The goals of this course are to familiarize graduate students with important principles and key concepts in contemporary molecular and cellular biology and to familiarize students with the experimental techniques utilized to test specific hypotheses. These goals will be achieved through formal lectures on specific topics, in-class discussions of problem sets, regular homework assignments, and unit exams. This course is delivered in a flipped classroom framework. 

This course provides opportunity to explore molecular and cellular biology literature through discussion of journal articles with topics that parallel subjects discussed in BMED:5207 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology. The course also features didactic instruction on molecular and cell biology methods to deepen students understanding of these techniques.

This course focuses on a range of professional development opportunities for first year graduate students. Faculty seminars feature research and career retrospective presentations from local and visiting professors, exposing students to a variety of career pathways for biomedical scientists. Workshop sessions provide direct instruction on scientific writing and oral presentation skills. Students also present their research in short talks and receive detailed feedback from course faculty and peers.

Students will participate in three (3) lab rotations (fall, winter, and spring) in the laboratories of BSP faculty members beginning the first week of the fall semester and ending with the last week of the Spring semester. In the fall semester, students will prepare a research rotation report in manuscript format for their fall rotation. In the spring semester, students will prepare two (2) research rotation reports in manuscript format for their winter and spring rotations.

*Note - If you are only taking the courses listed here, register for 5 s.h. of Biomedical Science Research (BMED: 7888). However, if you are taking additional courses, register for enough credit hours to bring your total up to 15 s.h.

This course consists of lectures on principles of human physiology, organ systems, and cell function.

Overview of theory of experimental design and data analysis in biological sciences; types of analyses available for common types of data generated in biomedical sciences; review of statistical methods; basic coverage of mathematical computations involved in various analytical tests.

This course focuses on a range of professional development opportunities for first year graduate students. Faculty seminars feature research and career retrospective presentations from local and visiting professors, exposing students to a variety of career pathways for biomedical scientists. Workshop sessions provide direct instruction on scientific writing and oral presentation skills. Students also present their research in short talks and receive detailed feedback from course faculty and peers.

Students will participate in three (3) lab rotations (fall, winter, and spring) in the laboratories of BSP faculty members beginning the first week of the fall semester and ending with the last week of the Spring semester. In the fall semester, students will prepare a research rotation report in manuscript format for their fall rotation. In the spring semester, students will prepare two (2) research rotation reports in manuscript format for their winter and spring rotations.

*Note - If you are only taking the courses listed here, register for 8 s.h. of Biomedical Science Research (BMED: 7888). However, if you are taking additional courses, register for enough credit hours to bring your total up to 15 s.h.

Basic and advanced scientific techniques used to integrate biological questions in molecular and translational medicine.

This advanced graduate course introduces basic pharmacological principles underlying drug absorption, distribution, and metabolism and how these processes determine drug dosing, drug receptor interactions, and their quantitation. The course also provides students with the opportunity to selectively explore two of the following receptor/signaling systems commonly affected by drugs: growth factors, neurotransmitters, ion channels, and steroid & G protein-coupled receptors.

PCOL:5130 Basic Concepts in Pharmacology is a series of 3, 1-credit modules 

Module 1: Principles of Pharmacology (PCOL: 5135)

Module 2 and 3 are selected by the student from the following list:

• Neurotransmitters (PCOL: 5137)
• Growth Factors (PCOL: 6225)
• Ion Channels (PCOL: 6207)
• Steroids and G Protein-Coupled Receptors (PCOL: 6211)

Students will select modules 2 and 3 after registration is complete, in discussion with the course director.

Discussions of methodologies, strategies and approaches commonly used to solve research problems in the pharmacological sciences.  Based upon discussions, students employ interpersonal problem solving skills to develop experimental plans of study for solving contemporary scientific problems in the pharmacological sciences.

This one credit hour course will focus on concepts and tools behind conducting modern scientific inquiries in a rigorous and reproducible manner.  This course will address a number of issues, presented by experts in a given area, through lecture and discussion sessions, and will introduce first year Biomedical Science Graduate Program students to Rigor and Reproducibility in Biomedical Science.

This course, along with BMED: 7271, is a two-semester series taken by graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty to ensure a high level of awareness of ethical issues in research and knowledge of how to conduct high-quality research in a way that is mindful of ethical principles.

This journal club provides a platform for discussion surrounding recent advances in pharmacology, neuropharmacology, developmental neurobiology, neuroendocrinology, and related areas.

Seminar presentations by graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty and other scientists from outside of the department.

Research for pharmacology graduate students conducted in the laboratories of department faculty.

*Note - If you are only taking the courses listed here, register for 8 s.h. of Graduate Research in Pharmacology (PCOL: 6090). However, if you are taking additional courses, register for enough credit hours to bring your total up to 15 s.h.

Graduate Student Laboratory Performance Rubric

An advanced course for graduate students that covers the basic principles of pharmacology, mechanisms of drug action, and how these provide the basis for therapeutic applications of drugs.  This course also includes a “mock comps” component where students practice writing and orally defending of a research proposal.

This course, along with BMED: 7270 (RCR 1), is a two-semester series taken by graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty to ensure a high level of awareness of ethical issues in research and knowledge of how to conduct high-quality research in a way that is mindful of ethical principles.

This journal club provides a platform for discussion surrounding recent advances in pharmacology, neuropharmacology, developmental neurobiology, neuroendocrinology, and related areas.

Seminar presentations by graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty and other scientists from outside of the department.

Research for pharmacology graduate students conducted in the laboratories of department faculty.

*Note - If you are only taking the courses listed here, register for 13 s.h. of Graduate Research in Pharmacology (PCOL: 6090). However, if you are taking additional courses, register for enough credit hours to bring your total up to 15 s.h.

Graduate Student Laboratory Performance Rubric

This journal club provides a platform for discussion surrounding recent advances in pharmacology, neuropharmacology, developmental neurobiology, neuroendocrinology, and related areas.

Seminar presentations by graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty and other scientists from outside of the department.