Course Catalog - Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

GSBS Core Service Curriculum

Courses Offered by Graduate Programs

Clinical Scientist Training Program
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Department of Immunology
Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology
Department of Molecular & Human Genetics
Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology
Department of Neuroscience
Department of Pharmacology
Program in Cardiovascular Sciences
Program in Cell & Molecular Biology
Program in Developmental Biology
Program in Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics
Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine

Core Service Curriculum

220-501 Organization of the Cell

This course covers the principles of cellular organization and communication. The emphasis will be on cellular compartmentation, communication within and among cells, and the maintenance of cellular structure. A description of membrane transport and ion channels will include bioenergetics and molecular gradients, bioenergetics and energy transduction. Signaling within the cell will emphasize G-protein coupled signal transduction, calcium and growth factors. Protein import and export will include the endoplasmic reticulum and vesicle trafficking. The structural maintenance of cellular morphology will discuss the cytoskeleton , myosin, intermediate filaments and junctional complexes. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 2 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Steen Pedersen

220-502 Molecular Methods

Molecular methods provides students with a description of current general methods for manipulating the structures of DNA and proteins. A discussion of hybridization and blots will be followed by the introduction of methods of vector construction, DNA sequencing, and both small- and large scale DNA sequencing and gene mapping. Methods in DNA/RNA/Protein construction, analysis, synthesis, and isolation, including interaction cloning and immunological methods. DNA sequence analysis and data base utilization will be covered. The use of various expression systems for the production of recombinant proteins will include strategies for protein isolation and refolding, including the use of molecular chaperones. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 3 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Hiram Gilbert

220-503 Genetics A

The general principles of genetics and inheritance begin with a discussion of the gene as the basic element of inheritance. This is followed by linkage, complementation and non-Mendelian inheritance. The use of genetics as a research tool is illustrated by the molecular basis of phenotype, the dissection of genetic pathways, and the use of genetic techniques in bacteria. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 2 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Susan Rosenberg

220-504 Genetics B

The second course on genetics focus on the genetic utility of specific organisms. Inferring the order of gene action in a pathway, cell cycle control, and signal transduction pathways will be discussed for yeast. Drosophila will be used to illustrate pattern formation, mutation isolation and mapping and mosaic analysis. The establishment of the genetic basis of phenotype, development, and the implications of having a hermaphrodite/male species for doing genetics will be illustrated for C. elegans. Mouse genetics will illustrate gene knock-outs, generating specific strains by crosses, and the use of transgenic approaches. Finally, human genetics will be discussed with emphasis on linkage and pedigree analysis, gene mapping and analysis, and population biology and evolution. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 2 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Tae-Ho Shin

220-505 Cell Division

This course presents the biological mechanisms involved in regulating cell division and development. The structural organization of the nucleus will be described along with a molecular description of the meiotic apparatus. DNA replication will be discussed with respect to initiation, propagation and the functions of centromeres and telomers. Lectures on DNA recombination and repair will precede a presentation of the regulation of the cell cycle. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 2 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Shelley Sazer

220-506 Development

The course will begin with fertilization and proceed through the development of the body plan, including segmentation and compartmentation. A discussion of developmental pathways in neural system, bone, and muscle will complete the course. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 2 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Soo-Kyung Lee

220-507 Molecular Interactions

The principles and techniques use to analyze molecular interactions will be covered. The general methods to be presented include binding kinetics and equilibrium methods along with protein-protein interactions detected by interaction cloning, crosslinking, and immunoprecipitation. A discussion of complex assemblies, including viruses will precede a discussion of the functional consequences of molecular interactions including catalysis and the integration of metabolic processes. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 2 Term: 3 Director: Dr. B. Prasad

220-508 Cancer

This is a short course on the biology of cancer. Initiation of cancer and tumor progression will be covered along with the involvement of oncoproteins and tumor suppressors. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 1 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Sharon Plon

220-509 Gene Regulation

This course is concerned with the various mechanisms by which gene expression is regulated. A discussion of RNA polymerase is followed by transcriptional regulation by transcription factors and enhancers/repressors, co-transcriptional regulation , and the effects of chromatin structure. The details of mRNA processing that are presented include the splicesome, auto-catalysis, polyA addition, differential splicing, and RNA editing. Mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation and mRNA stability are also considered. The translation of proteins by the ribosome and protein degradation completes discussion. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 3 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Thomas Cooper

220-510 Structure of Macromolecules

Structure of macromolecules presents an overview of the molecular basis for the structural organization of DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids. General techniques of protein structure analysis are discussed, including the determination of sequence, molecular weights, subunit composition, and post-translational modification. Basic techniques for the determination of three-dimensional structures will be covered such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, electron microscopy. Structural prediction methods will applied to membrane proteins and to the prediction of secondary and tertiary protein structure. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Michael Schmid

220-511 Neuroscience

This is a short course on current aspects of neuroscience. The course will consider basic information processing in neurons along with more highly organized functions such as learning, memory, and cognition. This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 1 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Tony Pham

220-512 Immunology

This is a short course on current aspects of immunology The complexities of the immune system will be discussed, including the principles of specific immunity , cellular differentiation and selection in the immune system, and lymphocyte activation.This course is intended as an introduction of immunology primarily for graduate students and medical students with a common interest in immunology-related disciplines. The course will attempt to achieve two major goals. The first goal is to convey an accurate and up-to-date understanding of the immune system. We will introduce the major features of the tissues, cells, and molecules that are involved in immune responses. Also we will describe when, how, and where immune responses occur, and how they fail in some instances. The second goal is to provide students with an appreciation of how immunological principles are being applied to understanding human diseases. We will look at the role of the immune system in causing rather than preventing diseases, focusing on allergy, autoimmunity, and graft rejection as examples. Finally, we will discuss how the immune system can be manipulated to the benefit of the host, focusing on regulatory mechanisms and vaccination against infectious diseases and cancer. Credits: 1 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Biao Zheng

220-513 Science as a Profession Term 1

Science as a Profession is a course for first-year graduate students that introduces them to their profession as a research scientist. The intent is to mentor the students in the scientific process (thinking with the scientific method, controls and data analysis, reading the literature) and to discuss the professional aspects of being a scientist (science funding, science advocacy, publication). Classes will also be devoted to the practical aspects of being a student scientist such as coping with stress and deadlines, what to do when your experiments don't work, how to go about career decision-making, and where to go for help with personal and professional problems. Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Hiram Gilbert

