Program Curriculum
Choose your own program of study
MDB students meet with an Academic Advisory Committee at the beginning of their first year to design a curriculum based on individual research interests. The only requirement for the PhD degree is that students take 45 credits of academic courses during their time in the Program.
Core Course Descriptions
Fall Quarter
- Introduction to Developmental Biology - 26DB985. 2 graduate credits
- The goal of this course is to provide students with understanding of fundamentals in developmental biology. They learn the basic understanding of key terminology in developmental biology (germ layer, morphogen, etc.), development of major model organisms (fly, frog, chick, mouse, zebrafish), development of the major organ systems, and the key developmental mechanisms (tissue interactions, cell adhesion, transcriptional regulation, etc.)
- Molecular Biology of the Cell 1 - 26GNTD872. 4 graduate credits
- This course applies classical and molecular techniques to problems of protein structure and function; membrane organization and dynamics; biochemistry of membrane transport processes.
- OR
- Introduction to Molecular Genetics - 26GNTD871. 4 graduate credits
- This course covers gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, principles of gene cloning, DNA replication, mutation and repair, mouse transgenesis and a section on human disease and genetic traits.
Winter Quarter
- Molecular Biology of the Cell 2 - 26GNTD862. 4 graduate credits
- Cell 2 covers basic cell biology including membrane trafficking, cytoskeleton, mitochondria, nuclear membrane, cell cycle and cell adhesion. It is a very well organized and well-taught course, and is appreciated by all the students. It contains lots of discussion and reading of primary literature, a poster session, a cell biology film session and several invited speakers.
- Advanced Molecular Genetics 1: Gene Regulation - 26MG710. 4 graduate credits
- This challenging course brings the students up to the present day level of understanding on transcriptional regulation and chromatin structure. It deals with the primary literature, stresses an analytical approach and understanding of methodology, and involves weekly discussion sessions.
Spring Quarter
- Advanced Developmental Biology - 26DB986. 4 graduate credits
- This course is divided into 8 topics, each consisting of 3 or 4 lectures, including Gametes, Invertebrate Patterning, Vertebrate Patterning, Ectoderm derivatives, Mesoderm, Endoderm, Limb, Immune system. The only exam is a term paper written on a subject chosen from a broad range of topics in the style of a grant application.
Other Core Courses
- Journal Club - 26DB904. 1 graduate credit each quarter taken.
- The purpose ot this course is for students to learn how to critically evaluate the scientific literature and to read state-of-the-art primary research papers. During autumn and winter quarters, Journal Club is to be led by a faculty member in the Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology and during spring quarter by graduate students. Attendance is mandatory for all first and second year students. Participation in Journal Club for advanced students (3rd year and beyond) is required only during the spring quarter when they are expected to provide leadership for the group.
- MDB/CHRF Seminar Series - 26DB901. 1 graduate credit each quarter taken.
- Every year, the Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, with the Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, hosts a weekly seminar series. Noted researchers from across the country come to Cincinnati Children's to talk about a variety of topics within molecular and developmental biology. All students have the opportunity to meet informally with each speaker. (link to MBD seminar series)
Elective Courses
Molecular And Developmental Biology
- Development and Disease - 26DB987. 3 graduate credits
- This course would explore the developmental basis of human disease processes. It is a natural consequence of recent insights into the molecular basis of normal and abnormal development. This course will cover topics not covered in our other Developmental Biology courses
Biostatistics And Epidemiology
- Introduction to Biostatistics - 26BE787. 4 graduate credits
- Descriptive statistics, probability distributions, estimation, types of error, significance level, test of hypotheses, sample size, correlation, linear regression, non-parametric methods. Emphasizes practical-applied aspects.
- Introduction to Statistics - 26BE796. 4 graduate credits
- Descriptive statistics, probability, estimation, statistical errors, parametric and nonparametric hypothesis testing, statistical fallacies. Emphasizes applied-practical aspects. Less material covered than in 787.
