Course Descriptions
Scroll down for a description of our courses or click on a course number in the table below:
BMB110 | BMB207/209 | BMB208/210 | BMB221 | BMB222 | BMB280 | BMB300
BMB305 | BMB322 | BMB323 | BMB400 | BMB410 | BMB420 | BMB421 | BMB430
BMB431 | BMB440 | BMB441 | BMB455 | BMB456 | BMB460 | BMB464 | BMB467
BMB471 | BMB490 | BMB491 | BMB497 | BMB510 | BMB525 | BMB530 | BMB540
BMB550 | BMB580 | BMB582 | BMB597 | BMB598 | BMB699 | INT479
BMB110 — Plagues Past and Present
Explores the nature of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases from biological, historical, societal, technological and environmental perspectives.
Satisfies the General Education Population and the Environment Requirement. Cr 3.
BMB207/209 — Fundamentals of Chemistry
Reviews the essentials of inorganic chemistry and studies the types and reactions of organic compounds. (Satisfies the General Education Science Basic or Applied Sciences Requirement.) Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry. Lec 3, Lab 2, Cr 4.
BMB208/210 — Elementary Physiological Chemistry
Structure and properties of biological molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins and hormones, composition and function of body fluids, study of digestion and metabolism. (Satisfies the General Education Science Basic or Applied Sciences Requirement.) Prerequisite: BMB207 or the equivalent. Lec 3, Lab 2, Cr 4.
BMB221 — Organic Chemistry
Basic theories of organic chemistry, including reactions, mechanisms and nomenclature. Emphasis on those aspects of organic chemistry which relate to biological chemistry. Prerequisites: BMB207 or CHY115 and CHY117. Cr 3.
BMB222 — Laboratory in Organic Chemistry
Laboratory exercises illustrating the principles presented in BMB221. Lab 2, Cr 1.
BMB280 — Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
An in-depth introduction to macromolecules, cell structure, metabolic processes, gene expression and molecular replication common to all organisms. Lec 3 Cr 3. Prereq: BIO 100.
BMB300 — General Microbiology
A basic biology course dealing with general principles as illustrated by microorganisms, in bacteria and viruses. Covers cell structure, cell metabolism, genetics, geochemical activities, and host-parasite relations. Prerequisite: one year of chemistry and one year of biology or permissions. Lec 3, Cr 3.
BMB305 — General Microbiology Laboratory
A laboratory study of the properties of bacteria and related microorganisms including techniques and identification. Suggested for students majoring in sciences. Prerequisite or corequisite: BMB300. Lab 4, Cr 2.
BMB322 — Biochemistry
A study of the properties of proteins and enzymes, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and biomembranes. Key metabolic pathways and energy production are also covered.
Lec 3. . Prerequisites & Notes BMB 221 or CHY 251.
Cr. 3
BMB323 — Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory
Laboratory exercises illustrating the principles presented in BMB 322. Lab 2.
Credits: 2
BMB400 — Molecular Genetics
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. Prerequisite: BIO 280, BMB322. Lec 3. Cr 3.
BMB410 — Diversity of Microorganisms – TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUED
Metabolic diversity of microorganisms will be emphasized. Major metabolic groups of bacteria will be examined in detail and comparisons will be made between the different groups. Bacterial evolution and the current state of bacterial taxonomy will be discussed. Prerequisite: BMB300, BMB305. Cr 3.
BMB420 — Infectious Disease
Examines medically important bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites causinh human infection. Introduces major classes of pathogens and host immunity to microbes. Covers pathogenesis, virulence factors, clinical symptoms, transmission, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment for individual microbes. Prerequisite: BMB300, BMB305, Lec 3. Cr 3.
BMB421 — Infectious Disease Laboratory
Introduction to procedures used in the clinical diagnostic laboratory to identify the causative agent of human infectious diseases. Corequisite: BMB420. Lab 2, Cr 1.
BMB430 — Bacterial Physiology
The properties and behavior of bacteria with respect to their chemical and physical requirements for life and reproduction. Prerequisite: BMB300, BMB322. Lec 3, Cr 3.
BMB431 — Bacterial Physiology Laboratory
Laboratory experiments and exercises designed to expose students to aspects of bacterial physiology and to selected assays, techniques, and equipment used in physiology research. Prerequisite: BMB300, BMB322. Lab 2, Cr 1.
BMB440 — Introductory Immunology
An introduction to the organization and function of the immune system including the basic properties of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, the reactions or antigens and antibodies and the lymphocytes involved. Prerequisite: CHY251. Lec 3, Cr 3.
BMB441 — Immunology Laboratory
A laboratory course to introduce students to diagnostic and experimental techniques routinely used in the immunology lab. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BMB440 and BMB471. Lab 2, Cr 1.
BMB455 — Virology
Introduction to the study of viruses, emphasizing their nature, methods of cultivation, mode of transmission, genetics and mechanisms of pathogenicity. Prerequisite: BMB300, BMB400. Lec 3, Cr 3.
BMB456 — Virology Laboratory
Introduction to methods of virus propagation, assay and characterization, including cell culture, in vitro infectivity assays, and cytopathic effects. Corequisite: BMB455. Lab 2, Cr 1.
