Biotechnology (BIT)
This course provides both science and non-science students an opportunity to learn about current issues in biotechnology that play a role in our society. Topic areas will include contemporary and historical applications of biotechnology. From alternative fuel sources to the ramifications of the elucidation of the human genome on health care issues, advances in biotechnology are constantly reshaping the world we live in. Students will give presentations and participate in discussions in the classroom, as well as be engaged in the laboratory on a variety of different topics in biotechnology that affects all our lives.
Prerequisite: High School Biology
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives, GEP Natural Sciences
Typically offered in Fall only
This course offers first-and second-year students an opportunity for a mentored research experience in a small class environment. Students will learn how to apply the scientific method to make new discoveries and contribute to scientific knowledge. Students may need to come to the lab outside class meeting times to complete work on occasion (flexible hours). Examples of research questions to be investigated in different sections: - Investigating bacteriophage for the management of American Floubrood Disease (AFS) of honey bees - Using planarian as a model system for studying genes important in stem cell differentiation and regeneration - Investigating the genetic potential of complex microbial populations. - Gene expression profiling in zebrafish embryos exposed to antibiotics and anti-acne compounds Freshmen and Sophomores only.
Prerequisite: High School Biology
GEP Natural Sciences
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
This course offers first-year students an opportunity for mentored research. Students will apply the scientific method to make novel discoveries. Students will isolate and characterize naturally-occurring bacteriophage (viruses that infect bacteria, but not humans) from the environment. They will present their data to each other, and the genome of one phage will be sequenced. Students have the option to continue in a second semester to annotate that genome, culminating in a submission to genbank and a poster presentation. Students in the course are part of the National Genome Research Initiative funded by The Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Student should have had a high school biology course before taking this course.
GEP Natural Sciences
Typically offered in Fall only
This course offers first-year students an opportunity for mentored research. Student will apply the scientific method to make novel discoveries. Students will build on the work they began in BIT/惭叠听210; The novel phage isolated in the previous semester will undergo genome sequencing over winter break, and in this course students will learn to analyze and annotate the genome sequence. This semester will culminate in a submission to genbank and a poster presentation. Students in the course are part of the national genome research initiative funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Prerequisite: BIT(MB) 210
GEP Natural Sciences
Typically offered in Spring only
Offered as needed to present materials not normally available in regular course offerings or for offering of new courses on a trial basis.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
This course provides students interested in the biotechnology field an opportunity to gain valuable network, job application and interviewing skills. Over the course of the semester students will meet with ~30 biotechnology professionals in our area. In addition, students will learn from individuals in biotechnology jobs about the diverse careers options available and strategies for navigating the job market successfully.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Introduction to molecular biology and protein chemistry. Theory behind laboratory techniques and overview of cloning strategies starting from nucleic acid or protein sequence data. Laboratory sessions involve subcloning, preparation of competent cells, transformation, screening recombinant DNA by colony hybridization and PCR, SDS-PAGE of recombinant protein, affinity purification, and western blots.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Comparison of several different chromatography techniques for protein purification. Construction of purification tables and SDS-and native-PAGE analysis. Cost-benefit analysis of industrial-scale procedures. This is a half semester course.
Typically offered in Spring only
Real time PCR is an evolving technique with its basis in the dynamic properties of the polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent detection. We will review current real-time theory, techniques, machinery, troubleshooting, tools, and advanced protocols for sequence detection including SYBR green, TaqMan, Beacons, multiplexing, and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Students will have the opportunity to utilize skills learned during lecture in a laboratory environment. At the conclusion of this course, students should feel comfortable with real-time experimental design, its tools, and analysis of generated data. This is a half-semester course. Student must register for both lecture and lab sections.
Typically offered in Spring only
Introduction to animal cell culture techniques. Aseptic technique for vertebrate cell culture, media formulation, primary cell culture, long-term maintenance of cell lines, application of molecular techniques to in vitro situations. Half semester course, first part.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Introduction to polymerase chain reaction. Optimization of PCR reactions and primer design for DNA sequences using DNA databases available on the web. Laboratory sections include using rapid techniques for isolating and sequencing DNA from small amounts of sample and forensic identification of individuals using isolated human hairs. Credit is not allowed for both 叠滨罢听467 and 叠滨罢听567.
