Concentration in Developmental and Cellular Biology (Bachelor of Science in Molecular Life Sciences)

Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements MLSDCBCON

View Degree MapA semester-by-semester path to completing degree and major requirements

Requirements

The concentration requires at least 14 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.

Genetics. One (1) course:
- BIOL-L 311 Genetics
BIOL-L 311 Genetics

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Analysis of the mechanisms of inheritance, including developmental processes that lead to the construction of whole organisms and to the transmission to their offspring of specific genetic traits. Includes the principles of genetics and the analysis of mutations affecting development.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of BIOL-L 311 or BIOL-S 311.
Developmental Biology. One (1) course:
- BIOL-L 417
Laboratory. One (1) course:
- BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory
- BIOL-L 319 Genetics Laboratory
- BIOL-X 325 ASURE Biology Research Lab 2 (Approved topics: "IMMUNE RESPONSE AND BEHAVIOR" (TPC 4))
- BIOL-Z 318 Developmental Biology Laboratory
- PSY-P 473 Laboratory in Molecular Neuroscience
BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 113; and one of BIOL-L 211, BIOL-S 211, or CHEM-C 342
Notes
R: BIOL-L 312, CHEM-C 484
Description
Theory and techniques of experimental cell physiology. Enzyme purification using spectrophotometry, ion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography, gel electrophoresis. Respiration and photosynthesis analyzed by cell fractionation, oxygen electrode, and radioactive tracer techniques.

BIOL-L 319 Genetics Laboratory

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Notes
P or C: BIOL-L 311
Description
Experiments with plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses demonstrating fundamental genetic mechanisms.

BIOL-X 325 ASURE Biology Research Lab 2

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-X 150
Description
Second in a two-lab sequence for students in the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience (ASURE) program. Students continue guided research in an area related to the ongoing research of a faculty member. The specific topic of the class will vary by section and be determined by the faculty member associated with the section.

BIOL-Z 318 Developmental Biology Laboratory

Credits
2
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 311 or BIOL-S 311
Notes
P or C: BIOL-L 317
Description
A laboratory about developing organisms, with emphasis on vertebrate embryology and organogenesis.

PSY-P 473 Laboratory in Molecular Neuroscience

Credits
3–4 credit hours
Prerequisites
PSY-P 326 or PSY-P 346
Notes
R: BIOL-L 211
Description
Laboratory course designed to provide the advanced undergraduate with training in molecular techniques useful for studying the nervous system. Techniques will include PCR, subcloning, bacterial transformation, mammalian cell transfection, working with fluorescent proteins, RNA interference, Western blotting and sectioning/staining brain tissues.
Electives. Two (2) courses:
- MLS-M 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics
- MLS-M 440 Membranes and Signal Transduction
- MLS-M 450 Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer
- BIOL-L 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Genomics
- BIOL-L 485 Genetics, Models of Human Disease, and Critical Analysis of Biological Research
- BIOL-L 486 Advanced Cell Biology
- BIOL-L 487 Molecular Mechanism of Development and Disease
- PSY-P 410 Development of the Brain and Behavior
- PSY-P 457 Topics in Psychology (Approved topics: "DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF BRAIN CIRCUITS" (TPC 134))
- PSY-P 466 Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
- PSY-P 470 Molecular Methods in Neuroscience Research
MLS-M 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211; or consent of instructor
Description
Bioinformatics covers a wide spectrum of data management, processing and analysis associated with high throughput biological data. Course considers the generation and analysis of biomolecular sequence data describing DNA and proteins that underpin modern biology, including fields such as genetics, evolution and structural biology.
Repeatability
Credit given for one of BIOL-L 388 or MLS-M 388.

MLS-M 440 Membranes and Signal Transduction

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Provides a detailed introduction to membrane physiology from a structural and mechanistic perspective. Considers membranes and membrane-embedded proteins that serve as barriers and gatekeepers to regulate material flow in and out of cells and organelles, act as a capacitor to support chemical energy synthesis, and support signal transduction to respond to environmental cues.

MLS-M 450 Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Focuses on the molecular basis of genome instability, including factors that lead to tumorigenesis and tumor suppression. Studies the action mechanisms and disease relevance of key enzymes, along with available and emerging treatments for cancer.

BIOL-L 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Genomics

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Computer science and informatics applications to biology have yielded "bioinformatics," a field of study that covers a wide spectrum of data management and processing associated with large-scale, high-throughput biological data generation. This course surveys topics in the generation and analysis of biomolecular sequence data (DNA and protein) that underpin much of modern biology: genetics, ecology, evolution, population and structural biology.

BIOL-L 485 Genetics, Models of Human Disease, and Critical Analysis of Biological Research

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 311 or BIOL-S 311
Description
Explores the development of genetic manipulations and techniques (e.g. epistasis to CRISPR/Cas9) to address fundamental questions of life. Students will critically read and discuss primary literature.

BIOL-L 486 Advanced Cell Biology

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 312
Description
Critical analysis of recent advances in the understanding of molecular organization and function of cellular structures, with emphasis on eukaryotic cells. Topics include membrane organization, cytoskeleton assembly and functions, signal transduction, cell-cycle regulation, protein sorting, and vesicle trafficking.

BIOL-L 487 Molecular Mechanism of Development and Disease

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 417
Description
Evaluation of classical and current molecular and genetic approaches to studying the development of eukaryotic organisms. Reading and discussion of molecular genetic studies of model systems that illuminate the processes underlying human development and, when disrupted, human disease.

PSY-P 410 Development of the Brain and Behavior

Credits
3
Prerequisites
PSY-P 326 or PSY-P 346
Description
Examination of the interaction of the developing brain with the behavior it mediates. Cellular systems and organismal levels of analysis will all be considered in the organization of structure function relationships in the neural basis of behavior.

PSY-P 457 Topics in Psychology

Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Notes
Prerequisites vary according to the topics offered and are specified in the Schedule of Classes each term
Description
Studies in special topics not ordinarily covered in other departmental courses. Topics vary with instructor and semester.
Repeatability
May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 12 credit hours.
PSY-P 466 Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
Credits
3
Prerequisites
PSY-P 326 or PSY-P 346
Description
Introduction to the cellular and molecular processes that give the nervous system its unique character. Covers the cell biology of neurons and glia and mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. Examines the genetic and molecular approaches to the biological basis for higher brain functions such as learning and memory.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
PSY-P 470 Molecular Methods in Neuroscience Research

Credits
3
Prerequisites
PSY-P 326 or PSY-P 346
Description
In-depth discussion of primary research papers used to introduce neuroscience-oriented students to classical and contemporary techniques used in cellular and molecular research.
Concentration GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
1. At least 9 credit hours in the concentration must be completed at the 300–499 level.
2. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the concentration.
3. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the concentration—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
4. Exceptions to concentration requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.