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CORE CURRICULUM
The Biotechnology Graduate Program requires each student to take 6 core courses. These courses are designed to give students the academic foundation necessary to understand the theory behind a wide variety of techniques used in today's biotechnology laboratory. Each student can choose electives from an extensive list. These electives will allow the student to gain specialized knowledge in more specific areas of interest.
The core courses are repeated each year. Students can enter the program at the beginning of any semester.
- Click here to see the classes given in Fall:
- Advanced Biotechniques (BTC 559) : Advanced techniques in the isolation, purification and manipulation of nucleic acids and proteins.
- Molecular Biochemistry (BTC 563): Application of molecular genetics to transcription control mechanisms; gene expression, molecular cloning, and applications to biotechnology
- Click here to see the classes given in Spring:
- Advanced Metabolism (BTC 557): Theoretical aspects of enzymatic reaction mechanisms; mechanisms of inhibitors and fermentation technology. Laboratory training will involve the preparation of a particular enzyme or other protein product by small pilot fermentation technology.
- Proteins and Nucleic Acids (BTC 555) : The goal of the course is to provide a critical understanding of the relationship between protein structure and function, including such issues as enzyme mechanisms, DNA and RNA recognition, and specific protein associations. Three dimensional structures of these macromolecules will be described in conjunction with study of the chemical and physical methods used in their purification and characterization. The laboratory experiments will allow students to gain experience in using computer applications related to the determination of the structures and properties of biological molecules and modeling of proteins and nucleic acids. Students will be required to give an oral presentation using presentation software.
- Click here to see the classes given in Summer:
- Biophysical Chemistry (BTC 558): Instrumental analysis of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Methods to include ultracentrifugation; gradient separation of proteins and nucleic acids; UV/Visible spectroscopy; electrochemistry of cytochromes; X-ray diffraction of proteins and nucleic acids; and HPLC of proteins.
- Advanced Biochemistry (BTC 560): Current advanced biochemical concepts focusing on research topics including the role of actin, myosin I, Myosin II in cyto kinesis. Emphasis in protein chemistry on membrane topology and structural analysis of P450 mixed function oxidases. Other topics will include the role of complement in the functions of the immune system, surfactant protein gene expression in pulmonary alveoli, tumor suppressor proteins and cancer, and RNA protein interactions
- Click here to see the list of electives
- Biotechnology I (BTC 561): The topics covered in this course will include gel electrophoresis for analysis of proteins and nucleic acids; radiochemistry; DNA and RNA synthesis, isolation, cloning, and sequencing; RFLP; expression of proteins; and restriction enzyme analysis. Fall.
- Biotechnology II (BTC 562): This course covers protein chemistry, immunology, the techniques of preparing tissue cultures, physical biochemistry, receptors and receptor assays, microscopy, computational biotechnology, molecular modeling, and the biometric analysis of data at an advanced level. Spring.
- Introduction to Biotechnology (BTC 503) : Hands-on experience with fundamental techniques of the biotechnology industry. The course presents topics of biotechnology and discusses the scientific and social issues. Participants will explore textbooks, journals, lab kits and other resources available to teachers.
- Pathogenic Microbiology (BIO 408) : The morphological, cultural and physiological properties of the important pathogenic organisms and their relation to man.
- Fundamentals of Immunology (BIO 410) : The structure and function of antigens and antibodies, nature of the immune responses and immunological methods.
- Virology (BIO 420): The nature of viruses and the mechanisms of viral infection of plants, animals and bacteria.
- Plant Pathology (BIO 424) : The principles of plant pathology. A survey of fungal, bacterial and virus diseases of plants.
- Industrial Microbiology (BIO 525): The study of microbial organisms in industrial processes.
- Biological Ultrastructure (BIO 555) : Theory and practical application of transmission electron microscopy. Emphasis on the Ultrastructure of plant and animal cells.
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (BIO 556): Theory and practical application of scanning electron microscopy. Emphasis on specimen preparation and operation of the microscope.
- Cytogenetics (BIO 570):
- Virology (BIO 5XX): Viral antigen preparation; gradient ultracentrifugation; vaccine production; PCR primer design; PCR primer preparation; Southern blot using chemiluminescent probes; restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, viral transfection and transformation.
- Advanced Immunology (BIO 5XX): Monoclonal antibody production; lymphokine analysis; flow cytometric methods (cell sorting), phenotype analysis, DNA analysis; affinity chromatography; mRNA purification; cDNA production; electroporation; immune electron microscopy; rate nephelometry.
- Advanced Organic Chemistry (CHE 511) : Mechanisms and structural considerations of organic reactions are presented.
- Advanced Analytical Chemistry (CHE 521): An in-depth study of classical and instrumental methods of analysis commonly encountered in analytical chemistry.
- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (CHE 531): An advanced survey of the major principles of inorganic chemistry.
- Advanced Physical Chemistry (CHE 541):
A survey of selected principles of physical chemistry at an advanced
level.