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If you're interested in careers in the medical field (e.g., medical, dental, PA, pharmacy school), research science, scientific policy, science communication, science education, biomedical sales, and more, the Master of Science in Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science (MBS) might be for you. This program is intended for domestic and international students that have some undergraduate STEM field training and wish to increase their knowledge of biomedical sciences.

We offer an exciting, innovative curriculum. A wide range of elective classes are offered through several STEM-themed disciplines that cater to a wide array of career trajectories. Concentrations are available in many scientific disciplines unique to Masters programs in Alabama including: Cancer Biology, Genetics and Genomic Sciences; Neuroscience; Pharmacology; Bioinformatics; and Immunology. Courses are also available through UAB Graduate School’s Office of Professional Studies and Experiential Learning (OPSEL), including the required “Critical Thinking and Scientific Integrity.”

Hands-on, cutting-edge research opportunities. UAB is Alabama’s premier institution for biomedical research. UAB ranks in the top 20 nationally for research funding among public universities

Flexibility. You can start the MBS program in fall, spring or summer semesters, which provides students with important flexibility for beginning their graduate studies. Additionally, our program offers full-time or part-time options for students.

Individualized mentoring. Students are encouraged to develop individualized mentoring plans (IDPs) with the MBS Program Director. IDPs focus the student for academic success while in the MBS program and they provide an important framework for students’ short-term and long-term career success.

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Scholarship

The MBS program offers competitive, partial academic scholarships for newly admitted students to MBS. Scholarship recipients will receive $1,500 for the cost of tuition for their first semester’s coursework, for up to three consecutive semesters. Receipt of funds toward their second and third semester coursework will require good academic standing (maintaining a minimum 3.0 Graduate GPA at the end of their first and second semesters, respectively). Students must maintain full-time status for the duration of their award. 

To be eligible to apply, students must be offered admission to matriculate in Fall 2023 semester, have a minimum 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA, and must meet one of the additional eligibility requirements with regard to under-represented groups in the biomedical sciences as defined by the National Institutes of Health; these include under-represented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged groups.

To apply for this scholarship for Fall 2023, following your offer of admission to MBS, please submit a one paragraph statement that indicates your eligibility to Dr. John Shacka, MBS Program Director (shacka@uab.edu), no later than Friday, August 11, 2023. Your statement will be reviewed in addition to your completed application to MBS. Scholarship recipients will be announced no later than August 18, 2023. To receive scholarship funds, you must accept our offer of admission and register for coursework prior to the start of Fall 2023 semester (August 21). Please reach out to Dr. Shacka with any questions or concerns.

Careers

The MS in Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science is intended as a terminal degree for students desiring many different career paths, including but not limited to: research (laboratory jobs in academia or industry), further graduate study (e.g. PhD), professional school (e.g. medical or dental), science education, scientific policy, science communication, or biomedical sales.

Admissions

Application Deadlines

Summer*FallSpring
April 15 August 1 December 1

 

Classes Begin

SummerFall Spring 
May 8, 2023  August 21, 2023 January 8, 2024

Review of applications to the MBS program is a holistic approach that considers undergraduate GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

To be considered for direct-admittance to MBS, a minimum 3.0 GPA is required in any or all of the following categories of calculation:

  1. pre-requisite courses (Introductory Biology and labs; Organic Chemistry and labs)
  2. all "BCPM" (biology, chemistry, physics, math) courses
  3. overall (all courses)

In addition to Introductory Biology and Organic Chemistry, a background in the following courses is helpful for success in our program but is not required for admission: Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology.

GRE is not required. The minimum TOEFL score is 80. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5.

Once these materials are received and the application fee is processed, applications will be reviewed.

*The summer semester of the MBS program follows the schedule for the 14 week summer session dates listed on the academic calendar.

 

Curriculum

 Thesis (Plan I)Non-Thesis (Plan II)
 Faculty advisor  Yes  No
 Thesis committee  Yes  No
 Credit hours  45  30
 Semesters  5  3

Thesis (Plan I)

The Plan I MS in MBS thesis degree at UAB can be completed over the course of five to six semesters if full-time, including at least one summer semester. Plan I students will complete a rigorous mentored research project in addition to a curriculum of required core and elective classes related to the biomedical sciences.

Successful completion of the Plan I MS in MBS degree requires passing 45 credit hours (30 hours = coursework; 15 hours = supervised research) and maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA.

  • Program Requirements

    Successful completion of the Plan I MBS degree requires passing 45 credit hours and maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA. These credit hours are composed of 30 hours of coursework and 15 hours of supervised thesis research (MBS 699).

    Coursework

    Plan I students must complete the following required classes:

    1. core science (MBS 601 (4 hours), 602 (4 hours), 603 (4 hours), 12 hours total);
    2. critical thinking (GRD 617, 3 hours);
    3. biostatistics (BST 603, 3 hours) or equivalent with permission;
    4. three semesters of colloquium (MBS 697 (1 hour), 3 hours total);
    5. three-four semesters of non-thesis research (MBS 698 (3 hours), 9-12 hours total);
    6. one-two semesters of thesis research (MBS 699, 3-6 hours total); and
    7. electives (9 hours total).

    Students have the option of earning a concentration by completing their elective credit hours in a single subject area.

    Research

    Plan I students must complete five separate semesters of research, including three-four semesters of MBS 698 (non-thesis research) and one-two semesters of MBS 699 (thesis research, at least one semester is required). When registered for MBS 698 or MBS 699, students are expected to work on average a minimum of 12-15 hours/week on their research projects. Students are expected to have chosen a faculty thesis adviser early in the first semester they are registered for MBS 698. Plan I students will form a committee of three faculty that is chaired by their thesis adviser and are required to hold a minimum of three committee meetings (1: introductory; 2: qualifying exam; 3: thesis defense; additional meetings may be needed depending on student progress). The thesis project must be approved by the student's committee.

    For the qualifying exam, Plan I students are expected to prepare a 4-6 page "NIH-style" grant proposal of their research project and present this to their committee. Plan I students are also required to subsequently complete a thesis document of their research findings and defend this to their committee. Research projects performed by Plan I students should be able to be completed within 5 semesters. Before students can perform research they must complete all lab-specific safety training. Students must also complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training for MS students before the end of their first semester registered for MBS 698.

