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Courses in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB)

Lower Division Courses

10. Introduction to Human Heredity (4)

Lecture—3 hours; discussion—1 hour. Topics in human heredity and human gene structure and function, including the genetic basis of human development, causes of birth defects, mental retardation, genetic diseases, sexual determination, development, and behavior. GE credit: SciEng.—III. (III.) Sanders

99. Special Study (1-5)

Independent study—3-15 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading only.)

Upper Division Courses

120L. Biochemistry Laboratory (6)

Laboratory—10 hours; lecture—2 hours; laboratory/discussion—1 hour. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 103 (may be taken concurrently). Introduction to laboratory methods and procedures employed in studying biochemical processes. Designed for students who need experience in the use of biochemical techniques as laboratory tools.—I, II, III. (I, II, III.) Fairclough, Hilt, Lagarias, Lindsay, Liu, L. Morand, Rubin

121. Molecular Biology of Eukaryotic Cells (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 101 and 103. Structure, expression, and regulation of eukaryotic genes. Chromosome structure and replication; gene structure, transcription, and RNA processing; protein synthesis and translation control; development, immune system, and oncogenes. Not open for credit to students who have completed Molecular and Cellular Biology 161.—II, III. (II, III.) Burgess, Dahmus, Gasser, Harmer

123. Behavior and Analysis of Enzyme and Receptor Systems (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 103. Introduction to the principles of enzyme kinetics and receptor-ligand interactions with emphasis on metabolic regulation and data analysis. Topics include simultaneous equilibria, chemical and steady-state kinetics, allosteric enzymes, mulitreactant systems, enzyme assays, membrane transport and computer-assisted simulations and analyses.—I, III. (I, III.) I. Segel, Wilson

124. Macromolecular Structure and Function (4)

Lecture—4 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 103, Chemistry 107B, 118C. An in-depth investigation into protein and nucleic acid structure and thermodynamics and how these properties influence their biological functions. Key examples of important functional classes of these molecules will be examined. Not open for credit to students who have completed course 122 or Chemistry 108.—I, III. (I, III.) Baldwin, Stahlberg

126. Plant Biochemistry (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 103 or 105. The biochemistry of important plant processes and metabolic pathways. Discussion of methods used to understand plant processes, including use of transgenic plants. (Same course as Plant Biology 126.)—II. (II.) Abel, Callis

138. Undergraduate Seminar in Biochemistry (1)

Seminar—1 hour. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 103. Discussion of the historical developments of modern biochemistry or current major research problems. May be repeated twice for credit when topic differs. (P/NP grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

140L. Cell Biology Laboratory (5)

Lecture—2 hours; laboratory—6 hours; discussion—1 hour. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 104 (may be taken concurrently). Exercises illustrating the principles of cell biology with emphasis on light microscopy.—II. (II.) Kaplan, Nunnari

142. Advanced Cell Biology: Contractile and Motile Systems (4)

Lecture—3 hours; term paper. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 102, 104 (may be taken concurrently); Mathematics 16B. Advanced cell biology with emphasis on molecular, biophysical and cellular properties of contractile and motile systems.

143. Cell Biophysics (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 101, 102, 103, 104. Physical principles underlying observations and mechanisms of cell motility. Organization of biomolecules into higher order subcellular structures that function as macromolecular machines. Examples include cytoskeletal filaments, polymer-motor systems, neurites, axonemes and mitotic spindles.—I. (I.) Scholey

144. Mechanisms of Cell Division (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 101, 102, 104. The molecules and mechanisms that allow eukaryotic cells to coordinate cell growth, DNA replication, segregation of chromosomes and cell division.—II. (II.) McNally

145. Assembly and Function of Cell Signaling Machinery (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 101, 102, 104. Molecular basis of cell signaling, including positioning of cellular machinery, components of various signaling pathways, and downstream effects of signaling on cell adhesion, cell differentiation, and programmed cell death.—III. (III.) Erickson

148. Undergraduate Seminar in Cell Biology (2)

Seminar—2 hours. Prerequisite: upper division standing in the biological sciences or a related discipline. Student reports on current topics in cell biology with emphasis on integration of concepts, synthesis, and state-of-the-art research approaches. Reviews of literature and reports of undergraduate research may be included. May be repeated for credit. (P/NP grading only.)

