USP Codes are listed in brackets by the 1991 USP code followed by the 2003 USP code (i.e. [M2<>QB]).

1010. Science and Society. 1. [(none)<>I, L] Topics which involve the interface of molecular biology with societal issues, such as AIDS, genetic screening and recreational drugs, will be presented by faculty from the molecular biology department and other departments. After these presentations, students will discuss the issues in a debate format. Grading will be based on attendance as well as participation in discussions.

2021 [2210]. General Microbiology. 4. Introduces nature and diversity of microorganisms and their implications for all of biology. Covers comparative properties of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes, as well as their roles as disease agents, ecological agents and model systems for understanding of fundamental biological processes at the molecular level. Cross listed with MICR 2210. Prerequisites: LIFE 1010, CHEM 1000 or equivalent. (Offered both semesters)

2240. Medical Microbiology. 5.  Designed primarily for nursing and pre-pharmacy majors.  Introduces students to microbiology, including the diversity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes, their structural and physiological properties, and their applied medical significance.  Also covers the basic principles of the immune system and emphasizes the communicable diseases of man caused by microbial pathogens. Cross listed with MICR 2240. Prerequisites: LIFE 1010.

3000. Introduction to Molecular Biology. 3. Designed for students interested in molecular mechanisms by which cellular processes are controlled in eukaryotic cells.  Topics include molecular genetic techniques and genomics, structure of genes and chromosomes, transcriptional and translational control of gene expression, signal transduction pathways and gene regulation, the cell cycle, and abnormal regulatory processes in cancer.  Prerequisites:  LIFE 2021 or 2022 or 2023, and CHEM 2300 or 2320 or 2420 or concurrent enrollment.

3610. Principles of Biochemistry. 4. For students who desire a thorough study of biological systems chemistry from a physical and physical organic approach, but who do not have a background in physical chemistry. Biochemical systems of living organisms are examined in terms of basic chemical concepts. No credit if credit earned in MOLB 4600. Cross listed with CHEM 3610. Prerequisite: LIFE 1000 or 1010, and CHEM 2300 or 2340. (Normally offered fall semester)

4050. Student Seminar. 1 (Max. 4). Examines selected topics appearing in journal literature with oral presentation and discussion. Exposes undergraduate students to current research in molecular biology. Prerequisite: molecular biology course. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  (Offered both semesters)

4051 [4050]. Departmental Seminar. 1 (Max. 15). Students are required to attend a series of weekly seminars presented by faculty from other universities on a diverse set of research topics. Undergraduates will be able to use one credit hour of this course to partially fulfill the seminar requirement. S/U only. Dual listed with MOLB 5051.

4052 [4050]. Summer Seminar. 1 (Max. 5). Consists of one week of lectures, presented by a renowned scientist from either academics or industry. The material presented is taken from research program of the speaker. S/U Only.

4100 [3980]. Clinical Biochemistry. 3. Discusses biochemical principles underlying human health and disease. Relates molecular mechanisms and the associated chemical and enzymatic alterations to normal and abnormal clinical conditions. Prerequisite: MOLB 3610 or 4610 concurrently. (Normally offered spring semester)

4170. Cloning and DNA Sequencing Laboratory. 1. Introduces cloning and DNA sequencing. Dual listed with MOLB 5170. Prerequisite: MOLB 3610 or 4600. (Offered spring semester)

4180. Protein Isolation and Characterization Laboratory. 1. Protein isolation using HPLC techniques followed by limited chemical characterization. Dual listed with MOLB 5180. Prerequisite: MOLB 3610 or 4600. (Offered variable semesters)

4250. Microbial Genetics Laboratory. 1. Provides hands-on laboratory experience in manipulating the genetics of viruses, bacteria and fungi.  Both classical and molecular genetic techniques will be used.  Dual listed with MOLB 5250. Prerequisites: MOLB 2210, 3610 or MOLB 4600 or LIFE 3050. (Offered variable semesters)

4260. Quantitative Microscopy. 1. Acquaints students with principles of light microscopy, use of fluorescent probes and image processing software. Students use phase contrast, fluorescent, and confocal microscopes learning to measure and compare size and intensity of images. Dual listed with MOLB 5260. Prerequisites: MOLB 4600 or LIFE 3600, and PHYS 1120.

4300. Writing in Molecular Biology. 1. [W3<>WC] Writing based on experiments done in the molecular biology lab pods.  Assignments include proposals, journal articles, non-technical articles, reports and press releases.  Required concurrent enrollment in three spring molecular biology lab pods: MOLB4170, 4180 and 4250. Prerequisites: completed or concurrent enrollment in MOLB 3610 or 4600.