220-514 Science as a Profession-Ethics

Science as a Profession-Ethics is part of a course for first-year graduate students that introduces them to their profession as a research scientist. The focus of the Term 2 Course is on the responsible conduct of research. Sessions will involve students in discussion and case study about data analysis/selection, scientific misconduct, authorship, proper citation and plagiarism. Issues surrounding data collection and documentation, research material and its ownership will be presented. The ethical treatments of animals in research will be covered as will the ethical use of human subjects in research. This course satisfies the requirement for training in the responsible conduct of research. Credits: 1 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Hiram Gilbert

220-522 Research Design

This course is designed to guide the student through the process of identifying a research problem, developing specific hypotheses and designing well-controlled experiments to test them. It will be taught in small groups (~ 8 students/class). There will be a faculty mentor that helps formalize and organize the process, but the students will be develop their ideas through literature searches and discussion. The terms and discussion will center around the NIH format (Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Experimental Design). This is one of the graduate school service curriculum courses. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Hiram Gilbert

220-523 Method & Logic in Molecular Biology

This course is intended to train students to read and critically interpret the primary literature. In particular, we will teach students to discern elegant experimental approaches from brute-force science and the conclusions that can be drawn from experimental data without over-interpretation. Students will learn what constitutes a well-designed experiment with proper controls. Small groups of students (8-10) will meet twice per week to discuss two assigned journal articles. The assigned papers will illustrate the goals outlined above, both as positive and negative examples. We begin with ‘classic' papers and work toward more current research. The first meeting each week will be without faculty participation while the second meeting will be guided by two instructors per group. The purpose of the first meeting is to allow students the opportunity to independently address the scientific merit and design of the assigned reading and formulate their own opinions. The second meeting will begin with a brief overview of the papers presented by one or two students chosen at random. The instructors will then prompt a discussion among the students to bring out the salient features of the readings pertinent to the goals of the course. A short paper designed to test these skills will be due at the end of the term. Credits: 2 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Graeme Mardon

220-525 Introduction to Intellectual Property

This course will provide a brief legal background to scientists so they can appreciate the nature and source of intellectural property law, as well as the different types of intellectural property (patents, trademarks, copyrights, etc). Also, how to conduct patent searches, and how to read a patent; patent application process; what constitutes patentable subject matter; the role of internation patents. Lessons include: Introduction to intellectual property law; patent prosecution; patent litigation; trade secrets and trademarks; copyright in the university; and agreements. Credits: 1 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Patrick Turley

Clinical Scientist Training Program

801-400 Fundamentals of Clinical Investigation

The objective of this course is to train studens to interpret the results of other clinical investigators and to use the knowledge for providing state-of-the-art care for their patients. The course includes four modules reflecting specific areas relevant to a clinical researcher. These modules are: principles of clinical research; statistical methods in clinicla research; clinical research - related issues; ethical issues in clinical investigation. Credits: 3 Term: 5 Director: Dr. Morey Haymond

801-401 Clinical Investigation for the Career Scientist

To provide scientific writing skills and broaden the student's background in health services research and clinical decisio analysis. To foster the application of the knowledge gained to the design and analysis of clinical studies and the interpretation of the literature. Credits: 5 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Morey Haymond

801-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Morey Haymond

801-466 Seminar in Clinical Sciences

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Morey Haymond

801-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Morey Haymond

801-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Morey Haymond

Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

310-423J Structural Basis of Human Diseases

This course is designed for medical and graduate students to understand the potential use of structural information for solving disease problems and to be aware of the different structural and computational tools. Each 1 hour lecture will be taught in the second term of 1992 jointly by two or more instructors who will present the medical problems and the structural approaches towards solving them. Computer graphics will be used during the lecture period. Attendance is required for passing this course. Credits: 1 Term: 4 Director: Dr. B. Prasad

310-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. John Wilson

310-459J Bioinformatics and Genome Analysis

This course is intended to provide a background in the theory and application of standard computational methods for molecular biology research. The topics to be discussed include databases, sequence comparison, phylogeny, pattern inference and matching, RNA secondary structure, and protein structure. The course will also address computational issues for the Human Genome Program in the areas of large-scale DNA sequencing, chromosome mapping, and gene recognition. During the term, a seminar speaker, with expertise in an area relevant to the subject area of the course, is invited as a guest lecturer. Students are required to attend this seminar. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Kim Worley

310-463 Special Topics

Scholarly study directed by a faculty member. Special topics allows a faculty member to develop individualized courses for students. Special topics cannot be used to satisfy the 30 hr course requirement. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. John Wilson

310-466 Seminar in Biochemistry

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. John Wilson

310-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. John Wilson

310-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. John Wilson

310-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. John Wilson

Department of Immunology

344-403 Flow Cytometric Applications

This is a survey of methods used on the flow cytometer consisting of seven didactic lectures on immunofluorescence, DNA analysis, apoptosis, functional assays, sating and quality control. In addition, there are three labs designed to demonstrate how the flow cytometer is used to generate data including control and multicolor compensation methods. Data analysis homework is designed to allow students to better analyze their own data. Credits: 2 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Dorothy Lewis

344-405 Clinical Aspects of Immunology

A review of lecture material and lectures in clinical Immunology from the medical school curriculum that are presented to graduate students in Immunology. Credits: 3 Term: 5 Director: Dr. Roger Rossen

344-406 Intro. to Graduate Research in Immunology

Introduction to skills that are important for first-year students including reading and citing the literature, research proposal development and writing skills. Credits: 1Term: 2 Director: Dr. John Rodgers

344-423 Immunology

This is a series of lectures stressing basic concepts n immunology. They include: development of the immune system, innate immunity, immunoglobulin structure and genetics, antigen-antibody reactions, the major histocompatibility complex and antigen presentation, T cell receptors (genetics, structure, selection), T cell activation and effector functions, anergy and apoptosis, adhension moleculaes, phagocytic cell function, immune responses to infections organisms and tumors, autoimmune diseases, allergies, immune deficiencies and AIDS. Weekly reviews led by senior graduate students help to explore and clarify concepts. Credits: 3 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Dorothy Lewis

344-425 Regulation of Immune Responses

This course is composed of mini-lectures by faculty and student presentation and discussions of articles from the current literature. Students receive written constructive comments from the instructors to help improve their presentation content and style. The focus of the articles, selected by the participating faculty, is on the cells, proteins and mechanisms that regulate cellular and humoral immune responses. Topics that are covered include pathways for antigen presentation by MHC molecules, thymic selection, T and B cell receptor structure/function, signal transduction pathways, CD4 and CD8 cell function, apoptosis, HIV and AIDS, cell-cell interaction molecules, and B cell activation and differentiation. Credits: 3 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Richard Cook

