Curriculum
CORE CURRICULUM
MCB 511 - RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES IN MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY (3).
Faculty present an in depth examination of their specific fields of research.
MCB 525 - TECHNIQUES IN MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY (3).
An intensive laboratory course introducing modern methods for the manipulation of cellular macromolecules. Recombinant DNA technology, protein chemistry, and in situ hybridization methods presented in a format that emphasizes experimental continuity. The course requires two weeks of intensive full-time involvement.
MCB 554 - GENOME ORGANIZATION, STRUCTURE, AND MAINTENANCE (4).
How diverse organisms store their individual sets of genetic information (genomes). Evolution of genomes and gene families. Structures of DNA and chromatin. Biochemical and regulatory pathways that protect cellular genomes against environmental and endogenous damage and ensure transmission of faithful copies to progeny. Remodeling of genomes by recombination and transposition.
MCB 555 - GENOME EXPRESSION AND REGULATION (4).
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems will be used to describe recent advances in understanding transcriptional and posttranscriptional control mechanisms. Topics include: microbial, yeast and mouse model systems; transcriptional control mechanisms; RNA processing, silencing and microRNAs; protein synthesis and posttranslational modification; microarray- and mass spectrometry-based expression genomics.
MCB 556 - CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY (4).
MCB 556 Cell and Developmental Biology (4). Examination of molecular and structural elements in eukaryotic cells and their relationship to function and development. Topics include nuclear organization, membranes, organelles, intracellular sorting, cell energetics, cell signaling, cell motility, cell division cycle, and developmental processes of selected model organisms. Critical reading and writing skills will be emphasized. CROSSLISTED as GEN 556. PREREQS: BB 450, BB 451 (biochemistry) or equivalent; BI 311 (genetics) or equivalent. Recommended: BI 460 (cell biology) or equivalent; MCB 554, MCB 555
MCB 557 - SCIENTIFIC SKILLS AND ETHICS (3).
Students receive training in the preparation and presentation of scientific seminars. This course also offers instruction and discussions of ethics relevant to scientists.
MCB 610 - MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY INTERNSHIPS (1-9). Research experiences and disciplinary explorations in laboratories of MCB faculty.
MCB 668 - BIOINFORMATICS AND GENOMICS (4). This course is divided into two 2-credit modules. First module teaches both the theory and practice of basic informatics techniques-including sequence alignment, sequence searching, and the evolution of protein families- and their applications at a genome-wide level (comparative genomics and functional genomics). Second module introduces the fundamental tools of bioinformatics (Linux, Perl) and bioinformatics algorithms necessary to process and analyze large datasets generated from high-throughput genomics experiments. The second module is structured in three sections: Programming Concepts (PC), Biological Applications (BA) and Biological Projects (BP). Programming Concepts lays the foundation for the later two sections. PC will teach students to work within a Linux operating system in a client/server environment. Students learn to create programs in Perl scripting language, which permeates modern bioinformatics applications. Relevant programming concepts are presented and code examples illustrated using biological data. BA builds on the PC foundation to provide "snapshots" of common bioinformatics methods. For example, formatting biological sequence data into standard file formats, parsing the output from common bioinformatics software, adding notations to biosequences, calculating common statistics associated with biosequences (i.e., reverse complementation of DNA sequence). BP uses the BA snapshots to develop more extensive projects. BP incorporates extensive coverage of theoretical and algorithmic concepts to explore a biological topic where dealing with the data in a computational and mathematical framework is essential. . . . . . CROSSLISTED as MB 668.
OTHER MCB COURSES
- MCB 501 RESEARCH (1-16)
- MCB 503 THESIS (1-16)
- MCB 505 READING AND CONFERENCE (1-16)
- MCB 509 PRACTICUM (1-16)
- MCB 510. INTERNSHIP(1-16).
MCB 524. MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES (1).
Modern methods for manipulation of cellular macromolecules. Recombinant DNA technology and protein chemistry methods will be covered. Includes daily lectures over a two-week period. PREREQ: BB 451 or equivalent. May not be taken concurrently with MCB 525. Graded P/N.
MCB 526. ADVANCED BIOTECHNOLOGY TECHNIQUES (1-4).
Provide technical experience and training in research techniques that are relevant to a career in the biotechnology industry. Section 001: Microscopy (1); Section 002: Mass Spectrometry (1); Section 003: Bioinformatics (1); Section 004: Flow Cytometry (1); PREREQ: Graduate standing required.
MCB 541. PLANT TISSUE CULTURE (4).
Principles, methods, and applications of plant tissue culture. Laboratory is important part of course. Topics include callus culture, regeneration, somaclonal variation, micropropagation, anther culture, somatic hybridization, and transformation. Crosslisted as HORT 541.
