In-depth analysis of DNA structure and replication, RNA synthesis and processing, protein synthesis, enzyme function and mechanism, protein structure, protein dynamics, and physical chemistry of macromolecules. Intended as a comprehensive treatment of areas central to modern biochemistry for entering graduate students.
Advanced discussion of topics in scientific ethics, including requirements for responsible conduct of research, case histories of fraud, research misconduct, ethical misconduct, and development of professional values and ethical standards.
Detailed consideration of contemporary topics in biochemistry, including protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary), methods of structure determination and prediction, protein folding (kinetics, thermodynamics, denaturation, and renaturation), and protein dynamics (internal motions and methods of analysis).
Discusses techniques used to determine structure, function, and dynamics of macromolecules, including optical spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, diffraction, and scanning microscopy. Approved for credit toward molecular biophysics certificate.
Discuss recent literature concerning biophysical studies of macromolecular structure and mechanism, including DNA, RNA, proteins, and their interactions. Approved for credit toward Molecular Biophysics Certificate.
Advanced discussion of current research and literature in signal transduction, including ligands, receptors, and intracellular signaling pathways, as well as control on transcription, chromatin structure, DNA replication, mitosis, and cell cycle progression.
Advanced discussion of current methods in protein sequencing, sequence analysis, and posttranslational modifications, emphasizing techniques of mass spectrometry, use of protein databases, sequence alignment and motifs, structure prediction, and modeling of signaling pathways.
In depth lectures and discussions on a variety of topics in the area of cell structure and function. The specific topics covered are chosen from current literature each year by the faculty teaching the course.
In depth lectures and discussions on a variety of topics in the area of gene expression. The specific topics covered are chosen from current literature each year by the faculty teaching the course.
Introduces several cell signaling processes and their biological functions. Students read and analyze original research articles to learn the thinking processes of scientific research. Writing assignments and oral presentations are required.
Focuses on manifestations of regulated gene expression as seen in sex determination, viral pathogenesis, cancer, and other human diseases. Studies gene regulation at multiple steps, i.e., transcription, RNA processing, and translation. Discusses how viruses sabotage cellular machinery for their survival and how these discoveries directly impact our society. Written assignments and oral presentations are required.
Computational and experimental methods in bioinformatics and genomics, and how these methods provide insights into protein structure and function, molecular evolution, biological diversity, cell biology, and human disease. Topics include database searching, multiple sequence alignment, molecular phylogeny, microarrays, proteomics, and pharmacogenomics.
Introduces students to the biotechnology enterprise. Topics include the biotechnology industry and profession, the various academic disciplines of biotechnology, intellectual property, financing, and ethics.
Capstone course required of all graduate students in the interdisciplinary graduate biotechnology certificate program. Reviews molecular genetics, product synthesis and purification, economics, intellectual property, and business planning. Working in teams, students present a biotechnology product plan.
Inorganic chemistry based on principles of bonding, structure, reaction mechanisms, and modern synthetic methods. Chemistry and general properties of representative and transition elements and their compounds.
Studies modern coordination chemistry. Includes a description of bonding and properties of coordination compounds in terms of the ligand field and molecular orbital theories.
Basic kinetics and photochemistry of atmospheric species. Stratospheric chemistry with emphasis on processes controlling ozone abundance. Tropospheric chemistry focusing on photochemical smog, acid deposition, oxidative capacity of the atmosphere, and global climate change. Prereq., graduate standing or instructor consent.
Special topics in spectrochemical analysis, including atomic and molecular spectroscopy, laser analytical methods, electron spectroscopy, surface analytical methods, and their applications to environmental, atmospheric, and bioanalytical problems.
Establishes a background for understanding electrochemical systems through a review of the relevant thermodynamic, kinetic, and electronic principles. Compares classical and modern electrochemical methods of analysis. Several special topics are discussed in depth.
Mass spectrometry, including instrumentation, ionization techniques, and interpretation of mass spectra. Analytical separation processes, with special reference to the theory and practice of liquid and gas chromatography. Combined techniques (e.g., GC-MS), and applications.
Surveys synthetic transformations emphasizing important functional group transformations and carbon-carbon, bond-forming reactions. Required of all organic chemistry graduate students.
Modern concepts of physical organic chemistry and their use in interpreting data in terms of mechanisms of organic reactions and reactivities of organic compounds. Required of all organic chemistry graduate students.
Advanced spectroscopic techniques for structure and determination in organic chemistry. Emphasizes proton and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy.
Fundamental concepts of quantum and classical statistical mechanics. Applications to properties of gases, liquids, solids, spin, and polymer systems. Reaction, fluctuation, nucleation, and relaxation phenomena.
Discussion of mechanism and rate of chemical reactions from a fundamental point of view. Discusses nature of collision and develops concepts of cross section and rate constant. Theories of elementary bimolecular and decay processes are critically examined.
