Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
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Myoung Kim, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor
Research and Education Building
416
817-735-2107
E-mail: mkim@hsc.unt.edu
Graduate Faculty: Basu, Borejdo, Dory, Gryczynski, Harris, Kim,
Kudchodkar, Lacko, Nair, Prokai, Vishwanatha
Adjunct Graduate
Faculty:Clark, Das, Garner
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
program offers comprehensive graduate training in two major areas: (1) the
biochemical and molecular basis of biological processes; and (2) modern
fluorescence spectroscopy/microscopy and proteomic analyses and their
application to biophysical and biological processes. Both M.S. and Ph.D. degree
programs are designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of student and faculty
interests and require a significant contribution to knowledge through original
research. Research training is conducted in modem laboratories and is
complemented by informative didactic course work, seminars and joumal clubs. The
Department of Molecular Biology & Immunology houses a newly established Center for Commercialization of
Fluorescence Technologies and laboratories featuring state-of-the-art mass
spectrometric equipment.
A broad range of students is accommodated by diverse faculty research interests that range from clinical studies in human subjects to biophysical analyses of muscle contraction. Within the setting of the health science center, specific research interests of the faculty address a wide range of prominent diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, aging and Alzheimers. Specific projects addressed include the role of oxidative stress and posttranslational protein modification in health and disease, disorders of lipid metabolism in atherosclerosis, the use of recombinant lipoproetins in drug delivery and nanoparticle-mediated delivery of genes into cancer cells and aspects of parasite control. Under these broad umbrellas, research topics encompass an interest in cellular/tissue processes, such as signal transduction, tumor invasion, muscle contraction, enzymology, gene expression, angiogenesis, exocytosis, apoptosis, cell proliferation and differentiation, drug resistance, gene delivery, protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation, protein structure and function, protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions, lipoprotein metabolism. Research projects employ state-of-the-art molecular and biochemical techniques that include proteomics, mass spectrometry, advanced fluorescence spectroscopy and optical imaging.
Students with undergraduate science majors in areas such as biology, chemistry and biochemistry that fulfill prerequisite courses of organic and inorganic chemistry will be considered for admission. The graduate curriculum consists of a multidisciplinary core course that surveys the fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology and physiology. This is followed by advanced courses that focus on the most recent progress in various areas of biochemistry and molecular biology, and provide the student with a contemporary perspective in areas of greatest current scientific interest.
Most students complete the M.S. requirements in 1-2 years, while Ph.D. requirements are completed within 4-5 years. Detailed policies and procedures are available from the graduate advisor and supplied to the student during orientation.
Degree Plans
The following are typical degree plans for
students in the biochemistry and molecular biology discipline. It is
advantageous to the student to begin graduate student in the fall semester. This
degree plan may vary depending upon availability of course offerings in a given
semester and each student's progress toward thesis and dissertation
research.