344-428 Molecular Immunology

This course consists of a series of organized presentations and discussions of major molecular mechanisms that regulate immune responses. Students receive written constructive comments from the instructors to help improve their presentation content and style. The course approaches the subject of immunology from the viewpoints of molecular immunology, genetics and cell adhension molecules, cytokines, lymphocyte activation, gene regulation, signal transduction, apoptosis, immunological diseases, and immune aspects of gene therapy. Each student develops a research proposal in an area covered in the course. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Tse-Hua Tan

344-433 Advanced Topics in Immunology

This seminar course is student-organized with a faculty advisor, and involves advanced graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty participants. The format for an eight-week term involves weekly two-hour sessions covering different aspects of a single topic, chosen by the participants. In each session, participants present a didactic and critical overview of a subtopic, and lead a discussion of it. Reading materials typically include recent reviews and primary cutting-edge research literature. Topics in the past have included: B cell development; T cell development; Vaccines; Host-pathogen co-adaptation; Recombination; AIDS; Philosophy of Science. Credits: 2 Term: 1 Director: Dr. John Rodgers

344-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Dorothy Lewis

344-446 Immunology Journal Club

This course consists of weekly meetings, attended by students and faculty, for student presentations and discussions of high impact literature in immunology. Clinical Immunology - Special Topics: This course is designed for the first year students to learn more about the roles and importance of immunology in various human diseases and animal models, including cancer immunology, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, allergy and immunodeficiency diseases. The goals of this course are to introduce students to these active research topics, to bridge the basic immunology to clinical immunology, and motivate them for the selection of their own research topics related to important human diseases. This course will combine the presentation of scientific papers and reading materials in the selected topics. Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Dorothy Lewis

344-463 Special Topics

344-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Dorothy Lewis

344-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Dorothy Lewis

344-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Dorothy Lewis

Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology

320-406 Reproductive Biology

The course covers reproductive biology at all levels of biological organization (environmental, anatomical, physiological, cellular, biochemical and molecular). This is done with a comparative approach since it is important to know differences as well as similarities. Credits: 3 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Francesco Demayo

320-418 Grants and Contracts

The course is designed to provide a good orientation to the procedures, policies and requirements of preparing research grant and contract applications for Federal, State and Non-Federal awarding agencies. It gives prospective applicants a basic understanding fo the differences between grant and contract mechanisms, the Federal Appropriations System, the NIH and NSF Peer Review System and all the essential elements necessary to prepare an application an dguide it through the administrative process at at Baylor College of Medicine. Credits: 1 Term: 3 Director: Mr. Marty Weick

320-422 Special Regional Dissections

This is a self directed course in which the student chooses a region or portion of the body to review or study and then proceeds under faculty guidance to dissect and study the material. Credits: Term: Every Term Director: Dr. Cassius Bordelon

320-423 Cellular and Molecular Biology of Disease

"Cellular and Molecular Biology of Disease" is a course on the cellular and biological processes as they relate to human health and disease. Each lecture reviews a particular organ system or disease area with emphasis on the latest research that sheds light on the mechanism of disease and dysfunction. The course serves as a bridge between basic research and the clinical manifestations of disease. It also covers potential therapies of the future that are still under development. Lectures are updated yearly to ensure that they cover the latest advances and the course draws on the expertise of over a dozen instructors whose research interests span multiple organ systems. Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Lawrence Chan

320-425 Cellular Signaling

Cellular signaling covers the signaling pathways initiated by membrane receptors including tyrosine kinase and tyrosine kinase associated receptors, TGFbeta family signaling as well as signaling by steroid receptors. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Nancy Weigel

320-426 Integrated Microscopy

Topics cover digital imaging microscopy including the confocal microscope, molecular-genetics tools in microscopy. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Michael Mancini

320-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Joanne Richards

320-457J Introduction to Molecular Carcinogenesis

The course explores the fundamental concepts and experiments in tumor biology, cancer virology and oncogenes and growth control. This course provides a broad based introduction to students who have an interest in modern cancer research. Faculty from four departments (Cell Biology, Molecular Virology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry) serve as instructors. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Lawrence Donehower

320-459J Bioinformatics and Genome Analysis

320-461 Cells, Tissues and Organs

Cells, tissues and organs will be studied in terms of histology withan emphasis on structure/function relationships, tissue identification, and research utilization. The lectures and discussions will occur simultaneously with direct observation of the tissue by the students through individual light microscopes using a collection of 50 paraffin sections mounted on glass slides and stained with H&E. There will be a weekly discussion of one current journal article which focuses on an animal model related to the tissue being studies that week. Each student will be given the guidance and tutorial backing to facilitate one of the weekly journal article discussions. Credits: 2 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Francis Kretzer

320-462J Concepts of Learning and Memory

This course covers both the classical and newly emerging concepts in the field of learning and memory. It is also designed to introduce the student ot the levels (psychological, molecular, etc.) at which learning and memory are studied as well as the popular model systems that are currrently being explored. Some of the areas covered include: the classification of memory systems in humans, functional imaging of human cognition, cellular changes during learning in marine molluscs, the biochemistry and physiology of the hippocampus during learning, and the genetics of learning processes as revealed from students of insects and the mouse. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Ronald Davis

320-463 Special Topics

320-466 Seminar in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: Every Term Director: Dr. Jianming Xu

320-467J Methods of Behavioral Analysis

This course includes lectures on various ways to evaluate the behavior of rodents as well as laboratory for students to experiment with behavioral tests. Lectures are presented on the methodology and concepts behind habituation, classical conditioning, passive and active avoidance learning, spatial learning, working memory, cued and contextual fear conditioning, attention, coordination and locomotion, anxiety, and exploratory behavior. A novel aspect of the course is the opportunity given to the student to design, construct, and test at least one new behavioral apparatus. This provides the student with an appreciation of the details involved in apparatus and experimental design, as well as the subtle variables that affect behavior. An extensive review of the literature by the student provides for an indepth understanding of behavioral tests. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr.

