Graduate Program > Required Course Work

Students take a group of core courses in the first semester designed to provide a solid foundation in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and gene regulation. An individualized coursework program is then developed to meet the specific interests of the student and course requirements of relevant training programs. This typically includes additional classes, topical journal clubs, seminar series, and research-in-progress meetings.


1st Semester
Semester
Courses
Lab Seminar
Colloquium
 Other
1st semester
  BIMS Core Courses (3)
↓
1st lab rotation in the summer
  Attend  Colloquium Lunch with faculty
1st semester Core Courses Detailed
  • Biochemistry: Macromolecular Structure and Function (BIMS 5030)
  • Cell Structure and Function (BIMS 5012)
  • Gene Structure, Expression, and Regulation (BIMS 8010)
  • 1st year schedule
2nd → 4th Semester
Semester
  Courses
  Lab
  Seminar  Colloquium
  Other
2nd semester 4 Advanced Electives
(≥2Advanced Core Electives)
↓
2nd and 3rd Lab rotation  Attend colloquium Research Ethics
3rd semester Research  Attend colloquium  
4th semester  Research  Attend    
2nd → 4th semester Electives Detailed

Spring semester (2nd and 4th semesters)

  • Fundamental Immunology (BIMS 8200)
  • General and Molecular Genetics (BIMS 8011)
  • Molecular Basis of Carcinogenesis (MICR 8040)
Fall semester (3rd semester)
  • Virology (MICR 809)
  • Microbial Pathogenesis (MICR 8020)

 Advanced Electives (≤2)

Spring semester (2nd and 4th semesters)
  • Graduate Physiology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Chromatin Structure and Function (BIMS 8012; offered every other year)
  • Issues in Biodefense: Science and Policy (BIMS 8340)
  • Practical Statistics in Biomedical Research (BIMS 844)
  • Computational Analysis of DNA and Protein Sequences (BIOC 5080)
Fall semester (3rd semester)
  • Cell Imaging (BIMS 8090)
  • Advanced Topics in Cancer (BIMS 8041)
  • Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology (PATH 8280; every other year)
  • Current Topics in Immunology (MICR 8203; every other year)
  • Practical Statistics in Biomedical Research (BIMS 868)
  • Structure and Function of Membrane Proteins (PHY 8130)
Courses not on the "approved" list can still qualify as Advanced Electives for semesters 3 and 4 if they meet the following criteria:
  • ≥ 2 credit hours
  • Disciplines related to thesis interests
  • Attendance monitored
  • Formal evaluation of students
  • (A/B/NC or Pass/Fail)
  • Course evaluations
  • Approval by Graduate Advisory Committee AND Mentor
 5+