Integrated Ph.D. Curriculum

This course is designed to present a thorough background of structural biochemistry, molecular biology and metabolism. Topics introduced include, not limited to, foundational principles of biochemistry, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and nucleotide structure, enzyme kinetics, membranes and signaling, DNA repair and gene expression, carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and purine/pyrimidine metabolism, and the diverse biochemical functions of vitamins.

This course focuses primarily on eukaryotic cells. Lectures are devoted to structural details and the molecular functions of the different parts of the cell. Lectures will introduce topics such as endocytosis, intra-membrane transport, protein targeting, organelle biosynthesis, protein sorting, exocytosis, cell shape, motility, and cell-to-cell interaction. Lectures also deal with signal transduction processes and cellular functions that are required for cell growth and programmed cell death. By its completion, students should have a comprehensive understanding of the architecture and function of living cells. In addition, emphasis is placed on experimental approaches taken to elucidate certain biology principles, including “paper sessions” with active participation by students.

This course examines basic principles that govern the responsible conduct of biomedical research. The course explores topics related to scientific integrity, collegiality, research subjects, institutional integrity and social responsibility. Students participate actively in the course through written critiques and analyses of assigned readings, in-class presentations, and group discussions.

Lectures and discussions: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded

Life in Biomedical Research I & II jointly constitute a professional development course designed to introduce new students to aspects of science and a career in science not covered explicitly in other courses – e.g., learning about the different careers available to the scientist, oral presentation skills, data analysis and figure preparation, philosophy of science, basic grant writing (NIH F30/F31-style fellowships), and networking/communication skills. Broadly speaking, the overall goal of this course is to introduce students to what “they don’t know that they don’t know” about pursuing a career in research or other areas of science.

Basic methods of statistical analysis are emphasized including t-tests, ANOVA and regression. A mixture of theory and practical use is presented.

First-year research rotations for students in the Integrated Ph.D. program. The student assists in ongoing experiments, data analysis, and evaluation of hypotheses being tested. The student also participates in laboratory staff meetings and journal clubs and seminars in the department housing that laboratory. Students are required to prepare a brief written report on the project they participated in. May be taken multiple times in different laboratories.

Students attend and participate in presentation of reports on articles in current journals. Each student makes at least two presentations.

Graduate students gain valuable teaching experience by participating in ongoing courses as lecturers, small group facilitators, laboratory instructors in a structured didactic setting, review session leaders, and other teaching opportunities with program director approval.

Research training undertaken by Ph.D. students after choosing a dissertation sponsor, but before achieving candidacy. Research. Hours to be assigned.

Dissertation research conducted by candidates for the Ph.D. degree in Physiology under the supervision and guidance of a faculty advisor.

This 2-semester course provides the student with an introduction to how organ systems, composed of cells and tissues, function in the body. The objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of basic mammalian and human physiology. This course will cover the functions of mammalian organisms on several levels including organ systems, organs, cellular and subcellular levels. Organ systems covered in this 2-semester course include cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, neural and gastrointestinal. Overall, students will gain a better understanding of body function. In addition, students will comprehend how certain basic and common pathological conditions alter human health and affect physiological function. This is a two-semester course, with part 1 running in the fall semester from August through December, and part 2 running from January through May.

These courses are designed to present a thorough background of structural biochemistry, molecular biology and metabolism. Topics introduced include, not limited to, foundational principles of biochemistry, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and nucleotide structure, enzyme kinetics, membranes and signaling, DNA repair and gene expression, carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and purine/pyrimidine metabolism, and the diverse biochemical functions of vitamins.

In vitro and in vivo aspects of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis are covered in depth by instructors actively doing research in each of these areas. Special emphasis is placed on methods and techniques used to address key questions in the macromolecular processes of DNA replication and repair, RNA transcription and processing, protein synthesis, and post-translational modifications. Students are introduced to principles and applications of molecular techniques and new discoveries in the molecular biology of eukaryotes. Students are provided with a comprehensive reading list.

MCRM 1010 General Microbiology I (Fall) (4 credits)

Part I explores the biology of microorganisms with a detailed discussion of microbial structure, physiology and growth with special emphasis on bacterial metabolism. The fundamental biological properties of microorganisms will be related to their role in nature and the means by which they are manipulated in the laboratory with a detailed discussion of viruses, their structure and function and mechanism of infection. Part II continues with molecular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and the role of virulence factors in diseases caused by infectious agents will also be discussed.

MCRM 1020 General Microbiology II (Spring) (4 credits)

Part I explores the biology of microorganisms with a detailed discussion of microbial structure, physiology and growth with special emphasis on bacterial metabolism. The fundamental biological properties of microorganisms will be related to their role in nature and the means by which they are manipulated in the laboratory with a detailed discussion of viruses, their structure and function and mechanism of infection. Part II continues with molecular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and the role of virulence factors in diseases caused by infectious agents will also be discussed.