320-470J Neuroanatomy: Functional Organization of the Central Nervous System

Focuses on the structure of the mammalian nervous system using two prototypes: primate (human) and roden (rat/mouse). As student acquire knowledge of structure, they apply it to research questions that have an anatomical component. In none lectures and four hands-on laboratories, students will examine the organization of several major neural systems. With this systemic organization, students learn the functional context of the anatomy they study even though function and dysfunction are not emphasized and are studied only when they explicate structure. Credits: 2 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Robert Thalmann

320-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Joanne Richards

320-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Joanne Richards

320-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Joanne Richards

Department of Molecular & Human Genetics

705-403 Gene & Cell Therapy

This course covers various approaches to somatic and germ cell gene therapy, with emphasis on vector systems and other methods for gene delivery and targeting; model systems for specific applications of gene therapy; and the status of current therapeutic strategies for various inherited and acquired disorders. Credits: 2 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Richard Sutton

705-406 Advanced Topics in Genetics

The course is designed to present an understanding of classical genetics using experimental strategies and data from original experiments with species that are used as model systems for genetic analysis such as Escherichia coli, Dictyostelium discoideum, and Drosophila melanogaster. A historical approach is emphasized providing students with an insight into the history of genetics. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Gad Shaulsky

705-407 Basic Biostatistics

This course will cover basic concepts for statistical analysis of quantitative data. The focus will be on applying computer-assisted statistical analyses of data commonly obtained in biomedical research. Students will learn how to characterize data, select appropriate statistical tests for analyses, and properly interpret statistical results for testing research hypotheses using statistical software. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Richard Paylor

705-411 Human Genetics

This course emphasizes the basic principles of Mendelian inheritance; dominance and recessivity; gene, gene product, and phenotype relationships; allelic and nonallelic heterogeneity; molecular analysis of mutations, monogenic, multifactorial, and environmental interactions; linkage disequilibrium; haplotype analysis; selective advantage; biochemical and molecular diagnosis; heterozygote and newborn screening methods; and pathogenesis. In addition to cytogenetic mechanisms of human reproduction and disease, novel mechanisms involving genomic imprinting, uniparental disomy, and mitochondrial inherited disorders are reviewed. The principles are taught by a systematic review of human disorders including globin abnormalities, lipoprotein disorders, disorders of metal and heme metabolism, disorders of transport, transcription factor disorders, muscular diseases, connective tissue diseases, coagulation disorders, skeletal dysplasias, and cytogenetic abnormalitites. Finally, this course provides an in-depth coverage of both theoretical and practical aspects of human genetic linkage and segregation analysis, including computer exercises. Credits: 5 Term: 4 Director: Dr. William Craigen

705-418 Quantitative Genetics

This course emphasizes the basis principles of Mendelian inheritance; dominance and recessivity; gene, gene product, and phenotype relationships; allelic and nonallelic heterogeneity; molecular analysis of mutations, monogenic, multifactorial, and environmental interactions; linkage disequilibrium; haplotype analysis; slective advantage; biochemical and molecular diagnosis; heterozygote and newborn screening methods; and pathogenesis. In addition to cytogenetic mechanism of human reproduction and disease, novel mechanisms involving genomic imprinting, uniparental isomy and mitochondrial inherited disorders will be reviewed. The principles are taught by a systematic review of human disorders including lipoprotein disorders, disorders of metal and heme metabolism, disorders of transport, transcription factor disorders, muscular diseases, connective tissue diseases, skeletal dysplasias, and cytogenetic abnormalities. Credits: Term: 5 Director: Dr. Suzanne Leal

705-421 Mammalian Genetics

This course describes the contribution of mammalian cell culture and somatic cell genetics to the understanding of molecular mechanisms of gene expression. Topics covered include mammalian cell culture systems, properties of permanent and primary cell lines, isolation and selection of mutant cell lines, gene mapping, complementation analysis, cell hybrids, DNA mediated gene transfer, DNA and RNA viral vectors for gene transfer, gene transfer to the germline and somatic cells of animals. Credits: 2 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Armin Schumacher

705-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Gad Shaulsky

705-459J Bioinformatics and Genome Analysis

705-463 Special Topics

705-466 Seminar in Molecular & Human Genetics

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Philip Hastings

705-467J Methods of Behavioral Analysis

705-468 Student Research Seminars

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: Every Term Director: Dr. Scott Pletcher

705-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Gad Shaulsky

705-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Gad Shaulsky

705-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Gad Shaulsky

Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics

360-430 Human Physiology I

The course presents a detailed introduction to all the systems of the mammalian body through lectures and breakout sessions that rae specifically aimed at developing the techniques the students will need during their careers. The covered topics include: cellular physiology; the nervous sytem, the cardiovascular system; the gastrointestinal system; the excretory system; the endocring system; the repproductive system; the respiratory system and adaptation to development; exercise and environmental change. The course is taught from a conceptual basis with very strong emphasis on active learning, critical thinking and experimental design. Students will become adept at developing and testing theoretical models to differentiate normal from adnormal physiology. Credits: 4 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Monique Ogletree-Hughes

360-431 Human Physiology II

360-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Robia Pautler

360-463 Special Topics

Scholarly study directed by a faculty member. Special topics allow a faculty member to develop individualized courses for students. Special topics cannot be used to satisfy the 30 hr course requirement. Credits: Term: Every Term Director: Dr. Steen Pedersen

360-466 Seminar in Molecular Physiology

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Pumin Zhang

360-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Robia Pautler

360-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Robia Pautler

360-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Robia Pautler

Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology

388-401 General Virology

This series of lectures and student paper presentations emphasize fundamental principles related to interactions of animal viruses with their host cells. General topics include chemical and physical properties of viruses, virus classification, cultivation and assay of viruses, viral replication and morphogenesis, vaccines and antivirals, viral pathogenesis, virus vectors, and viral oncogenesis. These topics are highlighted through detailed discussions of selected RNA and DNA virus families. Credits: 4 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Ronald Javier

388-410 Literature Reports

Literature Reports is a course in which all students in the Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology must participate in, every year that they are in the Department. It meets once a week (each Friday at noon), all year, except holidays and for about 11 weeks in the summer (June through the last week of August). At each meeting, two students each present a paper that they have picked alone, or with the help of their faculty mentor, to an audience of their fellow students and MVM faculty. (Every session has a different faculty mentor.) The students introduce their paper(s), present the data in the manuscripts, critique the results and discuss the significance of the work. They also point out potential strengths and flaws in the work, as well as what else could be done in the future. Students in the audience are encouraged to ask questions, critique the work and participate in each session. Faculty also ask questions, point out facets of the work that they think need emphasis, criticize weaknesses that they see, and generally help generate discussion of the work. At the beginning of each session, faculty members in attendance are handed evaluation sheets. These are filled in during the presentations and given to the student presentors at the end of each session. The evaluations give each reviewers thoughts of how the students did in their presentations, specifically mentioning what they did well, or what or how they might have done something better. The goal of the class is to give the students a chance to gain experience talking to critical audiences, to learn to critically assess data, respond to oral questions and prepare cogent presentations. Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Andrew Rice

388-411 Genetics of Animal Viruses

Outline derives from new genetic approaches and overall approach to genetics is molecular, although the application of classical genetics and its contribution to molecular studies is emphasized. Lectures place emphasis on phenomena and reduce the emphasis on genetic pecularities of the various viral taxonomic groups. Credits: 3 Term: Every Term Director: Dr. Robert Ramig

