Molecular Life Sciences Program
Concentration in Molecular and Structural Biology (Bachelor of Science in Molecular Life Sciences)
Students on Summer 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021 requirements MLSMSBCON
Requirements
The concentration requires at least 12 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Protein Laboratory. One (1) course:
- BIOT-T 425 Laboratory in Macromolecular Production, Purification, and Characterization
BIOT-T 425 Laboratory in Macromolecular Production, Purification, and Characterization
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 341; and BIOT-T 315, BIOL-L 313, BIOL-L 319, BIOL-L 323, BIOL-L 324, BIOL-M 315, BIOL-M 360, or BIOL-M 435
- Description
- Develops a working knowledge of a variety of fundamental and advanced protein techniques used in industry, focusing on expression, purification, and characterization. Increases competence in quantitative analysis, data interpretation, problem-solving, scientific writing, and time management.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of BIOL-T 425 or BIOT-T 425.
- Bioinformatics. One (1) course:
- MLS-M 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics
- BIOL-L 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Genomics
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.
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.
- Protein Metabolism. One (1) course:
- MLS-M 410 Protein Metabolism
MLS-M 410 Protein Metabolism
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Description
- Focuses on the mechanisms and enzymes that synthesize, fold, traffic and degrade proteins. Provides a molecular and structural view of key processes such as translation, folding, membrane insertion, vesicular trafficking, post-translational modification and protein degradation. Emphasizes broader principles such as NTP switches as regulators and macromolecular interaction events; explains how cellular architecture underpins function. Describes structural and mechanistic features of protein metabolism in a cellular context.
- Electives. One (1) course:
- MLS-M 440 Membranes and Signal Transduction
- MLS-M 450 Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer
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.
- Concentration GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Concentration GPA. 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.
- Concentration Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the concentration.
- Concentration Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the concentration must be completed at the 300–499 level.
Concentration Area Courses
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Courses that may apply toward the Credit Hours and GPA requirements in this academic program include all courses listed on the requirement course lists at the time the course was taken as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent.
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Concentration in Developmental and Cellular Biology (Bachelor of Science in Molecular Life Sciences) (MLSDCBCON)
Exceptions to and substitutions for concentration requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.