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| Biology
- Graduate |
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Professors
Cohen, Curley (Chair), Hammerman, Hirshon, Polak
Professors
Emeriti Carito, Dowd, Firriolo, Iovino, Reeves Smith, Rothwell,
Wendt
Associate
Professors Birchette, Chung, McKenna, Morin
Associate Professor Emeritus Ballweg
Assistant Professors DePass, Griffiths, Haynes, Helmer, Kovac,
Sideris, Trachman
Instructors Chambers, Vogelstein Adjunct Faculty: 5
The Department
of Biology seeks to prepare students for primary Tesponsibili-
ties in research and teaching. Candidates may qualify for the
degree of Master of Science (M.S.) in Biology.
Admission
to Degree Program
The applicant
for admission should have completed at the undergraduate level
1) six advanced courses in biology, 2) one year of college mathematics,
3) one year each of inorganic and organic chemistry, and 4)
one year of college physics. Deficiencies in any of these qualifications
must be removed during the first year of graduate study without
credit.
Degree
Requirements
Candidates for the Master of Science degree in Biology must
satisfactorily complete a minimum of 30 credits and complete
an acceptable thesis based on original research. Students in
Medical Microbiology may complete 36 credits of course work
without the thesis and must pass a comprehensive examination.
Each candidate must satisfactorily complete Biology 603 and
Biology 604. In addition, students must take the designated
introductory course in each group (A-B) and 11-14 additional
graduate credits in the Biology Department. Students in Medical
Microbiology should follow the program model listed under Group
C.
Fully matriculated students may begin their research projects
after defending their thesis proposals before a committee of
graduate biology faculty. An oral defense of the completed thesis
before a committee of the graduate faculty of the department
is required.
All graduate students are required to attend the regularly scheduled
graduate seminars given by the Biology Department. Students
will be responsible for answering comprehensive questions relating
to those seminars which are relevant to their graduate courses.
Programs and Courses
Candidates may specialize in one of the following
fields:
Microbiology
Molecular-Cellular Biology
Medical Microbiology
Course offerings are divided into four groups:
| Group
A - Microbiology |
|
| Course |
Cr. |
521
Protozoology
641, 642 Advanced Microbiology
643 Mycology
647 Immunology
or
648 Immunobiology
695 General Virology |
4
7
4
4
3
3 |
Students specializing in Microbiology must complete
Biology 641, 642.
|
| Group
B - Molecular-Cellular Biology |
|
| Course |
Cr. |
528 Cell Biology Laboratory
550 Molecular and Cell Biology
551 Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory
609 Human Genetics
612 Cytology: The Nucleus
613 Cytology: The Cytoplasm
631 Genetics
632 Developmental Biology
692 Molenuler-Bioiogy-
|
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3 |
|
Students specializing in Molecular
Cellular Biology must complete Biology 550, 551, 631
and either 612 or 613.
|
| Group
C - Medical Microbiology |
|
This
course of study is offered for students who have had undergraduate
training in Biology or Medical Technology. It is designed
to train them for supervisory, staff and research positions
in hospital laboratories and in the food and drug industries.
|
| Course |
Cr. |
Required
603, 604 Biochemistry
641, 642 Advanced Microbiology
647 Immunology
or
648 Immunobiology
695 General Virology
697, 698 Medical Microbiology
703, 704 Seminar in Microbiology
Electives (must select a total of 6 credits)
550 Molecular and Cell Biology
643 Mycology
707, 708 Research
Internship* |
6
7
4
3
3
8
2
2
4
6
6 |
*Students
registered in the program who have no undergraduate preparation
in Medical Technology may be awarded up to a maximum of
six credits upon submission of documentary evidence attesting
to 12 months or more of work experience in the area of
medical microbiology. The nature of the work experience
will be evaluated by the Department of Biology with emphasis
being placed on the knowledge of the nature and characteristics
of the properties of microorganisms of medical importance
and the possession of the skills needed to work with such
organisms.
|
| Group
D - Electives |
|
| Course |
Cr. |
501 Human Sexuality
503 Modern Concepts of Evolution
508 The Biology of Cancer
511 Principles of Radioactivity
531 Neurochemistry
541 Special Topics in Biology
589 Scientific Computer Programming
and Interfacing 3
614 Sensory Physiology 3
651 Advanced Vertebrate Physiology 4
663 Reproductive Physiology 3
701, 702 Seminar in Biology 1 or 7.
707, 708 Research 3 or 6
709, 710 Independent Study
|
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
1 or 2
3 or 6
3 or 6 |
Courses |
Biology
501 Human Sexuality
A biological approach to human sexuality.