150. Developmental Biology (4)

Lecture—4 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 101 and concurrent enrollment in course 150L. Analysis of the mechanistic basis for animal development with a focus on experimental evidence and the relevant fundamental experimental strategies. Fertilization and early development, morphogenesis and patterning, cell differentiation, regulation of cell proliferation and tissue growth.—I. (I.) Armstrong, Edwards

150L. Laboratory in Developmental Biology (1)

Laboratory—3 hours. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in course 150. Experiments using live embryos and histological slide preparations of developing embryos will be used to investigate and illustrate the basic mechanisms of animal development. (P/NP grading only.)—I. (I.) Edwards

158. Undergraduate Seminar in Developmental Biology (2)

Seminar—2 hours. Prerequisite: upper division standing in the biological sciences or a related discipline. Student reports on current topics in cell biology with emphasis on integration of concepts, synthesis, and state-of-the-art research approaches. Reviews of literature and reports of undergraduate research may be included. May be repeated for credit. (P/NP grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

160L. Principles of Genetics Laboratory (4)

Laboratory—6 hours; lecture—2 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 101. Laboratory work in basic and molecular genetics including gene mapping and isolation of mutants. Not open for credit to students who have completed Genetics 100L.—I, II, III. (I, II, III.) Britt, Kiger, Kimbrell, Natzle, Rose, Sanders, Sundaresan

161. Molecular Genetics (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 101, Biological Sciences 102 may be taken concurrently. Molecular mechanisms for propagation and expression of the genome in eukaryotic and prokaryotic model organisms. How genetic and molecular tools, both classical and modern, are applied to the study of gene structure, function, and regulation. Not open for credit to students who have completed course 121.—II. (II.) Burgess, Gasser, Powers

162. Human Genetics (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: course 161 (preferred) or 121, 164. Human molecular genetic variation, molecular basis of metabolic disorders, chromosome aberrations and consequences, analysis of the human genome, and computational techniques of genetic analysis.—I. (I.) Chedin, Sanders

163. Developmental Genetics (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: course 161 (preferred) or 121, course 164. Current aspects of development genetics. Historical background and current genetic approaches to the study of development of higher animals.—II. (II.) Natzle, L. Rose

164. Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: course 161 or 121. The five basic operations of genetic analysis: mutation, segregation, recombination, complementation, and regulation. Emphasis on the theory and practice of isolating and analyzing mutations, as well as understanding mechanisms underlying both Medelian and epigenetic inheritance.—III. (III.) Burgess

178. Undergraduate Seminar in Molecular Genetics (1)

Seminar—1 hour. Prerequisite: upper division standing, completion of Biological Sciences 101, course 160L, and completion or concurrent enrollment in course 161. Discussion of current topics in molecular genetics to show advanced applications of basic principles and to highlight professional career opportunities. May be repeated for credit. (P/NP grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

182. Principles of Genomics (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 101, course 121 or 161. Fundamentals of genomics, including structural genomics, functional genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics, focusing on the impact of these disciplines on research in the biological sciences. Social impacts of genomic research.—III. (III.) Korf

190C. Undergraduate Research Conference (1)

Discussion—1 hour. Prerequisite: upper division standing and consent of instructor; concurrent enrollment in course 193 or 199. Presentation and discussion of current research by faculty and students. May be repeated for credit. (P/NP grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

191. Introduction to Research (1)

Seminar—1 hour. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 102 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of instructor. Various topics in molecular and cellular biology including biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology will be discussed, along with ways undergraduates can participate in research projects of faculty members. May be repeated for credit. (P/NP grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

192. Internship (1-12)

Internship—3-36 hours. Prerequisite: completion of 84 units and consent of instructor. Technical and/or practical experience on and off campus, supervised by a member of the Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology faculty. (P/NP grading only.)

193. Advanced Research (3)

Laboratory—6 hours; discussion—1 hour. Prerequisite: upper division standing, completion of an upper division Molecular and Cellular Biology laboratory course and consent of instructor. Research project carried out under the supervision of a faculty sponsor. Discussion and analysis of results and proposed experiments on a weekly basis with faculty sponsor. May include presentation of a seminar to a research group. May be repeated for credit. (P/NP grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

194H. Research Honors (3)

Independent study—9 hours. Prerequisite: 6 units of course 193 and/or 199 with faculty director; senior standing; GPA of at least 3.250; consent of Section. Honors project. Continuation of an intensive, individual laboratory research project in biochemistry, genetics, or cell biology culminating with the presentation of the work in a written thesis and in a seminar. (P/NP grading only.)