  • Expected Course Load

    Fall Semester Start
       

    Fall Semester Start Spring Semester Summer Semester Fall Semester Spring Semester
    MBS 601 - 4 credit hours MBS 602 - 4 credit hours MBS 603 - 4 Credit Hours MBS 698 - 3 credit hours MBS 699 - 3 credit hours
    MBS 698 - 3 credit hours MBS 698 - 3 credit hours MBS 698 - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours
    GRD 617 - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 Credit Hours BST 603 - 3 credit hours MBS 697 - 1 credit hour MBS 697 - 1 credit hour
        MBS 697 - 1 credit hour            
    Total: 10 Hours Total: 11 Hours Total: 10 Hours Total: 7 Hours Total: 7 Hours

    Spring Semester Start
       

    Spring Semester Start Summer Semester Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester
    MBS 602 - 4 credit hours MBS 603 - 4 credit hours MBS 601 - 4 Credit Hours MBS 698 - 3 credit hours MBS 699 - 3 credit hours
    MBS 698 - 3 credit hours MBS 698 - 3 credit hours MBS 698 - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours
    GRD 617 - 3 credit hours BST 603 - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours MBS 697 - 1 credit hour    
    MBS 697 - 1 credit hour     MBS 697 - 1 credit hour        
    Total: 11 Hours Total: 10 Hours Total: 11 Hours Total: 7 Hours Total: 6 Hours

    Summer Semester Start
       

    Summer Semester Start Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester Fall Semester
    MBS 603 - 4 credit hours MBS 601 - 4 credit hours MBS 602 - 4 Credit Hours MBS 698 - 3 credit hours MBS 699 - 3 credit hours
    MBS 698 - 3 credit hours MBS 698 - 3 credit hours MBS 698 - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours BST 603 - 3 credit hours
    GRD 617 - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours MBS 697 - 1 credit hour Elective - 3 credit hours MBS 697 - 1 credit hour
        MBS 697 - 1 credit hour            
    Total: 10 Hours Total: 11 Hours Total: 8 Hours Total: 9 Hours Total: 7 Hours

    NOTES

    1. MBS 601, 602, and 603 are all required and are only offered in FA, SP, and SU semesters respectively.
    2. GRD 617 is offered every semester, but we encourage students to take it in their first semester.
    3. BST 603 is offered in SU and FA semesters.
    4. Students are required to take three semesters of MBS 697, offered in FA or SP semesters.

Non-Thesis (Plan II)

The Plan II MBS non-thesis degree at UAB can be completed over the course of three semesters if full-time, including one summer semester. Plan II students will complete a rigorous curriculum of required core and elective classes related to the biomedical sciences.

Successful completion of the Plan II MBS degree requires passing 30 credit hours of coursework and maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA.

  • Program Requirements

    Plan II students must complete the following required classes:

    1. core science (MBS 601 (4 hours), 602 (4 hours), 603 (4 hours), 12 hours total);
    2. critical thinking (GRD 617, 3 hours);
    3. biostatistics (BST 603, 3 hours) or equivalent with permission;
    4. colloquium (MBS 697, 1 hour); skills lab (BT 650, 1 hour; BT 651, 1 hour), and
    5. electives (9 hours total).

    Students have the option of earning a concentration by completing their elective credit hours in a single subject area.

  • Expected Course Load

    Fall Semester Start
       

    Fall Semester Start Spring Semester Summer Semester
    MBS 601 - 4 credit hours MBS 602 - 4 credit hours MBS 603 - 4 Credit Hours
    GRD 617 - 3 credit hours BT 651 - 2 credit hours BST 603 - 3 credit hours
    Elective - 3 credit hours MBS 697 - 1 Credit Hour Elective - 3 credit hours
        Elective - 3 Credit Hours    
    Total: 10 Hours Total: 10 Hours Total: 10 Hours

    Spring Semester Start
       

    Spring Semester Start Summer Semester Fall Semester
    MBS 602 - 4 credit hours MBS 603 - 4 credit hours MBS 601 - 4 Credit Hours
    GRD 617 - 3 credit hours BST 603 - 3 credit hours BT 650 - 2 credit hours
    Elective - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours MBS 697 - 1 credit hour
            Elective - 3 credit hours
    Total: 10 Hours Total: 10 Hours Total: 10 Hours

    Summer Semester Start
       

    Summer Semester Start Fall Semester Spring Semester
    MBS 603 - 4 credit hours MBS 601 - 4 credit hours MBS 602 - 4 Credit Hours
    GRD 617 - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours
    BST 603 - 3 credit hours BT 650 - 2 credit hours Elective - 3 credit hours
        MBS 697 - 1 credit hours    
    Total: 10 Hours Total: 10 Hours Total: 10 Hours

    NOTES

    1. MBS 601, 602, and 603 are all required and are only offered in FA, SP, and SU semesters respectively.
    2. GRD 617 is offered every semester, but we encourage students to take it in their first semester.
    3. Students are required to take either BT 650 (FA) or BT 651 (SP).
    4. Students are required to take one semester of MBS 697, offered in FA or SP semesters.
    5. GRD 617 may be taken in a later semester in exchange for other classes, such as electives, BST 603, or BT 650/651+ MBS 697, with permission of the Program Director.

Concentrations

There are six concentration options within the MBS program:

  • Bioinformatics
  • Cancer Biology
  • Genetics & Genomics Sciences
  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology & Toxicology

Bioinformatics Fellowship

The UAB master’s program in Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science (MSMBS) Bioinformatics Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for advanced training and hands-on experience in cancer bioinformatics and to initiate careers in cancer bioinformatics at UAB.

Learn More

Courses

  • MBS 601: Molecular and Cell Biology
    4 Credit Hours

    This course will provide a broad but rigorous overview of molecular biology. Cell Structure and between prokaryotes and eukaryotes will be compared and contrasted. DNA structure/organization will be discussed with respect to replication and repair mechanisms. Mendelian, non-Mendelian and chromosonal bases of genetics will also be discussed. Transcription and translation will be discussed in detail, along with their respective regulatory mechanisms. Throughout this course there will be a focus on intracellular organelles that contribute to the generation and regulation of DNA, RNA and protein.


    MBS 602: Biochemistry and Cell Biology
    4 Credit Hours

    This course will cover the structure, function and metabolism of biological macromolecules including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleotides. A rigorous overview of pathways will be discussed that are important for the effective metabolism of macromolecules (e.g. glycolysis, citric acid cycle) and generation of energy for cells. The last part of this course will discuss membrane structure and function, and will provide an overview of eukaryotic cell signaling.


    MBS 603: General Human Physiology
    4 Credit Hours

    This course begins with the study of basic cell function, then proceeds to a rigorous overview of specific human organ systems.


    GRD 617: Critical Thinking and Scientific Integrity for Masters Students
    3 Credit Hours

    This course will give masters students an introduction to the rules of logic and reason that are necessary for effective scientific discourse and debate. In addition, students will be introduced to best practices in the responsible conduct of research, including rigor and reproducibility.