|
MS Degree Plan for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | ||
|
Year 1: Fall | ||
|
BMSC 5600 |
Integrative Biomedical Sciences I: Principles of Biochemistry |
4 SCH |
|
BMSC 5610 |
Integrative Biomedical Sciences II: Molecular Cell Biology |
4 SCH |
|
BMSC 5935 |
Introduction to Faculty Research Programs |
1 SCH |
|
BMSC 5650 |
Lab Rotations |
2 SCH |
|
BMSC 5960 |
Biomedical Ethics |
1 SCH |
|
|
|
12 SCH |
|
Year 1: Spring | ||
| Two of the following courses: | ||
|
BMSC 5700 |
Integrative Biomedical Sciences III: Physiology |
3 SCH |
| BMSC 5705 | Integrative Biomedical Sciencs IV: Pharmacology | 2 SCH |
|
BMSC 5710 |
Integrative Biomedical Sciences V: Immunology and Microbiology |
3 SCH |
| And | ||
|
BMSC 5935 |
Introduction to Faculty Research Programs |
1 SCH |
|
|
Electives |
3 SCH |
|
|
|
12 SCH |
|
| ||
|
Year 1: Summer | ||
|
BMSC 5930 |
Individual Research for MS Students Students |
3 SCH |
|
BMSC 5950 |
Thesis |
3 SCH |
|
|
|
6 SCH |
|
|
|
|
|
Year 2: Fall | ||
|
BMSC 5950 |
Thesis |
6 SCH |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
36 SCH |
|
PhD Degree Plan for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | |||
|
Year 1: Fall | |||
|
BMSC 5600 |
Integrative Biomedical Sciences I: Principles of Biochemistry |
4 SCH | |
|
BMSC 5610 |
Integrative Biomedical Sciences II: Molecular Cell Biology |
4 SCH | |
|
BMSC 5935 |
Introduction to Faculty Research Programs |
1 SCH | |
|
BMSC 5650 |
Lab Rotations |
2 SCH | |
|
BMSC 5960 |
Biomedical Ethics |
1 SCH | |
|
|
|
12 SCH | |
|
|
|
| |
|
Year 1: Spring | |||
|
BMSC 5700 |
Integrative Biomedical Sciences III: Physiology |
3 SCH | |
| BMSC 5705 | Integrative Biomedical Sciencs IV: Pharmacology | 2 SCH | |
|
BMSC 5710 |
Integrative Biomedical Sciences IV: Immunology and Microbiology |
3 SCH | |
|
BMSC 5935 |
Introduction to Faculty Research Programs |
1 SCH | |
|
|
Electives* |
3 SCH | |
|
|
|
12 SCH | |
|
|
|
| |
|
Year 1: Summer | |||
|
BMSC 5200 |
Biostatistics for BMSC |
4 SCH | |
|
BMSC 6940 |
Individual Research |
2 SCH | |
|
|
|
6 SCH | |
|
|
|
| |
|
Year 2: Fall | |||
|
BIOC 5940 |
Seminar in Current Topics |
1 SCH | |
|
BMSC 6940 |
Individual Research |
2-10 SCH | |
|
|
Electives* |
3-8 SCH | |
|
|
Journal Club Course** |
1-3 SCH | |
|
|
|
12 SCH | |
|
Year 2: Spring | |||
|
BIOC 5940 |
Seminar in Current Topics |
1 SCH | |
|
BMSC 6940 |
Individual Research |
2-10 SCH | |
|
|
Electives* |
3-8 SCH | |
|
|
Journal Club Course** |
1-2 SCH | |
|
|
Qualifying Examination |
0 SCH | |
|
|
|
12 SCH | |
|
|
|
| |
|
Year 2: Summer | |||
|
BMSC 6940 |
Individual Research |
6 SCH | |
|
Year 3: Fall | |||
|
BIOC 5940 |
Seminar in Current Topics |
1 SCH | |
|
BMSC 6010 |
Grant Writing |
3 SCH | |
|
BMSC 6940 |
Individual Research |
8 SCH | |
|
|
|
12 SCH | |
|
|
|
| |
|
Year 3: Spring | |||
|
BMSC 6940 |
Individual Research |
3 SCH | |
|
BMSC 6950 |
Doctoral Dissertation |
3 SCH | |
|
|
|
6 SCH | |
|
|
|
| |
|
Year 3: Summer | |||
|
BMSC 6950 |
Doctoral Dissertation |
6 SCH | |
|
|
|
| |
|
Year 4: Fall | |||
|
BMSC 6950 |
Doctoral Dissertation |
6 SCH | |
|
|
|
| |
|
TOTAL |
|
96 SCH | |
|
|
|
| |
|
*Elective Courses (6-8 SCH) from the following: | |||
|
BIOC 5425 |
Advanced Biochemistry |
4 SCH | |
|
BIOC 5435 |
Molecular Aspects of Cell Signaling |
4 SCH | |
|
BIOC 5530 |
Enzyme Regulation and Mechanism |
2 SCH | |
| BIOC 6020 | Cellular and Molecular Fluorescence | 2 SCH | |
|
BIOC 6040 |
Molecular Biology of Lipid Transport |
2 SCH | |
|
BIOC 6050 |
Molecular and Cell Biochemistry of Cancer |
2 SCH | |
|
BIOC 6060 |
Advanced Biophysics |
3 SCH | |
|
CGEN 6020 |
Genomics and Proteomics |
3 SCH | |
|
MICR 6300 |
Advanced Molecular Biology |
3 SCH | |
|
|
|
| |
|
** Journal Club Courses | |||
|
BIOC 5510 |
Signal Transduction |
1 SCH | |
|
BIOC 5530 |
Structure and Function of Proteins |
2 SCH | |
|
BIOC 5560 |
Current Topics in Cancer Biology |
1 SCH | |
|
BIOC 5920 |
Cell Motility |
1 SCH | |
Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy
Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination is to ensure that
a doctoral student has sufficient mastery of fundamental principles of
biochemistry and molecular biology to be successful as a Ph.D. candidate and
independent researcher. A list of major topics to be examined will be
distributed to the student after the completion of the first year. The student
is expected to become knowledgeable in each of these topics through coursework,
individual reading, or discussions with faculty members.
