Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the Student Link for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• GMS BC 972: Research II
  This is the capstone course for the Program. Utilizing the base of knowledge gained throughout the previous year, and applying learned methods in modeling and simulation, this practicum provides the student with an opportunity to perform a guided research activity focused on health care under crisis.The specific objective of this capstone requirement is to prepare the student to be able to directly contribute to the process of crisis management and to equip the student with practical experience in evaluating and planning for future potential crises conditions. 2 cr
• GMS BI 555: Biochemistry A
  Structure and function of macromolecules. Mechanisms of enzyme action, introduction to metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, biochemical energetics. Four hours of lecture.
• GMS BI 556: Biochemistry B
  Metabolism of amino acids, lipids and nucleotides, control of metabolic processes, hormone action, biochemical genetics, transcriptional and translational events. Four hours of lecture.
• GMS BI 751: Biochemistry and Cell Biology
  Basic principles and concepts of medical school-level biochemistry and cell biology in a one-semester course. Topics include protein structure and function, mechanisms of enzyme action, nutrition and metabolism, membrane structure, receptor signaling, cell cycle regulation, DNA and RNA structure and function, regulation of gene expression and techniques in molecular medicine. Clinical correlations are provided throughout the course. 6 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS BI 755: Gen Biochem 1
  
• GMS BI 756: Gen Biochem 2
  
• GMS BI 759: Integrat Biochm
  
• GMS BI 777: Techniques in Biomedical Research
  Success in biomedical research 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 core 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" and "how to cook from scratch in the lab" will enable students to develop their own experimental research strategies. Specific topics to be covered include: the scientific method/lab basics, cell culture and gene transfer, protein extraction and analysis, DNA and cloning, PCR, DNA-protein interactions and chromatin, RNA and quantitative PCR, lipids, transgenic and knockout mice, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, microarray and next generation sequencing, histology and confocal microscopy. This course is team taught and will use lectures, in class discussions, and focused problem sets. A concise final written assignment is designed to test the students' mastery of the subject matter. 2 cr., Fall sem.
• GMS BI 778: Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Disease
  The course deals with research topics relevant to cardiovascular disease including lipoproteins, atherosclerosis, oxidative stress, diabetes, hypertension, congenital heart abnormalities, gene therapy, stem cell therapies and others. Emphasis is placed on molecular and cellular mechanisms of normal vascular function and of vascular dysfunction leading to disease. Each session is taught by an expert in the field. Each student presents an original paper assigned by the instructors and writes and presents a review. Offered alternate years. 2 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS BI 780: Metabolism
  
• GMS BI 782: Molecular Biology
  Prereq: GMS BI 755, 756 or equivalent and consent of instructor. An advanced molecular biology course that places emphasis on the current literature and relevant research techniques. Topics include DNA/RNA/protein synthesis and function analysis of genetic disorders, gene therapy, molecular biology of important cellular processes, and regulation of gene expression. Farmer, Kirsch. 4 cr
• GMS BI 783: Structure and Function of Proteins
  Prereq (or may be taken simultaneously): GMS BI 755 and 756 or equivalent and consent of instructor. This course correlates the structure of proteins with their function. It considers the uni-versality of certain regions, such as zinc fingers, calcium binding regions, DNA liganding se-quences, in terms of their three dimensional structure, and consid-ers the effect of site specific muta-tions in these regions on the func-tion of the protein containing them. Apoproteins, apolipoproteins, gly-coproteins, structural proteins, and adhesion molecules are used as examples of the correlation be-tween structure and function of these entities. Offered alternate years. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
• GMS BI 786: Biochemical Mechanisms of Aging
  Prereq: consent of instructor. Current issues and key research advances in the understanding of the biochemical processes involved in aging of mammals are discussed. Theories on aging are analyzed, and age-related changes in gene structure and expression are presented. Alterations in the function of the neuroendocrine and immune systems with aging are also discussed. Offered alternate years. Polgar. 2 cr
• GMS BI 787: Molecular Mechanisms of Growth and Development
  Examines the most recent advances in the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and development. Control of the cell cycle and regulation of the expression of differentiated function are discussed. The role of extracellular growth factors and nuclear transcriptional regulatory proteins are explored. Students present and actively discuss recent primary research articles. Offered alternate years. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS BI 788: Enzyme Catalysis
  Prereq: GMS BI 755, 756 or equivalent and consent of instruc-tor. Advanced aspects of chemical, thermodynamic and kinetic principles of catalytic mechanisms. Topics include genetic, kinetic, and chemical methods of analysis of enzyme mechanisms; transition state and mechanism-based inhibitors in the control of metabolic reactions; allosteric regulation; enzymes as chemotherapeutic targets in human disease. Offered alternate years. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
• GMS BI 789: Methods and Modeling in Molecular Biochemistry
  This course teaches the concepts and approaches necessary to model and treat molecular/cellular processes using physical tools and methods including computational strategies. Competence in research methods and modeling approaches enabling exploration and quantification of biological systems is the course goal. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS BI 790: Methods and Modeling in Molecular Biochemistry
  Prereq: GMS BI 755, 756 or equivalent and consent of instructor. The goal of this course is to provide an in-depth descrip-tion of the molecular mechanisms of ligand-receptor binding and signal transduction. Emphasis is placed on the mechanism of action of hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors. Individual components of receptor-induced signaling pathways are investigated in detail and integrated into models of cellular control. Relies heavily on current literature and student-directed discussion. Offered alternate years. Kandror. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
• GMS BI 793: Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics and Functional Genomics
  The application of mass spectrometry to protein, glycoconjugate and carbohydrate structures has propelled developments in proteomics and functional genomics. This course describes how to use mass spectrometry to answer structural and functional questions in biomedical research. The course explores the background necessary to effectively design mass spectrometric (MS) experiments and interpret data. Students gain a full understanding of modern MS and its effective use in research. Lectures are devoted to instrumentation, ionization methods, applications to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, glycoconjugates, nucleic acids and uses of the technology in proteomics, biotechnology and medicine. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS BI 854: Biochemistry Student Seminar
  Required for all Department of Biochemistry MA, PhD and MD/PhD students. Students present and discuss the current literature in molecular and cellular biochemistry. The objective of this course is to develop oral presentation and critical thinking skills. 2 cr, Fall & Spring sem.
• GMS BI 951: Research in Biochemistry
  Var cr

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