Interdisciplinary Courses
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Professionalism and Research Conduct (PARC) | BBS 601
Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science
This is a required course for all third year Basic Sciences students and all MD/PhD students entering doctoral study but who are not on the CPHR track. The PARC course helps to center our students in areas that are foundational to success in research: responsible data management; management of intellectual property; the ethical use of research subjects; recognizing and resolving conflicts of interest, professionalism in peer review and publishing; engaging mentors; and career exploration and planning. The PARC course comprises faculty-led presentations and small group discussions with case studies and workshop material. An online learning module (CITI training program comprising many case studies) is also included and must be completed before the end of the fall semester.
Credits: 1
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Directors: Anthony Imbalzano, Cynthia Fuhrmann
Semester Offered: Fall
Last Taught: Fall 2023
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Preparation for Qualifying Exam | BBS 602
Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science
This course will help prospective scientists in the biological and medical sciences communicate their work effectively, in writing, graphics, and oral presentations. The course teaches how to prepare a research paper using words, statistics, and figures; how to present science to a lay audience; how to write a grant proposal; and how to present orally to scientific peers.
Credits: 2
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Directors: Jill Zitzewitz, Daryl Bosco, and Nese Kurt Yilmaz
Semester Offered: Fall
Last Taught: Fall 2023
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Scientific Inquiry in Biomedical Research | BBS 614
Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science
This problem-based course provides learning opportunities through exploration of multidisciplinary areas of contemporary biomedical research, and creates a forum for practice in the skills required for research.
Credits: 6
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Directors: Jill Zitzewitz, Neal Silverman, Elizabeth Shank
Semester Offered: Fall
Last Taught: Fall 2023
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Cancer Biology and Medicine | BBS 725
Programs: Cancer Biology, Interdisciplinary
This course will provide students with a rigorous and comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the genesis and progression of human cancers. It will build on the basic science knowledge acquired in the SIBR Course and establish an appreciation of cancer as a disease. The salient topics to be covered include cancer stem cells; oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes; tumor-host interactions, invasion and metastasis, cancer metabolism and anti-tumor immunity. A major theme of the course will be to integrate the biology of cancer with the clinical behavior of tumors and cancer therapy.
Credits: 3
Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes
Course Directors: Marcus Ruscetti, Jason Pitarresi
Semester Offered: Fall, Spring
Last Taught: Spring 2023
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Principles of Light and Electron Microscopy | BBS 732
Programs: Interdisciplinary
Principles and application of microscopy in biomedical research for graduate students at all levels. Demonstrations and laboratory exercises will be incorporated into some of the blocks of the instruction. This course is designed to teach the biologist how microscopes work and how to optimize image quality.
Credits: 2
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Directors: Greenfield Sluder, David Grunwald
Semester Offered: Spring, odd years
Last Taught: Has not been taught in the past 2 years
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Eukaryotic Gene Expression | BBS 738
Programs: Interdisciplinary
This course encompasses current topics in eukaryotic gene regulation including the discussion of current research articles. Within this context, we will also explore the role of epigenetic regulators in transcriptional control. Course goals include improving skills in reading, presenting, discussing, and critically analyzing research articles.
Credits: 3
Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes
Course Director: Craig Peterson
Semester Offered: Spring, odd years
Last Taught: Fall 2020
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Introduction to Cellular Metabolism and Disease | BBS 748
Programs: Interdisciplinary, Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program, Translational Science
This intense 3-week course will expose students to a variety of topics related to cellular metabolism. The course will cover material ranging from foundational principles to current leading-edge research. The principles and mechanisms regulating metabolism will be explored from multiple perspectives, including biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, molecular biology and cell biology.
Credits: 2
Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes
Course Director: Brian Lewis
Semester Offered: Fall, Summer
Last Taught: Fall 2023
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Molecular Biology of Cell Cycle | BBS 761
Programs: Interdisciplinary
This course covers genetic, biochemical and cellular mechanisms of cell cycle control. Topics include genetic screens for cell cycle regulators; cell cycle checkpoints; cell cycle regulation of DNA replication and chromosome structure; and the cell cycle in development and cancer.
Credits: 3
Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes
Course Director: Nicholas Rhind
Semester Offered: Spring, odd years
Last Taught: Spring 2023
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Systems and Computational Biology | BBS 764
Programs: Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Interdisciplinary
This course examines topics across four short modules within the broader scope of systems biology. These modules are Gene Regulation, Network Biology, Genome Organization, and Mathematical and Quantitative Methods. In addition, this course has a hands-on component that teaches programming in the MatLab coding environment to analyze data and generate insights through computational approaches. No prior knowledge of computation is assumed, and beginners are encouraged to enroll.
Credits: 3
Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes
Course Director: Hyun Youk, Manuel Garber
Semester Offered: Spring
Last Taught: Spring 2023
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Research Rotation | BBS 850
Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science
Research rotations are defined periods of research experience under the direction of a faculty member. They are intended to familiarize the student with concepts and techniques in several areas of research and to assist the student in evaluating research laboratories and projects that might be developed into a dissertation project. The student will participate in an ongoing research project; gain familiarity with concepts underlying the research; acquire a working knowledge of techniques used in the research; and write a report and present an oral summary of the results of the research.
Credits: 2-5
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Director: Varies
Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Last Taught: Taught every Fall and Spring semester
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Summer Research - Year One | BBS 851
Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science
Research rotations are defined periods of research experience under the direction of a faculty member. They are intended to familiarize the student with concepts and techniques in several areas of research and to assist the student in evaluating research laboratories and projects that might be developed into a dissertation project. The student will participate in an ongoing research project; gain familiarity with concepts underlying the research; acquire a working knowledge of techniques used in the research; and write a report and present an oral summary of the results of the research.
Credits: 6
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Director: Varies
Semester Offered: Summer
Last Taught: Taught every Summer
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BBS Qualifying Exam | BBS 860
Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science
Students are required to register for this course in the fall semester of the academic year in which they are to pass their Qualifying Examination.
Credits: 1
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Director: Mary Ellen Lane
Semester Offered: Fall
Last Taught: Taught every year
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BBS TRAC Meeting | BBS 865
Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science
All graduate students are required to have at least one Thesis Research Advisory Committee (TRAC) meeting each academic year. After passing their Qualifying Examination and selection of their TRAC, students are required to register for this course each fall semester until their Dissertation Advisory Committee is formed.
MD/PhD Goals: 1) To periodically review progress along thesis research project advised by content experts 2) To provide guidance for establishing a thesis research project consistent with the MD/PhD Program goals
MD/PhD Curricular Expectations: Two Thesis Research Advisory Committee (TRAC) meeting each academic year as define by the Professionalism Benchmark Checklist
Credits: 1
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Director: Mary Ellen Lane
Semester Offered: Fall
Last Taught: Taught every year
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Prequalifying Research | BBS 870
Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science
This course is for students who have selected a program and thesis advisor but who have not yet passed the Qualifying Examination.
Credits: 9
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Director: Student's thesis advisor
Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Last Taught: Taught every semester
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Thesis Research | BBS 900
Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science
Students register for Thesis Research fall term of year three of the program (MD/PhD Students: Fall term of year four in the program), after passing the Qualifying Exam.
Credits: 12
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Director: Student's thesis advisor
Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Last Taught: Taught every semester
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Graduate Research | BBS 990
Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science
Students register for Graduate Research fall term of year four (MD/PhD Students: Fall term of year five+) in the PhD Program and will continue to register each semester until they complete all remaining requirements.
Credits: 0
Fulfills an elective requirement: No
Course Director: Student's thesis advisor
Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Last Taught: Taught every semester