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Course Descriptions

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

M. Bryk, R.S. Chapkin, J. Cruz-Reyes, S. Datta, P. F. Fitzpatrick, E. A. Funkhouser, D. P. Giedroc, L. A. Guarino, J. M. Gunn, E. D. Harris, A. K. H. Holzenburg, M. A. O. Höök, J. C. Hu*, A. E. Johnson, C. C. Kao, G. M. Kapler, M. P. Kladde, G. R. Kunkel, P. A. Lindahl, A. C. LiWang, P. J. LiWang, M. D. Manson, W. L. McKeehan, J. E. Mullet, C. N. Pace, V. M. Panin, W. D. Park, D. O. Peterson, D. W. Pettigrew, M. Polymenis, F. M.Raushel, G. D. Reinhart (Head), J. C. Sacchettini, S.H. Safe, J. M. Scholtz, A. I. Scott, D. E. Shippen, M. D. Summers, S. Sze, J. W. Tsai, R.D. Wells, J. R. Wild, R. F. Young

* Graduate Advisor

The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics offers programs of study and research leading to the MS and PhD degrees in biochemistry and to the MS degree in biophysics. These programs are designed to provide the background for a career in independent research; in addition, graduate students gain experience in teaching, inasmuch as each is required to serve as a teaching assistant during his or her graduate work. A non-thesis option for the MS degree is available to students not intending to enter a research career.

Ongoing research activities involve plants, animals and microorganisms and span the broad fields of molecular biology, protein and nucleic acid structure, virology, enzymology, biophysical chemistry and biochemical nutrition. The department occupies a modern research building that is well equipped to conduct biochemical research. Students entering graduate work in biochemistry or biophysics are required to have adequate preparation in chemistry, mathematics, physics and molecular biology. The program leading to the PhD degree is designed for extensive involvement in research. The resulting dissertation must demonstrate a superior knowledge and understanding of the subject area. In addition, the student must demonstrate a broad and commanding knowledge of general biochemistry. There is no language requirement. There is, however, an English requirement for all students, including those seeking the MS degree. The department encourages interdisciplinary research projects with other departments. Detailed information about the graduate program may be obtained from the Biochemistry Graduate Programs Office, which can be reached by mail, by email at biobiograd@tamu.edu or by telephone at 1-800-4-TAMBIO. Information can also be obtained from the website at biochemistry.tamu.edu.

Biochemistry
(BICH)

601. Fundamentals of Biochemistry I. (3-0). Credit 3.

Basic biochemical concepts pertaining to the structure of the major biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids); the relationship of structure to function of these molecules; structure and action of enzymes; principles of bioenergetics. Prerequisite: One year of organic chemistry.

602. Fundamentals of Biochemistry II. (3-0). Credit 3.

Major metabolic pathways for carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids, emphasizing oxidative processes and the biosynthesis of RNA, DNA and protein; regulation of cellular metabolism. Prerequisite: BICH 601.

603. General Biochemistry I. (3-0). Credit 3.

The biochemical properties of macromolecules found in living matter; proteins, enzymes and nucleic acids. Prerequisites: BICH 410 or 601; CHEM 228 and 323.

605. Methods of Biochemical Analysis. (3-0). Credit 3.

Experimental techniques important in biochemistry including methodologies for data analysis. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in biochemistry or approval of instructor.

608. Critical Analysis of the Biochemical Literature. (2-0). Credit 2.

Reading and presentation of original articles in biochemistry and related fields to enhance understanding of experimental logic and scientific communication. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in biochemistry or approval of instructor.

609. Preparation of a Biochemical Research Proposal. (2-0). Credit 2.

Development and presentation of hypotheses, specific aims, significance and experimental approaches for a biochemical research proposal. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in biochemistry.

624. Enzymes, Proteins and Nucleic Acids. (3-0). Credit 3.

Chemical and physical properties of enzymes, proteins and nucleic acids; thermodynamics, kinetics and mechanisms of enzyme-catalyzed reactions and protein-nucleic acid interactions. Prerequisites: BICH 603; CHEM 324.

625. Nucleic Acid--Protein Interactions. (1-0). Credit 1.

Mechanisms of nucleic acid-protein interactions involved in fundamental biochemical processes such as DNA replication and rearrangement, transposition, transcription, RNA splicing and translation; original research articles presented focusing on experimental approaches, interpretation of results and overall significance. Course may be taken 8 times for credit. Prerequisites: BICH 431 or GENE 431 or equivalent; approval of instructor. Cross-listed with MBCH 625.

628. Computational Biology. (3-0). Credit 3.

Introduction to computational biology; formulations of biology problems as computational problems; computational approaches to solve problems in genomics and proteomics. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CPSC 628.

631. Biochemical Genetics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Genetic control of cellular metabolism; mechanism of gene action; gene-enzyme relationships; regulation of gene expression; structure and organization of genomes; biochemical manipulation and characterization of genetic molecules. Prerequisites: BICH 431 or GENE 431; BICH 603. Cross-listed with GENE 631.

650. Genomics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Modern genomics as a tool for understanding biological systems, gene structure, and organization as well as the history of sequencing technologies; focus on transcriptional, translational and functional genomics. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with BIOL 650.

654. Structural Biochemistry. (3-0). Credit 3.

Basic physics of X-ray diffraction, crystal structure methods, introduction to structural data bases, molecular geometry and molecular modeling. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

662. Eukaryotic Transcription. (1-0). Credit 1.

Intensive short course in molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic transcription, and its regulation. Prerequisite: BICH 631 or GENE 631 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with GENE 662.

671. Macromolecular Folding and Design. (1-0). Credit 1.

Oral presentations and discussions in the general area of biomolecular structure, folding, function and design. May be taken 12 times. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CHEM 671 and MBCH 671.

672. Biological Membranes. (1-0). Credit 1.

Seminar-based course examining recent discoveries in the structure, function and assembly of biological membranes; oral presentation by students on current literature in molecular biology and biochemistry. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross-listed with MBCH 672.

673. Gene Expression. (1-0). Credit 1.

Oral presentations and discussions related to the biochemistry and molecular biology of gene expression in animal, plant and microbial systems. May be repeated for credit up to 12 times. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in biochemistry or genetics or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with GENE 673.

674. Protein Folding and Stability. (1-0). Credit 1.

Selected topics from recent literature in the general areas of protein folding, structure, and stability. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross-listed with MBCH 674.

681. Seminar. Credit 1 each semester.

Original articles in biochemistry and related fields designed to broaden understanding of problems in the field and to stimulate research.

685. Directed Studies. Credit 1 or more each semester.

Biochemical laboratory procedures; preparations and instrumentation; problems assigned according to experience, interests and needs of individual student. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

689. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of biochemistry. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

690. Theory of Biochemical Research. (2-0). Credit 2.

State-of-the-art examination of modern trends in various subfields of modern biochemistry concentrating on the design of experiments, evaluation of research results and discussion of the current literature. May be repeated for credit.

691. Research. Credit 1 or more each semester.

Research for thesis or dissertation. Laboratory facilities available for original investigations in various phases of biochemistry. Prerequisite: Approval of major advisor.

697. Methods in Teaching Biochemistry Laboratory. (1-0). Credit 1.

Theory and practical aspects of teaching Biochemistry labs, with emphasis on content, grading, instructional methods and practical aspects of biochemistry labs. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in biochemistry.