388-412 Experimental Virology

fundamental concepts and methods used in classical and modern virology. Credits: 4 Term: Every Term Director: Dr. Robert Ramig

388-414 Advanced Virology

Special topics are presented in specialized areas of virology and microbiology. By special arrangement. Credits: Term: 4 Director: Dr. Robert Ramig

388-416 Genetics of Bacteria (odd years only)

The course begins with discussion of the basic concepts of the bacterial genetic approach, including mechanisms of gene transfer and mutagenesis. This is followed by principles of genetic regulation in model systems such as bacteriophages lambda and mu, DNA repair operons, the lac operon, plasmid copy control genes and others. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Richard Hull

388-417 Bacterial Structure and Function

The course covers the physiology of bacterial cells with an emphasis on current research topics. The first part of the course is devoted to discussion of the components of the bacterial cell wall and their roles in pathogenesis, cell motility, cell structure, nutrient transport, and protein secretion. The next section of the course includes lectures on the regulation of bacterial function, including transcription, translation, and specialized functions unique to bacteria. Finally, mechanisms by which bacteria adapt to their environment are discussed. Credits: 3 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Sarah Highlander

388-426 Epidemiology of Viral Infections (even years only)

Principles of epidemiology as a basic science of preventive medicine are presented. These include: Epidemiologic variables, measurements, retrospective and prospective studies, Basic statistics, Epidemiology of selected viral and bacterial infections of major public health significance, Environmental epidemiology, Cancer epidemiology associated with viral infections, Seroepidemiology, Immunizations. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Ervin Adam

388-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Robert Ramig

388-450 Infection and Immunity

Major mechanisms for virulence of infectious agents, host defense mechanisms, and the dynamic interactions between the two are explored in a series of organized lectures and discussions. Topics include extracellular and intracellular pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites); exo- and endotoxins; innate and adaptive immunity; and autoimmunity. Infections caused by significant human pathogens are used to illustrate major concepts of disease pathogenesis and host immunity. Students are encouraged to engage in discussions and present data from selected papers in order to enhance their abilities to critically analyze and present data. Credits: 4 Term: 5 Director: Dr. Wendy Keitel

388-457J Introduction to Molecular Carcinogenesis

388-458 Replication & Gene Expression in Viral Systems (taught in odd years only)

This course covers advanced principles of viral genome replication and gene expression, as observed in infected cells and through expression of isolated viral genes. Genome replication in both Rna and DNA viruses will be covered, with emphasis on the newly emerging information on RNA replication. The speciic effects of viral proteins oninitiation of transcription, transcriptional elongation, mRNA processing, and translation of viral and cellular genes are discussed. The use of viruses as probes to investigate cellular gene regulation are also discussed. Critical evaluation of current literature is emphasized. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Susan Marriott

388-459 Viral Pathogenesis (taught even years only)

This course covers the molecular aspects of pathogenesis of eukaryotic virus infections, with emphasis on animal viruses. The general concepts of viral pathogenesis are presented, followed by discussion of specific examples of different mechanisms of viral pathogensis. The first portion of the course features an in-depth discussion of the general mechanisms involved at the various stages of pathogensis. Specific viruses for which detailed analysis at the molecular, genetic and immunologic levels have been possible, are used to illustrate these general mechanisms. The second portion of the course is given over to a comprehansive review of selected viruses. These viruses are chosen to illustrate different mechanisms of viral pathogenesis in various organ systems. Pathogensis of plant virus infections are surveyed and several viruses are discussed in detail. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Margaret Conner

388-463 Special Topics

388-466 Seminar in Molecular Virology

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Richard Sutton

388-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Robert Ramig

388-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Robert Ramig

388-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: All Director: Dr. Robert Ramig

Department of Neuroscience

350-417 Optical Imaging in Neuroscience

Introduction to optical imaging techniques, fundamentals of light microscopy, optical indicators, imaging instrumentation, and image processing. Review of applications of these techniques to the study of various aspects of neural activity. Laboratory to gain hands-on experience in designing, setting up, and running an experiment using optical recording techniques. Midterm and final exams will be given to evaluate student performance. The course is rigorous and requires some background in math and physics. Credits: 3 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Peter Saggau

350-418 Sensory Transduction (even years only)

Transduction by sensory receptor cells focusing on the cellular electrophysiology and molecular biology of vertebrate photoreceptors, olfactory neurons, taste cells, and hair cells. We will emphasize common sensory processing strategies and the consequences of specific transductrion mechanisms for sensory perception. Prerequisite: Cellular Neurophysiology. Credits: 3 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Ruth Eatock

350-421 Computational Neuroscience

The purpose of ths course is to provide an introduction to theoretical approaches currently used to explore the computational resources available to the nervous system at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Theoretical approaches to neural function have occupied a lively niche in neuroscience since the tiem fo Hodgkin and Huxley, however, the last ten years have witnessed an explosion in both modeling and theoretical efforts to understand and explain neural function. The course covers a broad range of topics, but with overlying intent of using the diverse methods and concepts to gan insight into biological neural function. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. P. Montague

350-422 Neurobiology of Disease

This course will cover some of the most important and scientifically tractable disorders of nervous system function. The course will expose the students to the incidence, clinical manifestations, pathophysiology and current scientific models of the causes and mechanisms of some of the most common disorders of brain and nervous system function and development throughout the lifespan. Credits: 3 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Michael Friedlander

350-424 Physiology of the Visual System

This is an advanced level course on the physiology of the visual system. It covers the biochemistry, physiology and biophysics of phototransduction, synaptic transmission in the retina and functional architecture of the retina and central visual pathways. Additionally, principles of visual information processing in the eye and in the brain, mechanisms controlling eye movement and gaze stabilization are discussed. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Samuel Wu

350-425J Neuropharmacology

The objectives of this course are to examine how pharmacological agents have been used to elucidate the function of neurotransmitter systems in the central nervous system. In addition, the mechanism of some clinically effective drugs are reviewed in terms of the structure and function of the brain. Credits: 3 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Janet Stringer

350-426 Theoretical Neuroscience

The course introduces current theorretical methods used to model the properties of nerve cells and the processing of niformation by neuronal networks. Concrete examples that can be implemented using Matlab will be emphasized. The starting point is the passive cable properties of single neurons and the Hodgkin-Huxley model of action potential generation. Subsequently, models of synaptic transmission and active properties of dendritic trees will be considered. This will be followed by stochastic properties of single neurons and information encoding using mean and instantaneous firing rate in visual neurons. Finally, methods to analyze phase-locking and activity in populations of cells as well as learning algorithms will be considered. Credits: 6 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Fabrizio Gabbiani