    Statistics Requirement

    BST 603: Introductory Biostatistics for Graduate Biomedical Sciences
    3 Credit Hours

    This course will provide non-biostatistics students seeking a Graduate Biomedical Sciences (GBS) degree with the ability to understand introductory biostatistics concepts.

    The following alternatives may be substituted for BST 603 with permission of the MSMBS program director:

    • CS 555. Probability & Statistics in CS

      Spring, Tuesday/Thursday 2 pm - 3:15 pm
      3 Credit Hours

      Introduction to Probability and Statistics with applications in Computer Science. Counting, permutations and combinations. Probability, conditional probability, Bayes Theorem. Standard probability distributions. Measures of central tendency and dispersion. Central Limit Theorem. Regression and correlation. Hypothesis testing. Random number generation. Random algorithms. Estimating probabilities by simulation. Genetic algorithms.

    • BST 611. Intermediate Statistical Analysis I

      Fall, Tuesday/Thursday 11 am - 12:15 pm
      3 Credit Hours

      Students will gain a thorough understanding of basic analysis methods, elementary concepts, statistical models and applications of probability, commonly used sampling distributions, parametric and non-parametric one and two sample tests, confidence intervals, applications of analysis of two-way contingency table data, simple linear regression, and simple analysis of variance. Students are taught to conduct the relevant analysis using current software such as the Statistical Analysis System (SAS).

    • PY 716. Introduction to Statistics and Measurement

      Fall, Tuesday/Thursday 11 am - 12:15 pm
      3 Credit Hours

      Probability, measurement, descriptive statistics, sampling distributions, null hypothesis significance testing, means comparisons, correlation, regression, reliability, validity, categorical data analysis, and nonparametric methods.

  • Students must complete 12 credit hours of elective courses. Completion of 9 credit hours from a single theme is required to earn one of the MSMBS program concentrations. These are currently:

    • Bioinformatics
    • Cancer Biology
    • Genetics & Genomics Science
    • Immunology
    • Neuroscience
    • Pharmacology & Toxicology

    The courses that are pre-approved to satisfy the elective requirements for each theme are listed below.

    • Bioinformatics

      INFO 601. Introduction to Bioinformatics
      3 Credit Hours

      Introduction to bioinformatics and computational biology, with emphasis on concepts and application of informatics tools to molecular biology. It covers biological sequence analysis, gene prediction, genome annotation, gene expression analysis, protein structure prediction, evolutionary biology and comparative genomics, bioinformatics databases, cloud computing, basic R-based data analysis, simple programming skills using Perl, Linux/Unix environment and command lines, visual analytics, and social/legal aspects of open science. It will have a class research project component.


      INFO 602. Algorithms in Bioinformatics
      3 Credit Hours

      This course introduces various fundamental algorithms and computational concepts for solving questions in bioinformatics and functional genomics. These include graph algorithms, dynamic programming, combinatorial algorithms, randomized algorithms, pattern matching, classification and clustering algorithms, hidden Markov models and more. Each concept will be introduced in the context of a concrete biological or genomic application. A broad range of topics will be covered, ranging from gene identification, genome reconstruction, microarray data analysis, phylogeny reconstruction, sequence alignments, to variant detection.


      INFO 603. Biological Data Management
      3 Credit Hours

      The introduction of biological data management concepts, theories, and applications. Basic concepts such as relational data representation, relational database modeling, and relational database queries will be introduced in the context of SQL and relational algebra. Advanced concepts including ontology representation and database development workflow will be introduced. Emerging big data concepts and tools, including Hadoop and NoSQL, will be introduced in the context of managing semi-structured and unstructured data. Application of biological data management in biology will be covered using case studies of high-impact widely used biological databases. A class project will be required of all participants.


      INFO 604. Next-generation Sequencing Data Analysis
      3 Credit Hours

      The introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and the various new genomics applications. Basic analysis begins with NGS data representations using FASTQ, BAM, and VCF files. Major NGS applications in the characterization of DNA, RNA, methylation, ChIP, and chromatin structure analysis will be described. Topics will cover alignment, whole genome de novo assembly, variant detection, third generation sequencing technologies, functional genomics, metagenomics, single cell genomics, genetic diseases and cancer genomics. NGS workflows and translational applications in disease biology and genome medicine will also be emphasized.


      INFO 662. Biomedical Applications of Natural Language Processing
      3 Credit Hours

      Students will be introduced to Natural Language Processing (NLP) including core linguistic tasks such as tokenization, lemmatization/stemming, Part of Speech tagging, parsing and chunking. Applications covered include Named Entity Recognition, semantic role labeling, word sense disambiguation, normalization, information retrieval, question answering and text classification. Applications and data will have a biomedical focus, but no biology or medical background is required.

    • Cancer Biology

      CNBY 410/610. Cancer Cell Growth
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will cover the basic tenets of cell biology as they apply to cancer. Topics to be covered will include the cell cycle, how cells normally grow and divide, how they stop growing and how that process is disrupted in cancer; the normal processes associated with cell death such as autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis; the concepts of “stemness” and immortalization in relation to cancer cells and the role of telomerase, mutagens, environmental toxins and DNA repair. Prerequisites: CNBY 320 [Min Grade: C]


      CNBY 420/620. The Cancer Genome
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will provide an overview of genomic organization transcription and translation, prior to commencing an in-depth study of cancer genetics and the roles of oncogenes, tumor suppressors, RNA, DNA methylation, gene amplification and the control of gene expression and the viral causes of cancer. Students will also be introduced to basic concepts in bioinformatics and database mining using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) as a model. Prerequisites: CNBY 320 [Min Grade: C]


      CNBY 430/630. The Tumor Terrain
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will examine cancer cell physiology in terms of the tumor microenvironment, nutrients and angiogenesis and will explore how these influence cancer cell survival, invasion and metastasis. Prerequisites: CNBY 320 [Min Grade: C]


      CNBY 440/640. Tumor Signaling Pathways
      3 Credit Hours

      In this course the major cell signaling pathways involved in cancer cell development will be examined. An initial overview of signaling (cytosolic, nuclear, dual-address), receptors and basic second messenger pathways (PKA/PKC) will be followed by an in-depth study of pathways of particular relevance to cancer such as receptor tyrosine kinases, RAS, PI3 kinase/PTEN, growth factors (e.g. EGF, TGF-β), integrins, Wnt/β-catenin and JAK/STAT pathways. The role of post-translational modifications of proteins, such as glycosylation will also be discussed. Prerequisites: CNBY 320 [Min Grade: C]


      CNBY 450/650. Cancer Immunology & Histopathology
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will examine the pathological changes that occur in cancer cells and tissues. The course will start with a brief overview of normal histology and will then focus on pathological changes that occur in some select cancers, e.g., colon, lung and breast. This will be followed by exploration of the roles of infection and immunity in cancer that will involve the role of innate and adaptive immunity and cancer cell defenses. The course will conclude by discussing cancer staging and classification of different cancers. Prerequisites: CNBY 320 [Min Grade: C]


      CNBY 470/670. Oncology Therapy
      3 Credit Hours

      Major advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple cancers. This course will review current therapeutic approaches to cancer treatment including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and gene therapy. This course will also include an introduction to the role of personalized medicine in cancer treatment. The course will conclude by considering other facets of caring for the patient with cancer including maintenance of nutrition, mental health and palliative care. Prerequisites: CNBY 320 [Min Grade: C]

    • Genetics & Genomics Sciences

      GGSC 610: Genetic Basis of Human Disease
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will focus on the medical applications of genetics and genomic technologies. Topics covered include, but are not limited to major forms of chromosomal abnormalities, mutations and genetic disorders, genetic risk assessment and population genetics, and genomic approaches to diagnosis.