This course includes the developmental, anatomical and
functional changes in the reproductive systems, coitus,
fertilization, pregnancy, birth and their hormonal and
neurological control; prenatal development; population
control; venereal diseases. Three credits.
|
Biology 503 Modern Concepts of Evolution
Prerequisites: An undergraduate major or minor in biology.
A course in organic chemistry and genetics is strongly
recommended. Offered on occasion The presentation of evidence
favoring theories of organic evolution with emphasis on
biochemical evolution and population dynamics. Modern
genetics and cytology are applied to an understanding
of the nature of the evolutionary process. Two lecture
periods and independent trips utilizing facilities of
the American Museum of Natural History. Three credits.
|
Biology 508 The Biology of Cancer Prerequisite:
General background in biology and chemistry Offered every
other Spring A general survey in oncology. Lectures deal
with the historical perspective of cancer research, the
definition and classification of tumors, the epidemiology
of human cancer, gene regulation and differentiation in
normal and tumor cells, characteristics of transformed
malignant cells, the biology of tumor metastasis, host
transformed malignant cells, the origins of human cancer,
and cancer therapy. Three hours of lecture per week. Three
credits.
|
Biology 511 Principles of Radioactivity
(Same as Chemistry 511) Prerequisites:
Physics 32, Chemistry 122 Offered on occasion
Fundamentals of radioactivity, its measurement, detection
and application to scientific problems. Students undertake
some introductory laboratory experiments. Two lecture
periods, collateral readings and a term report. Three
credits.
|
Biology 521 Protozoology
Prerequisite: General biology and permission
of the instructor Special Fee: $45.00 Offered on occasion
The study of the morphology, taxonomy, ecology, physiology
and culture of protozoa. Two lectures, three-hour laboratory.
Four credits.
|
|
|
Biology
531 Neurochemistry
(Same as Chemistry 531) Prerequisite:
At least one semester of biochemistry Offered on occasion
The morphology, biochemical composition, metabolism, physiology
and pharmacology of the nervous system will be discussed.
The course will begin with the general principles of synaptic
transmission and deal in depth with several of the neurotransmitter
systems in terms of biosynthesis of the transmitter, storage,
release, inactivation in the synapse, receptor types and
how they mediate their signals in the post-synaptic cells.
There will also be discussions on aging and development
in the nervous system, drug addictions, and the role of
various dietary nutrients on nervous system function.
Three credits.
|
Biology 535 Laboratory Bacteriological
Methods
Prerequisites: An undergraduate major in
Biology and a knowledge of the fundamental principles
of bacteriology. Permission of the instructor or department
chair. Special Fee: $45.00 Offered every Fall
A laboratory course for students who have never had formal
training in laboratory microbiology. This course will
present the basic techniques required to stain and culture
bacteria as well as those techniques required to study
the metabolism, growth and environment influences on bacteria.
Reactions used to isolate and identify bacteria of medical
importance will be studied. Laboratory reports and outside
reading required. Two hour laboratory. One credit.
|
Biology 541 Special Topics in Biology
Offered on occasion
Subjects of unusual current interest are presented in
this one-semester course. Three hours of lecture including
selected demonstrations. Course may be repeated. Three
credits.
|
Biology
545 Biophysical Chemistry
Prerequisite:
Chemistry 153 Offered every Spring
This course is designed for students who plan to work
in chemical or pharmaceutical companies or who plan to
do research in the biochemical, biological, biomedical
and chemical sciences. It introduces students to principles
and techniques in Physical Chemistry, and applies these
fundamentals to studies on biomolecules, including biomembranes,
peptides, proteins and DNA. Problem solving, two hours
lecture, three hours laboratory. Four credits.
|
Biology 550 Molecular and Cell Biology
Prerequisite: Biology 160 or permission
of the instructor Offered every Fall
Advanced course in the molecular biology of eukaryotic
gene structure and regulation, with emphasis on mammalian
cell and developmental biology and genetics. Biochemical
and biophysical studies of nucleic acid, chromatin, and
chromosome structure; somatic cell and immunogenetics;
DNA sequence organization; and cell developmental biology.
Two lecture hours. Two credits.
|
|
Biology 551 Molecular and Cell Biology
Laboratory Corequisite: Biology
550 or permission of the instructor Special Fee: $45.00
Offered every Fall
Advanced laboratory course in the molecular biology
of eukaryotic cells. Laboratory instruction will include
eukaryotic cell culture, RNA isolation and analysis,
cell fusion and hybridoma technology, DNAmediated gene
transfer, and microcomputer analysis of DNA sequence
databases. Two two-hour laboratory sessions. Two credits.
|
Biology 589 Scientific Computer Programming and Interfacing
Prerequisite: Some knowledge of elementary computer programming
in any language Special Fee: $45.00 Offered on occasion
Fundamentals of microcomputer architecture, microelectronics
and microcomputer interfacing for the purpose of controlling
and gathering data from common laboratory instruments.
