Curriculum for the Molecular and Cellular Biology area of concentration
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Core courses and requirements for all areas of concentration. All students in the School must meet all UM Graduate School requirements for completing a Ph.D. degree including minimum number of total credit hours, minimum number of credit hours per semester for full time status, maximum time limit to formation of a thesis committee, and maximum time limit to passing of qualifying exam. In addition, all students matriculating into the program will take 2 core courses: bioethics/scientific conduct; and biostatistics and bioinformatics.
Biocomputing: a course in bioinformatics and biostatistics (3 credits). Material to be covered in the course includes database structure, construction, and analysis, including spatial statistics; introduction to scripting languages and computer programming; mathematical modeling of biological processes; statistical models of complex traits. Specific examples will be used but with guidance given to application of the models to alternative fields of study. Course will use a team-based problem solving strategy.
Bioethics and Scientific Conduct (1 credit). Material to be covered in the course includes ethical concepts and resolution of ethical conflicts including those involved in scientific conduct; plagiarism; use of animal and human subjects; access to and limits in the use of both public and private databases; interfacing with society. In addition to readings students will be provided with current federal guidelines the deal with these subject areas as guidance for appropriate scientific conduct.
Rotations. Research is the critical component of any GSBS student’s graduate training and it therefore critical that a student achieve the best possible match with his or her mentor. All students will perform three laboratory rotations, each of one half to one semester duration. To increase the exposure of the students to the research options, rotations should involve at least two institutions (rotations in the Functional Genomics program also require that rotations be in at least two different disciplines). All rotations should be completed by the end of the student’s first calendar year and no later than the end of their third semester, at which time they must have established an agreement with at least one faculty member to serve as their mentor (the Functional Genomics program requires two mentors for each student).
An exception to this rule will be applied to students recruited by and supported by an individual faculty member or institution who nevertheless wish to obtain a degree in Biomedical Sciences. Such students would not be required to do a rotation in another laboratory.
Course requirements specific to the Molecular and Cellular Biology area of emphasis.
Note: because the curriculum is still under development the following should be considered tentative and subject to some modification. Courses marked with “[VC]” are courses that have already been offered at two or more sites using the existing videoconferencing links.
Molecular and Cellular Biology
A course in molecular genetics/molecular biology (3 cr). Suggested course or equivalent from another institution:
BMB400 - Molecular Genetics[VC]. The structure of DNA and of genes, and the mechanisms of gene regulation, particularly as they pertain to cell growth and differentiation. Includes a discussion of the experimental techniques used in the genetic manipulation of organisms.
Or
BMB550 Special Topics – Advanced Molecular Genetics[VC] A literature-based course covering the most recent literature and developments in molecular genetics and genomics. Introductory lectures provide the basis for in depth discussion of assigned research article from the primary literature. Coverage includes all aspects of gene and genome structure and function. Note: this course will have to be re-developed as it was last offered in 1999.
A course in cell biology (3 cr). Suggested course or equivalent from another institution:
GBS5XX - Special Topics in Cell Biology[VC] - (currently offered as BMB550 - Special Topics) A comprehensive 2 semester course. The first semester will focus on experimental techniques in cell biology and basics of cell structure and function. The second semester addresses cellular biology in the context of receptor signaling, cell-cell interactions, and tissue function.
Or
BIO480 - Cell Biology[VC]. Examines the fundamental cellular, sub-cellular and molecular characteristics of cells with emphasis on structure and function of organelle systems common to eukaryotic cells.
A course in signal transduction (3 cr). Suggested course or equivalent from another institution:
GBS5XX - Special Topics in Cell Biology[VC] - (currently offered as BMB550 - Special Topics) A comprehensive 2 semester course. The first semester will focus on experimental techniques in cell biology and basics of cell structure and function. The second semester addresses cellular biology in the context of receptor signaling, cell-cell interactions, and tissue function.
Or
BMB525 - Cellular Signal Transduction Mechanisms[VC]. Signal transduction mechanisms used by cells to perceive extracellular messages and to produce proper responses in regulating growth, development and metabolism.
A seminar course each semester.
It is also recommended that students take a course in development such as:
BIO 438 - Morphogenesis and Differentiation. Analysis of interacting systems in development. Study of regulation of morphogenesis and differentiation at the organ, tissue and cellular levels, with emphasis on experimental approach towards problems in development.
It is also recommended that the student take a course in Neuroscience (currently under development)
Additional courses will be as required by the student’s thesis committee.
Minimum Total Credits = 30 (including thesis research credits)