Course Descriptions

Introduction to Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Research for First year students 

Basic principles and methods of research, followed by a research project: analyses of molecular clones from eukaryotic cDNA libraries. Description of research opportunities at the University available to undergraduates.  (Spring)

Prerequisites: Limited to Freshman students who have passed the AP Biology exam.

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Contact Dr. Vershon by e-mail for special permission number

Honors Introduction to Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Research

Basic principles and methods of research, followed by a research project: analysis of mutants in a yeast transcriptional regulatory protein. Description of research opportunities at the University available to undergraduates.  (Fall)

Prerequisites: Limited to Freshman Honors Program or Honors College students who have passed the AP Biology exam and are enrolled in General Chemistry or have AP credits .

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Analytical Methods in Biology

Mathematical methods and tools to analyze and interpret biological and biomedical data, including Probability Theory, Bayes Theorem, the Binomial, Poisson and Normal distributions, limit theorems, error analysis, tests of statistical significance, parameter estimation, curve fitting, sampling techniques, random number generation and Monte Carlo methods. Analysis of sequencing and microarray data, such as sequence alignment, phylogeny inference, population structure, selection and human migration

Prerequisites: 01:119:115/116, and 640:135 or 151.

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Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MBB is planning to discontinue the course after Fall 2024)

Chemistry and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biologically important compounds.  (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Fall: Section 01 is reserved for only Pharmacy students.  
Fall: Section 02 is open to all students but is cross listed with 01 and so there is limited space.  To put yourself on a wait list please contact Dr. Villegas
Fall: Section 03 is open to all students
Spring and Summer sections are open to all students

01:160:307 or (Honors) 01:160:315) 

Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory

Not for students majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.  (Spring, Summer)

Introduction to Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Research

Basic principles and methods of research, followed by a research project: analyses of molecular clones from eukaryotic cDNA libraries. Description of research opportunities at the university available to undergraduates. (Spring)

Pre-requisites: 01:119:116, and 01:160:162 or 01:160:164. This course is now open to all students with the appropriate pre-requisites.

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Honors Introduction to Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Research

Basic principles and methods of research, followed by a research project: analysis of mutants in a yeast transcriptional regulatory protein. Description of research opportunities at the University available to undergraduates.  (Fall)

Prerequisites: Limited to 2nd or 3rd year Honors MBB students.  Space is very limited (2-4 spaces)

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Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Seminar: Careers in Science

Introduction to the MBB major and requirements. Discussions on how to find a laboratory to conduct independent research. Discussion of career options in the life sciences. (Fall)

Pre- or corequisites: Junior MBB Majors only.

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Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Research and Writing

Independent Laboratory Research with a weekly seminar about writing and communication in the biological scientific disciplines. Students learn about and prepare CVs, presentations and drafts of a research report in the format of a scientific article.  Satisfies Wd or Wr Core Goals

Pre- or corequisites: MBB Majors only. 

Introductory Computational Biology

Introductory Computational Biology is a hands-on, computer-intensive course designed for students interested in exploring the intersection of biology and data science. It is suitable for students with a basic understanding of molecular biology who aspire to scientific or biomedical careers. (Spring)

Pre-requisites: 01:447:380 Genetics or 01:447:384 Genetic Analysis I

Biochemistry for Life Sciences

The course is intended for life science majors and takes a holistic approach to Biochemistry. You will learn the basics of proteins, enzymology, nucleic acids and metabolism and use these as foundations to discuss exemplary metabolic pathways for their importance to homeostasis and, when dysregulated, to disease including observable phenotypes and what current strategies are used to treat these disorders. Coursework will consist of quizzes, homework, exams and one graded paper.  (Fall/Spring)

Pre-requisites: Organic Chemistry 01:160:307

Biochemistry

Disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology as interlocking and mutually complementary fields of study. Protein structure and function, lipids, membranes and carbohydrates, catalysis of biochemical reactions, intermediary metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, membrane transport, lipid metabolism, signal transduction, photosynthesis, protein secretion, targeting and turnover, nitrogen, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism. (Fall)

Pre-requisites: 01:160:307 or Honors 01:160:315

01:694:408

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology as interlocking and mutually complementary fields of study. Recombinant DNA approaches, DNA replication, repair and recombination, mobile genetic elements, transcription and gene regulation, RNA splicing, translation, viral gene expression. (Spring only)

Pre-requisites: 694:407 (preferred), 694:301, 115:301, or 115:403.

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01:694:411

Molecular Pathways and Signal Transduction

Lectures and discussion of current research areas of advanced molecular and structural biology: transcription, posttranscriptional regulation, cell cycle, neurobiology, protein folding, macromolecular recognition, molecular virology. (Fall)

Prerequisites: 01:694:407 or 01:447:384-385 or 11:115:403-404 or 11:126:481.

Proteomics and Functional Genomics

Survey of modern techniques of protein biochemistry, bioinformatics, proteomics, and functional genomics, including basic concepts of protein structure and function, protein folding, protein characterization and purification, enzyme kinetics, NMR and X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, and various techniques and approaches to functional and structural genomics. (Spring)

MBB Students only by special permission number. Contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a number. Prerequisites: 01:694:407 and 01:447:380 or permission of instructor.

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Chromatin and Epigenomics: the Science of Chromatin Modifications in Development and Disease  

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to chromatin dynamics and epigenomics, the science of the structural and biochemical modifications of chromatin that underlie epigenetic states and their effects on gene expression and development. (Fall)

Prerequisite:694:408 or 447:385 or 146:478.

Special Topics in Molecular Biology: Membrane Dynamics in Health and Disease (not offered in Fall 2023)

The goal of the course is to learn about the many aspects of sickle cell disease through guest lectures, lectures by the coordinator, a paper and readings during the course of the class. Early in the semester students will decide on a research topic of mutual interest related to some aspect of SCA. Students will present their findings to the class.  By the end of the semester, students will submit a ten page (minimum) fully referenced term paper on their topic. 

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Special Topics in Molecular Biology: The Biology of Aging (Spring 2024)

This course will discuss state-of-the-art understanding of the biology of aging and longevity, considering what we know, what are particular challenges to tackling the problem, what are the controversies, what are the myths.  Topics we will consider are genetics, diet, environment, chance, signaling pathways, epigenetics, late onset diseases.  Format will be lecture plus reading discussions, emphasis on molecular genetics of longevity and health span.

Prerequisites: 01:119:115/116 and 447:380 or 447:385/385 and 694:301 or 694:407.

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Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Seminar: Research Presentations

Oral presentation of student's own research results and the research interests of the laboratory with which the student is associated. A required poster session of student research. (Spring)

Pre-requisites: MBB Majors only 01:694:315 and 407-408. Co-requisites: 694:482, 490, or 496.

Gene Regulation in Cancer and Development

Advanced molecular studies of modern eukaryotic genetic and developmental issues. Experimental approaches focusing on current research questions, including control of gene expression in yeast, Drosophila and C. elegans developmental genetics, and molecular biology of cancer and oncogenesis. (Spring)

Pre- or corequisite: 01:694:407-408 or 01:447:384-385 or 11:115:403-404 or 11:126:481.