Courses

Essentials of macromolecular biosynthesis; mechanism-based examination of biochemical aspects of cell biology; material is presented with an integrative approach designed to illustrate the interrelationship of biochemical processes.

Focuses on genome organization and transmission and molecular genetics in a number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Topics include molecular mechanisms of mutation, suppression, replication, meiosis, recombination, complementation, and approaches to identifying and analyzing genes. Introduces students to the use of  high-throughput methods in genomics.

This course gives students a strong fundamental understanding of proper experimental design and commonly used research methods. The course is taught by critically evaluating common cellular and molecular biology techniques and by critiquing primary literature that utilizes these techniques. Recurring themes include hypothesis development, appropriate controls, biological versus technical replicates, troubleshooting, analysis of data, statistics, and presentation of data. Students learn how to evaluate and learn new protocols as well as evaluate experiments presented in primary literature.

Detailed analysis of current research papers in biology. Emphasis on experimental design, research methods, interpretation of results, and suitability of controls. Generally taken in the first semester of graduate residence. Topics may vary to suit specific fields (e.g., molecular, cellular, and developmental biology and genetics, or ecological and evolutionary biology).

Cancers are genetic diseases produced by mutations in the genes that control cell signaling and cell fate. This class provides an in-depth study of cell signaling and mechanisms by which cell fate is regulated. These concepts will be used to develop a comprehensive understanding of how tumor cells develop, recruit the support from normal cells, modulate the immune system, metastasize and are treated. (Offered every spring semester.)

This course takes students through a series of exercises that expose them to various forms of communication—from writing an abstract to preparing figures for papers versus posters versus talks and to talking about their science both to a scientific audience and to the lay public.

In this course, students learn to write a persuasive proposal on their own research and how to apply for external funding.

This course highlights the scientific evidence for precision medicine approaches and covers what is needed to move the concept of precision medicine into clinical practice. As oncology is the clear choice for enhancing the near-term impact of precision medicine, this course focuses on individualized, molecular approaches to cancer. In addition, the course incorporates how findings in the cancer field will provide a strong framework for accelerating the adoption of precision medicine in other disease.

In this Journal Club course, students take turns presenting new and significant findings relating to cancer biology and physiology. Students are encouraged to present high-impact articles relevant to their thesis research and integrate their own findings into the presentation. May be repeated.

Independent research in thesis laboratory.