Graduate Curriculum

The following core courses must be taken by both PhD and MS students in the program:

Choice of a minimum of 9 credit hours selected from the following list of course offerings:

Course Descriptions

Biomed 501 Fundamentals for Graduate Research
This course provides first year students with information for making an educated choice of a dissertation research advisor, of various teaching and research resources and facilities, communications skills, introduction to responsible conduct of research and other topics. (Formerly Frontiers in Biomedical Sciences)

Biomed 506 Special Topics in Biomedical Research
First year graduate students will participate in research with potential thesis or dissertation mentors and gain first-hand experience in a variety of techniques and approaches to biological problems. (Laboratory Rotations)

Biomed 507 Advanced Molecular Biology
Advanced topics in modern cell biology including protein trafficking, organelle biogenesis, signal transduction, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix and muscle. Introduction to the cells of the immune system and to immunological techniques used in cell and molecular biology.

Biomed 508 Advanced Cellular Biology
Basic principles of nucleic acid structure, progresses through treatments of the major molecular genetic processes, and finally considers control of growth and development.

Biomed 509 Principles of Neurobiology
One semester graduate level course in neurobiology covering cellular structure of neurons and glia, the electrical properties of neurons, intercellular communication and the formation, maintenance and plasticity of chemical synapses

Biomed 510 Medical Systems Biology
One semester graduate level course in regulatory and systems biology. The course is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of the basic physiological systems of the body. Topics covered are cardiovascular and respiratory physiology, GI and liver biology, renal biology and endocrinology.

Biomed 514 Immunobiology
Basic immunology course that a uses combination of 1 hour lecture and 2 hour small group problem-based learning/discussion per week to explore current concepts and controversies related to the cells and pathways of the immune system.

Biomed 515 Cancer Biology
Combines lecture and problem-based study to examine fundamental elements of cancer development and progression. The goal is to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of cancer mechanisms.

Biomed 516 Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Genetic and genomic approaches in model organisms and humans to study biological processes at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organism population and evolutionary levels. It also provided an introduction to bioinformatics and computational methods used in such studies.

Biomed 522 Experimental Methods and Design
Focuses on practical issues of how to design, plan and carry out scientific studies using appropriate experimental methods and data analysis. The course will be taught in discussion format using cases based on research papers.

Biomed 525 Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease Journal Club
Provides entering students with formal training in oral presentation skills, experience in reading and discussing scientific literature and exposure to research seminars. (Year 1, 2 semesters)

Biomed 530 Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease Seminar
This seminar is an interdepartmental initiative that features preeminent scientists to speak about their research and offer student exposure to a breadth of internationally recognized research. In addition, all speakers engage with students in informal lunch meetings after their presentations.