Prospective Catalog Course Descriptions:
Descriptions of Core Courses Required for the Ph.D. Program  

BMS 501 - Cell Biology I, 4
This course concerns basic concepts and contemporary issues of cell structure and function.  Topics to be covered include cell structure and function, protein sorting and trafficking, membrane transport and excitability, signal transduction, and cell cycle.  A combined lecture and conference format will be used.  Lectures emphasize basic principles derived from original journal articles.  Conferences are used to review lecture concepts, present laboratory demonstrations, analyze original literature, and solve problems.  At the end of the course students should understand the basic principles of cell function, and appreciate scientific methods and techniques of modern cell biology.

BMS 503 - Biochemical Principles, 4 cr
This course concerns current topics in Biochemistry, including protein structure, enzyme kinetics, metabolism, DNA replication and repair, and RNA processing.

BCH 507 - Protein Structure and Function, 2 cr
The primary objective of this course is for students to become familiar with the principal, broad questions in protein structural biology and the experimental strategies used to answer them. Protein function reflects changes in the non‑covalent interactions ‑ both intra and intermolecular ‑ that the protein makes with its environment. Changes in these contacts result in changes in the energy of the protein and of its environment. The objective is, therefore, for students to understand this linkage between conformation and energy change, and to become acquainted with the methodologies used to observe the change in interaction, and to quantitate the associated change in energy. These methods will include: kinetics; specific mutagenesis; model analysis. The primary teaching will be done from the experimental literature. Using research papers, students will learn about various methods to observe protein conformation change, and the methods used to systematically map these changes to specific elements in the protein's structure. Specific topics will include: steady‑state and transient kinetics; protein origins of enzyme catalysis; folding pathways; and protein allostery. A primary objective of the course will be to develop the concept of the "state" of a system, of how a state represents both a collection of atoms, their bonding, and their location in space, and an energy. Although we cannot readily define the energy of a state, we can determine exactly the difference in energies of two states. The experiments we will discuss are designed to make these determinations, and our discussions will focus on how we develop a "picture" of the change in state from these energy differences. This "picture" represents the "function" that goes along with the "structure" of the protein.

BCH 508 - Biochemistry of Gene Expression, 2 cr
The objective of this course is to introduce the students to current concepts in eukaryotic gene expression. Topics are selected from the recent literature. Papers are chosen for class discussion that both employ common and unique molecular techniques and make an important contribution to the theme of the course. Mechanisms of nuclear transcription, alterations in chromatin structure, and regulation of gene expression through signal transduction pathways are topics that were incorporated into the class in recent years. Students are assigned a reading list that includes from two to four papers per class. In addition, problems are assigned throughout the semester. Papers are discussed in detail in class. Each figure is the result of a single experiment. Student discussion begins with the statement of the question being addressed in the experiment. This is followed by a description of the experimental approach chosen by the investigator and the results of the experiment. Importantly, students are expected to critique each experiment. What are its strengths, and what are its weaknesses? Over the course of the semester, students acquire the skills required to carefully read and evaluate the current literature in molecular biology.

BCH 512 -Cellular Signaling and Metabolic Regulation, 2 cr
This course will familiarize students with the principal signaling pathways that control the growth, division and metabolism of eukaryotic cells. Signaling pathways will be examined from the receptor to the nucleus, with an emphasis on understanding changes in protein‑protein interactions, protein modification, and transmission of a signal to its ultimate target, be it modulation of enzyme activity or regulation of gene expression. Emphasis will also be placed on new approaches to studying signaling pathways. Most teaching will be from the primary research literature and will involve significant student participation.

BMS 505 - Dynamic Cell Interactions (Cell Biology IIA),  2 cr
This course concerns contemporary issues of cell biology. Topics to be covered are shown in the appendix B, item 5. A combined lecture and conference format will be used. Lectures will emphasize basic principles derived from original journal articles. Conferences will be used to review lecture concepts, present laboratory demonstrations, and analyze original literature. At the end of the course students should understand the basic principles of cell function, and appreciate scientific methods and techniques of modern cell biology.

BMS 506 - Cell Growth, Differentiation and Transformation (Cell Biology IIb) 2 cr
This course concerns contemporary issues of cell biology. Topics to be covered are shown in the appendix B, item 5. A combined lecture and conference format will be used. Lectures will emphasize basic principles derived from original journal articles. Conferences will be used to review lecture concepts, present laboratory demonstrations, and analyze original literature. At the end of the course students should understand the basic principles of cell function, and appreciate scientific methods and techniques of modern cell biology.

NRS 520 - Neuroscience I, 4 cr
This course provides the Graduate Students in the Graduate Neuroscience Program and other life sciences with a comprehensive overview of the principles that control the development and function of the nervous system. These principles require knowledge that cuts across all scientific disciplines. Hence, topics will be team-taught at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels. The course covers the structure and development of the nervous system, formation and function of the synapse, and the general principles of neuronal function. The student is expected to gain 1) the necessary background to pursue in greater depth any selected facet of neuroscience and 2) an appreciation of the beauty and excitement offered by the intellectual challenge posed by analyzing how the nervous system functions. Topics to be covered are shown in the appendix B, item 5. Dr. Beverly Bishop is the course coordinator.

NRS 521 - Neuroscience II, 4 cr
This course is the second of a sequence designed to provide graduate students with a comprehensive overview of the principles of nervous system function.  There is an emphasis on sensory and motor systems and on brain function and dysfunction. These principles require knowledge that cuts across all scientific disciplines.  Hence, the topics are team-taught at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels using both lecture and organized discussion of the primary literature. The student is expected to gain an understanding of the integrative functions of the central nervous system and an appreciation of CNS function and dysfunction. Topics to be covered are shown in the appendix B, item 5. Dr. Susan Udin is the course coordinator.

NRS 601/602 - Topics in Neuroscience, 1 cr
This course is a journal club that will be attended by all members of GPN. Presentation of papers will be done on a rotating basis. There will also be presentations of laboratory reviews and presentations of abstracts that are to be given at national meetings such as the Society of Neuroscience convention. The objective of this course is to provide a diversified perspective on the Neurosciences. Dr. Malcolm Slaughter is the course coordinator.

GSC 640 - Graduate Research Ethics, 2 cr
Ethical issues related to scientific research and the use of animals and humans in research are among the major topics addressed in this course.