Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Biomolecular Science and Engineering
(formerly Biochemistry and Molecular Biology),
Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences,
Life Sciences Building 3324
Telephone (805) 893-2290
E-mail: bmse@lifesci.ucsb.edu
Website: www.bmse.ucsb.edu/ (will open in a new browser window)
Program Chair: Philip A. Pincus
Contents:
Alison Butler, Ph.D., UC San Diego, Professor (metallobiochemistry)
Rolf E. Christoffersen, Ph.D., UC Los Angeles, Associate Professor (plant molecular biology)
Dennis O. Clegg, Ph.D., UC Berkeley, Professor (molecular neurobiology)
James B. Cooper, Ph.D., Washington University, Associate Professor (plant molecular biology)
Peggy Cotter, Ph.D., UC Los Angeles, Associate Professor (microbial pathogenesis, mechanisms of secretion, localization and function of bacterial virulence factors, virulence gene regulation, mechanisms of signal transduction and transcriptional control)
Patrick S. Daugherty, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, Assistant Professor (protein engineering and design, combinational molecular biology, gene targeting, viral vector engineering)
Frederick W. Dahlquist, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Professor (biochemistry)
Francis J. Doyle III, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Mellichamp Professor of Process Control (biomedical control, process control, systems biology, nonlinear dynamics)
Deborah K. Fygenson, Ph.D., Princeton University, Associate Professor (biophysics - experimental)
Christopher Hayes, Ph.D., University of Connecticut, Assistant Professor (molecular mechanisms of ribosome pausing during protein synthesis and recruitment of SsrA (tmRNA) to stalled ribosomes)
Jacob Israelachvili, Ph.D., University of Cambridge, Professor (surface and interfacial phenomena, adhesion, colloidal systems, surface forces, bio-adhesion, friction)
Luc Jaeger, Ph.D., University Louis Pasteur of Strasbourg (France), Assistant Professor (biochemistry, biological chemistry, biomolecular nanotechnology)
Kenneth Kosik, M.D., Medical College of Pennslyvania, Harriman Professor and Co-Director of Neuroscience Research Institute (neuronal development, neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s disease OR basic mechanisms and disorders of naural plasticity, the role of microRNAs in stem cell differentiation)
John Lew, Ph.D., University of Calgary, Alberta, Associate Professor (biochemistry, molecular and cell biology)
Everett Lipman, Ph.D., UC Berkeley, Assistant Professor (single molecule optical methods, protein folding, resonance energy transfer, applications of microfluidic devices)
David Low, Ph.D., UC Irvine, Professor (biochemical and genetic analysis of transcription, epigenetics, antimicrobials)
Michael J. Mahan, Ph.D., University of Utah, Professor (microbial pathogenesis, genetics, vaccine development)
Samir Mitragotri, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Associate Professor (drug delivery and diagnostics, bio-membrane transport, membrane biophysics, biomedical ultrasound)
Daniel E. Morse, Ph.D., Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Professor (molecular genetics, biochemistry, biomolecular nanotechnology, biomimetic materials)
Stanley M. Parsons, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Professor (biological chemistry)
John J. Perona, Ph.D., Yale University, Professor (x-ray crystallography, physical biochemistry)
Philip A. Pincus, Ph.D., UC Berkeley, Professor (polymers, colloids, surfactants, membranes, biomaterials)
Kevin W. Plaxco, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Associate Professor (molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering)
Norbert O. Reich, Ph.D., UC San Francisco, Professor (biological chemistry)
Joel H. Rothman, Ph.D., University of Oregon, Eugene, Professor (regulation of development, programmed cell death, neurodegeneration, cancer biology, systems biology)
Cyrus R. Safinya, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Professor (biomolecular materials)
Martin Sagermann, Ph.D., University of Heidelberg (Germany), Assistant Professor (structural biology, protein engineering, x-ray crystallography)
Omar A. Saleh, Ph.D., Princeton University, Assistant Professor (experimental biophysics/biomaterials)
Charles E. Samuel, Ph.D., UC Berkeley, C. A. Storke II Professor (virology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biomaterials)
Duane Sears, Ph.D., Columbia University, Professor (biochemistry)
Boris I. Shraiman, Ph.D., Harvard, Professor (statistical physics, quantitative systems biology)
Ambuj K. Singh, Ph.D.,University of Texas at Austin, Professor (computer science)
William Smith, Ph.D., UC Santa Cruz, Professor (developmental biology
Hyongsok Tom Soh, Ph.D., Stanford University, Assistant Professor (bioengineering, integrated microsystems)
Galen Stucky, Ph.D., Iowa State University, Professor (biomaterials, surfactants, composites, materials synthesis, porous materials)