      GGSC 615: Aquatic Animal Models of Human Disease
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will cover the basic anatomy, biology, life history, husbandry, and research applications for a variety of aquatic organisms used as animal models of human disease in biomedical research. Species discussed will include zebrafish, Medaka, Xiphorous, Onchorynchus, Xenopus, and Axolotls.


      GGSC 620: Applications of Bioinformatics
      3 Credit Hours

      Introduction to computational tools and bioinformatics databases used in the fields of genetics and genomic sciences. This course will cover a wide variety of different bioinformatics applications, which will be taught through use of available on-line bioinformatics resources. Topics covered include large-scale genomic databases, sequence analysis systems, protein sequence analysis, structural bioinformatics, protein folding, and homology modeling.


      GGSC 635: Zebrafish as a Model for Biomedical Research
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will focus on the biology, husbandry, and management of zebrafish used as an animal model of human disease in biomedical research. The course is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students. Topics will include anatomy, physiology, systems design, water quality management, behavior and enrichment, spawning and larviculture, nutrition and live feeds, diseases, quarantine, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance.


      GGSC 665: Research Techniques for Aquatic Animals of Human Diseases
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will focus on the techniques and procedures used for research with aquatic animal models of human disease. Lecture and lab approaches are used.


      GGSC 670: Principles of Pharmacogenetics
      3 Credit Hours

      Most of the drugs that we use today were developed with the assumption that the same drug will work equally well in all the patients that have the same disease. However, there is considerable variability between individual patients - both in the therapeutic response and the adverse effects of the same drug - that is largely determined by the differences in their genotypes. Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics study the genetic determinants of drug response, with the goal to identify genetic variants that can be used to predict the efficacy of a particular drug in a particular patient and to avoid adverse drug reactions. This will ultimately enable implementation of personalized treatment options, by selecting the drugs that will have the best efficacy and the least toxicity for each individual patient. This course will introduce students to the basic principles of pharmacogenetics, demonstrate examples of drug/genotype interactions, highlight the available pharmacogenetic resources, and discuss the potential benefits, as well as limitations and challenges of pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine.


      GGSC 690: Model Systems for Genetics Disorders
      3 Credit Hours

      Invertebrate and non-human vertebrate species are commonly used in scientific research work to provide significant insights into human genetic processes and disease. This course focuses on the different methods and strategies by which researchers use these systems for genetic and genomic analyses of human biology and relevant disorders. Model organisms covered include, but are not limited to nematodes (C. elegans), fruit flies (Drosophila sp.), zebrafish (Danio rerio), and mice (Mus musculus).


      GGSC 691: Personalized Genomic Medicine
      3 Credit Hours

      Significant developments in the fields of genetics and genomics are making it possible to tailor medical care to the specific needs of patients. New diagnostic tests, up to and including whole genome sequencing, provide increasingly powerful tools for the identification of the genetic basis of both rare and common disorders. Better understanding of the causes of disease are permitting drugs to be developed that precisely target disease mechanisms, increasing the efficacy and avoiding side effects. These and other new advanced are leading to major changes in healthcare delivery and provide the consumer with new opportunities and complex choices. This course will focus on exploring state-of-the-art genetic, genomic, and informatic tools now available to enable personalization of healthcare.


      BY 531. Advanced Recombinant DNA Technology
      3 Credit Hours

      Manipulation of genes and their regulations, and techniques used in recombinant DNA technology. Independent project required.


      BY 629. Evolutionary Biology
      3 Credit Hours

      This course introduces the history of evolutionary thought and modern evolutionary theory. Discussions cover (but are not limited to) the history of life, mechanisms of evolutionary change, sexual selection, adaptation, speciation, and molecular evolution. Students will also be introduced to historical and contemporary studies of evolution on a wide variety of topics and organisms. Regular meetings outside of lecture will involve discussions of classic and contemporary research papers in the field.


      BY 634. Functional Genomics and Systems Biology
      3 Credit Hours

      Systems biology is an inter-disciplinary study underlying complex biological processes as integrated systems of many interacting components. This course will give students a foundation in understanding complex biological interactions at the molecular, network and genomic level. This course will cover state-of-the-art high throughput established and novel approaches used in genome sequencing, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics to obtain, integrate and analyze complex data. The students will also get familiar with knowledge on experimental perturbation of genomes, gene regulatory networks, comparative genomics and evolution, basic bioinformatics. This course will be a combination of text based lectures and discussions of the current literature relevant to Functional Genomics and Systems Biology.


      BY 637. Epigenetics
      3 Credit Hours

      This course provides a survey of the field of epigenetics, introducing the student to the diverse areas of epigenetic research in a variety of eukaryotic systems. The course combines lectures with discussion of primary literature and research talks from invited faculty speakers working in epigenetics. In addition to providing an overview of the field of epigenetics, this course emphasizes working with primary scientific literature and the development of critical reading skills. Additional assignments are required for graduate credit.

    • Immunology

      MIC 601. Foundations in Immunology I: The Innate Immune System
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will introduce the cells, receptors, signaling pathways and soluble mediators associated with the innate immune response. The basic components of the innate immune system will then be discussed in the context of their role in the physical, physiological, phagocytic and inflammatory barriers that comprise the innate immune system. Importantly, emphasis will be placed on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that are used by the innate immune system to detect and respond to microbial pathogens to provide the first line of defense.


      MIC 602. Foundations in Immunology II: The Adaptive Immune System
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will provide an in-depth analysis of the cells (T, B and antigen presenting cells), tissues (primary and secondary) and soluble factors (cytokines and chemokines) that comprise the adaptive humoral immune response. The course will examine how cells of the adaptive immune system discriminate self from non-self, including the nature of antigen receptors, the types of antigens recognized and the signals involved in the generation of effector cells that mediate the response.


