Biochemistry  

BCHM 802 - Endocrinology
Credits: 4.00
Biochemical and molecular structure and function of vertebrate endocrine systems. Influence of endocrine systems on the physiology of vertebrates, with special reference to mammals. Current investigations of the endocrine systems as a regulator and integrator of body functions including such systems as growth, reproduction, metabolism, differentiation, and behavior. Prereq: general biochemistry or principles of biochemistry;/ or permission. (Also offered as ANSC 802.) Special fee.

BCHM 811 - Genomics and Bioinformatics
Credits: 4.00
The methods, applications, and implications of genomics--the analysis of whole genomes. Microbial, plant and animal genomics are addressed, as well as medical, ethical and legal implications. The lab provides exposure and experience of a range of bioinformatics approaches--the computer applications used in genome analysis. Prereq: Principles of Genetics. (Also offered as GEN 811 and MICR 811.) Lab.

BCHM 850 - Physical Biochemistry
Credits: 3.00
Structure, interactions, and physical-chemical properties of biomolecules. Thermodynamic, kinetic, and spectroscopic methods for the study of proteins and nucleic acids. Prereq: 2 semesters organic chemistry, 1 semester of calculus;/ or permission.

BCHM 851 - Principles of Biochemistry I
Credits: 4.00
In-depth survey of biochemistry: macromolecule structure; structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates,and lipids. Prereq: organic chemistry, general biochemistry or permission.

BCHM 852 - Principles of Biochemistry II
Credits: 4.00
Continuation of in-depth survey of biochemistry: metabolism of amino acids, nucleotides, carbohydrates and lipids; macromolecules synthesis and regulation; molecular biology of the eukaryotic cell. Prereq: BCHM 851 or permission.

BCHM 854 - Laboratory in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Nucleic Acids
Credits: 5.00
Application of modern techniques to the analysis of biomolecules, with an emphasis on nucleic acids; includes DNA isolation and analysis, cloning and sequencing and analysis of gene products. No credit if credit has been received for microbial genetics. Prereq: general biochemistry, principles of biochemistry or permission. (Also offered as GEN 854 and PBIO 854.) Special fee. (Not offered every year.)

BCHM 855 - Laboratory in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Credits: 5.00
Application of modern techniques to the characterization and purification of biomolecules, with an emphasis on proteins and nucleic acids; analysis of enzyme kinetics; and basic techniques used in molecular biology. Prereq: BCHM 851-852;/ or permission. BCHM 852 may be taken concurrently with BCHM 855. Special fee.
Co-requisites:

BCHM 863 - Biochemistry of Cancer
Credits: 3.00
Molecular mechanisms of viral and chemical carcinogenesis; role of ocogenes in normal cell growth, development, and differentiation. Biochemical basis of cancer chemotherapy. Critical reviews of research papers and an advanced research paper required. Prereq: general biochemistry or BCHM 851 or permission. Credit/Fail.

BCHM 866 - Environmental Genomics
Credits: 4.00
The field of environmental genomics uses existing and developing high throughput genomic-scale technologies to investigate ecological and evolutionary theory, and so provides a more complete understanding of how organisms respond to environmental change at the molecular genetic level. Course covers an array of systems involved in this emerging field, with the central aim of understanding the effects of environmental change on genome structure, gene expression, and adaptive evolutionary change. Information is derived from the primary literature in the field and covers practical and technical concepts as well as the underlying theoretical basis for the major research themes. Prereq: principles of genetics;/ or permission. (Also offered as GEN 866.)

BCHM 871 - Molecular Genetics
Credits: 4.00
Structure, organization, replication, dynamics, and expression of genetic information in eukaryotes. Focus on molecular genetic mechanisms of gene expression and its control; molecular genetics methods; molecular genetic control of cell division and differentiation during development. Prereq: a general biochemistry or principles of biochemistry course; a course in principles of genetics;/ or permission. (Also offered as GEN 871.)

BCHM 882 - Developmental Genetics
Credits: 3.00
The molecular genetic basis of metazoan development. Course focuses on how genes direct the process of development and how this problem is analyzed in model organisms using molecular genetic approaches. Topics include: control of cell division, maternal factors, cell-cell interactions, differential gene expression. Prereq: principles of genetics. (Also offered as GEN 882.)

BCHM 890 - Current Topics in Biomedicine
Credits: 4.00
The dramatic advances in molecular biology and biochemistry during the last two decades have led to explosive growth in the accumulation of biomedical knowledge. To "discover" the literature is an essential element of training in any molecular discipline in biology. The first phase of the course will cover the use of literature search tools, and how to read scientific papers, write a review and make presentations effectively. The bulk of the time will be spent on current topics in biomedicine selected by the class. With guidance from the instructor, the class will derive reading lists, discuss the literature, and then write short essays on each topic. Participants will also prepare a "term" project for audiovisual presentation to the class in the final two weeks. Prereq: BIOL 605 or instructor permission.

BCHM 894 - Protein Structure and Function
Credits: 4.00
Analysis of how the three-dimensional architecture of soluble and membrane proteins contributes to their biochemical function. Topics include methods for determining the structure of proteins, protein folding, protein targeting, and mechanisms of enzyme catalysis. Computer resources will be used for protein modeling and structural prediction. Prereq: general biochemistry or principles of biochemistry.

BCHM 895 - Investigations
Credits: 1.00 to 4.00
Independent study in various areas including but not limited to: genetics, signal transduction, gene regulations, molecular evolution, biochemistry of cancer, biophysics of macromolecules, endocrinology, and glycobiology. May include readings, laboratory work, organized seminars and conferences. Prereq:permission. Not more than 4 total credit hours can be applied to BCHM or major electives.

BCHM 899 - Master's Thesis
Credits: 1.00 to 10.00
Cr/F.

BCHM 902 - Endocrine Disruptors/Neuroendocrinology
Credits: 3.00
Biochemical and molecular mechanisms of neurohormones; endocrine disruptors, mechanisms of achons of chemicals mimicking or interfering with the action of hormones; potential health effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals; developmental neuroendocrinology; gene regulator by hormones.

BCHM 942 - Biochemical Regulatory Mechanisms
Credits: 3.00
Transcriptional control and post-transcriptional processing of mRNA; regulation and formation of chromation structure; mRNA transport; degradation of mRNA nonsense mediated decay; integration of decay, decapping, and translational control. Prereq: BCHM 852 or permission. (Also offered as GEN 942.)

BCHM 950 - Macromolecular Interactions
Credits: 3.00
Interactions between macromolecules are central to all biological processes. Focuses on the structures and energetics that underlie these processes. Topics include self-associations, hereto assembly, cooperativity, ligand linkage and methods for their analysis. Prereq: physical chemistry I, II or BCHM 850. May be repeated. (Also listed as MS 910.)

BCHM 960 - Advanced Topics in Signal Transduction
Credits: 3.00
Examination of current topics in signal transduction mechanisms. Pathways involving receptor activation, G-protein activation, regulation of effector enzymes, and changes in second messengers covered, along with mechanisms for short- and long-term desensitization of cellular responses.

BCHM #993 - Advanced Topics in Enzyme Regulatory Mechanisms
Credits: 3.00
Selected topics of current research in the molecular basis of enzyme regulation. Emphasis on biochemical and molecular biological approaches to determining the mechanisms by which key regulatory enzymes are controlled. Prereq: permission.

BCHM 997 - Seminar
Credits: 1.00
Prereq: permission. Cr/F.

BCHM 998 - Seminar
Credits: 1.00
Prereq: permission. Cr/F.

BCHM 999 - Doctoral Research
Credits:
Cr/F.