GRADUATE COURSES
Ideally, incoming students will have completed courses in general biology, cell and molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, calculus, and a computer language. Deficiencies in any of these areas would normally be made up in the first year. A core curriculum of graduate courses in the following areas is given on a two-year cycle: nucleic acid structure, biosynthesis and its regulation, regulation of gene expression, structural mechanisms and energetics of protein-nucleic-acid interactions, protein structure and folding, protein trafficking in cells, physical techniques, molecular genetics, the cell cycle, biological spectroscopy, and molecular, biochemical, and cellular bases of cancer and other human diseases. Additional graduate course electives are also available. Within this general framework, individual programs of study tailored to fit the student’s background and interests are designed in consultation with the graduate committee and the student’s advisor.
MB&B500 Graduate Pedagogy
The elements of good teaching will be discussed and demonstrated through lectures, practice teaching sessions, and discussions of problems encountered in the actual teaching environment. The staff consists of faculty and experienced graduate students. An integral part of the course is a required one-day workshop BEFORE the first day of formal classes.
Credit: 0.50
Fall 2008
MB&B501 Individual Tutorial, Graduate
A sequence of laboratory research projects in different fields; the type and duration are decided upon an individual basis. For first-year graduate students only.
Credit: 1.00
Fall 2008
MB&B502 Individual Tutorial, Graduate
A sequence of laboratory research projects in different fields; the type and duration are decided upon an individual basis. For first-year graduate students only.
Credit: 1.00
Spring 2009
MB&B503 Selected Topics, Graduate Sciences
A seminar primarily concerned with papers taken from current research publications designed for, and required of, graduate students; one 90-minute meeting each week.
Credit: 0.25
Fall 2008
MB&B504 Selected Topics, Graduate Science
A seminar primarily concerned with papers taken from current research publications designed for, and required of, graduate students; one 90-minute meeting each week.
Credit: 0.25
Spring 2009
MB&B505 Mechanisms of DNA Damage and Repair
This course is designed for life science graduate students and majors. However any student with an interest in/some knowledge of life sciences, and dedicated to learning is welcome.
Credit: 1.00
Spring 2009
MB&B506 Self-Perpetuating Structural States in Biology, Genetics and Disease
Using a variety of examples from cell biology, genetics, and biochemistry, this course will examine the template-dependent processes governing the perpetuation of genotypes, phenotypes, and cellular organelles. Topics covered in detail will include the molecular biology of prions (infectious proteins), the mechanisms underlying epigenetic inheritance of gene expression states, and the reproduction of cellular structures required for chromosome segregation. We will also examine the goals and progress of the emerging field of synthetic biology, contemplating the prospects of building complex biological systems from the ground up.
Credit: 1.00
MB&B507 Molecular Biophysics Journal Club I
This course includes presentation and active discussion of a series of current research articles in the field of molecular biophysics and biophysical chemistry from the Biophysical Journal, Biopolymers, Current Opinion in Structural Biology, Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, and the Annual Review of Molecular Biophysics and Biomolecular Structure.
Credit: 0.50
Fall 2008
MB&B508 Molecular Biophysics Journal Club II
This course includes presentation and active discussion of a series of current research articles in the field of molecular biophysics and biophysical chemistry from the Biophysical Journal, Biopolymers, Current Opinion in Structural Biology, Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, and the Annual Review of Molecular Biophysics and Biomolecular Structure.
Credit: 0.50
Spring 2009
MB&B509 Foundations of Molecular Biophysics
This course is an introduction to the branch of inquiry in the life sciences concerned with understanding the structures, functional energetics, and mechanisms of biological systems at the molecular level.Topics covered will include biorheology; Brownian motion and its implications; theories of macromolecular binding, specificity, and catalysis; ion channels; molecular motors; self-assembly processes and single molecule manipulations; protein and nucleic acid structure; physics of biopolymers; rate processes; mechanical and adhesive properties of biomolecules; molecular manipulation techniques; cell membrane structure; membrane channels and pumps; molecular motors. The level of this course is keyed to graduate and undergraduate students interested in participating in the Molecular Biophysics Program at Wesleyan. Suitable also as an elective for biological chemistry majors and any interested graduate students from NSM departments. Prerequisite: A basic working knowledge of differential and integral calculus.
Credit: 1.00
MB&B510 Mechanisms of Protein Trafficking within Eukaryotes
This is a half-semester course. This course surveys the mechanisms of protein trafficking and sorting within eukaryotic cells with an emphasis on the major protein exocytosis pathway.
Credit: 0.50
MB&B511 Group Tutorial, Graduate
Credit: 0.25
Fall 2008
MB&B512 Group Tutorial, Graduate
Credit: 0.25
Spring 2009
MB&B513 Molecular, Proteomic and Cell Biological Analysis of Telomere Composition and Function
This course will focus on a critical feature of the eukaryotic cell known as the telomere, or linear chromosome end. We will discuss the diverse set of critical molecular mechanisms affected by and involving telomeres including chromosome segregation, cellular aging, meiotic gamete production, and cancer progression. We will also focus on the physical architecture of the telomere, how this architecture dynamically alters in different biological contexts, and the types of molecules known to associate with telomeres in multiple model organisms including yeast and human cells. An emphasis will be placed on experimental strategies used for identifying new components of the telomere complex and for understanding telomere function during normal and diseased cellular states.
