Courses

Molecular Biosciences Core Courses

BIOL 807 Molecular Biosciences I. An introduction to the advanced study of biochemistry and microbiology for all Molecular Biosciences graduate students.  Topics can include macromolecular structure, metabolism, kinetics and thermodynamics, bioinformatics, basic and pathogenic bacteriology, immunology, & virology.

BIOL 808 Molecular Biosciences II. An introduction to the advanced study of genetics, cell and developmental biology, and neurobiology for all Molecular Biosciences graduate students.  Topics can include prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetic mechanisms, cell structure and function, signal transduction, membrane potentials, synaptic transmission, & sensory neurophysiology.

BIOL 818 Techniques in Molecular Biosciences. An introduction to common techniques used for research strategies in molecular biosciences.  The course will cover common techniques in cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology and neurobiology.  Information will be presented in lectures and through practical demonstrations.

Representative Courses

BIOL 673 Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology. Mechanisms of neural function and development will be considered at the cellular and molecular levels. Synaptic mechanisms of learning and memory, modulation of transmitter release, and the molecular basis of neurodegenerative disorders will also be discussed.

BIOL 690 Control Mechanisms in Development. Molecular aspects of nucleic acid dynamics; differential gene function and its control; regulation of morphogenesis.

BIOL 701 Topics in: _____. Advanced courses on special topics in biology, given as need arises. Lectures, discussions, readings, laboratory, or field work. Students may select sections according to their special interests.

BINF 701/702. An introduction to the basic concepts, methods, and tools used in Bioinformatics. Topics include bioinformatics databases, sequence and structure alignments, protein structure prediction, protein folding, protein-protein interaction, Monte Carlo simulation, and molecular dynamics.

BIOL 750 Advanced Biochemistry. The structures and dynamics of proteins and nucleic acids will be developed in terms of well understood examples which will also be used to discuss the function of major classes of proteins. The application of structural and dynamical principles to biological membranes and their function will
also be discussed.

BIOL 752 Cell Biology. A lecture course emphasizing biochemical, developmental, and molecular aspects of cell structure and function.

BIOL 753 – Advanced Genetics.  An advanced course in modern genetic analysis of eukaryotes.  Course material will consist mainly of primary literature in the field of genetics.  Topics covered include:  genomic structure and genome projects; nature of mutations; mutant analysis; genetic recombination and mapping; analysis of gene function; genetic buffering; RNAi and epigenetics; and the genetics of model organisms. 

BIOL 754 Brain Diseases and Neurological Disorders. Major brain diseases and neurological disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Schizophrenia, etc., will be discussed in terms of the etiology, molecular, and cellular basis of potential therapeutic interventions. Graduate students are required to present original research paper assigned by the instructor to the class in addition to the other assignments for all the students enrolled.

BIOL 756 Cell and Tissue Culture Laboratory. An introduction to current laboratory methods of cell and tissue culture, intended to provide an understanding of and substantial experience in several aspects of animal cell growth, cell synchrony, cell nutrition, the production and selection of mutant cell lines, the production and use of heterokaryons and interspecific hybrids, cell transformation in vitro, the cultivation and characterization of differentiated cells in culture, enzyme induction, and cell karyoptyping.

BIOL 772 Gene Expression. A study of the structure and expression of genes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Emphasis on the mechanisms of DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis.

BIOL 776 Mammalian Neuroanatomy. Lectures, video tape demonstrations, and laboratory dissection of mammalian nervous system with some attention to human material. For pre-health science majors with major emphasis on structure as it relates to function.

BIOL 777 Integrative and Developmental Neurobiology. Cellular processing of neural information both at the local level and in long distance integration. Local computing functions, and integration of these functions among the various areas to produce coherent movement and perceptions will be discussed. A description of forces guiding the development of the nervous system to form a coherent working system in both invertebrate and vertebrate animals will be presented, as will determinants of brain sexual dimorphism.

BIOL 801 Topics in: _____. Advanced courses on special topics in biology, given as need arises. Lectures, discussing readings, laboratory or field work. Students may select sections according to their special interests.

BIOL 811 Advanced Molecular and Cellular Immunology. Covers recent advances in immunochemistry and immunobiology. Topics include structure and function of antibodies, hybridoma systems, idiotypes, induction and regulation of the immune response through cell interactions and cytokine action, and the role of immune activity in disease states such as hypersensitivity, autoreactivity, and cancer.

BIOL 812 Mechanisms of Host-Parasite Relationships. Lectures. Emphasis is on virulence factors of microorganisms and the host response to infection. Topics will include pathogenesis of intracellular and extracellular parasites, bacterial adhesins, and toxins, and the role of innate and acquired immunity in host resistance and the response to infection.

BIOL 813 Advanced Bacterial Physiology. Lectures. The intermediary reactions catalyzed by the bacterial cell during energy-requiring processes. Thermodynamic considerations of these processes are discussed.

BIOL 814 Advanced Molecular Virology. The course concentrates on evaluation of current literature concerning all aspects of molecular biology, biochemical characterization, and pathogenic mechanisms involved in host-virus interactions. Students will be expected to present articles and participate in discussions.

BIOL 815 Advanced Microbial Genetics. A literature based course that covers recent advances in microbial molecular genetics. Topics include transcription, translation, mutagenesis and repair, genetic exchange mechanisms, and regulation of gene expression.

BIOL 841 Biometry. The application of statistical methods to data from various fields of biological research. Special emphasis is placed on practical computational procedures.

BIOL 901 Graduate Seminar in Biochemistry and Biophysics. Advanced course examining current research topics in biochemistry and biophysics. Extensive student/faculty interaction is emphasized utilizing lectures, class discussion of assigned readings of research reports, and oral presentations.

BIOL 902 Graduate Seminar in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Advanced course examining current research topics in molecular cellular, and an developmental biology. Extensive student/faculty interaction is emphasized utilizing lectures, class discussion of assigned readings of research reports, and oral presentations.

BIOL 904 Graduate Seminar in Microbiology. Advanced course examining current research topics in microbiology. Extensive student/faculty interaction is emphasized utilizing lectures, class discussion of assigned readings of research reports, and oral presentations.

BIOL 918 Modern Biochemical and Biophysical Methods. This course emphasizes the use of techniques for solving problems of structure and function of biological macromolecules. Students will complete several modules that consist of lectures relating to theory and practical aspects of each methodological approach. Many modules include practical lab experience and/or demonstrations.

BIOL 925 Research Grant Proposal Preparation. Formats, strategies, and styles of research grant proposal writing.

For a complete course list, click here:
http://www.ur.ku.edu/Acadpub/gradcat/directoryofcourses.html