Biology-Microbiology (BIOM)
BIOM 227 - Vectors and Parasites. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., college level general biology class is recommended but not required. An introduction to the major groups of parasites and arthropod-borne pathogens infecting humans worldwide. The class will stress the biology, transmission dynamics, prevention and control of these organisms.
BIOM 250N - Microbiology for Health Sciences. 3 Credits.
Offered spring and summer. Infectious diseases, including concepts of virulence, resistance, prevention and control of microbial diseases in the individual and in the community. If laboratory experience is desired, the student may enroll concurrently in BIOM 251. Credit not allowed toward a major in biomicrobiology.
Gen Ed Attributes: Natural Science Course (N)
BIOM 251 - Microbiology Health Sciences Lab. 1 Credit.
Offered spring. Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 250N. Observation of live microorganisms, their characteristics and activities. Experience with microbiological techniques. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.
BIOM 291 - Special Topics. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
BIOM 360 - General Microbiology. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn and summer. Prereq., CHMY 123 or 143N; Prereq. or coreq., BIOB 260. Microbial structure and function, growth and reproduction, physiology, ecology, genetics, environmental factors, control of microorganisms and sterility, antimicrobial agents, microbial diversity.
BIOM 361 - General Microbiology Lab. 2 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 360. Basic microbiology procedures and techniques.
BIOM 390 - Undergraduate Research. 1-6 Credits.
(R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Graded credit/no credit.
BIOM 402 - Medical Bacteriology & Mycology. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., BIOM 360. A study of the pathogenic bacteria and fungi and the diseases they produce.
BIOM 403 - Medical Bacteriology & Mycology Lab. 2 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., BIOM 361; Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 402. Laboratory study of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
BIOM 407 - Clinical Diagnosis. 2 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., BIOM 360-361 or BIOH 365/366 or BIOM 402/403 (may concur). Principles of blood chemistry, urinalysis, blood banking, serology and other clinical parameters of disease and health.
BIOM 408 - Clinical Diagnosis Lab. 1 Credit.
Offered spring. Prereq., or coreq., BIOM 407. Clinical diagnostic methods.
BIOM 410 - Microbial Genetics. 3 Credits.
Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., BIOM 360 and 361. The molecular genetics of prokaryotic organisms including: structure and replication of the prokaryotic chromosome; gene expression; mutagenesis and DNA repair; plasmids and other tools of genetic engineering; transmission of genetic material and recombination in prokaryotes; regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes; recombinant DNA and biotechnology. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
BIOM 411 - Experimental Microbial Genetics Lab. 1 Credit.
Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 410. Experiments in microbial genetics: Analysis of genes and genomes. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
BIOM 415 - Microbial Diversity Ecology & Evolution. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260, recommended prereq., or coreq., BIOB 272, BIOM 360. A broad overview of the physiological, phylogenetic and genomic diversity and ecology of microorganisms within a framework of general ecological principles. Focuses on microbial interactions with their environment at the level of the individual, population and community, including intimate associations with plants and animals. Surveys current methods for studying microbial ecology and diversity in the environment. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
BIOM 420 - Host-Microbe Interactions. 3 Credits.
Offered even spring semesters. Prereq., BIOB 260 and BIOB 272. Many organisms on the planet are hosts that interact with a diversity of microbes. Understanding these interactions is crucial to explain patterns of biodiversity and to improve the quality of human life. This course explores the diversity of host-microbe interactions in nature using the primary scientific literature as our guide. Level: Undergraduate and Graduate
Gen Ed Attributes: Writing Course-Advanced
BIOM 427 - General Parasitology. 2 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 272. Parasitism as a biological phenomenon, origin of parasitism, adaptations and life cycles, parasite morphology, fine structure, physiology, parasites and their environment.
BIOM 428 - General Parasitology Lab. 2 Credits.
Offered autumn. Coreq., BIOM 427. Taxonomy, morphology and identification of parasitic protozoa, helminths and arthropods.