      MIC 603. Foundations in Immunology III: Microbial Pathogen-Immune System Interaction
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will provide an overview of major concepts related to virulence mechanisms utilized by microbial pathogens and their effect on the host immune response. Emphasis will be placed on important virulence factors/mechanisms associated with bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens and how these alter various components of the innate and adaptive immune responses to allow escape of the pathogen and its survival. This course will introduce the concept of emerging infectious diseases and how their spread is related to their ability to escape detection by the immune system.


      MIC 604. Foundations in Immunology IV: Immunologically-Mediated Diseases
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will focus on the role of the immune system, including the molecular and cellular processes, that contribute to morbidity and mortality associated with immunodeficiency (congenital and acquired), asthma/allergy, autoimmunity (systemic and organ-specific), transplantation and inflammatory syndromes associated with heart disease, cancer, chronic neurological disease and diabetes.

    • Neuroscience

      NBL 610: Molecular Biology of the Neuron
      3 Credit Hours

      Molecular Biology of the Neuron will provide students an advanced understanding of how the brain works with a focus on protein function. Everything the brain does is built upon the actions of proteins, many of which are completely unique to the brain. Together we will work to thoroughly understand the exact molecular mechanisms utilized by the brain to support the complex function of our most fascinating organ. Topics covered will include brain morphogenesis, axonal outgrowth, synapse formation, neurotransmitter biosynthesis, intracellular signaling, and the blood brain barrier. Students should have a significant background in biology and/or chemistry prior to enrolling in the course. Students will be required to purchase a text. Grades will be assigned based on points accumulated through weekly quizzes, cumulative exams, and written reports.


      NBL 625. Methods in Human Nueroimaging
      3 Credit Hours

      Cognitive neuroscience research has provided valuable insights into the workings of the human brain. The ability to perform neuroimaging studies on awake human individuals engaged in cognitive, social, sensory, and motor tasks has produced a conceptual revolution in the study of human cognition. This course will comprehensively examine the methods and techniques in neuroimaging with the primary goal of building basic knowledge in the concepts and techniques of neuroimaging. The course will explore techniques, such as single and multi cell recordings, deep brain stimulation, electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, and diffusion tensor imaging, and focuses on functional magnetic resonance imaging. Course goals: By the end of the course, students will have gained basic knowledge in the field and will be able to read and critically assess scientific journal articles that make use of a variety of neuroimaging methods. The secondary and implicit goal of this course is to create and nurture, in students, a genuine interest in neuroscience and neuroimaging.


      NBL 633: Diseases of the Nervous System
      3 Credit Hours

      Molecular mechanisms and treatments for neurological, psychiatric, and injury based disorders and diseases of the nervous system. Topics include neurodevelopmental disorders (including intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders), neurological disorders (including neurodegenerative and demyelinating disease), neuropsychiatric disorders (including depression disorders and schizophrenia), and injury to the nervous system (including stroke and traumatic brain and spinal cord injury).


      NBL 634: Mechanisms of Memory
      3 Credit Hours

      Molecular, cellular, systems and medical components of neuroscience, with an emphasis on cognition and cognitive disorders. Covers topics ranging from genes and molecules to human behavior, using cognitive function and clinical cognitive disorders as the unifying theme, with a focus on learning and memory and disorders of these processes.


      PY 653. Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience
      4 Credit Hours

      Neural systems which control behavior will be studied, incorporating knowledge gained from neurobiological and psychological research. Topics will include synaptic communication, sensation and perception, movement, genetic influences on behavior, motivation, emotions, psychopathology, brain plasticity, and an extended module on learning.


      PY 687. The Dynamics of Pain
      3 Credit Hours

      This course provides a comprehensive study of pain, from basic anatomy through clinical treatment and measurement.


      PY 693. Cognitive Neuroscience
      3 Credit Hours

      How cognitive processing originates from brains. Focus on synthetic approaches to sensory-input guided behavior implemented in a biologically realistic manner; neurobiological wetware underlying cognition; study and construction of synthetic approaches that emulate biological behavior and psychological processes.

    • Pharmacology & Toxicology

      MBS 611: Introduction to Pharmacology
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will provide students with an overview of the discipline of Pharmacology or the science of the mechanism and regulation of drug action. Processes will be discussed that are affect most drugs and xenobiotics including absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. The course will provide students with concepts that will be applicable to understanding the activity and regulation of drugs discussed in the Systems Pharmacology courses. Concepts presented in the course will be advantageous to all students in understanding therapeutic drug use or in appreciating drug use and action in many different research settings.


      MBS 612: Systems Pharmacology I
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will introduce the use, mechanism of action and physiological properties of major drug families that are to the nervous system and the endocrine/reproductive system. In addition, this course will also cover specific classes of drugs including antibtiotics and chemotherapeutics. Concepts presented in this course will be advantageous to all students in understanding therapeutic drug use or in appreciating drug use and action in many different research settings. This course is a companion course to MBS 613 (Systems Pharmacology II). Prerequisite: MBS 611 (Introduction to Pharmacology or consent of Course Director).


      MBS 613: Systems Pharmacology II
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will introduce drug use, mechanism of action and physiological properties of major drug families, with a focus on specific organ systems (pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal systems; skin, muscle and bone). Concepts presented in this course will be advantageous to all students in understanding therapeutic drug use or in appreciating drug use and action in many different research settings. This course is a companion course to MBS 612 (Systems Pharmacology I). Prerequisite: MBS 611 (Introduction to Pharmacology or consent of Course Director).


      BMS 614: Toxicology, Drug Discovery and Development
      3 Credit Hours

      This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the field of toxicology and its association with pharmacology. This course will also provide an overview of the thought processes associated with defining drug targets and developing drug candidates. The course is separated into two modules: 1) introduction to toxicological issues associated with the drug and xenobiotic exposure; 2) introduction to the process of identifying a drug target, and developing and validating a drug that pharmacologically interacts with the target.

  • Some Courses may be used towards specific concentration subject to advisor approval. The double listing of a specific course indicates that it is pre-approved for use with a specific concentration.

    • Bioinformatics

      INFO 601. Introduction to Bioinformatics
      3 Credit Hours

      Introduction to bioinformatics and computational biology, with emphasis on concepts and application of informatics tools to molecular biology. It covers biological sequence analysis, gene prediction, genome annotation, gene expression analysis, protein structure prediction, evolutionary biology and comparative genomics, bioinformatics databases, cloud computing, basic R-based data analysis, simple programming skills using Perl, Linux/Unix environment and command lines, visual analytics, and social/legal aspects of open science. It will have a class research project component.


