500

BMS 501 Foundations in Life Sciences

Explore the dynamics of gene expression at the level of DNA, RNA and protein. Develop ability to link techniques in molecular biology with appropriate applications in explaining the scientific approach to gene analysis.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Also offered as BIFX 501

Offered

Fall Semester

BMS 505 Biostatistics

Introduces statistical methods used in biological research. Topics include sampling methods, frequency distributions, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, probability, and both parametric and non-parametric tests. A statistical software package is introduced in laboratory exercises. Statistical problems involving global climate change are used throughout the semester.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Also offered as ENV 505

Offered

Spring Semester

BMS 511 Protein Biochemistry

Prerequisites: Two semesters of organic chemistry. A study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules, particularly proteins. Topics include acid-base equilibria, protein folding, enzyme catalysis, allosterism and protein engineering.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Double-numbered course; offered with undergraduate-level BIOL 411

Offered

Fall Semester

BMS 512 Biochemistry of Intermediary Metabolism

A study of the generation and storage of metabolic energy and of the structure, biosynthesis and function of nucleic acids.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Double-numbered course; offered with undergraduate-level BIOL 412

Offered

As Needed

BMS 520 Protein Purification and Characterization

Prerequisite: BMS 511/411. Lab fee. A lecture/lab course addressing the principles and practical aspects of protein purification and characterization. In addition, the course will cover practical aspects of enzymology, including kinetic analysis of enzyme-catalyzed reactions.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Summer Semester

BMS 523 Cell Structure & Function

Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry and Cell Biology. A study of the structure of cellular organelles and the biochemistry of cellular events, including signal transduction, transport, protein synthesis, respiration, secretion and tissue organizations. Emphasis is given to experimental designs used in analyzing cellular structures and/or functions.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester

BMS 524 Molecular Biology of Eukaryotic Cells

The molecular biology of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. Topics include gene mapping, diagnostic screening for genetic anomalies, molecular cloning and genetic regulatory mechanisms. Emphasis on current experimental techniques used to map genes and understand gene expression.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Double-numbered course; offered with undergraduate-level BIOL 424

Offered

Fall Semester

BMS 525 Virology

Prerequisites: BMS 523 and BMS 524. An introduction to animal viruses with emphasis on classification, structure, the molecular biology of replication and biological activity within eukaryotic cells.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Double-numbered course; offered with undergraduate-level BIOL 425

Offered

Fall Semester

BMS 527 Pathogenic Microbiology

Lab fee. The biology of microorganisms including morphological, biochemical, genetic, pathogenic and antigenic attributes, with special emphasis on experimental and theoretical aspects of the mechanisms of pathogenicity and virulence.

Credits

3.0

Offered

As Needed

BMS 528 Immunology

Prerequisite: BMS 523. Theories and mechanism of the immune response, including structure and function of immunoglobulins, antigen-antibody reactions, immunobiology, immunogenetics, immuno-logic enhancement, immunologic protection, immunologic injury, humoral and cell mediated immunity and experimental methods of analysis of antigen-antibody reactions.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Double-numbered course; offered with undergraduate-level BIOL 428

Offered

Spring Semester

BMS 529 Oncology Drug Discovery

This course will teach you the basics of modern drug discovery efforts to target human cancers. Students will survey the tools and techniques used for cutting-edge targeted cancer therapies and explore some of the major successes and failures of oncology drug discovery. Students will have an understanding of the process of drug discovery from target identification, through assay development, compound screening, and entry into the clinic, as well as a better idea of the complexity of the process and the many failure modes experienced.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester As Needed

BMS 533 Medical Virology

Prerequisite: BMS 525. The role of viruses in human infectious diseases and tumor formation; the host response to viral infection and the epidemiology of viral diseases.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester As Needed

BMS 534 Basic Principles & Methods in Molecular Genetics

Prerequisites: BMS 524 or permission of the instructor. Lab fee. This integrated lab-lecture course provides basic concepts and hands-on experience with common molecular genetics and recombinant DNA methods. Topics include techniques for the isolation of DNA and RNA, gene cloning employing plasmid vectors, DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, expression of fusion proteins in E. coli, and web-based analysis of sequence data.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Double-numbered course; offered with undergraduate-level BIOL 434

Offered

As Needed

BMS 535 Methods of Molecular Research

Prerequisite: BMS 523 or permission of instructor

Lab fee. Explore current methods and instrumentation used in molecular biology research. Methods to study DNA, RNA and proteins, such as RNA sequencing, Chip-sequencing, and CRISPR screens in addition to cell culture techniques.