Matthew V. Tirrell, Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Richard A. Auhll Professor and Dean, College of Engineering (bioengineering, polymer science and engineering)
Carol A. Vandenberg, Ph.D., UC San Diego, Professor (molecular neurobiology)
J. Herbert Waite, Ph.D., Duke University, Professor (marine biomolecular materials)
Leslie Wilson, Ph.D., Tufts University, Professor (biochemical pharmacology)
Thomas C. Bruice, Ph.D., University of Southern California, Research Professor
John A. Carbon, Ph.D., Northwestern University, Professor Emeritus (biochemistry)
Louise Clarke, Ph.D., UC Santa Barbara, Professor Emeritus (biochemistry, genetics)
Ellis Englesberg, Ph.D., UC Berkeley, Professor Emeritus
J. Thomas C. Gerig, Ph.D., Brown University, Professor Emeritus (bio-physical chemistry)
Nancy L. Lee, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, Professor Emeritus (microbiology)
Robert L. Sinsheimer, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Professor Emeritus (biochemistry)
George Taborsky, Ph.D., Yale University, Professor Emeritus
Edward L. Triplett, Ph.D., Stanford University, Professor Emeritus
The interdepartmental graduate program in Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BMSE) offers studies leading to the Ph.D. degree. The program is administered by faculty with joint appointments in the following departments: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Materials, Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB), and Physics. BMSE provides unique opportunities for intensive research training at the interface between the physical and life sciences and engineering disciplines in highly interactive and collaborative laboratories. The diverse group of program faculty provides students with an exceptionally broad range of challenging opportunities for multidisciplinary research in biomolecular structure, function, and engineering. Research areas currently under active investigation on campus include kinetics and regulation of enzyme catalysis, chromosome structure and cell cycle regulation, the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix, mechanisms regulating signal transduction and cellular differentiation, protein structure and structure-function relationships, protein-nucleic acid interactions, biomolecular materials (biominerals and adhesives), biosensors and biomolecular electronics, biomimetics, biophysics, molecular neurobiology, plant molecular biology, bacterial pathogenesis, and molecular virology and immunology. A complete listing of research interests of the participating faculty can be obtained by writing to the above address, or from the BMSE website at www.bmse.ucsb.edu/.
The program accommodates students with a diversity of backgrounds and career goals who are interested in multidisciplinary research training. Qualified students with undergraduate degrees in one of the life or physical sciences or engineering disciplines are accepted into the program. In addition to specific program requirements, candidates for graduate degrees must meet all university degree requirements found in the section "Graduate Education at UCSB.” Highly individualized programs of instruction can be undertaken by a student enrolled in the program after consultation with and approval by the graduate committee and a research mentor. Approximately 30 faculty members from the affiliated departments are available to direct approved research projects under the auspices of the BMSE program.
Graduate Program
Admission
In addition to fulfilling the departmental admission requirements outlined below, applicants must also meet the university requirements for admission described in the section "Graduate Education at UCSB.” Optimal undergraduate preparation would include one year each of introductory chemistry, biology and physics, one year of calculus (differential equations recommended), one year of organic chemistry, one year of biochemistry, one course in physical chemistry (one year recommended), one course in molecular genetics or molecular biology and additional specialized electives. Applicants with strong undergraduate records who lack some of the preparation indicated above may be admitted with the condition that they complete necessary coursework early in their graduate careers. The target deadline for completed applications is December 15th.
Transcripts and Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test scores are required of all applicants. One of the following three GRE subject tests is recommended - biology; chemistry or biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Exceptions to this requirement will be considered for those students who have completed an undergraduate or graduate education at an institution whose primary language of instruction is English. The minimum score for consideration is 630 when taking the paper-based test or 267 when taking the computer-based test, taken within two years of the application to UCSB.
