MCB 310 Cellular Signaling. (M) One Unit. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory exercise weekly. Among the most important aspects of modern molecular biochemistry and cellular biology, cellular signaling, internal or otherwise, influences every facet of all living organisms. Students will explore the fundamental unit of life before delving into the molecular underpinnings that facilitate drive cellular behaviors including phagocytosis, autophagy, proliferation and migration, metabolism, gene expression, physiology, and death. Emphasis will be placed on signal generation and second messenger modulation while drawing examples from clinically significant case studies. Offered as needed.
MCB 400E Experiential Component in Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry. (M) Zero units. This zero-unit course is the experiential component of the senior learning community and is linked to Senior Thesis in Biological Sciences (BI 400). It includes at least 100 hours of experiential, which must be completed prior to BI 400, as determined by the chair of the student's senior thesis committee. This experiential component serves as the basis for the research paper completed in BI 400. Permission of Departmental Senior Learning Community Coordinator required. Offered fall, spring, and summer.*
MCB 491 Advances in Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry. (M)(O)(R) One unit. Three hours of lecture each week. This course introduces students to key concepts and advances in research in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic molecular cells. Students receive instruction on effective approaches to critically reading primary research articles and on how to give an effective journal club presentation. Students will practice and hone these skills by preparing and presenting multiple oral presentations over the course of the semester. This course is part of the senior learning community in biology, microbiology and molecular cell biology and is normally taken during the senior year.
493 Undergraduate Research in Molecular Cellular Biochemistry I. (M) One unit. A minimum of eight hours per week of supervised research on a selected topic culminating in a research paper using the format of any preferred scientific journal in biology. A minimum of 10 references to the selected topic is required. Students taking this course for credit may not use the research experience to meet Biology 400E requirements for the senior learning community. Permission of the instructor is required. Prerequisites include the following four foundation biology courses: Biology 213, 215, 217, and 219. Students not majoring in biology should seek permission of chairs of his/her own department and of the Department of Biological Sciences. Offered fall and spring semesters.*
494 Undergraduate Research in Molecular Cellular Biochemistry II. (M) One unit. A minimum of eight hours per week of supervised research on the same selected topic as in Biology 493. A rare student has the possibility of completing the research started as Biology 493 for publication consideration. The course culminates in a research paper using the format of the scientific journal selected for consideration for publication. An additional 10 references to the selected topic are required. Students taking this course for credit may not use the research experience to meet Biology 400E requirements for the senior learning community. Permission of the instructor is required. Prerequisite: Biology 493. Offered fall and spring semesters.*