BASIC and machine language programming, construction of
simple interface circuits for use with gas chromatographs,
spectrophotometers, etc. Three credits.
|
Biology 601 Materials and Methods of Research
Offered on occasion An introduction to graduate biology,
surveying the methods used in research, from the conception
of a problem through the search for appropriate literature
to the development of the experiment. Two lecture periods,
collateral readings and reports. Three credits.
|
Biology 603, 604 Biochemistry
(Same as Chemistry 603, 604) Prerequisite: Organic chemistry
or the equivalent Biology 603 offered every Fall and Summer
Biology 604 offered every Spring and Summer
An inquiry into the chemistry of biologically important
compounds including amino acids, protein, lipids, carbohydrates,
nucleic acids, vitamins, biological oxidation, intermediary
metabolism, and enzyme systems. Two lecture periods, collateral
readings and reports. Three credits per semester.
|
Biology 606 Plasmid Biology
Prerequisites: Biology 604 and 642 Offered every other
Spring
This course describes the discovery of plasmids, their
maintenance and regulation within their bacterial hosts,
the phenotypes they confer and their epidemiology. The
use of these extra-chromosomal genetic elements as tools
of recombinant DNA research will also be discussed, along
with the associated technology, such as restriction analysis,
cloning, blotting, and DNA sequencing. Three credits.
|
Biology 607 Neuroanatomy
Prerequisite: General Biology Offered on
occasion
A study of the organization of the human central nervous
system. Emphasis is placed on the structures and organizations
of the brain and spinal cord and on the cranial nerves,
with additional material on the cranium and spinal column,
the meninges, the blood supply, embryonic development,
and histology of the central nervous system. Three hours
lectures. Three credits.
|
Biology
609 Human Genetics
Offered
every other Spring
Basic course in the principles of human genetics and molecular
biology. Lecture topics include: structure of the human
chromosome; techniques in molecular biology and cyto-genetics;
structures of chromosomal abnormalities; abnormal chromosomes
in humans and their related diseases; karyotype analysis;
inheritance patterns of human diseases; mapping human
chromosomes; human gene isolation. Three credits.
|
Biology
612 Cytology: The Nucleus
Offered on occasion
A detailed treatment of the structure and function of
the cell with particular attention directed toward the
chromosome, its composition, structure, and conformation
during the cell cycle. Regulation of nuclear events by
extracellular ligands and cytoplasmic signalling pathways
are discussed. Two hours lecture, collateral reading and
a term report. Three credits.
|
Biology
613 Cytology: The Cytoplasm
Special
Fee: $45.00
Offered every Spring
An investigation of the organization and structure of
the cytoplasm, including a detailed treatment of cell
organelles, their activities and interactions. The molecular
and biochemical relationship among all cellular components
is stressed. Laboratory analyses include microscopy, cell
fractionation, chromatography, electrophoresis and computer
simulations of cellular organelles. Two hours lecture
and three hours laboratory. Four credits.
|
Biology
614 Sensory Physiology
Prerequisite: College course in Physiology
Offered on occasion
A study of the mechanism of operation of biological sensors.
Two lecture periods, collateral readings and a term report.
Three credits.
|
Biology 616 Pathobiology of Leukocytes Offered
every other Spring
Beginning with an overview of structure and function of
normal leukocytes and their development, the course will
consider recent findings in pathologic states (nonmalignant
as |
|
|
well
as malignant aberrations), and will culminate in correlation
with general aspects of neoplasia, their clinical recognition,
and some experimental techniques involved in investigation
of leukocyte disorders. Three credits.
|
Biology
631 Genetics
Prerequisites: An undergraduate major or
minor in Biology and a knowledge of the fundamental principles
of genetics Offered on occasion
A comprehensive treatment of recent advances in molecular
genetics with particular attention devoted to control
mechanisms and extra chromosomal
inheritance. Two lecture periods, collateral readings
and a term report. Three credits.
|
Biology 632 Developmental Biology Prerequisite:
A college course in Embryology or the equivalent; a college
course in Genetics is recommended Offered Fall 1999
A review of the current concepts and experimental evidence
regarding developmental phenomena. Special emphasis will
be placed on the molecular biology and genetic control
of selected phases and processes of animal development.
Two lecture periods, collateral readings and a term report.