 

Credits

3.0

Offered

Summer Semester (As Needed)

BMS 537 Introduction to Bioinformatics

Prerequisites: BMS 511 and BMS 524 or permission of the instructor. Lab fee. This is a hands-on, applied course that will introduce students to the use of computer software and Web servers in the analysis of biological sequence data (DNA and protein). Topics include: Pairwise and multiple sequence alignment, BLAST, scoring matrices, phylogenetic analysis, DNA sequence analysis and prediction of 2-D and 3-D molecular structures.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Double-numbered course; offered with undergraduate-level BIOL 437

Offered

Spring Semester

BMS 539 Molecular Immunology

Prerequisite: BMS 528. Lab fee. This combined lecture and laboratory course discusses Ig gene assembly, rearrangements, regulation and expression; T-cell receptors; antigen processing; and advances in antibody engineering. The laboratory exercises cover techniques such as ELISA, immunoblot, hybridoma preparation and evaluation, immunoaffinity chromatography and phage display of antibody fragments.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester

BMS 540 Advanced Topics in Recombinant DNA Technology: Genome Analysis & Mapping

Prerequisite: BMS 534 or permission of the instructor. Lab fee. A study of the techniques used in the cloning, analysis and mapping of genomic DNA. Topics include cloning with cosmid, P1 and YAC vectors, techniques used in linkage analysis and the direct detection of genomic polymorphisms, and strategies to prepare genetic and physical maps. The impact of the combined use of genetic and physical maps in biomedicine will be discussed.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Offered As Needed

BMS 541 Gene Structure and Function

This course deals with the structure and activity of genetic material at the molecular level. Topics include, but are not confined to, DNA structure and replication, gene expression (transcription and translation), and gene regulation. Students will also apply their knowledge of molecular genetics and molecular biology to real-life biological problems in an introduction to synthetic biology. Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary field that applied engineering principles in order to create novel biological systems via the design and either synthesis or assembly of artificial or natural components. The goal is to use such systems to solve biological problems.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Offered As Needed

BMS 542 Ethics in Science

The course considers the ethical dilemmas one could face in a career in science, including how information gained in the research lab is conveyed to the wider scientific audience. Topics included are the peer review process, the patent process, the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, the FDA’s role in drug approval, the funding of research and the national research prioritization process.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester

BMS 543 Advanced Immunology

Prerequisite: BMS 528 or permission of the instructor. A seminar course offering an in-depth investigation of a prescribed area of immunology. Past topics have dealt with AIDS/HIV, cancer and intracellular signaling, all emphasizing the role of the immune response. Emphasis is placed on the use of current literature to develop a thorough understanding of recent advances.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Summer Semester

BMS 552 Biomedical Literature Review

This course is recommended for students planning to take BMS 571 and provides students more exposure and experience with reading primary literature.  Discussions and presentations on the experimental approaches, techniques, analysis, and future directions will be critical to students' understanding of the literature.  Completion of this course prior to the capstone is strongly encouraged.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Offered As Needed

BMS 571 Biomedical Science Seminar

Prerequisite: BMS 511, BMS 523, BMS 524, BMS 537 and Completion of 21 credits of coursework in the BMS program with a 3.0 GPA average, or permission of the instructor. 

Students will choose a specific research problem to address in a grant proposal document.  The scientific merit of the proposal will be presented to the faculty.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Both Semesters

BMS 575 Independent Study

Prerequisite: permission of the chair of the department. A maximum of 6 credits may be applied to a degree program. (1-3 credits per independent study) Reading and/or research in a selected field. An approved title for the independent study must be submitted with the registration forms. 

Credits

1.0 - 3.0

Offered

Either Semester

BMS 580A Biomedical Science Thesis A

Supervision of the master’s thesis. Required of all degree candidates who select the thesis option.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Either Semester

BMS 580B Biomedical Science Thesis B

Prerequisite: BMS 580A

Completion of the master’s thesis. Required of all degree candidates who select the thesis option. 

Credits

3.0

Offered

Either Semester

BMS 590 Advanced Topics in Biomedical Techniques

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. May require a lab fee. A practical course in newer topics, methods and/or instrumentation used in biomedical research. The course is intended not only for graduate students but also for investigators who are interested in learning about topics outside of their own field that can be useful in their research. This can be a lab/lecture or lecture only class, dependent on the topic to be presented.

Credits

3.0

Offered

As Needed

BMS 597 Internship

Prerequisites: Permission of Faculty. Practical training relevant to student's course of study at an approved worksite. Eligible students must have completed at least 18 credits have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. Worksite and project must be approved by BMS Program Director and BMS faculty. A maximum of 3 credits may be applied to a degree program. This course is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Credits

1.0-3.0

Offered

Both Semesters