Principles of surface science with emphasis on fundamental surface phenomena, surface techniques, and surface chemistry. Basic description of surfaces, adsorbate-surface interactions, surface kinetics, and methods of surface analysis. Surface science of interactions, surface kinetics, and methods of surface analysis. Surface science of heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductor processing, and environmental interfaces.
Basic principles and techniques of quantum mechanics with applications to questions of chemical interest. Quantum dynamics of atoms, molecules, and spin; electronic structure of atoms and molecules.
Rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectra of molecules, and their interpretation in terms of the quantum theory of molecular structure.
Making sense of the vast quantity of data now available in biological databases, including accessing this information with advanced bioinformatics tools.
Covers basic mechanisms for imaging and recent advances used in current biological research, elements of electron optics, image optimization, resolution, radiation damage, various imaging modes (TEM, HVEM, SEM, STEM, STM), specimen quantitation and reconstruction (stereo and 3D), microanalysis, and electron diffraction. Specimen preparation treated only incidentally.
Introduces some of the frontiers in experimental plant research with applications in modern biotechnology, including genetics, hormonal control of growth, stress responses (heat, water, salt), host-pathogen systems (bacteria, fungi, viruses, viroids), plant defense mechanisms, plant cell tissue culture, and genetic engineering of plants.
Explores molecular and cellular interactions between bacteria and their eukaryotic hosts that precipitate disease. Activities include critical reading of review and research articles, preparation of homework assignments based on readings, and student presentations of assigned papers.
Provides a molecular phylogeny-based perspective on microbial diversity and the interactions between organisms that result in the biosphere. Provides overview of recent methods and findings in microbial ecology, as well as computer-based workshop in molecular phylogeny.
Focuses on the biophysics governing enzyme mechanisms, celluar mechanisms, cellular structure and motion. Synthesizes ideas from molecular biology, physics, and biochemistry, emphasizing how low Reynolds number physics, not Newtonian physics, is relevant to life inside of a cell.
Introduces the functional anatomy of the nervous system, and explores current knowledge regarding the molecular and genetic basis of the development and function of the nervous system. Studies recent insights into the molecular basis of neuro-degenerative diseases, in the last portion of the course.
Studies the biology and physics of the biomembrane. Topics include structure and mechanism of membrane proteins; membrane biogenesis; membrane protein folding and stability; membrane homeostasis; mechanisms of membrane fusion and fission; lipid trafficking.
Covers basic mechanisms and applications of physical methods used in current biological research, microprobe analysis and EELS, elementary electron and x-ray crystallography, biomedical imaging (NM, MRI, PET, CAT), Fourier analysis, synchrotron radiation, EXAFS, neutron scattering, and novel ultramicroscopy techniques. Includes lectures, student presentations, and occasional demonstrations. Emphasis depends on student interest.
Studies principles of chemical kinetics and catalytic reactions, emphasizing heterogeneous catalysis.
Presents applied analytical and numerical mathematical methods in the context of chemical engineering problems. Topics include modeling techniques, algebraic equations, and ordinary and partial differential equations. Prereq., senior or graduate standing; working knowledge of computing, calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and vector operations; and undergraduate courses in physics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and reaction engineering.
Covers numerical methods for solving ordinary differential, partial differential, and integral equations. These principles are employed to develop, test, and assess computer programs for solving problems of interest to chemical engineers.
Incorporates biochemistry, pharmaceutical science, and engineering for application in the pharmaceutical industry. Emphasizes microscale mechanisms affecting drug delivery, bioavailability, and stability. Specific topics include thermodynamics of macromolecular conformational stability, crystallization kinetics, interfacial phenomena, and industrial protein folding.
Covers design and operation of fermentation processes, microbial and enzyme kinetics, multiple substrate and multiple species of fermentation, regulation of enzyme activity, energetics of cellular growth, immobilized enzyme and cell reactors, and transport phenomena in microbial systems and downstream processing.
Reviews and evaluates literature on subjects of current interest in signal transduction transcription, cell cycle progression, and cell regulation. Primarily for graduate level presentation of special topics by students, faculty, and research staff.
Discusses research papers in the areas of cellular adhesion, cytoskeletal organization, and intercellular signaling, with specific reference to vertebrate systems. Students are required to analyze and present in discussion at least one paper each semester. Students also are required to read all of the presented papers and participate in classroom discussion.
Cell cycle regulation is a major biological issue relevant to a number of disease states, including cancer. Surveys the current literature in the cell cycle field. Students present current publications; class participation in discussion is expected.
Discusses current research papers in the area of developmental biology and cell signaling. Each student is required to present at least one research paper and lead the discussion during presentation. Students also are required to read all presented papers and participate in discussions. Students learn the most advanced developments in the research fields, critically read current literature, participate in the thinking process of doing science, and develop the skill of presenting and discussing science materials.
home | undergraduate | graduate | research | people | facilities | news & events | courses | alumni