Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Courses

Program | Faculty | Master's | Doctoral | Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified. See also listings under Molecular and Cellular Biology Program.

523 General Biochemistry

Structure and function of biological molecules, especially proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Important concepts include bioenergetics, proteins as biological catalysts, and metabolic pathways as interacting regulated systems. Prerequisites: 1 year of general chemistry, 1 year of organic chemistry or 2nd semester concurrently, and Biochm 285.

524 General Biochemistry (2nd sem)

An integrated presentation of the biochemistry and molecular biology of cellular interactions. Emphasis on accounting for complex cellular processes in terms of protein structure and regulation of gene expression. Topics include gene structures and techniques for studying them; replication; control of gene expression; post-translational processing; membrane associated energetics; behavior of transport systems; mechanisms of signal transduction; and interactions of cells with extracellular matrix and with other cells. Prerequisite: Biochm 523, Biochm 285 and Biol 283, or comparable courses, strongly recommended.

526 Biochemistry Laboratory (both sem)

Modern techniques in experimental biochemistry and molecular biology. Experiments include enzymology, protein purification, and gene expression and organization. Methods include spectrophotometry, polymerase chain reaction, DNA cloning, electrophoresis, protein detection by immunoblot, RNA hybridization, and computer analysis of DNA and protein sequence data. Manipulation of animal, plant, yeast, and bacterial systems. Prerequisite: Biochm 523. Spring semester enrollment restricted to Biochemistry majors. Credit, 4.

623 Advanced General Biochemistry

Advanced treatment of selected topics in biochemistry, with readings taken from the current literature. Emphasis on experimental approaches and problem solving. Topics include protein structure-function, protein folding and modification, enzyme kinetics, and the study of metabolic processes (pathways and their regulation) with a molecular genetic approach. Students enrolled in this course are expected to have taken at least a one-semester course in upper division biochemistry and
Mc-Bio 642. Credit, 4.

642 Advanced Molecular Biology

Structure, biosynthesis, and function of nucleic acids and the translational apparatus. DNA replication; gene organization; chromatin structure; RNA transcription, regulation of gene expression; protein biosynthesis; mRNA, tRNA, and ribosomes. Prerequisite: Biochm 523/524 or equiv-alent. Credit, 4.

691 Departmental Seminar

Required of all graduate students. Credit, 1 each semester.

692 Seminar: Molecular Biology

Credit, 2.

693 Seminar: Signal Transduction

Credit, 2.

694 Seminar: Plant Molecular Biology

Credit, 2.

695 Seminar: Developmental Biochemistry

Credit, 2.

696 Independent Study

Library or laboratory research under direction of faculty member. Credit, 1-6.

699 Master's Thesis

Credit, 1-10.

797 Special Topics in Biochemistry

Topics of current interest may include hormones, lipids, carbohydrates, glycoproteins and proteoglycans, control mechanisms, protein synthesis, membranes, nucleic acids, biochemical data analysis, and protein-nucleic acid interactions. Prerequisite: Biochm 623.

899 Doctoral Dissertation

Credit, 18.