      INFO 602. Algorithms in Bioinformatics
      3 Credit Hours

      This course introduces various fundamental algorithms and computational concepts for solving questions in bioinformatics and functional genomics. These include graph algorithms, dynamic programming, combinatorial algorithms, randomized algorithms, pattern matching, classification and clustering algorithms, hidden Markov models and more. Each concept will be introduced in the context of a concrete biological or genomic application. A broad range of topics will be covered, ranging from gene identification, genome reconstruction, microarray data analysis, phylogeny reconstruction, sequence alignments, to variant detection.


      INFO 603. Biological Data Management
      3 Credit Hours

      The introduction of biological data management concepts, theories, and applications. Basic concepts such as relational data representation, relational database modeling, and relational database queries will be introduced in the context of SQL and relational algebra. Advanced concepts including ontology representation and database development workflow will be introduced. Emerging big data concepts and tools, including Hadoop and NoSQL, will be introduced in the context of managing semi-structured and unstructured data. Application of biological data management in biology will be covered using case studies of high-impact widely used biological databases. A class project will be required of all participants.


      INFO 604. Next-generation Sequencing Data Analysis
      3 Credit Hours

      The introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and the various new genomics applications. Basic analysis begins with NGS data representations using FASTQ, BAM, and VCF files. Major NGS applications in the characterization of DNA, RNA, methylation, ChIP, and chromatin structure analysis will be described. Topics will cover alignment, whole genome de novo assembly, variant detection, third generation sequencing technologies, functional genomics, metagenomics, single cell genomics, genetic diseases and cancer genomics. NGS workflows and translational applications in disease biology and genome medicine will also be emphasized.


      INFO 662. Biomedical Applications of Natural Language Processing
      3 Credit Hours

      Students will be introduced to Natural Language Processing (NLP) including core linguistic tasks such as tokenization, lemmatization/stemming, Part of Speech tagging, parsing and chunking. Applications covered include Named Entity Recognition, semantic role labeling, word sense disambiguation, normalization, information retrieval, question answering and text classification. Applications and data will have a biomedical focus, but no biology or medical background is required.

    • Biology

      BY 520: General Endocrinology
      3 Credit Hours

      Roles of endocrine and neuroendocrine chemical messengers in the control of cellular and physiological processes. Term paper required. Prerequisite: BY 256 or permission of instructor.


      BY 605. Microbial Physiology
      3 Credit Hours

      Microbial structure and function, growth, metabolism, and regulation of cellular activity. Independent project required. Prerequisites: BY 271 and 3 semester hours of organic chemistry.


      BY 629. Evolutionary Biology
      3 Credit Hours

      This course introduces the history of evolutionary thought and modern evolutionary theory. Discussions cover (but are not limited to) the history of life, mechanisms of evolutionary change, sexual selection, adaptation, speciation, and molecular evolution. Students will also be introduced to historical and contemporary studies of evolution on a wide variety of topics and organisms. Regular meetings outside of lecture will involve discussions of classic and contemporary research papers in the field.


      BY 637. Epigenetics
      3 Credit Hours

      This course provides a survey of the field of epigenetics, introducing the student to the diverse areas of epigenetic research in a variety of eukaryotic systems. The course combines lectures with discussion of primary literature and research talks from invited faculty speakers working in epigenetics. In addition to providing an overview of the field of epigenetics, this course emphasizes working with primary scientific literature and the development of critical reading skills. Additional assignments are required for graduate credit.


      BY 640. Immunology
      3 Credit Hours

      Immune system and functions of host humoral and cellular immune responses. Mechanisms of antigen and antibody reactions and basic immunological methods. Term paper required.


      BY 634. Functional Genomics and Systems Biology
      3 Credit Hours

      Systems biology is an inter-disciplinary study underlying complex biological processes as integrated systems of many interacting components. This course will give students a foundation in understanding complex biological interactions at the molecular, network and genomic level. This course will cover state-of-the-art high throughput established and novel approaches used in genome sequencing, transcriptomic, proteomics and metabolomics to obtain, integrate and analyze complex data. The students will also get familiar with knowledge on experimental perturbation of genomes, gene regulatory networks, comparative genomics and evolution, basic bioinformatics. This course will be a combination of text based lectures and discussions of the current literature relevant to Functional Genomics and Systems Biology. Prerequisite: BY210 minimum grade of C.


      BY 540. Biology of Aging
      3 Credit Hours

      Current understanding of aging, measuring aging changes, theories of aging and aging changes in various human systems.

    • Chemistry

      CH 664. Biophysical Chemistry
      3 Credit Hours

      Common physical methods for understanding the structure and stability of macromolecules that include several spectroscopic, thermodynamic and computational methods. Underlying physical principle described, instrumentation discussed, and examples cited from the literature.

    • Genetics & Genomics Sciences

      GGSC 610: Genetic Basis of Human Disease
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will focus on the medical applications of genetics and genomic technologies. Topics covered include, but are not limited to major forms of chromosomal abnormalities, mutations and genetic disorders, genetic risk assessment and population genetics, and genomic approaches to diagnosis.


      GGSC 615: Aquatic Animal Models of Human Disease
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will cover the basic anatomy, biology, life history, husbandry, and research applications for a variety of aquatic organisms used as animal models of human disease in biomedical research. Species discussed will include zebrafish, Medaka, Xiphorous, Onchorynchus, Xenopus, and Axolotls.


      GGSC 620: Applications of Bioinformatics
      3 Credit Hours

      Introduction to computational tools and bioinformatics databases used in the fields of genetics and genomic sciences. This course will cover a wide variety of different bioinformatics applications, which will be taught through use of available on-line bioinformatics resources. Topics covered include large-scale genomic databases, sequence analysis systems, protein sequence analysis, structural bioinformatics, protein folding, and homology modeling.


      GGSC 635: Zebrafish as a Model for Biomedical Research
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will focus on the biology, husbandry, and management of zebrafish used as an animal model of human disease in biomedical research. The course is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students. Topics will include anatomy, physiology, systems design, water quality management, behavior and enrichment, spawning and larviculture, nutrition and live feeds, diseases, quarantine, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance.


      GGSC 665: Research Techniques for Aquatic Animals of Human Diseases
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will focus on the techniques and procedures used for research with aquatic animal models of human disease. Lecture and lab approaches are used.


      GGSC 670: Principles of Pharmacogenetics
      3 Credit Hours

      Most of the drugs that we use today were developed with the assumption that the same drug will work equally well in all the patients that have the same disease. However, there is considerable variability between individual patients - both in the therapeutic response and the adverse effects of the same drug - that is largely determined by the differences in their genotypes. Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics study the genetic determinants of drug response, with the goal to identify genetic variants that can be used to predict the efficacy of a particular drug in a particular patient and to avoid adverse drug reactions. This will ultimately enable implementation of personalized treatment options, by selecting the drugs that will have the best efficacy and the least toxicity for each individual patient. This course will introduce students to the basic principles of pharmacogenetics, demonstrate examples of drug/genotype interactions, highlight the available pharmacogenetic resources, and discuss the potential benefits, as well as limitations and challenges of pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine.


