Graduate Courses

Undergraduate Courses

Molecular Cell & Developmental Biology
225 Sinsheimer Laboratories
Phone: 831.459.4986
Fax: 831.459.3139
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MCDB GRADUATE COURSES

FALL 2007

WINTER 2008

SPRING 2008

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

200A. Advanced Genetics (Fall)
An analysis of selected topics in the primary research literature including conditional lethality, classical fine structure genetics, the coding problem, control of operon expression, phage lambda, and developmental genetics.

200B. Advanced Molecular Biology (Winter)
An in-depth coverage of the structure, function, and synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Discussion of the roles of macromolecules in the regulation of information in the cell.

200C. Advanced Cell Biology (Spring)
An in-depth coverage of topics in cellular and subcellular organization, structure, and function in plants and animals. Emphasis on current research problems.

201. RNA Processing (suspended)
An advanced graduate-level course on biological aspects of RNA function and processing in eukaryotes. Lectures and discussions will be developed using the current literature.

202. Cellular and Organismal Toxicology (Winter)
Emphasizes biochemical, cellular, and organ system basis of intoxication, including dose-response relationships, biotransformation of toxicants, biochemical mechanisms underlying toxicity, factors influencing toxic action, and biomarkers of exposure. Emphasizes effects of various classes of toxins, including heavy metals and persistent synthetic organics, with a focus on susceptible biochemical/cellular processes of the central nervous, immune, hepatic, and renal target organ systems.

203. Ribosomes and Translation
This course will cover in depth the field of ribosome research, including the structure and function of ribosomes and the molecular mechanisms of protein synthesis. It will begin with an historical review of the ribosome field and proceed up to and including the most recent findings. We will focus on some central questions: (1) How is the accuracy of aminoacyl-tRNA selection determined? (2) What is "accommodation"? (3) What is the mechanism of peptide bond formation (peptidyl transferase)? (4) What is the mechanism of translocation? (5) What are the mechanistic roles of the ribosome and translation factor EF-G in translocation? (6) To what extent is the mechanism of translation determined by RNA? ( 7) Why is RNA so well suited for the ribosome? (8) How did translation evolve from an RNA world?

204. Chromatin *
Eukaryotic DNA is complexed with histones to form chromatin. This course focuses on the ways in which chromatin influences and is manipulated to regulate gene expression.

206.Introduction to Stem Cell Biology
This new course will provide instruction on fundamental issues and experimental approaches of stem cell biology research. The course is divided into 3 sections: basic principles, experimental approaches, and emerging areas of research. Topics covered include stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, the microenvironment, epigenetics, cell cycle regulation, as well as how basic research translates to medical therapeutics.

208. Cellular Signaling Mechanisms (Fall)*
All eukaryotic cells utilize intricate signaling pathways to control such diverse events as cell-cell communication, cell division, and changes in cell morphology. This course covers the molecular basis of these cellular signaling pathways, focusing on the most current research.

210. Application and Analysis of Microarrays (Spring)
Topics include, but are not limited to, microarray production techniques, experimental strategies using microarrays, extraction and analysis of microarray data, DNA and protein arrays, SNP analysis, gene expression analysis, materials analysis, and advanced analysis of data using bioinformatic techniques. (See BME210)

226. Advanced Neuroscience*
Students will learn about the basis of neural behavior at the cellular, molecular and system levels.  The first half of the course will focus on the cellular, molecular, and developmental aspects of the nervous system and we will cover two sensory systems: olfaction and auditory. The last half of the quarter will concern higher level functions of the nervous system such as processing and integrating information. We will also discuss a number of human diseases and disorders.  Enrollment limited to graduate students..

228. Advanced Topics in Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology *
Emphasizes comparative studies in both invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems to provide rigorous, first-hand knowledge in neural development. Specific topics include neurogenesis, fate determination, migration, axonal guidance, and synaptogenesis. Students must participate actively in lectures and discussions.

289. Practice of Science (Winter)
Examination of ethical and practical scientific issues, including the collection and treatment of data, attribution of credit, plagiarism, fraud, and peer review. Career issues, including how to apply for grants and positions in industry or academia, will be discussed.

291/292. Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Seminar (every quarter)
Topics of current interest in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology are presented weekly by graduate students, faculty, and guest speakers.

297. Independent Studies (every quarter)
ndependent study for graduate students who have not yet settled on a research area for their thesis.

299. Thesis Research (every quarter)
Thesis research study for PhD graduate students who have advanced to candidacy.

*not offered during 2006-07 academic year.

Please refer to the online UCSC Catalog for additional graduate course listing information.

Additional information about our graduate program is available on the Graduate Advising website and in the MCDB Graduate Handbook.

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