Credit: 0.50
MB&B514 Mechanisms of Chromosome Segregation
This course will focus on various aspects of eukaryotic chromosome segregation and genome stability, with particular focus on the centrosome/spindle pole body, the mitotic spindle apparatus, and the telomeric ends of linear chromosomes. We will discuss the physical architecture of these structures, the core molecular components comprising them, and the remarkable degree of functional conservation between these structures from organisms as diverse as yeast and humans. We will explore how the physical structure of these cellular structures undergoes extensive, dynamic alteration to facilitate different functions in various biological contexts. An emphasis will be placed on current experimental strategies used for identification of critical proteins associating with these structures, and the powerful set of molecular and cellular methods available for characterizing their functions in both normal and diseased cells.
Credit: 1.00
MB&B 515 The Regulation of Ribosome Biosynthesis
Ribosomes are the large and highly conserved organelles charged with the task of converting the nucleotide-based messages of mRNAs into the polypeptide sequence of proteins. This act of translation is remarkable, not only for its efficiency and fidelity but also for shear complexity of the reaction including the wide variety of molecules (mRNAs, tRNAs, rRNAs, proteins, amino acids, etc.) that need to be harnessed for its execution. In this course we will investigate the mechanism of translation as well as the biosynthetic pathways that are involved in the synthesis of ribosomes themselves. Both prokaryotic and eudaryotic systems will be considered, including the question as to how ribosome biosynthesis, which constitutes a major fraction of the total cellular economy, is regulated in response to changing cellular conditions.
Credit: 1.00
Spring 2009
MB&B518 The Molecular Biology of Ribosome Biogenesis and Function
Ribosomes are large, complex, rRNA and protein containing cellular machines that translate the information of nucleic acids (mRNAs) into the amino acid language of polypeptides. The biosynthesis of ribosomes constitutes a major fraction of the total cellular economy, and this process is regulated in response to many different cellular stimuli. In this course we will consider how the hundreds of required gene products combine to effect ribosome biosynthesis, as well as how the structure of the ribosome contributes to its function. We will also consider how perturbations in ribosome function relate to aspects of molecular medicine including antibiotics and cellular toxins.
Credit: 1.00
MB&B519 Structural Mechanisms of Protein-Nucleic Acid Interactions
This course focuses on recent advances in the understanding of the structural basis of the recognition of nucleic acids by proteins. Macromolecular systems to be discussed include: site-specific DNA endonucleases, topoisomerases, the histone fold, helicases, site-specific recombinases, nuclear RNA-protein complexes, tRNA-binding proteins, the ribosome.
Credit: 0.50
MB&B520 Topics in Nucleic Acid Structure
This course focuses on the principles of nucleic acid structure. The scope of this course is to go beyond the common DNA structures such as B-DNA and A-DNA helical structures. The course will concentrate on other DNA structural motifs like branched DNA, supercoiled DNA, triplex DNA and quadruplex DNA. Physical characterization of these structures as well as the functional implication of these structures (in terms of DNA replication, transcription, telomeres, etc.) will be discussed extensively. Discussion will also center on the forces that stabilize these structures, such as H-bonding and stacking interactions. The course will also cover other important DNA structural motifs such as curved or bent DNA as found in A-tracts and the relevance of these structures in promoter recognition and gene expression. Important RNA structures, such as ribozymes and pseudoknots will also be discussed. We will also discuss the significance of DNA structural motifs in eukaryotic genomes and the application of bioinformatic tools to search for these motifs.
Credit: 0.50
MB&B522 Mechanisms of Protein Trafficking within Prokaryotes
This is a half-semester course. This course surveys the mechanisms of membrane protein topogenesis and protein secretion within E. coli, the quintessential prokaryote, where sophisticated genetic and biochemical analysis has been possible. The course surveys the primary literature with student presentations and a written final examination.
Credit: 0.50
MB&B528 Topics in Eukaryotic Genetics: Transcription
This half semester course will follow two principle themes: we will examine the use of genetic methods in current biological research, and apply these methods to address questions about the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. Our examination of transcriptional regulation will lead us into the related topics of gene organization, chromosome structure, and signal transduction.
Credit: 0.50
MB&B530 Molecular and Cellular Basis of Human Diseases
This course shall cover the molecular, genetic, cellular and biochemical aspects of selected human ailments. Topics will include aging, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer's Disease.
Credit: 1.00
MB&B533 Gene Regulation
This course aims to develop a "genome perspective" on transcriptional gene regulation. The genome sequence, now completed in a number of organisms, is described as a "blueprint" for development. More than simply a "parts list" (i.e., genes), this blueprint is an "instruction manual" as well (i.e., regulatory code). A next critical phase of the genome project is understanding the genetic and epigenetic regulatory codes that operate during development. Through a combination of lectures and discussion of primary literature, this course will explore current topics on promoters and transcription factors, chromatin structure, regulatory RNA, chromosomal regulatory domains, and genetic regulatory networks. An overarching theme is how genomes encode and execute regulatory programs as revealed by a global "Systems Biology" approach in modern genomics research.