4400. Immunology. 4. Biology of immune system; cellular and molecular mechanisms; host resistance to infectious agents; as well as hypersensitivities, autoimmunity, tumor and tissue rejection. Includes laboratory for immunological techniques. Cross listed with PATB 4400. Dual listed with MOLB 5400. Prerequisite: MOLB 2220 or consent of instructor. (Normally offered fall semester)

4440. Molecular Genetics. 3. Introduction to reading molecular genetics literature.  Discusses historical background and current literature.  Dual listed with MOLB 5440. Cross listed with MICR 4440. Prerequisite: MOLB 2210, 3610, LIFE 3050 or consent of instructor. (Normally offered spring semester)

4450. Cell and Developmental Genetics. 3. Integrates the genetic control of cell regulation and animal development in both vertebrate and invertebrate model systems such as Drosophila, C. elegans and the mouse. Includes studies of eukaryotic signal transduction, gene control, and current transgenic technologies. Prerequisites: MOLB 4600 and 4610 or concurrent enrollment; or MOLB 3000 and 3610.

4460. Microbial Physiology and Metabolism. 3. Studies life processes of microbes as mediated by their structures acting in consort, in response to changing environments. Dual listed with MOLB 5460; Cross listed with MICR 4460. Prerequisites: MOLB 2010, 3610, or  4610 or consent of instructor. (Normally offered fall semester)

4485. Computers in Biology. 1. Prepares students to use existing internet resources as research tools in biology without the need to write or install software. Topics include literature searching, multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree construction, primer design, protein homology modeling, and the use of model organism databases. Dual listed with MOLB 5485. Prerequisites: MOLB 3000, 3610, or 4610 or LIFE 3600.

4490. Microbial Gene Expression Laboratory. 1. Provides theoretical background and hands-on experience in biochemical, spectroscopy, DNA microarray, and bioinformatics techniques used to study bacterial physiology. Measures and analyzes changes in physiological parameters as well as changes in patterns of gene expression in Rhodobacter r sphaeroides in response to environmental conditions. Dual listed with MOLB 5490; Cross listed with MICR 4490. Prerequisites: MOLB 4460/5460 or MICR 3000 plus MOLB 4610/5610 (the latter may be concurrent).

4495. Bioinformatics. 3. Course topics range from classic algorithms in bioinformatics like multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree construction to problems of functional analysis, including computational genomics, gene expression, protein structure, and systems biology analyses. Dual listed with MOLB 5495. Prerequisite: MOLB 3000 or 3610 or 4610 (MOLB 3610 and 4610 may be taken concurrently with MOLB 4495).

4510. Introductory Virology. 3. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses as infectious agents and models for modern molecular biology. Examines concepts and principles of pathogenesis, host response and the regulation of virus-host interactions. Genome organization, structure and replication will be examined within the context of the co-evolution of virus and host. Cross listed with PATB/MICR 4510. Prerequisites: MOLB 3610 or 4600 plus 4610 or consent of instructor. (Normally offered spring semester)

4600. General Biochemistry I. 3. First course of comprehensive two-semester sequence for all biological and physical science majors. Students wishing to acquire laboratory experience in biochemistry should enroll in MOLB laboratory pods.  Dual listed with MOLB 5600. Prerequisites: CHEM 2300 or 2340 or 2440. (Normally offered fall semester)

4610. General Biochemistry II. 3. Second course of comprehensive two-semester series for molecular biology majors. Dual listed with MOLB 5610. Prerequisite: MOLB 4600. (Normally offered spring semester)

4660. Maintenance and Flow of Genetic Information: A Molecular Perspective. 3. Current research in the maintenance and flow of genetic information- replication, recombination, repair, transcription, and translation – is discussed. Students are exposed to new knowledge of DNA and protein structure and function, organization of the genome, gene expression, and principles of contemporary experimental methods. Dual listed with MOLB 5660. Prerequisite: MOLB 3000 or 4610.

4850. Undergraduate Teaching Internship. 1 (Max. 3). Supervised participation of undergraduates in the teaching of courses offered by the molecular biology department. Prerequisites: junior standing and consent of supervising instructor. (Offered each semester)

4990. Topics In:____________ 1-3. (MAX 10). Lectures, literature reviews and discussion of selected current topics in different areas of molecular biology. Please check class schedule for current offerings each semester. Prerequisites: MOLB 3610 or 4610.

Last Change: 02/24/09