Master of Science - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Degree Requirements
M.S. students may complete their master’s degree under either Plan I (thesis) or Plan II (examination). In addition to fulfilling all university requirements for a master’s degree, M.S. students must complete a minimum of 12 units of core course modules, all with grades of B or better, and 3 units of BMSE 263 (Research Seminars in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology). Plan I (thesis) students must also successfully complete 18 units of directed reading and research, and must write and defend a master’s thesis in consultation with a master’s thesis committee.
Plan II (examination) students must complete a minimum of 12 units of core course modules, all with grades of B or better, 3 units of BMSE 263 (Research Seminars in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), 12 additional units of graduate coursework chosen (with the approval of the graduate advisor) from the course offerings from any of the home departments of BMSE Program faculty, and 6 units of BMSE 295 (Internship in Biotechnology/Pharmacology) or BMSE 596 (Directed Reading and Research). Plan II students must also submit a satisfactory written final report whose content is to be determined in consultation with the master’s advisor and two additional BMSE faculty, and is filed with the BMSE graduate program office. This final report must demonstrate an integration of the knowledge acquired in the student’s graduate coursework and research studies, and shall satisfy the requirements of a comprehensive examination.
Core Module Courses
I. Biophysics and Bioengineering track: 201A, 202, 203, 212, 215, 216A, 216B, 217, 244, 250, 251, 252, 255.
II. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology track: BMSE 201B, 201C, 205A, 205A, 205B, 207, 220A, 220B, 220C, 223, 229, 230, and 235.
Doctor of Philosophy - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. students in the program are required to demonstrate competency in fundamental areas of molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and bioengineering, normally by completing 15 units of core module coursework, and by demonstrating a depth of knowledge in at least two advanced topics. Program students will elect an emphasis in either biochemistry/molecular biology, or in biophysics/bioengineering. Core module courses in each of the two emphases are listed above.
Competency in the selected emphasis is normally demonstrated by completion of 10 units of modular coursework from the emphasis, with grades of B or better. Competency in the other area is normally demonstrated by completion of 5 units of coursework with grades of B or better.
In addition to the course requirements, students are required to complete three laboratory rotations during the first year of study (9 units of BMSE 592) and are encouraged to rotate through laboratories in more than a single academic department. All BMSE students are required to serve as teaching assistants for at least two quarters during the course of the entire term of study at UCSB, and are expected to regularly attend BMSE 260 (Faculty Research in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), BMSE 262 (Research Progress in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), and BMSE 263 (Research Seminars in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology).
BMSE students are required to complete all course requirements before advancement to candidacy, which normally occurs during the second year. Ph.D. students advance to candidacy by passing one proposition exam on their dissertation research, which involves a written research proposition followed by an oral defense of the proposition. After advancement to candidacy, program students are expected to present a formal seminar annually in the Progress in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar series (BMSE 262), and are required to meet annually with their Ph.D. dissertation committee until completion and defense of the Ph.D. dissertation. The final requirement for the Ph.D. degree is a written dissertation and its oral defense, which is usually in the form of a scheduled interdepartmental program seminar.
Students are expected to begin research for the dissertation by the end of the first academic year in the program. Research directors may be selected from any of the faculty affiliated with the BMSE program.
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Biomolecular Science and Engineering Courses
199. Independent Studies in Biochemistry.
(1-5) Staff
Prerequisites: upper-division standing; consent of instructor and department.
Students must have a 3.0 grade-point average for the preceding three quarters. Up to 8 units may apply toward upper-division major requirements and may be taken in combination with courses numbered 168, 169, 184, 190-199, and BMSE courses numbered 195-199, unless otherwise specified by the major. Students are limited to five units per quarter and 30 units total in all 98/99/198/199/199AA-ZZ courses combined.
Hours and credit by arrangement with any member of the staff. Laboratory.
201A. Protein Structure and Function
(2) Plaxco
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Traces the physical interactions by which sequence-specific polypeptides attain a unique, functional native state. Fold design, fold prediction, and protein folding kinetics are also discussed.
201B. Chemistry and Structure of Nucleic Acid
(2) jaeger
Prerequisite: one year of undergraduate biochemistry (e.g., MCDB 108A-B-C), one quarter of undergraduate physical chemistry (e.g., Chemistry 142A-B-C, Chemistry 113A).