350-428 Intro to Neuroscience Methods

This course provides an introduction to the recording of signals from live neurons using microscopic and electrophysiologic methods. The course introduces the basics of instrumentation in the recording of real time biological signals. We then show how these principles are applied in the design and execution of microscopy and electrophysiology experiments on live neurons in culture and acute neuronal slices. The course is designed to run in parallel with a lab course. Credits: 3 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Paul Pfaffinger

350-429 Intro to Neuroscience Methods Lab

This is the laboratory course that is designed to run in parallel with the Introductory Neuroscience Methods lecture course. The lab is designed to give students hands on experience applying the ideas for real time recording of microscopic and neurophysiological signals. This course will prepare the students to directly apply what they have learned in the lecture course to their actual application in under real experimental conditions. Credits: 3 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Paul Pfaffinger

350-430 Anatomy and Development of the Nervous System

This course provides a description of the functional anatomy of the nervous system and describes the processes that are involved in the development of that functional anatomy. The course will introduce the students to rodent and human brain anatomy. A particular emphasis in the development section is the development of circuitry through axon guidance, targeting of post-synaptic cells, and the development and pruning of synaptic connections. Credits: 3 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Robert Thalmann

350-431 Analyses of Neuronal Function

This course will cover all basic aspects of the electrophysiological properties of neurons, how synaptic transmission functions, and introduce principles of synaptic integration and plasticity. Credits: 3 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Christian Rosenmund

350-433 Neurobiology of Sensation and Movement

This course provides an overview of basic Systems Neuroscience from a modern perspective. The course will cover the mechanisms of sensory transduction in various modalities, the development and organization of sensory pathways using the visual system as an example, the control and execution of motor programs at various levels of the central nervous system and their final transduction in motor actions. In addition, the course will cover the relation between neural activity and sensory perception as well as higher cognitive processes (e.g., working memory, attention) using several well-studied examples. Finally, the course will provide an introduction to how sensory information is processed within nervous systems at the network and single cell level, as well as how that processing leads to specific motor actions. Credits: 3 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Michael Crair

350-434 Higher Brain Function

This course discusses aspects of Systems Neuroscience related to higher brain function. In the first part of the course we will discuss the role of the limbic system in higher brain functions such as memory, attention, and emotions. The second part of the course will discuss the role of the extended amygdala and the mesolimbic system in reward and addiction. Finally, the third part of the course will engage students in the discussion of human brain processes such as decision making, goal directed learning and the representation of self and others. Credits: Term: 3 Director: Dr. Mariella De Biasi

350-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Mariella De Biasi

350-437 Developmental Brain Disorders

This course will focus on developmental brain disorders, such as Fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome, disorders of neuronal migration and heritable epilepsies. Lectures and Discussions will focus on the molecular basis of these disorders and understanding how these molecular abnormalities produce neurological deficits. Emphasis will also be placed on discussing potential therapeutics through an understanding of the molecular basis of the disease. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. John Swann

350-438 Law, Brains & Behavior

This course addresses how new discoveries in neuroscience will intersect with the making of law, the punishment of criminals, and the development of new rehabilitation strategies. The readings will bring together a unique conjunction of neurobiology, legal scholarship, and policy making. The goals of the course will be to facilitate an understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of behaviors that are subject to legal consequences for individuals and groups, and using this emerging base of scientific information to design modern, evidence-based policy. Emerging questions at the interface of law and neuroscience include: Is it a legitimate defense to claim that a tumor or a brain injury ‘made you do it'? In what ways are the brains of minors similar or different from adult brains in their capacity for decision-making and impulse control – and how do those similarities/differences help inform policy for punishment and rehabilitation? Can modern technologies such as structural and/or functional brain imaging be leveraged for rehabilitation? Who should have access to information about our brains? How should juries assess responsibility, given that most behaviors are driven by systems of the brain that we cannot control? In conjunction with currently available literature on the topic, individual student projects will study and develop suggestions for new experiments and evidence-based policy. An example would be designing experiments that could identify neural signatures predictive of recidivism, and developing the policy structures in which these predictions should be used. Credits: 1 Term: 0 Director: Dr. David Eagleman

350-462J Concepts of Learning and Memory

350-463 Special Topics

350-467J Methods of Behavioral Analysis

350-470J Neuroanatomy: Functional Organization of the Central Nervous System

350-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Mariella De Biasi

350-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Mariella De Biasi

350-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Mariella De Biasi

Department of Pharmacology

370-407 Biostatistics

An introductory course in the design of experiments and the analysis of experimental data. Actual experiments and the statistical evaluation of the results are utilized to illustrate statistical principles. Credits: 3 Term: 5 Director: Dr. Egon Durban

370-425J Neuropharmacology

370-426 General Pharmacology

Basic pharmacological principles as they apply to basic research and to everyday life. The objectives of this course are to present the basic principles of pharmacology. Principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics will be examined in detail with examples from basic research used for illustration. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Janet Stringer

370-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Pui-kwong Chan

370-463 Special Topics

370-466 Seminar in Pharmacology

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Pui-kwong Chan

370-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Pui-kwong Chan

370-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Pui-kwong Chan

370-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Pui-kwong Chan

Program in Cardiovascular Sciences

465-410 Cell & Molecular Biology of Cardio. Systems

This is Part I of a sequential three-term course covering in detail various topics of cardiovascular biology. Topics covered in Part I include growth and development of the myocardium, vascular smooth muscle, and endothelium. These tissue types are also studied with respect to ultrastructure, membranes, and cellular organelles, and interrelated functions, such as contractile, migratory, and proliferative control. Prerequisites: Must have taken or be taking basic science core Biochemistry and Physiology. Since the course is sequential, special consideration is given to students interested in separate segments. Credits: 4 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Alan Burns

465-411 Cardiovascular Physiology

Topics covered include cardiac cycle, cardiac contractility, neural, and nonneural control of the circulation, biomedical instrumentation, and physical analytical methods. The various components of the cardiovascular system is integrated to define its basic control functions. Prerequisites: Must have taken or be taking basic science core Biochemistry and Physiology. Since the course is sequential, special consideration is given to students interested in separate segments. Credits: 4 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Alan Burns

465-412 Cardiovascular Disease and Pathology

Topics covered include atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial ischemia and infarction, cardiac failure, and hypertrophy. Since this course emphasizes cardiovascular pathology, all components of the normal system are assessed within the disease process. Prerequisites: Must have taken or be taking basic science core Biochemistry and Physiology. Since the course in sequential, special consideration is given to students interested in separate segments. Credits: 4 Term: 5 Director: Dr. Alan Burns

