice of separations and analysis of biochemical
and cellular systems, including SDS-PAGE, affinity chromatography,
HPLC analysis, cell manipulation, ELISAs, and
fluorescence microscopy.
(Prerequisites: one semester each
of cell biology and biochemistry, or permission of instructor)
Biotechnology, BS764
This is an in-depth study of the techniques and applications
of recombinant DNA technology with emphasis on current
literature. Students will learn techniques of recombinant
DNA technology, develop an understanding of biotechnology
industry product development, and examine ethical issues
concerning biotechnology.
(Prerequisites: one semester each
of genetics and biochemistry, or permission of instructor)
Biotechnology Laboratory, BS765
This laboratory course will provide students the opportunity
to gain hands-on experience in recombinant DNA technology,
experiment design principles, and data analysis.
(Pre- or
corequisites: BS764 and permission of instructor)
Cell Biology Methods Laboratory, BS767
This laboratory course provides practice in methodologies
found in a cell biology or biochemistry laboratory environment.
Typical projects may include extraction and analysis
of proteins, enzyme purification and characterization, pulse
field gel electrophoresis of DNA, densitometric analysis of
gels, ELISA analysis, and fluorescence microscopy of cellular
components. The course is designed to be the laboratory
portion of Cell Biology Methods, BS763.
(Prerequisites:
one semester each of cell biology and biochemistry, or
permission of instructor)
Introduction to Research, BS785
This course is designed for students who are beginning the
research phase of the thesis project or who are attempting
to decide between the thesis and nonthesis options. It
consists of at least two rotations in the laboratories of
department faculty.
(Prerequisites: satisfactory completion
of program prerequisites and permission of the faculty
mentors and the program director)
Master's Research, BS799
Candidates for the master of science in cell biology and
biotechnology (thesis option) are required to complete a
research project under the direction of an advisor chosen
from within the department.
(Prerequisite: permission of
research advisor)
Graduate Seminar, BS898
This course is designed to allow in-depth exploration of
one of a variety of topics of current interest in the field. The
general topic will be designated by the instructor. A variety
of formats may be used, including lecture, presentations,
papers, and discussion. PhD students will take this course twice.
(Prerequisite: permission of instructor)
Statistics for Research, ST704
This class covers research, data structure, and distributions. The normal distribution, probability concepts, meaning of statistical inferences, measure of central tendencies, variance, standard error, hypothesis testing, confidence limits, tests of significance, paired and un-paired t-test, analysis of variance, multiple comparisons, concepts in design experiments, analysis of enumeration data, chi-square tests, non-parametric tests, and statistical packages will be discussed. (ST301 and ST702 are acceptable as alternative courses in statistics)
Bioinformatics I (Genomics), BI450
This upper-level undergraduate or graduate elective course is designed to introduce students to the field of bioinformatics and genomics. An examination of the genomic organization of viral, bacterial, plant, animal, and the human organism will be performed. The central role of bioinformatics in managing and mining the vast amounts of biological information generated from the genome projects will be emphasized. This course is designed to be project-oriented with hands-on experience using DNA/protein analysis software and molecular databases a major objective.
Bioinformatics II (Methods and Applications), BI451
The second semester of the introductory bioinformatics
sequence will focus on the application and integration of
software tools to solve practical problems in bioinformatics.
Students will be introduced to the PERL programming
language; to database design, with emphasis on SQL (structured
query language) and the ORACLE database language;
and to Web-based software development using HTML/CGI
and other tools to interface to bioinformatics applications.
(Prerequisites: CS202, BS290, and BI450)
Animal Developmental Biology, BS704
This course provides an analysis of the basic phenomena
and patterns of animal development from fertilization
through the formation of the major organs. The students
will use current literature to develop an understanding of
the cellular and molecular processes that regulate animal
embryonic development.
(Prerequisites: genetics and cell
biology, or permission of instructor)
Neuromuscular Physiology, BS716
This course provides an analysis of the development and
physiology of the motor and sensory portions of the nervous
system and of muscular contraction.
(Prerequisite: permission
of instructor)
Chemotaxonomy, BS722
Contemporary concepts of classification of plants in
"chemical families" and the relationship of new classification
systems to classical taxonomy are covered in this course.
(Prerequisite: permission of instructor)
Plant Biochemistry, BS724
This course covers the biosynthetic mechanisms of the plant
and biogenesis of alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, volatile oils,
tannins, flavonoids, and other plant principles.
(Prerequisite:
one semester of biochemistry or permission of instructor)
Advanced Pharmacognosy, BS736
This course builds on information provided in Pharmacognosy,
BS336. A combination of lecture and "journal club" format
will be used, which will relate current literature to the lecture
themes. Each student will be responsible for preparing a
written and oral mini-review of the literature on a topic related
to the current state of knowledge in pharmacognosy.
(Prerequisite: permission of instructor)
Virology, BS750
The focus of the course will be the study of bacteria and
plant and animal viruses with an emphasis on viral genetics
and animal virology. Students will develop an understanding
of virion structure, viral taxonomy, mechanisms of viral
reproduction and replication, the pathology of selected
viral families, and the nature of the viral/host relationship.
(Prerequisite: one semester of biochemistry or permission
of instructor)
Advanced Immunology, BS752
The principles of immunology will be presented with
emphasis on cellular and molecular interactions. The genetic
factors that govern immune mechanisms will be described.
Application of immunological principles to tissue implantation,
hypersensitivity, tumor development and therapy,
AIDS, psycho-neuro influences on the immune system, and
aging will be discussed.
(Prerequisites: one semester each
of microbiology, genetics, and biochemistry, or permission
of instructor)
Biochemical Genetics, BS768
Topics of current interest in molecular biology and
molecular genetics are explored using the current literature.
(Prerequisites: one semester each of genetics and
biochemistry, or permission of instructor)
Project in Cell Biology and Biotechnology, BS790
Graduate students in the non-thesis option may perform
a graduate-level project under the direction of a mentor.
The project must include a comprehensive literature search,
an analysis of data, and a written paper.
(Prerequisites:
completion of 9 graduate didactic hours and permission of
graduate advisor and program director)
Cellular Plant Development, BS826
This course will cover the principles of the development
of plants at the molecular and cellular levels. Using current
literature, the course will emphasize plant development
in relation to hormone interactions, reproduction, and the
plant genome.
(Prerequisites: at least one semester each
of biochemistry, physiology, and genetics, or the permission
of instructor)
Special Topics in Cell Biology and Biotechnology, BS860
This course is designed to allow in-depth exploration
of one of a variety of topics of current interest in the field.
The general topic will be designated by the instructor.
A variety of formats may be used, including lecture, presentations,
papers, and discussion.
(Prerequisite: permission
of program director)
Biological Membranes, BS862
This course is designed to provide an in-depth analysis of
the structure, synthesis, and function of cellular membranes
with emphasis on the current literature.
(Prerequisites: one
semester each of cell biology and biochemistry, or permission
of instructor)