Primary, secondary, and higher-order structures of DNA and RNA, thermodynamic stability and folding, protein-nucleic acid interactions, ribozymes, applications to gene regulation, RNA world evolution.
201C. Biomembrane Structure and Function
(2) Parsons
Prerequisite: Chemistry 142A-B-C or MCDB 108A-B-C or equivalents.
Lipid diversity, lipid aggregates, dynamics and phase behavior of lipid aggregates, permeabilities of model and cellular bilayers, manipulation and quantitation of ionic and pH gradients, related special topics in physiology such as the mechanisms of anesthesia.
202. Biomaterials and Biosurfaces
(3) Israelachvili
Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
Same course as Chemical Engineering 202.
Recommended preparation: prior biochemistry, physical chemistry, and organic chemistry.
Fundamentals of natural and artificial biomaterials and biosurfaces with emphasis on molecular level structure and function and the interactions of biomaterials and surfaces with the body. Design issues of grafts and biopolymers. Basic biological and biochemical systems reviewed for nonbiologists.
203. Protein Engineering and Design
(3) Reich, Sagermann
Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
Rational design of protein structure, activity, and stability. Current methods and applications of protein engineering including protein evolution, unnatural amino acids, and combinatorial methods.
204. Post-Translational Protein Processing
(4) Waite
Prerequisite: MCDB 108A or 218A or the equivalent.
Structure/function relationships in interesting macromolecules isolated from marine organisms. Focus is on well characterized pathways from horseshoe crabs, abalone, and fish as well as others.
205A. Biochemical Kinetics
(1) Lew
Prerequisite: one year of undergraduate biochemistry (e.g., MCDB 108A-B-C) or equivalent.
A practical approach to purifying and working with proteins in the laboratory. Emphasis is on techniques (mainly qualitative) with a focus on modern methods used in the research literature. Students will have an intuitive sense of protein purification, manipulations, and analysis, and should be able to critically read the primary literature upon successful completion of the course.
205B. Strategies in Protein Characterization
(1) Waite
Prerequisite: a grade of B- or better in MCDB 108A or 208A or the equivalent.
A presentation of traditional and state-of-the-art approaches for characterizing the primary structure of proteins and polysaccharides. Techniques include amino acid analysis, mass spectroscopy, gas-phase sequencing, capillary electrophoresis, and covalent modification chemistry.
207. Enzyme Mechanisms
(2) Reich
Prerequisite: undergraduate biochemistry course (e.g., MCDB 108).
Chemical mechanisms of enzyme catalysis. Enzyme models and non-classical enzymes. Theory, experimental design, and data analysis.
215. Biophysical Thermodynamics
(2) Plaxco
Prerequisite: undergraduate course in physical chemistry (e.g., Chemistry 113A-B-C).
An overview of those parts of chemical thermodynamics relevant to the study of biomolecules and biological systems. Topics include fundamental thermodynamics, experimental and theoretical tools and the thermodynamics of biopolymer structure formation.
216A. Spectroscopy of Biological Molecules
(2) Gerig
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Introduction to the application of spectroscopic techniques to biological systems, including UV - vis, IR, CD, fluorescence, NMR, and ESR.
216B. Diffraction of Biological Molecules
(2) Perona
Prerequisite: one year of undergraduate biochemistry (e.g., MCDB 108A-B-C), one quarter of undergraduate physical chemistry (e.g., Chemistry 142A-B-C, Chemistry 113A).
Single-crystal macromolecular crystallography methods; crystal growth, geometric and physical basis of diffraction, approaches to phasing and refinement. X-ray and neutron solution scattering.
217. Electrostatics of Biopolymers
(2) Pincus
Prerequisite: knowledge of elementary ideas and methods of electrostatics and statistical mechanics.
Electrostatics of highly charged surfaces in contact with a polar solvent with application to biopolymers (e.g., DNA, f-actin).
220A. Chromosomes and Cell Cycle
(2) Thrower
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Structure and organization of the nucleus, Chromatin and chromosome structure, organization, and function; DNA replication and replication origins; Eukaryotic cell cycle regulation.
220B. The Cytoskeleton
(2) Wilson
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Structure and function of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton. Structure assembly and function of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments.