465-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Alan Burns

465-463 Special Topics

465-466 Seminar in Cardiovascular Sciences

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Alan Burns

465-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Alan Burns

465-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Alan Burns

465-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Alan Burns

Program in Cell & Molecular Biology

242-430 Biology of Aging & Age Related Diseases

The purpose of this course is to provide studens and post-docs with the most up-to-date information on current understanding of the aging process and age related human disorders. The course no only covers molecular aspects of aging research, including models and theories of aging, but also clinical perspectives of aging. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Adam Antebi

242-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Susan Marriott

242-463 Special Topics

242-466 Seminar in Cell & Molecular Biology

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Susan Marriott

242-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Susan Marriott

242-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Susan Marriott

242-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Susan Marriott

Program in Developmental Biology

444-402 Classical Developmental Biology

This course provides critical introductory information concerning how the major questions in developmental biology were formulated through classical experimental methods. Several systems will be considered which vary in complexity and in their relative strengths and weaknesses for developmental studies. The focus is on morphological descriptions of the embryology of these organisms. However, examples are given which highlight how developmental principles have been tested embryologically. It is intended that these examples allow the students to see how earlier investigations presaged present areas of inquiry for each organism. It is hoped that this knowledge allows students to more readily grasp the complex issues of modern developmental biology and begin to see how questions might be approached with molecular methods. Credits: 2 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Hui-Chen Lu

444-403J Neural Development

This course will serve as an advanced graduate course in developmental neurobiology. Topics in neural development will be presented with a particular focus on molecular genetic studies. Most importantly, this course will integrate existing knowledge about molecular patterning of the nervous system with developmental neuroscience using a cross-species approach. The development of the central and peripheral nervous systems in vertebrate (frog, chick, mouse, man) and invetebrate (Drosophila, C. elegans) species will be discussed, focusing on how conserved molecular strategies have been utilized in these disparate organisms. The developing visual system will be highlighted as paradigm for many of the topics presented. The biochemical and genetic basis for neural plasticity, the role of neurotrophic factors in neural development, and the molecular mechanisms of growth cone guidance and synapse formation in inertebrates and vertebrates will also be discussed. It is intended that this course will provide the students with a more detailed background of neural development that will serve as conceptual framework for future studies. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Hui-Chen Lu

444-404 Molec. & Developmental Biology of Vision RSCH

This course provides graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with broad exposure to the molecular genetics underlying normal and abnormal visual system development and function. This course offers an in-depth analysis of normal vertebrate and invertebrate development, genetic causes of disease, as well as the use of animal models for genetic analysis of normal and abnormal development and function. Credits: 2 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Graeme Mardon

444-422 Evolutionary Conservation of Developmental Mechanisms

A comparison of developmental mechanisms in vertebrates and invertebrates with emphasis on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cell-fate specification, growth control and pattern formation. Credits: 3 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Hugo Bellen

444-425 Topics in Development

On the second meeting each week, (usually Wednesdays) two students will each present a different research paper on a related topic. The papers will be assigned by the faculty and distributed as either hard copies or pdf files the previous week. Even though one student is primarily responsible for presenting each paper, everyone is expected to have read both papers and come prepared to ask questions of the presenter. Each student should practice his/her presentation to be sure it is no more than 30 minutes so that ample time is available for discussion. Each student will have a total of 45 minutes. Each student will present talks at two separate meetings during the course. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Richard Kelley

444-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Hugo Bellen

444-463 Special Topics

444-466 Seminar in Developmental Biology

Student Seminar Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Hugo Bellen

444-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Hugo Bellen

444-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Hugo Bellen

444-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Hugo Bellen

Program in Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics

311-401 Computational Math for Biomed. Sci.

Introduce essential computational and mathematical concepts to students who are interested in computational biology and bioinformatics. It is intended that each of the concepts will be taught in the context of the real biological problems ranging from genomics to structural biophysics. Credits: 4 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Wah Chiu

311-402 Computational Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology

This course is designed for students n computationally-oriented theoretical, biophysical, biomedical and bioengineering majors to introduce the principles and methods used for computer simulations and modeling of macromolecules of biological interest. Fundamental concepts in statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and dynamics will be emphasized. Protein conformation/dynamics, empirical energy functions and molecular dynamics calculations, as well as other approaches will be described. Specific biological problems are discussed to illustrate the methodology. Classic examples such as the cooperative mechanisms of hemoglobin and more frontier topics such as the motional properties of molecular motors and ion channels as well as results derived from the current literature are covered. Other potential topics ar eprotein folding/predictions, the nature of recaction rate enhancement in enzume catalysis, physical chemistry properties of bilogically relevant nano-materials, simulations of free energy changes in mutations, electrostatic properties of protein, molecular recognition, and the properties of binding sites. Particular emphasis is also given to the applications of molecular graphics. During the final reading period, each student carrier out an original research project that makes use of the techniques and grading is based on the written and oral presentations of the results from the final projects. Credits: 6 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Jianpeng Ma

311-403 Advanced Crystallography

X-ray crystallography is currently the mos tpowerful technique to determine high resolutin structures from small molecules and supramacromolecular assembilies alike. No course has yet been in place at BCM or any neighboring institution to teach this rapidly growing technique at the advanced level. The course will prepare SCBMB student who come from very diverse backgrounds to understand the power of protein crystallography as an analytical tool to probe the structure-function relationship of proteins and enzymes at the molecular level. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Francis Tsai

311-404 KECK Seminar

KECK Joint seminar in structural and computational biology. A joint seminar with the schools of the Gulf Coast Consortium with presentations of seminars by selected faculty and students on the general topic of structural and computational biology. Credits: 1 Term: 0 Director: Dr. Wah Chiu

311-405 Computer-Aided Discovery Methods

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the concepts, methods and tools relevant for computer-aided discovery using data collected using high-throughput technologies. The course will focus on the methods of integration of data, tools, and discovery processes and the methods of computational pattern discovery, hypothesis generation and testing. The students will master advanced applications of computing that enable new methods of discovery in a field of focus, which will initially be cancer biology. The course will not focus exclusively on technical, algorithmic or mathematical aspects nor will it focus on biology alone. Instead, the focus will be on genuine integration of the two fields. Credits: 3 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Aleksander Milosavljevic