BIOM 435 - Virology. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260. The general nature of viruses, with emphasis on the molecular biology of animal and human viruses. Co-convenes with BIOM 535. Level: Undergraduate
BIOM 450 - Microbial Physiology. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn, odd-numbered years. Prereq., BIOM 360. Microbial structure and function, physiological diversity, microbial metabolism, role of microbial activity in the environment. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
BIOM 451 - Microbial Physiology Lab. 1 Credit.
Offered autumn, odd-numbered years. Prereq., BIOM 361. Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 450. Experimental approaches to analysis of microbial structure, composition and metabolism.
BIOM 460 - Ecology of Infectious Diseases. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. In this course, we will take an ecological approach to understand infectious diseases. We will examine how diseases spread through time and space, and examine mathematical models of disease spread and their usefulness in control strategies. We will discuss case studies of both human and animal diseases, and the ecological concepts that apply to a wide range of systems.
BIOM 490 - Advanced Undergraduate Research. 1-10 Credits.
(R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., BIOM 360, junior or senior standing and consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Graded credit/no credit.
BIOM 491 - Special Topics. 1-10 Credits.
(R-10) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of new courses, experimental offerings of visiting professors, or one-time offerings of current topics.
BIOM 494 - Seminar. 1 Credit.
(R-3) Offered intermittently. Prereq., senior standing in natural sciences. Recent topics in microbiology and related subjects.
BIOM 498 - Internship. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus.
BIOM 499 - Undergraduate Thesis. 3-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., senior standing and consent of instr. Preparation of a thesis or manuscript based on undergraduate research for presentation and/or publication. Student must give an oral or poster presentation at the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium or a scientific meeting.
Neuroscience(NEUR)
NEUR 110N - Introduction to Brain Diseases. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. This course is designed to provide both non-science and science students with a basic understanding of brain diseases and injuries, such as spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), epilepsy, depression, and addiction.
NEUR 280 - Fundamentals of Neuroscience. 3 Credits.
Prereq., BIOB 160N and BIOB 161N. Course will focus on the molecular and cellular underpinnings of the functions of the brain and nervous system. The topics will range from the basis of electrical and chemical signaling to the organization of the sensory systems and mechanisms involved in learning, memory, and complex behaviors.
NEUR 281 - Fundamentals of Neuroscience II. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., NEUR 280. Explores the foundational understanding of the sensory systems, cognitive processing, perception, and memory. Specific topics include: the organization of sensory systems, the control of movement; mechanisms for learning, memory, and complex behaviors.
NEUR 292 - Independent Study. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instructor. Independent study is designed to assist individual students in studying and understanding key topics in the neuroscience curriculum through individual mentoring, tutoring and/or self-directed learning.
NEUR 380 - Molecular Neuroscience. 3 Credits.
Prereq., BIOB 260 and NEUR 280. The material covered will give students a practical knowledge of the subcellular organization and function of the nervous system. Students will learn how brain energy metabolism is a dynamic, and highly regulated process. We will explore the variety forms of neuronal chemical communication that may not conform to basic concepts of synaptic signaling. We will study processes that are involved in the growth and guidance of axons leading to the formation as well as the elimination of synapses. We will learn about the processes that are involved in the regulation of sexual differentiation of the nervous system. We will explore the basic mechanisms involved in learning and memory. Finally, Students will learn about the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative disease.
NEUR 390 - Undergraduate Research. 1-10 Credits.
(R-10) Independent research under the direction of a faculty member.
NEUR 391 - Special Topics. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
NEUR 392 - Independent Study. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instructor. Independent study is designed to assist individual students in studying and understanding key topics in the neuroscience curriculum through individual mentoring, tutoring and/or self-directed learning.