Prerequisite: 叠滨罢听410/510
Typically offered in Spring only
Introduction and history of RNA interference technology. Principles, mechanism, and applications of RNA interference in model organisms. Laboratory sessions include RNA interference-mediated silencing of genes in plants, C. elegeans, and mammalian cell culture. This is a half-semester course (8 weeks). Student may not earn credit for both 叠滨罢听471 and 叠滨罢听571.
Typically offered in Spring only
The interactions of proteins mediate numerous biological processes of cells. This course focuses on ways to identify and study protein-protein interactions, focusing on the advantages and limitations of each technique and how to apply the methods in a laboratory setting. In lab, students will perform a yeast two-hybrid experiment and a co-immunoprecipitation from proteins expressed in mammalian cell culture to confirm detected interactions. This a half-semester course.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course covers fundamental hands-on techniques and strategies in plant genetic engineering. Plants are major sources of food, fiber and fuel and provide model systems for both fundamental and applied research. Students will learn techniques for stable and transient transformation of plants and plant cell cultures and selection and detection of transgene expression. Additional topics covered will include methods to generate and screen for mutants, synthetic biology and applications of plant genetic engineering. This is a half-semester course. Credit is not allowed for both 叠滨罢听474 and 叠滨罢听574.
Typically offered in Fall only
The haploid human genome occupies a total of just over 3 billion DNA base pairs. This information is not contained in books, but stored in electronic databases. Computational biology utilizes infer function by comparative analysis. This course is designed for life scientists from all fields to introduce them to the power of bioinformatics and enable them to access and utilize biological information in databases for their own research.
Typically offered in Fall only
Participants will be introduced to a variety of methods for studying the complex microbial populations that surround us, including theory, applications, limitations, and health and legal implications. Students will apply deep sequencing techniques to mine the genetic diversity of complex microbial populations such as the rhizosphere, a swine lagoon sample, or even the communities of microbes growing happily inside your kitchen sink drain. This course will provide hands-on experience with molecular and computational tools that can be used to study the relationships between microbial communities and ecosystems or hosts.
Typically offered in Fall only
In this eight-week lab module, participants will be introduced to high-throughput (HT) discovery science and the underlying quantitative biology skills necessary for robust assay design. Participants will learn modern high-throughput screening approaches that will prepare them to design, validate, and perform cutting-edge screens. Different HT approaches will be discussed using authentic case studies and critical thinking scenarios based on published studies. Essential quantitative biology skills for the design and analysis of HT discovery science will be emphasized and tested regularly using "biomath" quizzes. The power of automation and robotics will be highlighted and hands-on experience with a liquid handler and the software used to operate it will be routine in the lab sessions. Participants will also be exposed to novel high-throughput approaches through discussions of new technologies and guest speakers who are experts in the field. Students will not receive credit for both 叠滨罢听479 and 叠滨罢听579.
Typically offered in Spring only
Participants will be introduced to a variety of methods for using yeast to produce commercially relevant products. Topics will include cultivation, genetic manipulation to delete or replace genes, transformation, heterologous gene expression and codon optimization/gene synthesis. Various modern molecular cloning approaches and computational resources will be discussed. Students will apply gene manipulation approaches to engineer Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce beta-carotene and/or other relevant biotechnology products. This will be accomplished by assembling a series of optimized genes in the biosynthetic pathway using the versatile genetic assembly system (VEGAS) that exploits the capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to join sequences with terminal homology by homologous recombination. Expression will be compared by assembling libraries of transcriptional units with different promoters and using different genetic knock-outs as hosts. Additionally, computational modeling of metabolic processes will be used to assess perturbations to metabolic fluxes.
Typically offered in Spring only
Basic techniques in plant tissue culture and transformation. Empirical approaches to techniques in plant tissue culture, designing transgenes for expression in specific plant cell organelles and tissues, use of reporter genes to optimize transformation, and troubleshooting transformation. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with plant tissue culture and transformation. Use of reporter genes, fluorescence microscopy and digital imaging. Half semester course, first part.