      GGSC 690: Model Systems for Genetics Disorders
      3 Credit Hours

      Invertebrate and non-human vertebrate species are commonly used in scientific research work to provide significant insights into human genetic processes and disease. This course focuses on the different methods and strategies by which researchers use these systems for genetic and genomic analyses of human biology and relevant disorders. Model organisms covered include, but are not limited to nematodes (C. elegans), fruit flies (Drosophila sp.), zebrafish (Danio rerio), and mice (Mus musculus).


      GGSC 691: Personalized Genomic Medicine
      3 Credit Hours

      Significant developments in the fields of genetics and genomics are making it possible to tailor medical care to the specific needs of patients. New diagnostic tests, up to and including whole genome sequencing, provide increasingly powerful tools for the identification of the genetic basis of both rare and common disorders. Better understanding of the causes of disease are permitting drugs to be developed that precisely target disease mechanisms, increasing the efficacy and avoiding side effects. These and other new advanced are leading to major changes in healthcare delivery and provide the consumer with new opportunities and complex choices. This course will focus on exploring state-of-the-art genetic, genomic, and informatic tools now available to enable personalization of healthcare.


      BY 531. Advanced Recombinant DNA Technology
      3 Credit Hours

      Manipulation of genes and their regulations, and techniques used in recombinant DNA technology. Independent project required.


      BY 629. Evolutionary Biology
      3 Credit Hours

      This course introduces the history of evolutionary thought and modern evolutionary theory. Discussions cover (but are not limited to) the history of life, mechanisms of evolutionary change, sexual selection, adaptation, speciation, and molecular evolution. Students will also be introduced to historical and contemporary studies of evolution on a wide variety of topics and organisms. Regular meetings outside of lecture will involve discussions of classic and contemporary research papers in the field.


      BY 634. Functional Genomics and Systems Biology
      3 Credit Hours

      Systems biology is an inter-disciplinary study underlying complex biological processes as integrated systems of many interacting components. This course will give students a foundation in understanding complex biological interactions at the molecular, network and genomic level. This course will cover state-of-the-art high throughput established and novel approaches used in genome sequencing, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics to obtain, integrate and analyze complex data. The students will also get familiar with knowledge on experimental perturbation of genomes, gene regulatory networks, comparative genomics and evolution, basic bioinformatics. This course will be a combination of text based lectures and discussions of the current literature relevant to Functional Genomics and Systems Biology.


      BY 637. Epigenetics
      3 Credit Hours

      This course provides a survey of the field of epigenetics, introducing the student to the diverse areas of epigenetic research in a variety of eukaryotic systems. The course combines lectures with discussion of primary literature and research talks from invited faculty speakers working in epigenetics. In addition to providing an overview of the field of epigenetics, this course emphasizes working with primary scientific literature and the development of critical reading skills. Additional assignments are required for graduate credit.

    • Immunology

      MIC 601. Foundations in Immunology I: The Innate Immune System
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will introduce the cells, receptors, signaling pathways and soluble mediators associated with the innate immune response. The basic components of the innate immune system will then be discussed in the context of their role in the physical, physiological, phagocytic and inflammatory barriers that comprise the innate immune system. Importantly, emphasis will be placed on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that are used by the innate immune system to detect and respond to microbial pathogens to provide the first line of defense.


      MIC 602. Foundations in Immunology II: The Adaptive Immune System
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will provide an in-depth analysis of the cells (T, B and antigen presenting cells), tissues (primary and secondary) and soluble factors (cytokines and chemokines) that comprise the adaptive humoral immune response. The course will examine how cells of the adaptive immune system discriminate self from non-self, including the nature of antigen receptors, the types of antigens recognized and the signals involved in the generation of effector cells that mediate the response.


      MIC 603. Foundations in Immunology III: Microbial Pathogen-Immune System Interaction
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will provide an overview of major concepts related to virulence mechanisms utilized by microbial pathogens and their effect on the host immune response. Emphasis will be placed on important virulence factors/mechanisms associated with bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens and how these alter various components of the innate and adaptive immune responses to allow escape of the pathogen and its survival. This course will introduce the concept of emerging infectious diseases and how their spread is related to their ability to escape detection by the immune system.


      MIC 604. Foundations in Immunology IV: Immunologically-Mediated Diseases
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will focus on the role of the immune system, including the molecular and cellular processes, that contribute to morbidity and mortality associated with immunodeficiency (congenital and acquired), asthma/allergy, autoimmunity (systemic and organ-specific), transplantation and inflammatory syndromes associated with heart disease, cancer, chronic neurological disease and diabetes.

    • Neuroscience

      NBL 610: Molecular Biology of the Neuron
      3 Credit Hours

      Molecular Biology of the Neuron will provide students an advanced understanding of how the brain works with a focus on protein function. Everything the brain does is built upon the actions of proteins, many of which are completely unique to the brain. Together we will work to thoroughly understand the exact molecular mechanisms utilized by the brain to support the complex function of our most fascinating organ. Topics covered will include brain morphogenesis, axonal outgrowth, synapse formation, neurotransmitter biosynthesis, intracellular signaling, and the blood brain barrier. Students should have a significant background in biology and/or chemistry prior to enrolling in the course. Students will be required to purchase a text. Grades will be assigned based on points accumulated through weekly quizzes, cumulative exams, and written reports.


      NBL 625. Methods in Human Nueroimaging
      3 Credit Hours

      Cognitive neuroscience research has provided valuable insights into the workings of the human brain. The ability to perform neuroimaging studies on awake human individuals engaged in cognitive, social, sensory, and motor tasks has produced a conceptual revolution in the study of human cognition. This course will comprehensively examine the methods and techniques in neuroimaging with the primary goal of building basic knowledge in the concepts and techniques of neuroimaging. The course will explore techniques, such as single and multi cell recordings, deep brain stimulation, electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, and diffusion tensor imaging, and focuses on functional magnetic resonance imaging. Course goals: By the end of the course, students will have gained basic knowledge in the field and will be able to read and critically assess scientific journal articles that make use of a variety of neuroimaging methods. The secondary and implicit goal of this course is to create and nurture, in students, a genuine interest in neuroscience and neuroimaging.


      NBL 633: Diseases of the Nervous System
      3 Credit Hours

      Molecular mechanisms and treatments for neurological, psychiatric, and injury based disorders and diseases of the nervous system. Topics include neurodevelopmental disorders (including intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders), neurological disorders (including neurodegenerative and demyelinating disease), neuropsychiatric disorders (including depression disorders and schizophrenia), and injury to the nervous system (including stroke and traumatic brain and spinal cord injury).