Credit: 1.00
Spring 2009
MB&B537 Molecular Basis of Pathogenicity
This course will focus on a variety of new concepts concerning the molecular and genetic basis of pathogenicity emphasizing organisms that may be used for Bioterrorism as well as others that have played an important role in human illnesses. Bacteria and viruses will be covered.
Credit: 1.00
MB&B550 Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics
The exciting new fields of genomics and bioinformatics are bringing together the complementary disciplines of biology and computer science. With the sequencing of the human genome and the genomes of several model organisms, the door has opened to using new computational and modeling approaches to understanding genome function in organisms. This focused-inquiry course will interweave the discussion of biological and informatic topics focusing on computational issues and tools used in the interdisciplinary fields. Possible topics include the application of alignment algorithms to the analysis of genomic sequences, cluster analysis of micro-arrays of gene expression, and the prediction of RNA secondary structures using dynamic programming methods. The course also includes a significant programming component.
Credit: 1.00
MB&B557 Research Seminars in Molecular Biology
Weekly informal presentations by graduate students about their research projects. This includes description of experimental outline, technical details, problems that are encountered and possible solutions. The active informal discussion among the participants is designed to generate communication skills, new ideas, interpretations and introduce novel techniques that would aid the graduate student. There will also be formal seminars of more advanced research projects intended as an exercise in public speaking and a comprehensive presentation. A summary of the work accomplished during the practicum (MB&B 501, 502) will be expected of first year students. A sixty minute meeting every week is planned.
Credit: 0.25
Fall 2008
MB&B558 Research Seminars in Molecular Biology
Weekly formal presentations by graduate students about their research projects. This includes description of experimental outline, technical details, problems that are encountered and possible solutions. The active discussion among the participants is designed to generate communication skills, new ideas, interpretations and introduce novel techniques that will aid the graduate student. There will also be formal seminars on more advanced research projects intended as an exercise in public speaking and a comprehensive presentation. A summary of the work accomplished during a practicum will be expected of first year graduate students. A 60-minute meeting every week is planned. (This course is required of all graduate students.)
Credit: 0.25
Spring 2009
MB&B575 The Cell-Division Cycle and Cancer
This course will cover a broad range of topics that are related to the process of cell division. We will discuss how the cell cycle is executed and regulated in a variety of eukaryotic systems. Major consideration will be applied to discussions of cancer and the defects in cell-division regulation that underlie this disease. Some of the topics include: growth factors, signaling pathways, apoptosis, cyclin-dependent kinases as cell-cycle regulators, transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of cell cycle genes, DNA replication, DNA damage checkpoints, and tumor suppressors.
Credit: 1.00
MB&B581 Physical Chemistry for Life Scientists
This course is designed to provide students of biology, neurosciences, molecular biology, biochemistry and biological chemistry with the foundations of physical chemistry relevant to the life sciences. The course is driven by consideration of a series of biological processes for which the concepts of physical chemistry provide a framework for explanation and understanding. The course will consist of three parts: thermodynamics, kinetics or rate processes, quantum mechanics and spectroscopy. Each part of the course is based on topics drawn from physiology, molecular biology, and biochemistry, the treatment of which motivates the introduction of physicochemical concepts and reasoning. Examples of topics include respiration, photosynthesis, ATP hydrolysis, active transport, vision, growth and decay processes, enzyme structure and function and prebiotic evolution. The course is specifically designed to accommodate students with diverse scientific backgrounds and levels of mathematical preparation. An elementary review of all mathematical and computational methods required for the course will be provided. This course may also readily serve students of mathematics, physics and chemistry as an introduction to applications of their subject area in the life sciences.
Credit: 1.00
Fall 2008
MB&B585 Seminar in Molecular Biology
This course includes the presentation and discussion of recent findings in the field of molecular biology.
Credit: 0.25
Fall 2008
MB&B586 Seminar in Molecular Biology
This course includes the presentation and discussion of recent findings in the field of molecular biology.
Credit: 0.25
Spring 2009
MB&B587 Seminar in Biological Chemistry
Weekly presentations and discussions based on current research.
Credit: 0.25
Fall 2008
MB&B588 Seminar in Biological Chemistry
Weekly presentations and discussions based on current research.
Credit: 0.25
Spring 2009
MB&B589 Advanced Research, BA/MA
Intensive investigation of special research problems leading to a BA/MA thesis.
Credit: 1.50
MB&B590 Advanced Research, BA/MA
Intensive investigation of special research problems leading to a BA/MA thesis.
Credit: 1.50
MB&B591 Advanced Research, Graduate
Credit: 1.00
MB&B592 Advanced Research, Graduate
Investigation of special problems leading to a dissertation or thesis.
Credit: 1.00
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