Typically offered in Spring only
In this course, students will be introduced to concepts spanning principles in molecular virology through to engineering of viruses as molecular therapeutics. Students will be able to describe the basic tenets of molecular virology, articulate several principle uses of viruses in biotechnology applications, and perform data analysis on several fundamental virus assays.
Prerequisite: 叠滨罢听410
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
A learning experience in the area of biotechnology within an academic framework that utilizes facilities and resources which are external to the campus. Contact and arrangements with prospective employers must be initiated by student and approved by a faculty adviser, the prospective employer, and the departmental teaching coordinator prior to the experience. Project must be approved by the Academic Coordinator or Program Director of the Biotechnology Program.
Typically offered in Summer only
A learning experience within an academic framework that utilizes campus facilities and resources. Contact and arrangements with prospective mentor(s) must be initiated by student and approved by a faculty adviser, the prospective mentor, and the departmental teaching coordinator prior to the experience. Project must be approved by the Academic Coordinator of Program Director of the Biotechnology Program.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Offered as needed to present materials not normally available in regular course offerings or for offering of new courses on a trial basis.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Students investigate and discuss current controversial issues in biotechnology. This course emphasizes thinking about new technologies in a rational and thoughtful way.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
This course provides students interested in the biotechnology field an opportunity to gain valuable network, job application and interviewing skills. Over the course of the semester students will meet with ~30 biotechnology professionals in our area. In addition, students will learn from individuals in biotechnology jobs about the diverse careers options available and strategies for navigating the job market successfully.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Basic technologies of recombinant DNA procedures, gene expression, isolation and identification of nucleic acids and proteins.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Comparison of several different chromatography techniques for protein purification. Construction of purification tables and SDS-and native-PAGE analysis. Cost-benefit analysis of industrial-scale procedures. This is a half semester course.
Typically offered in Spring only
Real time PCR is an evolving technique with its basis in the dynamic properties of the polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent detection. We will review current real-time theory, techniques, machinery, troubleshooting, tools, and advanced protocols for sequence detection including SYBR green, TaqMan, Beacons, multiplexing, and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Students will have the opportunity to utilize skills learned during lecture in a laboratory environment. At the conclusion of this course, students should feel comfortable with real-time experimental design, its tools, and analysis of generated data. This is a half-semester course. Student must register for both lecture and lab sections.
Typically offered in Spring only
Introduction to animal cell culture techniques. Aseptic technique for vertebrate cell culture, media formulation, primary cell culture, long-term maintenance of cell lines, application of molecular techniques to in vitro situations. Half semester course, first part.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Introduction to polymerase chain reaction. Optimization of PCR reactions and primer design for DNA sequences using DNA databases available on the web. Laboratory sections include using rapid techniques for isolating and sequencing DNA from small amounts of sample and forensic identification of individuals using isolated human hairs. Credit is not allowed for both 叠滨罢听467 and 叠滨罢听567.
Prerequisite: 叠滨罢听410/510
Typically offered in Spring only
Introduction and history of RNA interference technology. Principles, mechanism, and applications of RNA interference in model organisms. Laboratory sessions include RNA interference-mediated silencing of genes in plants, C. elegeans, and mammalian cell culture. This is a half-semester course (8 weeks). Student may not earn credit for both 叠滨罢听471 and 叠滨罢听571.
Typically offered in Spring only
Introduction and history of the field of proteomics followed by the principles and applications of proteomics technology to understand protein expression and protein post-transitional modifications. Laboratory sessions include growing yeast with stable-isotope labeled amino acids, protein purification, Western blots, protein identification and quantification, and protein bioinformatic analysis. This is a half-semester course.
Typically offered in Spring only
The interactions of proteins mediate numerous biological processes of cells. This course focuses on ways to identify and study protein-protein interactions, focusing on the advantages and limitations of each technique and how to apply the methods in a laboratory setting. In lab, students will perform a yeast two-hybrid experiment and a co-immunoprecipitation from proteins expressed in mammalian cell culture to confirm detected interactions. This a half-semester course.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course covers fundamental hands-on techniques and strategies in plant genetic engineering. Plants are major sources of food, fiber and fuel and provide model systems for both fundamental and applied research. Students will learn techniques for stable and transient transformation of plants and plant cell cultures and selection and detection of transgene expression. Additional topics covered will include methods to generate and screen for mutants, synthetic biology and applications of plant genetic engineering. This is a half-semester course. Credit is not allowed for both 叠滨罢听474 and 叠滨罢听574.
