BMOL PhD Handbook Course Descriptions

Main BMOL Course Descriptions

BMOL 511 (BIOL 511) ADVANCED CELL BIOLOGY (3-0-3) (S). Contemporary and frontier topics in the biology of microbial, plant, and animal cells covering signal transduction, protein trafficking, membrane structure and transport, cell to cell communication, cellular compartmentalization, and cell biotechnology applications. May be Taken for BIOL or BMOL credit, but not both. PREREQ: BIOL 320 or PERM/INST.

BMOL 516 RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH (1-0-1)(F). Basic concepts, principles and practices governing research compliance and Responsible Conduct for Research (RCR) in the biomolecular and biomedical areas. The course will utilize on-line Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training modules and group discussions of case studies or lectures presented by professionals in the field. PREREQ: Graduate standing.

BMOL 555 APPLIED CALCULUS FOR BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES (1-0-1)(S). Review and practice of calculus methods and techniques relevant to qualitative and quantitative descriptions of complex phenomena in the biomolecular sciences. PREREQ: MATH 170; and PHYS 112 or PHYS 112.

BMOL 598 GRADUATE SEMINAR (1-0-1)(S). Seminars by scientists on a wide range of subjects in the areas of biomolecular sciences. PREREQ: Admission to program or PERM/INST. The course is graded Pass/Fail.

BMOL 601 BIOMOLECULES I (4-0-4)(F). An in-depth study of the metabolism of both DNA and RNA at the molecular/mechanistic level.  This course will cover the mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription, translation, transposition and repair, as well as those for RNA interference, catalysis, silencing and splicing.  Molecular genetics and bioinformatics approaches for studying DNA/RNA and their interactions with proteins will be discussed.    PREREQ: BIOL 320, CHEM 431 or CHEM 350 and PHYS 307, MATH 170, PHYS 112.

BMOL 602 BIOMOLECULES II (4-0-4)(S). An in-depth study of proteins focusing on amino acid chemistry, protein structure, protein folding, protein function, membrane biochemistry as well as small molecules, lipids and carbohydrates.  This course will discuss modern methods of protein characterization and the use of bioinformatics in understanding the chemistry/function of proteins.  Recent developments in proteomics and high-throughput approaches to identifying and assessing protein function will be presented.  PREREQ: BMOL 601 or BMOL 603.

BMOL 603 BIOPHYSICAL INSTRUMENTATION AND TECHNIQUES (3-3-4) (F/S). Applications and principles of key physical methods and instruments used for the characterization of the structural, functional, and dynamical properties of biological molecules and their interactions.  Methods include single-molecule detection and manipulation; mass spectroscopy; X-ray, electron, and neutron diffraction; spectroscopy (optical, IR, UV, Raman); magnetic resonance (NMR, EPR, MRI); plasmon resonance; birefringence; electrophoresis; and hydrodynamic techniques. PREREQ: BMOL 601 or BMOL 602.

BMOL 605 CURRENT SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE (1-0-1)(F). Written and oral presentation of current topics from the published literature in areas of Biomolecular Sciences aimed at integrating material from the various related disciplines. Course will be multidisciplinary involving in depth discussion and critical analysis of current literature by the students. May be repeated for credit. PREREQ: Admitted to the program.

BMOL 606 PROPOSAL WRITING (0-2-2)(F/S). Written and oral presentation of a research proposal in an area of biomolecular sciences related to the student’s proposed dissertation research project.  PREREQ: Admitted to the program and BMOL 601.

BMOL 607 GRADUATE RESEARCH PRESENTATION (1-0-1)(S). Oral presentation on research activity by third year students in the Biomolecular Sciences program.  PREREQ: BMOL 601, BMOL 602, BMOL 603.

BMOL 613 MOLECULAR GENETICS (3-0-3) (F/S). An advanced study of genetics in microbial, animal and plant systems, focused on the biochemical and molecular aspects of genetic structure and function.  Information obtained from recent genomic analysis and comparisons will be included as well as discussion of contemporary molecular biology techniques and applications and an introduction to genomics. PREREQ: BIOL 310 or equivalent.

BMOL 615 Research in the Biomolecular Sciences (0-3-1) (F). Research conducted by a graduate student under the supervision of faculty in the Biomolecular Sciences area. Students rotate through different research laboratories during the course of a semester to learn new research techniques, review relevant scientific literature, experience different mentoring styles and laboratory environments, and contribute to a research team’s generation of hypotheses and/or data interpretation.  PREREQ: PERM/INST.

BMOL 687 DOCTORAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION (1-0-1). An early assessment of a student’s potential to complete a doctoral program satisfactorily. Considerable autonomy is granted to the academic unit in the design, administration, and evaluation of the preliminary examination. Pass/fail only.

Written assessments of foundational knowledge gained from the core curriculum, experimental design skills, and ability to interpret and communicate scientific data. Students enroll in this course during the summer semester after completion of their second academic year of study.  Examinations will be evaluated by an assembled panel of Biomolecular Sciences program faculty. PREREQ: PERM/INST.  The course is graded Pass/Fail, is offered during the summer and is one credit.

BMOL 691 DOCTORAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION (1-0-1). Taken when the doctoral student is in Regular Status and has completed a significant number of course credits applicable to the degree requirements. Considerable autonomy is granted to the academic unit in the design, administration, and evaluation of the comprehensive examination.Pass/fail only.

Students enrolled in this course prepare a research proposal and submit it to an examining committee.  An oral defense of the proposal is scheduled during the semester to assess familiarity with the grant topic as well as material covered in core curriculum and prerequisite courses.  Successful completion of this course is required for the student to advance to candidacy. PREREQ: PERM/INST.  The course is graded Pass/Fail, is offered in the fall, and is one credit.

PHYS 504 MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOPHYSICS (4-0-4)(F/S). An advanced introduction to biophysical methods and concepts, focused on developing an in-depth understanding of the functionality of biological systems at the molecular and cellular level.  Topics include the biophysical properties of water and solutions, the characterization of biomolecular interactions, the biological relevance of the physical properties of biomolecules, the role of physical interactions in driving the self-assembly and conformational changes of biomolecules, membrane transport, molecular and cellular motility, and biophysical aspects of cell function. PREREQ: MATH 170; PHYS 112 or PHYS 212; PHYS 307, or BIOL 320 and either CHEM 350 or CHEM 431.

All official course descriptions/degree requirements/admission standards/program learning outcomes/etc. are published on the Graduate Catalog site https://www.boisestate.edu/graduatecollege/.