The qualifying
examination will be administered by biochemistry and molecular biology faculty,
except for the student's major professor, and will consist of an oral
examination. The student will answer a given set of questions within a given
time (2-3 hours). The questions may also be expanded to address related topics
in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology. The student must demonstrate
an ability to discuss and apply concepts of biochemistry and molecular
biology.
1. The comprehensive examination will be scheduled in the summer
semester of the student's second year of graduate school
2. It will
consist of an oral examination to be attended by all biochemistry and molecular
biology graduate faculty members and the university member assigned to the
student's committee. The graduate advisor will serve as examination coordinator.
The examination will take approximately 2-3 hours.
3. The student will be expected to have a sound knowledge of major principles of biochemistry and molecular biology taught in the core curriculum: Principles of Biochemistry (BMSC 5600) and Molecular Cell Biology (BMSC 5610). As an additional guide, students will be provided a list of topics in which they are to prove proficiency at the beginning of the second year of graduate study.
4. The examination will consist of 12 questions organized into four sections written by members of the biochemistry and molecular biology graduate faculty. Students will be required to answer six questions in total, one from secions I and IV, and two each from sections II and III.
I. Protein/Enzymes (two questions; answer one)
II.
Metabolism (four questions; answer two)
III. Principles of Molecular Biology
(four questions; answer two)
IV. Biochemical and Biophysical Analyses
(two questions; answer one)
5. On completion of the examination, the faculty will vote on a pass/fail grade for the student. At least 75% favorable vote will be required for the student to pass. If a student does not pass, the faculty will inform the student in writing of specific areas of weakness.
6. If necessary, a student will be allowed to retake the oral examination once but this must be completed before the end of the following semester. Failure on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the doctoral program, although the student will be permitted to complete the requirements for the Master of Science degree.
7. Following designations could be used to indicate the performance of the
student:
- Qualifying examination passed
-
Qualifying examination passed with distinction
- Qualifying
examination failed
8. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain signatures from the examination committee chair, graduate advisor, university member and department chair on completion of the examination. The appropriate form may be obtained from the GSBS website for forms and guidelines.
Grant Writing (6010)
This stage of the advancement to doctoral
candidacy will evaluate a student's aptitude for independent thought and
scientific writing. In this course, a student is required to prepare an
NIH-style research proposal, without the assistance of his/her major professor,
and defend it before an examination committee. The proposal should be based on
an original hypothesis that may be related but should be distinct from the
dissertation research and should describe specific experimental approaches to
address this hypothesis. The student will present this proposal in the form of a
public seminar and then privately address specific questions of an examination
committee. The examination committee will consist of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology graduate faculty (at least three of the five members), associate faculty
and adjunct faculty. The Graduate Advisor will serve as coordinator and will
meet with enrolled students at the beginning of the semester to review
guidelines and answer relevant procedural questions. Upon successful completion
of this course, the student is advanced to candidacy.
This page last updated Mar 11, 2008
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