BMB460 — Advanced Biochemistry
A continuation of BMB322, with emphasis on elements of biochemistry and similar topics. May include discussions of cellular control mechanisms, enzyme kinetics. Satisfies the General Education Demonstrated Writing Competency Requirement. Prerequisite: BMB322 or permission. Lec 3, Cr 3.
BMB464 — Analytical and Preparative Biochemical Laboratory Methods
Laboratory techniques for the manipulation and analysis of biochemical materials including biological activity assays, concentration determinations, ligand binding analysis, enzyme kinetics and methods for macromolecular fractionation and characterization. (Satisfies the General Education Demonstrated Writing Competency Requirement.) Prerequisite: BMB322 or BMB 451. Cr 4.
BMB467 — Physical Biochemistry
Designed for students who have a strong background in the properties and function of biomolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. Focus will be on the physical, chemical, and thermodynamic principles that define macromolecular interactions in cells and solution. Topics include thermodynamics of macromolecular systems, bioenergetics, binding, solution behavior, macromolecular interactions, introduction to quantum mechanics, transport, separation techniques, spectroscopy, phase transitions, steady state and rapid reaction kinetic principles, and modern biophysical laboratory techniques.
Prerequisites & Notes
BMB 460 or concurrently or permission; and BMB 322, CHY 252, MAT 127.
Credits: 3
BMB471 — Cell Culture Laboratory
A laboratory course devoted to eukaryotic cell culture techniques and applications. Prerequisite: BMB305. Lab 2, Cr 1.
BMB490 — Microbial Genetics
A lecture and laboratory chiefly in the genetics of Escherichia coli, its bacteriophages, and mechanisms of genetic exchange among prokaryotes. Lectures cover all materials and problems presented in the text. Laboratory sessions may include chemical mutagenesis, transposon mutagenesis, in vitro mutagenesis, transduction, conjugation, transformation, genetic mapping, physical mapping, complementation analyses, maxi cell expression of proteins, and regulatory studies using gene fusions and operon fusions. Final grade is based on two written exams (20% each), a laboratory notebook (30%), and a manuscript (30%) based on the laboratory research and written in the editorial style of an ASM journal (Satisfies the General Education Demonstrated Writing Competency Requirement.) Prerequisite: BMB 300 and BMB 305, or permission. Cr 5.
BMB491 — Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Research
Research in Molecular and Biological Sciences. A comprehensive report is required. Seniors and graduate students only. Cr Ar.
BMB497 — Independent Study
A laboratory and conference for students desiring to pursue some particular line of investigation. Prerequisite: permission. Cr Ar.
BMB510 — Laboratory in Molecular Biology – TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUED
Selected exercises in recombinant DNA technology and related subjects, including nucleic acid purification, construction of recombinant DNA molecules, DNA-DNA and DNA-RNA hybridization, and DNA sequencing. Prerequisites: BMB 400, BMB 464 or permission. Cr 5.
BMB525 — Proteins and Enzymes – TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUED
Emphasis is on contemporary principles of protein structure and interactions, enzymes and catalysis, and membrane function. Prerequisite: BMB460 or permission. Rec 3, Cr 3.
BMB530 — Cellular Signal Transduction Mechanisms – TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUED
Signal transduction mechanisms used by cells to perceive extracellular messages and to produce proper responses in regulating growth, development and metabolism. Prerequisite: BMB460 or permission. Cr 3.
BMB540 — Advanced Immunology – TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUED
Selected topics in immunology including regulation autoimmune disease, immunogenetics, and immunodeficiencies. Emphasis on topics of current significance. Prerequisite: BMB300, BMB322 and BMB440 or permission. Cr 3.
BMB550 — Special Topics in Molecular Biology
Includes lectures/seminars on the structure, regulation and evolution of genetic elements, viruses, and cell-surface glycoproteins. Prerequisites: BMB500 or BMB460 and permission. May be repeated for credit. Cr Ar.
BMB580 — Seminar in Microbiology
Preparation and presentation of papers dealing with current research and developments in the field of bacteriology. (Satisfies the General Education Demonstrated Writing Competency Requirement.) Cr 1.
BMB582 — Seminar in Biochemistry
Preparation and presentation of papers dealing with current research in the field of biochemistry. Cr 1.
BMB597 — Special Topics in Biochemistry
Covers selected topics or areas within the field of Biochemistry. May be repeated for graduate credit. Prerequisite: permission. Cr 1-3.
BMB598 — Special Topics in Microbiology
Covers selected topics or areas within the field of Microbiology. May be repeated for graduate credit. Prerequisite: permission. Cr 1-3.
BMB699 — Graduate Thesis Research
Cr Ar.
INT479 — Methods in Epidemiology
The course introduces students to the field of epidemiology, emphasizing methods for assessing factors associated with the distribution and etiology of health and disease, with emphasis on current, real-world health issues and advancement of student skills in the critique of research studies. Prerequisite: Mat 232, BMB 300.
Cr 3. A student may only take either INT 479 OR INT 579 for credit.