Courses

• GMS FC 705: Translational Genetics and Genomics
  Modern human genetics has evolved at a tremendous pace, with the promise of an affordable complete genome sequence for every individual just around the corner. While the raw information has increased exponentially, its translation to patient care has not kept pace. We will discuss exciting recent advances in human genetics and genomics, with illustrative examples of their translation into improvements in diagnosis and treatment of patients. We will also discuss ethical and societal challenges of this rapidly evolving field. Our course is aimed at first or second year Ph.D. students, and will be taught by faculty in a variety of departments through traditional lectures and discussion sections. Students will be evaluated on their ability to explain the translational research process and demonstrate how individual research findings build on one another to move a field forward to ultimately impact patient care.
• GMS FC 706: Molecular Metabolism
  This optional module of the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences curriculum focuses on the biochemical, cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate cell and tissue-specific fuel metabolism. The course will present an integrated view of biochemistry and the control of cellular and organismal functions with regard to nutrient utilization. Classes include small group discussions of key papers. Mechanisms that allow cells to survive variations in nutrient supply (starvation, feeding, nutrient excess/stress) and how these mechanisms contribute to metabolic derangements contribute to disease pathogenesis (e.g. diabetes, obesity, cancer) will be discussed. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS FC 707: Physiology of Specialized Cells
  This course is one of the elective course modules (Module V) of the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences curriculum. Knowledge of cellular and molecular physiology is critical to understanding the higher order of functioning of tissues, organs, and organs systems. The objective of the course is to discuss the specialized adaptations of cells that help them to function in their respective tissues and organs. This course will also provide a framework to bridge the gap between the biochemistry and the molecular and cellular biology that students have acquired in the core modules (I through IV) and organ physiology and pharmacology that will be addressed in the second year. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS FC 708: Professional Development Skills
  This course introduces basic professional development skills for PhD students in the following areas:communication skills, research compliance/law/bioethics, and personal professional development.
• GMS FC 709: Research Design and Statistical Methods for Biomedical Sciences
  The overall objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of basic concepts of research design and data analysis in the biomedical sciences. The primary didactic areas to be covered include framing hypotheses and objectives, the use of experimental designs and, to a lesser degree, non-experimental designs, problems of differential and non-differential error (including bias and confounding), foundational principles of data description and analysis (independent vs. correlated, parametric and non-parametric, measures of central tendency and dispersion), effect estimation, the use and limitations of statistical testing, and univariable and multivariable modeling. The course employs both didactic sessions and in-class discussion. 3 cr., Spring sem. Co-listed as NU709.
• GMS FC 720: Stat Biomed Sci
  
• GMS FC 762: Critical Thinking in Biomedical Research
  The primary goal of this course is to use the framework of the scientific literature to develop Critical Thinking Skills to generate novel hypotheses with a focus on establishing novel biological mechanisms and pathways. Critical Thinking skills will be used to examine research findings and theories to uncover inconsistencies, bias, or faulty logic. The student will be expected to build on their careful evaluation and analysis of the papers to create a novel hypothesis each week and design a single experiment to address their question. The weekly course discussion will be student led and this will facilitate the development of teaching skills. Generally the papers to be discussed will be an older, classic paper, which established an important new concept and a newer paper that builds on that theme. Grading is based on weekly participation in class discussions, presentations, and a concise final written assignment. 2cr, spring
• GMS FC 764: Professional Presentation Skills
  The course is designed for first year graduate students. The goal of this course is to teach students how to present their research in written and oral form. Students will give multiple short oral presentations and be critiques. They will also give 1 longer presentation. Students will learn to give presentations with and without slides. Students will also begin to acquire written skills in preparation for the Proposal writing course in the second year. The course will meet weekly and will be 2 credits.
• GMS FC 777: Techniques in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology
  Successful basic science research in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology requires proposing, developing and testing a novel hypothesis. The generation of a novel hypothesis in turn requires the ability to apply the scientific method and then implement the appropriate techniques to address the experimental question. This course will complement the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences (FiBS) curriculum by providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the experimental methods used in biomedical research. By the end of this course students will master the concepts behind a wide range of experimental techniques and technologies and then be prepared to apply the most appropriate experimental system to a given biological question. Biochemical knowledge regarding "how things work" will enable students to develop their own experimental research strategies. This course will be offered for 1st year PhD students and will use a traditional lecture approach, problem sets, and discussions. Course materials will include classic papers from the literature, laboratory protocols, and problem sets. A comprehensive final written assignment is designed to test the students' mastery of the subject matter. 2 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS FC 951: Res Cell & Mol
  
• GMS FC 952: Research in Cell & Molecular Biology
  Var cr
• GMS FS 700: Criminal Law and Ethics
  An overview of legal, ethical and practical issues of forensic science, the impact of forensic science on the justice system and a discussion of traditional and emerging admissibility standards involving forensic science evidence is given. The curriculum will include a description of the roles law enforcement, attorneys and forensic scientists, professional standards for the practice of criminalistics and ethical issues in various forensic disciplines. 2 cr
• GMS FS 701: Crime Scene Investigation
  This combination hands-on and lecture-based course will provide students with an in-depth review of crime scene assessment and management. Methods of identifying, documenting, collecting and packaging physical evidence from various types of crime scenes are discussed. A hands-on component will be employed in areas such as crime scene sketching, photography and pattern evidence collection. 3 cr
• GMS FS 702: Forensic Biology
  This lecture-based course will introduce students to the biological aspects of forensic evidence including biochemical and physical attributes of blood and other body fluids. Common methods of body fluid identification utilized in forensic laboratories will be discussed at length. Other topics include guidelines for thorough evidence examination, screening, documentation and report writing. 3 cr
• GMS FS 703: Forensic Chemistry
  This lecture-based course will provide an introduction to forensic chemistry and will expose students to chemical principles and instrumental techniques associated with the field, with particular emphasis on the analysis of controlled substances and forensic toxicology. A review of organic and analytical chemistry as they relate to forensic investigations will be discussed. 3 cr
• GMS FS 704: Forensic Biology Laboratory
  This laboratory-based course will give students an opportunity to apply the principles of forensic biology to actual samples. Techniques utilized will include chemical screening assays, detection with ALS, methods used to confirm the presence of specific biological materials, antibody interactions, and microscopic identification of cellular material. 2 cr
• GMS FS 705: Forensci Anthro
  
• GMS FS 706: Pattern Evidence Analysis
  This combination lecture and lab-based course will provide students with overview of various types of pattern evidence with an emphasis on the systematic approaches to pattern evidence comparison and analysis. The history of fingerprint identification, fingerprint processing and comparison techniques, footwear and tire impression analysis, toolmark analysis, and the importance of photography in pattern evidence documentation will be discussed. Development of pattern evidence using mechanical, chemical and visual techniques is incorporated. 2 cr
• GMS FS 707: Trace Evidence Analysis
  This lecture-based course will provide an overview of the principles and concepts on which trace evidence analysis is based. Proper collection, preservation, identification and comparison of items such as glass, paint, hairs and fibers, using standard methods and instruments used in crime scene laboratories will be discussed. 3 cr
• GMS FS 708: Forensic Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
  This laboratory course will provide an introduction to a variety of instrumentation and equipment utilized in the forensic laboratory and detail the methods used by forensic scientists for chemical analysis with a focus on forensic toxicology and drug chemistry. 2 cr

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