Courses

Marquette University Graduate Bulletin

Core Courses

BIOL 211 Structure and Function of Proteins. Advanced protein biochemistry stressing methodology and primary literature. Topics include: properties of amino acids, peptide and proteins; protein folding and assembly; protein-protein interactions; allostery and regulation; enzyme kinetics and energetics; protein-ligand interactions; and post-translational modification of proteins. Offered alternate fall terms.

BIOL 212 Biochemistry and Function of Nucleic Acids. The biochemistry of RNA and DNA with emphasis on biological function and evolution. Specific topics include: nucleic acid structure, biophysical properties, biosynthesis and molecular function. Offered alternate fall terms.

BIOL 213 Signaling, Structure and Motility of Eukaryotic Cells. Discusses the dynamics, role and regulation of cytoskeleton and molecular motors, as well as the principles and mechanisms of signal transduction in eukaryotic cells. Offered alternate spring terms.

BIOL 214 Protein Trafficking and Cellular Homeostasis. An in-depth analysis of protein trafficking, organelle identity and cellular homeostasis. Discusses in detail mechanisms of protein translocation across biological membranes. Discusses analysis of membrane sorting and the function of plasma membrane transporter and channel proteins. Also covers in detail the proteins and pathways involved in the maintenance of cell volume, pH and ionic balance. Offered alternate spring terms.

Elective Courses

BIOL 201 Radioisotope Safety. Ionizing radiation: proper safety procedures in the independent use of radioisotopes and current regulatory guidelines and licensing procedures. Offered annually in summer term.

BIOL 227 Genomic Analysis and Bioinformatics. The organization and evolution of selected bacterial and eukaryotic genomes. Genomic structure as viewed from the perspective of evolutionary rearrangements and gene expression. Analysis of current experimental methods for determining and modifying gene function and of computational approaches to the identification of unique patterns in respective protein and nucleic acid databases. Offered alternate spring terms.

BIOL 232 Bacterial Physiology. Diversity, mechanisms, regulation, and evolution of prokaryotic biological activities. Points of emphasis: 1) the use of bacterial genetics and molecular biology to study physiology; and 2) bacterial activities that are important to the rest of biology, including symbiosis. Offered alternate fall terms.

BIOL 235 Microbiology in the Environment. The effect of the environment on microbial growth and the role of microorganisms in the environment. Examines diversity, activity and abundance of microbes and involves examples from literature. Offered alternate spring terms.

BIOL 244 Developmental Genetics and Epigenetics. Analysis of genetic and epigenetic influences on development, looking at specific examples from yeast, plant and animal model organisms. Topics include: genetics of flower development, yeast mating type switching, DNA methylation, genomic imprinting, chromatin remodeling, parmutation and prions. Offered alternate fall terms.

BIOL 255 Eukaryotic Genetics and Chromosome Structure. Genetics of eukaryotic model organisms. Focus on genetic approaches to the analysis of contemporary biological problems related to eukaryotic chromosome structure and function. Offered alternate fall terms.

BIOL 263 Cell and Molecular Biology of Early Development. Study of the molecular mechanisms underlying developmental pathways and processes in a variety of model organisms including, fruit flies, nematodes, mice and Arabidopsis. Genetic, biochemical and molecular techniques used in studying these complex systems are emphasized.

BIOL 274 Advanced Physiology Seminar. In depth analysis and discussion of the scientific literature in the field of physiology. Offered as needed fall terms.

BIOL 275 Advanced Physiology. An advanced mammalian physiology course including an analysis of muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, neural, endocrine and renal functions. Emphasis is placed on cellular mechanisms and the control and interaction of organ systems. Offered as needed fall terms.

BIOL 277 Advanced Exercise Physiology. Study of the effects of acute and chronic exercise on selected organ systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory and environmental physiology. Offered alternate spring terms.

BIOL 281 Systems Physiology. The first third of the course focuses on renal physiology. Covers the physiology of the mammalian kidney in detail, including the transport functions of the segments of the nephron, the identification of the molecular components underlying such transport, and the analysis of genetic diseases affecting renal function. Also covers the interactions between the renal and cardiovascular systems. This section ends with vertebrates and invertebrates. The last two thirds of the course focuses on muscle biology. Covers skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle relative to their regulation, structure and function. Emphasizes structural organization, composition, mechanics and kinetics. In addition, covers development, regulation and disease states. Emphasis is placed on critical reading of the primary scientific literature. Offered alternate spring terms.