MCB 564. RECEPTORS AND SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION: ADVANCED TOPICS (3)
Advanced concepts and recent developments in receptor pharmacology. Topics include receptor theory and regulation, and signal transduction pathways and functions. PREREQ: Consent of instructor. Suggested prerequisite is MCB 556 or PHAR 591. Offered alternate years. Crosslisted as PHAR 564.
MCB 565 - MAMMALIAN MOLECULAR GENETICS (3). Covers general principles of the molecular genetics and functional genomics of mammalian organ system development. Advanced methodologies and emerging biotechnologies and their social, economic, political and cultural impacts will be discussed. CROSSLISTED as PHAR 565. OTHER PREREQS: BB 450, BB 490, MCB 556
MCB 573. CYTOGENETICS (4).
Effects of variations in Crosslisted chromosome structure and number. PREREQ: BI 311 or equivalent. Crosslisted as GEN 573, HORT 573. Offered alternate years.
MCB 593. SELECTED TOPICS IN PLANT CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (1-3).
Seminar and discussion format. Recent advances in cellular and molecular approaches to the study of plant functions of ecological and physiological significance. Topics vary from year to year. May be repeated for credit. Crosslisted as BOT 593.
MCB 595. SELECTED TOPICS IN MOLECULAR VIROLOGY (1-3).
Seminar and discussion format. Recent advances in molecular virology with heavy reliance on the current literature. Topics vary from term to term. May be repeated for credit.
MCB 599 - SPECIAL TOPICS (1-16).
MCB 601. RESEARCH (1-16).
MCB 603. THESIS (1-16).
MCB 605. READING AND CONFERENCE (1-16).
MCB 609. PRACTICUM (1-16).
MCB 620. DNA FINGERPRINTING (1).
Principles and methods for producing and analyzing DNA fingerprints. PREREQ: BI 311 or CSS 430 or equivalent. Crosslisted as CSS 620, GEN 620. Offered alternate years.
MCB 621. GENETIC MAPPING (1).
Principles and methods for constructing genetic maps comprised of molecular and other genetic markers. PREREQ: BI 311 or CSS 430 or equivalent. Crosslisted as CSS 621, GEN 621. Offered alternate years.
MCB 622. MAPPING QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI (1).
Principles and methods for mapping genes underlying phenotypically complex traits. PREREQ: CSS 590 or ST 513 or equivalent. Crosslisted as CSS 622, GEN 622. Offered alternate years.
MCB 625. PLANT MOLECULAR GENETICS (3).
Structure, expression, and interactions of the plant nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial genomes. Critical examination of the current literature on gene regulation, mobile genetic elements, and biotechnology in higher plants. PREREQ: MCB 555 or equivalent and BB 451 or consent of the instructor. Offered alternate years. Crosslisted as BOT 625, GEN 625.
MCB 636. MOLECULAR VIROLOGY (4).
A survey of representative viruses with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms involved in replication, transcription, and pathogenesis. Crosslisted as BB 636, GEN 636, MB 636. Offered alternate years.
MCB 637X. MOLECULAR HOST-MICROBE INTERACTIONS (3). Lecture and discussion-based presentation of the molecular bases for interactions between organisms. Will address bacterial, algal, and fungal symbionts of eukaryotes and will consider pathogenesis, commensalism, and mutualism. A focus on the evolution of host-microbe interactions will be included. OTHER PREREQS: Graduate standing.
MCB 651. MOLECULAR BASIS OF PLANT PATHOGENESIS (3).
Analysis of current concepts in the physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of host-parasite interactions. Topics covered include specificity, recognition, penetration, toxin production, altered plant metabolism during disease, resistance mechanisms and regulatory aspects of gene expression during host-parasite interactions. PREREQ: BOT 550. Offered alternate years. Crosslisted as BOT 651.
MCB 664. FUNGAL GENETICS (3).
Analysis of the genetics of model fungal systems including yeasts, Neurospora, and fungal plant pathogens. Mendelian and molecular studies of gene organization and function, chromosome mapping, mutation, parasexuality, mating-type genes, and signal transduction models for fungal/plant interactions. PREREQ: BB 451/BB 551 and GEN 555 or MCB 555 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Offered alternate years. Crosslisted as BOT 664, GEN 664.
MCB 669. GENOME EVOLUTION (3). Recent advances in our understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms by which genomes change over time will be the central focus of this course. Specific areas of study will include principles of molecular evolution and population genetics, phylogenetics, and recent topics in evolutionary genomics.
MCB 691. SELECTED TOPICS IN MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY (1-5).
MCB 692. SELECTED TOPICS: PLANT PATHOLOGY (1-3).
Seminar and discussion of selected topics in plant pathology, emphasizing current literature and theory. Topics vary from year to year. May be repeated for credit. PREREQ: BOT 550 or equivalent. Crosslisted as BOT 692.
MCB 699. SPECIAL TOPICS (1-3).