      NBL 634: Mechanisms of Memory
      3 Credit Hours

      Molecular, cellular, systems and medical components of neuroscience, with an emphasis on cognition and cognitive disorders. Covers topics ranging from genes and molecules to human behavior, using cognitive function and clinical cognitive disorders as the unifying theme, with a focus on learning and memory and disorders of these processes.


      PY 653. Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience
      4 Credit Hours

      Neural systems which control behavior will be studied, incorporating knowledge gained from neurobiological and psychological research. Topics will include synaptic communication, sensation and perception, movement, genetic influences on behavior, motivation, emotions, psychopathology, brain plasticity, and an extended module on learning.


      PY 687. The Dynamics of Pain
      3 Credit Hours

      This course provides a comprehensive study of pain, from basic anatomy through clinical treatment and measurement.


      PY 693. Cognitive Neuroscience
      3 Credit Hours

      How cognitive processing originates from brains. Focus on synthetic approaches to sensory-input guided behavior implemented in a biologically realistic manner; neurobiological wetware underlying cognition; study and construction of synthetic approaches that emulate biological behavior and psychological processes.

    • Pharmacology & Toxicology

      MBS 611: Introduction to Pharmacology
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will provide students with an overview of the discipline of Pharmacology or the science of the mechanism and regulation of drug action. Processes will be discussed that are affect most drugs and xenobiotics including absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. The course will provide students with concepts that will be applicable to understanding the activity and regulation of drugs discussed in the Systems Pharmacology courses. Concepts presented in the course will be advantageous to all students in understanding therapeutic drug use or in appreciating drug use and action in many different research settings.


      MBS 612: Systems Pharmacology I
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will introduce the use, mechanism of action and physiological properties of major drug families that are to the nervous system and the endocrine/reproductive system. In addition, this course will also cover specific classes of drugs including antibtiotics and chemotherapeutics. Concepts presented in this course will be advantageous to all students in understanding therapeutic drug use or in appreciating drug use and action in many different research settings. This course is a companion course to MBS 613 (Systems Pharmacology II). Prerequisite: MBS 611 (Introduction to Pharmacology or consent of Course Director).


      MBS 613: Systems Pharmacology II
      3 Credit Hours

      This course will introduce drug use, mechanism of action and physiological properties of major drug families, with a focus on specific organ systems (pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal systems; skin, muscle and bone). Concepts presented in this course will be advantageous to all students in understanding therapeutic drug use or in appreciating drug use and action in many different research settings. This course is a companion course to MBS 612 (Systems Pharmacology I). Prerequisite: MBS 611 (Introduction to Pharmacology or consent of Course Director).


      BMS 614: Toxicology, Drug Discovery and Development
      3 Credit Hours

      This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the field of toxicology and its association with pharmacology. This course will also provide an overview of the thought processes associated with defining drug targets and developing drug candidates. The course is separated into two modules: 1) introduction to toxicological issues associated with the drug and xenobiotic exposure; 2) introduction to the process of identifying a drug target, and developing and validating a drug that pharmacologically interacts with the target.

  • Students are limited to 4 credit hours max from the list below:


    GRD 727: Writing Reviewing Research
    Fall/Spring/Summer, Time TBA
    3 Credit Hours

    Designed for individuals writing research and review papers. Writers select their own topics. Course offers instruction in essential strategies and techniques, practice, peer review, and instructor feedback. Instructor approval required for second-language writers.


    GRD 701: Presentation & Discussion Skills
    Fall/Spring/Summer, Wednesday 5:30 pm - 8 pm
    3 Credit Hours

    This course is designed to develop professional communication skills through individual presentations and group evaluations. Topics include the basics of oral presentation, content, organization, and delivery of formal presentations; use of voice and nonverbal communication; and speaking to different audiences. Students’ presentations are videotaped and critiqued by their classmates and the instructor.


    GRD 705. Teaching at the College Level and Beyond
    Fall/Spring/Summer, Monday 5:30 pm - 8 pm
    3 Credit Hours

    Introduces many of the basic principles needed to teach effectively at the college level and addresses current issues relevant to college teaching. Topics include creating a learning environment, course and syllabus design, effective lecturing, active learning approaches, evaluation and grading, and using technology to enhance learning.


    GRD 706. Grants and Fellowships 101
    Fall 2017, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
    1 Credit Hour

    Introduces the extramural funding process. Topics include types of awards, funding sources, components of an application, the review process, and writing effective grant proposals. One-day workshop.


    GRD 707. Presenting Effectively
    Fall 2017, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
    1 Credit Hour

    Provides an overview of giving effective oral presentations in academic and professional settings. Topics include analyzing audience and purpose, characteristics of an effective delivery, strategies for planning and design, handling questions and answers, boosting confidence, and using technology in presentations. One-day workshop.


    GRD 708. Writing Successfully
    Spring 2018, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
    1 Credit Hour

    Addresses issues involved in writing academic and professional settings. Topics include analyzing audience and purpose, addressing common writing problems, developing effective writing practices, writing for publication, communicating research to general public, and productivity strategies for writers. One-day workshop.


    GRD 709. Writing Fellowships
    Spring, Tuesday 1 pm - 3 pm
    3 Credit Hours

    Participants are introduced to ways to construct a bio-sketch, search for funding sources, how to construct a fellowship budget, and grant-related administrative policies. The importance of peer review and how to respond to review critiques is covered as well as training plans, team-building and peer-review skills.


    GRD 710. Career Workshop for Graduate Students
    Spring/Summer
    1 Credit Hour

    This workshop introduces a variety of career choices for students working on advanced degrees in the life sciences. Topics may include sources of career information, self-assessment, resume construction, interviewing, using new technologies in job searches, career choices, the hidden job market, networking, and negotiating.


    GRD 713. Mentoring 101
    Summer, Tuesday 12 pm - 1 pm; Fall/Spring, Time TBA
    1 Credit Hour

    This seminar will cover the science and theory on mentoring, including the mentor-mentee relationship, issues of gender, culture, age, and other power differentials; contemporary mentoring strategies as they relate generally and specifically to situations and fields; applying different mentoring models to real life/workplace.


    GRD 733. Managing & Leading Teams
    Spring, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
    1 Credit Hour

    This course will cover the latest science in managing and leading teams across disciplines, focusing on the student's development of team presentations, peer discussion and review. 1 day.

Questions?

""

Please reach out to program director John J. Shacka with any questions you may have.

John J. Shacka
MBS Program Director
shacka@uab.edu
(205) 996-7252


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