Teaching

Specialized Biochemistry

(MBS 6233 / BIO 6123)
Spring (odd years)

This graduate level course provides students with a current knowledge of biochemical pathways leading to specialized biologically active metabolites. Aspects of metabolic engineering, chemical ecology and applications of specialized metabolites in medicine and agriculture are discussed. Emphasis will be on the specialized pathways in plants and their counterparts in animals, and microorganisms.

The course integrates techniques in molecular biology, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry. Students completing this course will be able to develop a critical assessment of the scientific literature, design experiments involving molecular biology and biochemical techniques and analyze the results.

This course is required for the Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program (M.S. and Ph.D. degree).

Biosafety and Ethics in Research

(BIO 4063 / BIO 5063)
Fall (all years)

This course introduces students with issues related to responsible conduct in research with particular emphasis on biotechnology. Major research topics will be presented and discussed to introduce relevant aspects of intellectual property and regulations governing research with recombinant DNA. animals and human subjects. Case studies will be presented to introduce the students with potential issues of irresponsible conduct and how to address these issues.

This course is required for the Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program (M.S. and Ph.D. degree), Environmental Sciences Graduate Program (M.S. and Ph.D. degrees) and Biotechnology Program (B.S. and M.S. degrees).

Biology of the Cell Laboratory

(BIO 2011)
Fall and Spring (all years)

This introductory undergraduate course accompanying the Biology of the Cell lecture section provides an introduction to structures and processes in cells, including cellular evolution, biologically important molecules, organelle structure and function, and cellular energy.

This lab course will provide experience working in a lab environment through cooperative learning in groups that perform experiments using currently practiced techniques and equipment.

Advanced Cell Biology

MBS 6213 / BIO 6113)
Fall (even years)

Note: This course is team-taught by several faculty.

This is a graduate course, designed to meet the needs of graduate students to develop a working knowledge of recent advances in important topics in cell biology through the study of current scientific literature. Upon completion of the course, students will learn basics and applications of cell biology, be able to critically assess the primary literature in the area of cell and molecular biology, become familiar with common as well as newly developing techniques in this field and integrate this knowledge into their research.

This course is required for the Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program (M.S. and Ph.D. degree).

Special Problems and Independent Study

(MBS 6213 / BIO 6113)
Fall and Spring
These are hands-on courses focused on different laboratory techniques. These include courses in:
  • Plant Tissue Culture
  • Phytochemical Analysis
  • Hairy Roots
  • Plant Genetic Engineering
  • High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)