197T. Tutoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology (1-5)

Tutorial—2-6 hours. Prerequisite: upper division standing, completion of course to be tutored, and consent of instructor. Assisting the instructor in one of the section’s regular courses by tutoring individual or small groups of students in a laboratory, in voluntary discussion groups, or other voluntary course activities. May be repeated for credit. (P/NP grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III,)

198. Directed Group Study (1-5)

Variable—1-5 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading only.)

199. Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates (1-5)

Independent study—3-15 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading only.)

Graduate Courses

200A. Current Techniques in Cell Biology (2)

Lecture—2 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Biological Sciences 104 and course 141 or the equivalent courses. Current techniques used in cell biology research including microscopy, spectroscopy, electrophysiology, immunochemistry, histology, organelle isolation, calorimetry, tissue culture and gel electrophoresis. Lectures are presented by experts on each technique, with an emphasis on pitfalls to avoid when using the technique. (Same course as Cell and Developmental Biology 200.) (S/U grading only.)—I. (I.) Beck

200B. Current Techniques in Biochemistry (2)

Lecture—2 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 103 and course 120L or the equivalent. Current techniques used in biochemical research including protein and carbohydrate analyses, immunochemistry, recombinant DNA methods, electrophoretic and chromatographic methods. (S/U grading only.)—II. (II.) Kaplan

200C. Current Techniques in Biophysics (2)

Lecture—2 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Biological Sciences 102 or 104 or the equivalent. Current techniques in biophysics research including diffraction, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, calorimetry, optical spectroscopy, and electrophysiology. (Same course as Biophysics Graduate Group 200.) (S/U grading only.)—II. (II.)

220L. Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory Rotations (5)

Laboratory—15 hours. Prerequisite: course 221A (may be taken concurrently) and 120L or the equivalent. Two five-week assignments in biochemistry research laboratories. Individual research problems with emphasis on methodological/procedural experience and experimental design. May be repeated twice for credit.—I, II, III. (I, II, III.) Chedin, Trimmer

221A. Physical Biochemistry (4)

Lecture—4 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 103, Chemistry 107B, 108, and 128C, 129C, or 118C or the equivalent or consent of instructor. Chemical and physical properties of biomacromolecules emphasizing the interrelationship of molecular interactions and thermodynamic properties as determinants of higher order structure. The use of NMR and crystallography in determining macromolecular structure.—I. (I.) Baldwin, Stahlberg, D. Wilson

221B. Mechanistic Enzymology (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: undergraduate level organic and biological chemistry, one course in physical chemistry recommended. Analysis of organic enzyme reaction mechanisms and the exploration of enzyme catalyzed reactions.—I. (I.) Baldwin, Fiehn, Toney

221C. Molecular Biology (4)

Lecture—4 hours. Prerequisite: course 221A or the equivalent. Pass 1 restricted to graduate students in biochemistry and molecular biology, microbiology, or genetics. Structure and organization of DNA and chromatin; DNA replication, repair and recombination; transcription and RNA processing; protein biosynthesis and turnover; transcriptional and post-transcriptional control mechanisms; examples from eukaryotic and eubacterial cells, and viruses. (Same course as Genetics 201C.)—III. (III.) Baldwin, H. Chen, Heyer, Korf, Stewart

221D. Cellular Biochemistry (4)

Lecture—3 hours; discussion—1 hour. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 102, course 221A or the equivalent or consent of instructor. Molecular structure and biophysical properties of cell membranes; organelle biogenesis and trafficking; signal transduction, metabolism and metabolic regulation; cytoplasmic organization, biophysics of the cytoskeleton and force-generating mechanisms, mechanism of intracellular transport and mitosis; cell reproduction and the cell cycle.—II. (II.) McNally, Nunnari, Powers, Scholey, Starr

241. Membrane Biology (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 102, 103, 104 or consent of instructor. Advanced topics on membrane biochemistry and biophysics. Relationship of the unique properties of biomembranes to their roles in cell biology and physiology. (Same course as Biophysics 241.)—III. (III.) Longo, Voss

248. Seminar in Cell Biology (2)

Seminar—2 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Discussion of recent literature on the physical and chemical aspects of organization and function of living systems, topics of current interest in ultrastructure and function of cells. Organizational and functional properties of the molecular and cellular levels of biological systems. May be repeated for credit.—I. Myles