Three credits.
|
Biology 641, 642 Advanced Microbiology Prerequisite:
Microbiology Special Fee: $45.00 for Biology 642 Biology
641 offered every Fall; Biology 642 offered every Spring
Presentations on the anatomy and physiology of various
prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. Emphasis is
placed on the composition, structure and function of cellular
organelles, enzyme localization, molecular mechanisms
of action of antimicrobial agents and selected topics
of current interest in microbial physiology. Fall semester:
collateral readings and term reports. Spring semester:
twohour lecture and three laboratory hours. Three credits
first semester; four credits second semester.
|
Biology
643 Mycology
Prerequisite: Microbiology or equivalent
Special Fee: $45.00 Offered on occasion
A study of the classification, identification, life cycles,
and the morphologic, physiologic, and biochemical aspects
of various species of fungi comprising the major classes
and orders. Emphasis is placed on those fungi of economic
and medical importance. Two-hour lecture, three laboratory
hours. Four credits.
|
Biology
647 Immunology
Prerequisite: Biology 604 Special Fee:
$45.00 Offered every Fall
A study of the basic principles of immunology, including
antigens and their reactions, antibodies and their properties,
the cells and tissues of the immune system, tolerance,
and the specificity and molecular biology of immune responses.
Lab includes purification and characterization of antibodies
by affinity chromatography, Ouchterlony and Radial immunodiffusion,
ELISA, and SDSPAGE. Two hours lecture and three hours
laboratory. Four credits.
|
Biology 651 Advanced Vertebrate Physiology
Prerequisites:
College courses in physiology and organic chemistry or
their equivalent Special Fee: $45.00 Offered on occasion
Modern concepts of basic physiological processes as they
occur in vertebrate organisms at the organ and system
levels. Two lecture periods and one three-hour laboratory
period. Four credits.
|
Biology 663 Reproductive Physiology
A college course in physiology is recommended
Offered on occasion
A study of vertebrate anatomical structures and physiological
processes related to reproduction. Some aspects of gametogenesis,
fertilization and its regulation, implantation and gestation
are presented. Three credits.
|
Biology 692 Molecular Biology
Offered Fall 1998
A detailed look at the biosynthesis of DNA and RNA, the
genetic code, and the mechanisms of protein biosynthesis.
The application of molecular biology techniques to current
research problems will be explored. Three credits.
|
Biology 695 General Virology
Prerequisites: Biology 603, 604
Offered every Fall
Topics include physico-chemical characteristics, identification,
genetics, immunology of viruses. Molecular biology of
virus-host interaction is emphasized. Representative studies
of animal, bacterial, plant viruses are emphasized to
illustrate fundamental aspects of viral replication, cell
susceptibility, cell response to viral infection. Two
lecture periods, collateral readings and term report.
Three credits.
|
Biology 697, 698 Medical, Microbiology Prerequisites:
Biology 603, 604, 641, 642 and approval of Department
Chair
Special Fee: $45.00 for Biology 698
Biology 697 offered every Fall
Biology 698 offered every Spring
A study of microbial-human host interrelationships with
particular attention to the transmission, pathogenicity,
and principles of immunity of infectious diseases, especially
those of bacterial origin. Emphasis is placed on the newest
approaches to the detection, isolation and identification
of the organisms implicated in the disease process. Two
lecture hours and one three-hour laboratory session per
week in Spring semester. Three credits first semester;
four credits second semester.
|
Biology 701, 702 Seminar in Biology
Biology 701 offered every Fall
Biology 702 offered every Spring
Presentation of selected topics in biological fields by
members of the graduate faculty and visiting guest speakers.
These courses may be taken for credit but it is required
that all biology majors attend. Subject matter changes
each semester. May be repeated for credit. One credit
per semester.
|
Biology 703, 704 Seminar in Microbiology Corequisites:
Biology 6977, 698
Biology 703 offered every Fall
Biology 704 offered every Spring
All students registered in the program will meet to consider
current research and problems in the area of Medical Microbiology
and related fields. The meetings will be conducted by
the members of the staff. Participants will include staff
members, students and invited guests. One credit per semester.
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Biology 705, 706 Seminar in Molecular Biology
Biology 705 offered every Fall
Biology 706 offered every Spring
Students will make research presentations on current topics
in molecular biology. Faculty will discuss their research
interests with students. One credit per semester.
|
Biology 707, 708 Research and Preparation of the Thesis
Open only to matriculated students with
approval of Department Chair
Special Fee: $45.00 per semester
Selection, supervision and completion of the thesis topic.
Pass/Fail only. Three credits per semester.
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Biology 709, 710 Independent Study Prerequisite:
12 credits toward the master's degree. Specific course
prerequisites to be determined by faculty supervisor.
This course is designed to provide the advanced student
an opportunity for an independent project. The course
and its specific requirements will be under the supervision
of a faculty member. Departmental approval required. One
to three credits per semester.
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