- Genetics of Complex Diseases - 26BE868. 3 graduate credits
- Introduction to complex disease and traits. Epidemiology and genetic basis of complex diseases.
Cell and Molecular Biology
- Microscopy - 26CB826. 1 graduate credit
- One goal of this course is to expose students to the types of research questions that can be answered with microscopy. In addition, students will learn how to do fluroescence immunocytochemistry, acquire images on widefield and confocal microscopes, process and publish images. A brief introduction to electron microscopy is also included.
- Biology of Cancer - 26CB880. 2-3 graduate credits
- Currently, a one-quarter course that covers a broad spectrum of issues relating to the genesis and progression of cancer. Some topics that are covered include cell kinetics and cell cycle regulation in normal and cancerous cells, onco-genes and growth factors, tumor suppressors, the genetics of cancer, mutation and environmental exposure, signal transduction and the role of the immune system in cancer.
Genetic Counseling
- Teratology - 35GC860. 2 graduate credits
- To understand the major principles of Teratology, learn the effects of specific teratogens, including environmental chemicals, social drugs, prescription drugs, radiation, and several others on patients exposed to these agents, and provide an introduction to the treatment of patients exposed to teratogens, as well as counseling options for family of affected individuals.
Graduate Medical Interdepartmental
- Ethics in Research - 26GNTD730. 1 graduate credit
- A nine-week lecture series addressing ethical issues in research including such topics as human experimentation, animal welfare, conflict of interest, and responsible authorship and publication practices
- Molecular Biology of the Cell II - 26GNTD862. 4 graduate credits
- This course covers membrane biology and basic cell biology. Emphases include membrane structure and generation of resting and action potentials, cell compartmentalization and organelles, protein trafficking and secretion, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, nuclear architecture and chromosome structure. The course integrates morphological, biochemical and biophysical approaches.
- Molecular Biology of the Cell III - 26GNTD863. 4 graduate credits
- This course emphasizes regulation of cell cycle and cell proliferation. The course introduces the student to cell growth factors and their receptors discussing relationship to oncogenes. There is further emphasis on cellular responses to peptide and steroid hormones and involvement of second messengers such as regulation by cyclic nucleotides, calcium and protein kinases
- Introduction to Functional Genomics - 26GNTD881. 2-4 graduate credits
- The course will consist of a series of lectures/seminars on the theory and use of methods of functional genomics in biomedical research. Lec-tures will be presented by some local speakers and invited experts outside the university. The course will include eight lab sessions, five on bioinformatics that will be offered in an electronic classroom and three "wet labs" that will provide hands-on experience in practical application of functional genomics principles. Prereq.: 26GNTD871. The course will be open to all COM graduate students and others by perm. of instr.
- Methods of Functional Genomics - 26GNTD882. 2-4 graduate credits
- The course will consist of instruction in each of the major functional genomics core facilities. Hours will vary from week to week, but on average will involve 4 to 6 hours per week. The full course will be 4 credit hours, but some students may take only part of the course, obtaining lesser credit. Prereq.: 26GNTD88
Immunology
- Foundations of Immunology I. - 26IMM888. 4 graduate credits
- Foundations of Immunology is intended to be a comprehensive immunology course for first year graduate students. It covers the structure and organiza-tion of the immune system, basic concepts of the innate and adap-tive immune responses, and T and B cell development and biology. Lectures will also include details of immunological techniques. While the course has no official prerequisites, students will find that some background in basic biochemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics will be desirable.
Molecular And Cellular Physiology
- Integrative Organ Physiology I. - 26MCP841. 7 graduate credits
- Subcellular organ-elles, cells, tissues, organ systems and their integrated activity. Focus: cellular, muscle, cardiac, circulatory, renal, respiration, the physiology acid base, and the physiology of energy balance and temperature regulation. Prereq.: Perm. of course director.
- Molecular Physiology I: Membrane Transport Proteins - 26MCP951. 4 graduate credits
- The goal of this course is to introduce the major concepts, litera-ture and experimental approaches related to the study of membrane transport proteins, including ion channels, pumps, and transporters. Prereq.: Perm. of instr.
Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology And Immunology
- Proteins: Structure, Function and Engineering - 26MG719. 4 graduate credits
- Designed for graduate students who have completed the first quarter of Molecular Biology of the Cell. Protein design; enzyme specificity and mechanisms of catalysis; transport physiology and enzymology; macromolecular assembly, protein-protein interactions and signal transduction; NMR and macromolecular structure. Prereq: 26GNTD872 or perm. of instr.
- Genetic Mechanisms of Cell Growth & Development - 26MG711. 3 graduate credits
- Provides a research literature-based view with student discussions of examples of genetic mechanisms in cell growth and development. Topics include mechanisms of genetic recombination, aspects of Dro-sophila development, mouse molecular genetics, and genetic control of cellular growth. Prereq.: 26GNTD871.
- Structural Biology - 26MG718. 2 graduate credits
- This course will cover structural techniques used to determine protein structure, dynamics and enzyme mechanisms. Particular emphasis will be placed on solution NMR tech-niques to problems in protein structure and enzyme mechanism. The course will consist of both lectures and a review of pertinent literature articles. Topics to be covered include NMR theory, practical aspects of biological NMR, the use of structural techniques in understanding HIV proteins, structural studies of muscle proteins, as well as mechanistic studies of ribonucleases and phosphoryl transfer enzymes.
Molecular, Cellular And Biochemical Pharmacology
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology - 26MCBP823. 3-5 graduate credits
- Pharmacology at the whole animal, organ, tissue, cellular and molecular levels. Integrated concepts of biomechanics and bioenergetics, structure and function, excitation-contraction coupling, ion transport, regulatory mechanisms, drug actions and transgenic approaches. Prereq.: Perm. of instr.; offered Aut. Qtr., alt. years
Neuroscience
- Neuropharmacology - 26NS830. 2 graduate credits
- This course covers the neuro-chemical mechanisms underlying the behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs. Reference to specific neurotransmitter systems and drugs are used to illustrate general principles. Topics include drug modulation of synaptic transmission; brain adaptations to chronic drug treatments; psychotherapeutic drugs and what they tell us about the etiology of brain disorders. Prereq.: Perm. of instr
- Brain and Behavior I - 26NS841. 4-10 graduate credits
- The first quarter of a two quarter sequence that introduces the principles and concepts of nervous system organization: structural organization, cellular neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, sensory and motor systems, higher cortical functions. Required for Neuroscience PhD students.
- Neuroscience: Development and Plasticity - 26NS842. 4 graduate credits
- A graduate course designed to introduce students to cellular and developmental neuroscience. Topics include: structure and function of the neuron and synapse; nervous system segmentation; neuronal and glial differentiation; axonal pathfinding; cellular mechanisms of learning; neural regeneration. Required for Neuroscience PhD students. Prereq.: 26NS841. or perm. of instr.
- Systems/Behavioral Neuroscience - 26NS843. 3 graduate credits
- To provide an overview and introduction to systems and behavioral neuroscience. Topics to be covered include neuroendocrine systems, neural basis of motivated behaviors, learning and memory, reward and addiction, cognitive and computational neuroscience, and circadian neurobiology. The course will also provide an introduction to the types of experimental models and data analyses used in behavioral and systems-level neuroscience research.
- Brain and Behavior II - 26NS861. 4-10 graduate credits
- An overview of human neurological and psychiatric disorders through the various stages of human development, including seizures, schizophrenia, substance abuse, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. The course is offered during a four-week concentrated block of time. Prereq.: Perm of instr.
Pathobiology And Molecular Medicine
- Molecular Mechanisms of Disease - 26PMM890. 4 graduate credits
- Cellular and molecular basis of pathogenesis. Major emphasis will be placed on experimental approaches used to study the mechanism and diagnosis of various diseases.
Other
Other courses offered by the College of Medicine can be found at http://www.uc.edu/courses/medicine.pdf. You must have a version of Adobe Acrobat to view the course selections.