251. Molecular Mechanisms in Early Development (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent of instructor; introductory background in developmental biology and/or cell biology recommended. Analysis of the early events of development including: germ cells and other stem cells, gametogenesis, meiosis, imprinting, fertilization, genetically-engineered organisms, egg activation and establishment of embryonic polarity with focus on cellular events including gene regulation and cell signaling. Offered in alternate years.—(I.) Myles

252. Cellular Basis of Morphogenesis (4)

Lecture/discussion—3 hours; term paper. Prerequisite: course 150. Development of form and structure; morphogenetic movement, mechanisms of cellular motility, cell adhesion, intercellular invasion, interaction of cells and tissues in development. Offered in alternate years.—(II.) Armstrong, Tucker

255. Molecular Mechanisms in Pattern Formation and Development (3)

Lecture—3 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent of instructor; introductory background in developmental biology and/or genetics recommended. Genetic and molecular analysis of mechanisms that control animal development after fertilization. Establishment of embryonic axes, cell fate and embryonic pattern; induction, apoptosis, tissue patterning. Critical reading of current literature in C.elegans, Drosophila, and mouse genetic model systems. Offered in alternate years.—III. Natzle, Rose

256. Cell and Molecular Biology of Cancer (2)

Lecture—1 hour; term paper. Prerequisite: course in cell or developmental biology (e.g., course 150, 141, 163, or Biological Sciences 104). Analysis at the cellular and molecular levels of the regulation of normal and neoplastic tissue growth; tumor dissemination; identification and characterization of oncogenic agents; characterization of oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes.—I. (I.) Armstrong

257. Cell Proliferation and Cancer Genes (3)

Lecture—1.5 hours; seminar—1.5 hours. Prerequisite: course 221C and 221D or the equivalent. Genetic and molecular alterations underlying the conversion of normal cells to cancers, emphasizing regulatory mechanisms and pathways. Critical reading of the current literature and development of experimental approaches.—I. (I.) Carraway, Radke

258. Seminar in Development (2)

Seminar—2 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Reports and discussion on embryology, morphogenesis, and developmental mechanisms. May be repeated for credit.—II. (II.) Armstrong, Erickson

259. Literature in Developmental Biology (1)

Seminar—1 hour. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Critical presentation and analysis of recent journal articles in developmental biology. May be repeated for credit. (S/U grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.) Armstrong, Erickson, Myles

263. Biotechnology Fundamentals and Application (2)

Lecture—2 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 101, 102, Microbiology 102, graduate student in good standing. To train graduate students interested in a biotechnology career track; to learn recombinant DNA, rate processes of biological systems, optimization of bioreactor performance, practical issues in biotechnology, and some case studies of the development of biotechnology products and processes. Offered in alternate years.—II. (II.) McDonald, Privalsky, Rodriguez, Vandergheynst

282. Biotechnology Internship (7-12)

Internship—21-36 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing and consent of instructor. Research at a biotechnology company or interdisciplinary cross-college lab for a minimum of 3 months as part of the Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology Program. (S/U grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.) Dandekar

290C. Research Conference (1)

Discussion—1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing and consent of instructor. Presentations and critical discussions of faculty and graduate student research in molecular and cellular biology including biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology. May be repeated for credit. (S/U grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

291. Current Progress in Molecular and Cellular Biology (1)

Seminar—1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent of instructor. Seminars presented by guest lecturers on subject of their own research activities. May be repeated for credit. (S/U grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.) Draper

294. Current Progress in Biotechnology (1)

Seminar—1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent of instructor. Seminars presented by guest lecturers on subjects of their own research activities. May be repeated for credit. (Same course as Chemical Engineering 294.) (S/U grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.) Kjelstrom, McDonald, Rodriguez

295. Literature in Molecular and Cellular Biology (1)

Seminar—1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing and consent of instructor. Critical reading and evaluation of current literature in molecular and cellular biology disciplines. Papers will be presented and discussed in detail. May be repeated for credit. (S/U grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.) Baldwin, Fisher, Myles, Privalsky, Radke, Wilson

298. Group Study (1-5)

Variable—1-5 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (S/U grading only.)

299. Research (1-12)

Independent study—3-36 hours. (S/U grading only.)

Professional Course

390. Methods of Teaching (1)

Discussion—1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing and consent of instructor. Practical experience in the methods and problems of teaching biochemistry/genetics/cell biology. Includes analysis of texts and supporting material, discussion of teaching techniques, preparing for and conducting discussion and laboratory sections, formulating examinations under supervision of instructor. Participating in the teaching program required for Ph.D. May be repeated for credit. (S/U grading only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)