220C. Membrane Dynamics and Cell-Cell Interactions
(2) Clegg, Rothman
Prerequisite: undergraduate biochemistry (e.g., MCDB 108A-B-C or Chemistry 142A-B-C) and genetics (e.g., MCDB 101A).
Structure and dynamics of biological membranes and membrane proteins, protein translocation and sorting in the endomembrane system of eukaryotic cells, extracellular matrix protein structure/function, cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion receptors, transmembrane signaling by cell adhesion receptors.
222A. Colloids and Interfaces I
(3) Israelachvili
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Same course as Materials 222A and Chemical Engineering 222A.
Introduction to the various intermolecular interactions in solution and in colloidal systems: Van der Waals, electrostatic, hydrophobic, solvation, H-bonding. Introduction to colloidal systems: particles, micelles, polymers, etc. Surfaces: wetting, contact angles, surface tension, etc.
229. Protein Biochemistry
(2) Waite
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Same course as MCDB 229.
Discussion of topics relevant to structure-function relationships in proteins, including chemical reactivity of amino acid side chains, post-translational modifications, and covalent and non-covalent interactions of multimeric structures. Case studies involve recent advances in structure-function relationships of mechanoproteins.
230. Gene Regulation
(2) Low, Samuel, hayes
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Mechanisms and regulation of transcription and translation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and their viruses.
232. Bacterial Pathogenesis
(3) Mahan
Not open for credit to students who have completed Biology 228.
Recommended preparation: MCDB 101A-B.
The mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause disease. Investigation of the bacterial gene products produced during infection to understand the metabolic, physiological, and genetic factors that contribute to the virulence of bacterial pathogens.
232L. Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory
(3) Mahan
Prerequisite: BMSE 232 (may be taken concurrently).
Not open for credit to students who have completed Biology 228L.
The latest molecular, biochemical, and genetic techniques available for the identification of microbial gene products that contribute to infection. Study of the regulatory parameters that govern their expression.
235. Experimental Strategies in Molecular Genetics
(1) Rothman
Prerequisite: undergraduate biochemistry (e.g., MCDB 108A-B-C) and genetics (e.g., MCDB
101A-B-C).
Discussion of experimental strategies used to purify, analyze, and manipulate nucleic acids, isolate molecular clones from complex genomes, physically map genomes, analyze gene expression, and perform reverse genetics.
244. Informational Macro- and Supra-Molecules
(2) Jaeger
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Same course as Chemistry 244.
Selected topics at the interface of chemistry and biology: informational molecular coding, molecular machines, self-assembling and self-replicating molecular systems, evolution and selection of molecules with binding of catalytic properties, biopolymer-based materials, special emphasis on cutting-edge technologies.
250. Bionanotechnology
(2) Fygenson
Recommended preparation: background in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Introduction to macromolecular assemblies and force generation strategies. Topics may also include but are not limited to: conformations and behavior of protein polymers; nucleic acid superstructures and membranes; structure, motility and mechanism of linear and rotary motor proteins; and macromolecular switches.
251. Biopharmaceutical Process Engineering
(2) Daugherty
Prerequisites: Mathematics 5A or equivalent; background in biochemistry.
An introduction to the design bioprocess for large-scale production of biopharmaceuticals. Emphasis is placed upon biopharmaceutical products, protein expression systems, host cell optimization, and reactor selection and design.
252. Principles of Bioengineering
(2) Mitragotri
An overview of various aspects of bioengineering including modeling of physiological functions, biomedical devices, drug delivery, and tissue engineering.
253. Analytical Biotechnology
(2) Soh
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Recommended preparation: ME 291A.
Develops fundamental understanding behind modern methods of biotechnology. Topics include theoretical treatment of the double layer, electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, modern optics, and fluorescence. In addition, case studies of contemporary emerging trends are discussed.
255. Methods in Systems Biology
(3) Doyle
Prerequisites: prior course work in cellular biology and mathematics; consent of instructor
Same course as Chemical Engineering 255.
Fundamentals of dynamic network organization in biology (genes, metabolites). Emphasis on mathematical approaches to model and analyze complex biophysical network systems. Detailed case studies demonstrating successes of systems biology. Basic biological systems reviewed for non-biologists.