Typically offered in Fall only
Participants will be introduced to a variety of methods for studying the complex microbial populations that surround us, including theory, applications, limitations, and health and legal implications. Students will apply deep sequencing techniques to mine the genetic diversity of complex microbial populations such as the rhizosphere, a swine lagoon sample, or even the communities of microbes growing happily inside your kitchen sink drain. This course will provide hands-on experience with molecular and computational tools that can be used to study the relationships between microbial communities and ecosystems or hosts.
Typically offered in Fall only
In this eight-week lab module, participants will be introduced to high-throughput (HT) discovery science and the underlying quantitative biology skills necessary for robust assay design. Participants will learn modern high-throughput screening approaches that will prepare them to design, validate, and perform cutting-edge screens. Different HT approaches will be discussed using authentic case studies and critical thinking scenarios based on published studies. Essential quantitative biology skills for the design and analysis of HT discovery science will be emphasized and tested regularly using "biomath" quizzes. The power of automation and robotics will be highlighted and hands-on experience with a liquid handler and the software used to operate it will be routine in the lab sessions. Participants will also be exposed to novel high-throughput approaches through discussions of new technologies and guest speakers who are experts in the field. Students will not receive credit for both 叠滨罢听479 and 叠滨罢听579.
Typically offered in Spring only
Participants will be introduced to a variety of methods for using yeast to produce commercially relevant products. Topics will include cultivation, genetic manipulation to delete or replace genes, transformation, heterologous gene expression and codon optimization/gene synthesis. Various modern molecular cloning approaches and computational resources will be discussed. Students will apply gene manipulation approaches to engineer Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce beta-carotene and/or other relevant biotechnology products. This will be accomplished by assembling a series of optimized genes in the biosynthetic pathway using the versatile genetic assembly system (VEGAS) that exploits the capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to join sequences with terminal homology by homologous recombination. Expression will be compared by assembling libraries of transcriptional units with different promoters and using different genetic knock-outs as hosts. Additionally, computational modeling of metabolic processes will be used to assess perturbations to metabolic fluxes.
Typically offered in Spring only
In this course, students will be introduced to concepts spanning principles in molecular virology through to engineering of viruses as molecular therapeutics. Students will be able to describe the basic tenets of molecular virology, articulate several principle uses of viruses in biotechnology applications, and perform data analysis on several fundamental virus assays.
Prerequisite: 叠滨罢听410
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Independent study in Biotechnology under the supervision of a Biotechnology faculty member. Restricted to graduate students in the Biotechnology Program with consent of the supervising faculty. May not be taken in the first semester of graduate study.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Offered as needed to present materials not normally available in regular course offerings or for offering of new courses on a trial basis.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.
Master's students only
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Independent study in Biotechnology under the supervision of a Biotechnology faculty member. Restricted to graduate students in the Biotechnology Program with consent of the supervising faculty. May not be taken in the first semester of graduate study.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
In this course, students will be introduced to concepts and practices related to Professional Development for PhD-level biotechnology-focused careers in science and engineering (academia, industry, government).
Pre-requisite: 叠滨罢听510 Core Technologies in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Typically offered in Fall only
In this course, students will be introduced to concepts and practices related to the biotechnology industry, how the stock market influences technology development, how technology transfer happens, and the process by which a technology company forms.
Prerequisite: 叠滨罢听510
Typically offered in Spring only
Intensive three-week or six-week courses in advanced technologies such as DNA sequencing, downstream processing, immunological techniques, construction of c-DNA libraries, mammalian embryo manipulation, plant transformation, bioreactor design, cloning in gram positive bacteria, electron microscopy or techniques in yeast molecular biology.
Prerequisite: 叠滨罢听510
Typically offered in Summer only
Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.
Doctoral students only (DR)
Typically offered in Fall and Spring