NEUR 441 - CNS Diseases. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., NEUR 280, BIOB 260, and BIOB 272. This course is designed as a special topics course within the new neuroscience major that focuses on developing an understanding of common diseases affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS), such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, etc.) For each of the CNS disorders surveyed (which will vary from year to year), an emphasis will be placed on framing the symptoms and etiology of the disease within the context of the normal neuronal function at the anatomical, cellular and molecular levels. Where feasible, lectures will be supplemented with presentations by clinicians with expertise in the field. Students will also develop an appreciation for the linkages between basic and translational research in neurological diseases as well as the importance of disease models in the development of new therapies. Level: Undergraduate
NEUR 458 - Neuroscience Research. 4 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., senior standing in Neuroscience or consent of instructor. Theory and practical experience in neuroscience experiment design, data collection, results analysis and report creation. Students will generally assist with ongoing research as well as attend formal classroom presentations and discussions. Students will be required to work with the course writing instructor to undertake the writing process and develop a primary literature review, an abstract and final report based on the experiments conducted and the data collected. Students with well-developed research ideas and skills may be allowed to undertake supplemental independent research. Level: Undergraduate
NEUR 475 - Neuropharmacology. 3 Credits.
Prereq.: NEUR 280, NEUR 380. This course will provide students with a better understanding of the chemical signaling systems in the brain, how these systems change in disease, and how drugs modulate their activity. The course should be of particular interest to Neuroscience, Pre-Med, Psychology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Human Biology majors. Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
NEUR 481 - Systems Neuroscience of Behavior and Cognition. 3 Credits.
Prereq., PSYX 250 or NEUR 280. This course examines how collections of neurons work together to generate behavior and cognition. Basic principles of neuron circuits will be examined in the context of psychological constructs like spatial awareness, object recognition, planning, memory, and emotion. A particular focus of this class is the physiology of the forebrain, and understanding behavior by understanding how these systems "compute".
NEUR 490 - Undergraduate Research. 1-10 Credits
(R-10) Offered autumn. Prereq., senior standing in Neuroscience or consent of instructor. Theory and practical experience in neuroscience experiment design, data collection, results analysis and report creation. Students will generally assist with ongoing research as well as attend formal classroom presentations and discussions. Students will be required to work with the course writing instructor to undertake the writing process and develop a primary literature review, an abstract and final report based on the experiments conducted and the data collected. Students with well-developed research ideas and skills may be allowed to undertake supplemental independent research.
NEUR 491 - Special Topics. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
Biochemistry (BCH)
BCH 380 - Biochemistry. 4.000 Credits.
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., CHMY 223 or BIOB 260. Fundamental biochemistry; chemistry and metabolism of biomolecules, energy relationships in metabolism; storage, transmission, and expression of genetic information. Credit not allowed for both BCH 380 and 480-482.
BCH 480 - Advanced Biochemistry I. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., CHMY 223. Primarily for science majors. The chemistry of biomolecules, with emphasis on the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. The chemistry and regulation of the transfer and expression of genetic information, protein synthesis. Credit not allowed for both BCH 380 and 480-482. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
BCH 482 - Advanced Biochemistry II. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., BCH 480 or equiv. Continuation of BCH 480. Enzyme kinetics, metabolism, especially macromolecule biosynthesis and energy acquisition pathways, and the associated energetics and molecular physiology. Credit not allowed for both BCH 380 and BCH 480-482. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
BCH 486 - Biochemistry Research Lab. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., BCH 380 or 480. Applications of biochemical principles to modern protein biochemistry. Basic micro- and molecular biology techniques are used to produce mutant proteins; then students learn basic and advanced biophysical techniques to characterize the mutant proteins. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
BCH 490 - Undergraduate Research. 1-10 Credits.
(R-10) Offered every term. Consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Level: Undergraduate
BCH 491 - Special Topics. 1-10 Credits.
(R-10) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
BCH 498 - Internship/Cooperative Ed. 1-15 Credits.
(R-15) Prereq., consent of department. Extended non-classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
BCH 499 - Senior Thesis/Capstone. 3-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., senior standing and consent of instr. Preparation of a thesis or manuscript based on undergraduate research for presentation and/or publication. Student must give an oral or poster presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium or a scientific meeting. Level: Undergraduate