257. Special Topics in Biophysics
(1-4) Staff
Same course as Physics 257. May be repeated for credit provided topics vary.
Course varies from year to year according to the currents of the times.
259. Selected Topics in Biological Chemistry
(1-4) Staff
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Same course as Chemistry 259. May be repeated with a different topics to a maximum of 18 units.
Selected topics from bioorganic, biophysical, or biological chemistry. The content of this course varies.
260. Research Progress in Biomolecular Science and Engineering
(1) Mahan
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Seminars on research being conducted by the faculty of the BMSE interdisciplinary program.
262. Research Progress in Biomolecular Science and Engineering
(1) Rothman
Research presentations by postdoctoral fellows and advanced Ph.D. students of research progress in the department.
263. Research Seminars in Biomolecular Science and Engineering
(1) Mahan
Research seminars presented by invited speakers on current research topics.
264. Literature in Signal Transduction
(1) Lew
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Critical reading and presentation of the literature on signal transduction mechanisms that control cell growth and differentiation.
290AA-ZZ. Group Studies
(2) Staff
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Presentation and discussion of current research, to be selected from the following list.
A. Biomolecular Materials Synthesis: Morse, D.E.
B. Biomineralization: Stucky, G.D.
BP. Bacterial Pathogensis: Mahan, M.J.
CE. C. elegans Development: Rothman, J.H.
DN. Developmental Neurobiology: Clegg, D.O.
HW. Marine Structural Proteins: Waite, J.H.
PM. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions: Cooper, J.B.
PR. Protein-Nucleic Acid Interactions: Perona, J.J.
S. Molecular Virology and Interferon Action: Samuel, C.E.
293. Computational Methods in Biochemistry-Molecular Biology
(1) Christoffersen
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Survey of computational methods in molecular biology. Topics include analysis and presentation of data, database searching, quantitative image analysis, and protein homology modeling. Emphasis is on utilizing accessible software tools that are designed for non-programmers.
294B. Bioengineering: Career and Development Opportunities at the Interface between Biotechnology and Engineering
(2) Staff
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Based on presentations by experts from the bioengineering industry. Presenters describe their companies’ technologies and developments, including biosensors, therapeutics, tissue engineering, quantum dots, and advanced instrumentation. Training and educational requirements for different career tracks are discussed.
592. Laboratory Research Rotation in Biomolecular Science and Engineering
(3) Staff
Prerequisite: enrollment in the BMSE Ph.D. program. Open to first year graduate students only.
May be repeated up to 4 times.
Laboratory rotation project in BMSE faculty laboratories.
595. Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Seminar
(2) Staff
Prerequisites: graduate standing and consent of instructor.
A critical review of research in selected areas of biochemistry and molecular biology.
595BG. Bacterial Genetics
(2) Low
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Same course as MCDB 595BG. May be repeated for credit in combination with Biology 595AA-ZZ and EEMB 595AA-ZZ to a maximum of 8 units. Individual letter designations may be repeated for credit to a maximum of 4 units.
A critical review of research in selected fields of biology.
595BM. Literature in Biomolecular Materials
(2) Reich
Review of literature related to biomolecular materials.
595EZ. Literature in Enzymes
(2) Reich
Covers literature in enzymes kinetics and mechanisms.
595MP. Microbial Pathogenesis
(2) Mahan
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
May be repeated for credit in combination with MCDB 595AA-ZZ to a maximum of 4 units.
A critical review of research in selected fields of biology.
596. Directed Reading and Research
(2-12) Staff
Prerequisites: graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Same course as Chemistry 596. May be repeated for credit up to half of the graduate units required for the M.S. degree. Instructor is usually the student’s major advisor. Each faculty member has a unique number designation.
Individual tutorial.
598. Masters Thesis Research and Preparation
(2-12) Staff
Prerequisite: graduate standing as an M.S. student in the BMSE program.
No unit credit allowed toward the M.S. degree. Instructor should be student’s major professor or chair of committee.
Preparation of the thesis and writing the thesis.
599. Ph.D. Dissertation Preparation
(2-12) Staff
Prerequisite: graduate standing as a Ph.D. student and advancement to doctoral candidacy.
Instructor should be the chair of the student’s doctoral committee.
Writing the Ph.D. dissertation.