311-406 Practical Introduction to Programming for Scientists

This course will provide scientists with basic programming skills for simple tasks, and to make better use of the programmability available in many modern applications. For example, a scientific visualization package may have a programming interface that allows users to build animation scripts, image processing packages have interfaces that permit analytical measurements or complex batch processing on sets of images, etc. Students will learn Python and Ruby, the two most common scripting languages in scientific programming, and be introduced to other languages such as Perl, C++ and Java. These languages will run on virtually any computer, are freely available, and interface with many different scientific software packages. This course is aimed at students ranging from those with absolutely no programming background to those who have rudimentary programming skills. Some basic familiarity with using a computer will be expected. The course will be taught by Dr. Ludtke (Python/structural biology) and Andrew Jackson (Ruby/genetics). Access to a computer, and preferably a laptop, is required for this class. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Directors: Dr. Steve Ludtke

311-410 Advanced Structural & Computational Biophysics Part 1: Macromolecular Imaging (taught odd years only)

Discusses in-depth theoretical and practical techniques in structural biophysics with a particular emphasis on electron imaging and crystallography. Computer assignments are required. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Wah Chiu

311-423J Structural Basis of Human Diseases

311-430 Advanced Topics in Structural & Computational Biology

This course is designed for the SCBMB students to read current literature in structural and computation biology, to critically review the papers and to present the topic in front of an audience. This is run similar to a journal club. Under the supervision of the two faculty members, each student will pick a topic area, research the necessary papers and make a 50 minute lecture presentation. Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Wah Chiu

311-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Wah Chiu

311-463 Special Topics

311-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Wah Chiu

311-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: 1 Director: Dr. Wah Chiu

311-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Wah Chiu

Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine

805-401 Animal Models of Human Disease

This course is designed to expose students to the methodologies in generating animal models and in analyzing the so-generated models. The major emphasis is on mouse models, but other model organisms will be discussed as well. Credits: 2 Term: 4 Director: Dr. John Sharp

805-402 Pathophysiology & Mechanisms of Human Disease

This course will provide an understanding of the basic mechanisms of human disease with a systems biology perspective. The lens of systems biology will be used to emphasize key concepts in human pathophysiology with lessons in human biology and animal models of human disease. Instead of a traditional organ systems approach, molecular defects at different levels including the gene, protein, cell, tissue, and organ will be covered. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. James Versalovic

805-403 Introduction to Biostatistics for Translational Researchers

This course will introduce biostatistical principles and technology most likely to be useful to laboratory scientists interested in translational research, including ANOVA, linear regression, logistic regression, survival analysis, and nonparametric statistics. The couse also introduces basic designs for clinical trials and statistical analysis of genomic data from clinical samples. Credits: 3 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Susan Hilsenbeck

805-404 Proteomics & Functional Genomics

Most biological functions are carried out by proteins encoded in the genome. To understand how a cell or an organism work, one must study what proteins are present, where they localize to, how they interact with each other, and what they do. Proteomics research aims to define and understand protein content and function at a global level. The completion of the genomic sequences of many prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and the development of new high-throughput screening techniques now allows to integrate proteomics with genome-wide approaches to study protein-protein interactions, localization and modification. This combination of proteomics and functional genomics promises to transform biological and medical research. Credits: 2 Term: 5 Director: Dr. Jeannette Kunz

805-405 Translational Breast Cancer Research

This course provides an introduction into current issues in translational breast cancer research. The course encompasses a series of lectures on problems in clinical breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, breast development, and evolution of breast cancer, and approaches to translational breast cancer research. The purpose of the course is to provide a broad understanding of clinical issues and problems in breast cancer, familiarize students with breast cancer from the clinician's standpoint, and with research areas of active development in the field. Credits: 2 Term: 4 Director: Dr. Suzanne Fuqua

805-407 Introduction to Leadership Skills

The objective of the course is to provide students with knowledge regarding the importance of leadership skills in their training and future career development. While leadership skills are essential components in career development, it is appreciated that leadership skills can't be taught and imparted upon students in a short didactic lecture-based setting. Therefore, the objective of this course is to introduce students to the basic concepts of leadership skills. Credits: 1 Term: 1 Director: Dr. Adrian Lee

805-408 Ethics & Conduct of Clinical Research

This ECCTR course is designed to provide students practical insight into the bioethical conduct and regulatory considerations of clinical and translational research. The course encompasses a series of lectures, participation in an IRB meeting, and comprehensive practical experiences in conducting clinical research. The purpose of the course is to provide a broad understanding of bioethical issues within the context of clinical research, as well as an understanding of the complex relationship between investigators, their designees, and research subjects. The ECCTR course will be administered through the Office of Research-Clinical and Translational Research Support Services (CTRSS) department with support by several faculty and clinical trial-related departments. Credits: 3 Term: 5 Director: Dr. Placido Grino

805-409 Method and Logic in Translational Biology

This course is intended to train first-year graduate and medical students in skills important for the translational biology researcher. Students will be presented with two medical cases, spending 4 weeks on each case. Each week, students will be presented with learning objectives, and assigned reading which will guide them in acquiring the information they will need to possess to meet each learning objective. The reading material for each session/medical case will be chosen with a view to selecting material that will not only provide information the students need to progress with their evaluation of the medical case, but will also provide a context for training graduate and medical students in how to read and interpret primary literature. Students will be taught how to discern elegant experimental approaches from brute-force exploratory science, with an emphasis on deciding what conclusions can be drawn from experimental data without over-interpretation. Students will understand what constitutes a well-designed experiment with proper controls. Translational and/or clinical papers will be chosen to teach students to discern whether study design (including selection of study subjects) and data interpretation were appropriate, and whether findings can be translated into practice in the clinical or basic science arenas. Credits: 2 Term: 3 Director: Dr. Carolyn Smith

805-435 Special Projects

Faculty mentored research for students that have not been admitted to candidacy. Credits: Term: Every Term Director: Dr. Mary Estes

805-463 Special Topics

805-466 TBMM: Bench to Bedside

Five speakers, who are internationally renowned translational researchers will be invited during the year (one each term). Prior to their arrival, students will participate in a dedicated journal club that focuses on the background, other research, and the specific research of the invited speaker. They will explore the current state of the art research though literature research and presentations so that they will be able to see how successful translational research projects develop and are implemented. The journal club will culminate with the speaker's lecture followed with detailed discussions between the student and speaker. Credits: 2 Term: 2 Director: Dr. Mary Estes

805-548 Readings

Faculty directed literature projects that survey a specialized topic of interest. Credits: Term: Every Term Director: Dr. Mary Estes

805-549 Research Rotation

Faculty mentored research for students who have not yet selected a faculty advisor. Credits: Term: Every Term Director: Dr. Mary Estes

805-550 Dissertation

Thesis research directed by a faculty mentor and advisory committee. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Credits: 12 Term: Every Term Director: Dr. Mary Estes