1200. Virus Hunters

Introduction to the biology of bacterial viruses (phages). Isolation from the environment and characterization of a novel phage for sequencing in MCB 1201. Data from this classroom-based research experience will be shared in a nationwide program fostering discovery-based undergraduate research. May be taken before or after MCB 1201 for students choosing both classes. CA 3-LAB.

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1201. Virus Hunting: Applied Bioinformatics

Analysis of bacteriophages isolated in MCB 1200. Computational biology approaches including genome assembly, phylogenetic analysis and database searching to characterize gene content and evolutionary relationships. Focus on research methods and approaches, data interpretation, written and oral communication of scientific findings. Part of a two-semester series with MCB 1200, which can be taken in either order. CA 3-LAB.

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1405. Honors Core: The Genetics Revolution in Contemporary Culture

Exploration of the use of genetics concepts in popular culture. Topics include genetic analysis, genetic engineering, cloning and DNA forensics as represented in media including news, film, literature and art. Discussion includes influence on society, attitudes towards science, domestic and foreign policy as well as medical practice and law. CA 3.

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1893. Foreign Study

Special topics taken in an international study program.

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1895. Special Topics in Molecular and Cell Biology

Credits and hours by arrangement.

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2000. Introduction to Biochemistry

The structure, chemistry, and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Enzyme function and kinetics, energy metabolism, and structure and function of nucleic acids. A survey course for students of agriculture, general biology, medical technology, nursing, and pharmacy. Molecular and Cell Biology majors, biophysics majors, and other students desiring a more intensive introduction or considering advanced course work in biochemistry or molecular biology should take MCB 3010.

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2210. Cell Biology

Structural organization of cells and the molecular basis of dynamic cellular processes, with emphasis on eukaryotic cells. Topics include protein targeting, vesicle trafficking, cytoskeleton, cell-cell interactions in tissues, and the molecular basis of related human diseases. Intended to be taken before MCB 2000 or 3010.

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2215. Honors Cell Biology

Overview of eukaryotic cell biology for Honors students. Emphasizes primary research literature and in-class discussion.

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2225. Cell Biology Laboratory

A laboratory experience that will prepare students for thesis research in the biological sciences. Experimental design, quantitative analysis and presentation of data. Topics include cell culture, fluorescence and time-lapse microscopy, DNA transfection, image processing, and flow cytometry. Students will also pursue independent research projects.

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2400. Human Genetics

Foundational principles of classical genetics and modern genomics with a specific focus on humans. Emphasis on case studies and applications to human genetic diseases.

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2410. Genetics

Foundational principles of classical genetics and modern genomics with a focus on eukaryotic model genetic organisms. Emphasis on molecular mechanisms underlying heredity. Intended for majors in MCB and related disciplines.

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2610. Fundamentals of Microbiology

Biology of microorganisms, especially bacteria. Cellular structure, physiology, genetics, and interactions with higher forms of life. Laboratory familiarizes students with methodology of microbiology and aseptic techniques.

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2612. Honors Core: Microbe Hunters - Crowdsourcing Antibiotic Discovery

Concepts of microbiology taught through the lens of antibiotic resistance. Using environmental samples students actively engage in the hunt for novel antimicrobials. Broader concepts include the meaning of disease, how that meaning has changed over time and the implications of widespread antibiotic resistance for society. CA 3-LAB.

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2893. Foreign Study

Special topics taken in an international study program. Consent of Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Research and Education required, normally to be granted before the student's departure.

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3003. Biophysical Chemistry I

An introduction to the physical chemistry of biological molecules and systems. Principal topics include biomolecular thermodynamics, kinetics, transport properties, and biomolecular structure.

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3004. Biophysical Chemistry II

The physical chemistry of biological molecules and systems. Emphasis on a statistical framework for understanding biomolecular phenomena. Principal topics will include electrostatics, intermolecular forces, ligand binding, and protein stability and folding.

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3010. Biochemistry

The structure and function of biological macromolecules. The metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids. The regulation of metabolism and biosynthesis of biological macromolecules. An in-depth introduction intended for students planning to take advanced coursework in biochemistry, biophysics or other areas of molecular biology.

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3022W. Human Disease and the Development of Therapeutic Agents

Molecular basis of human disease and strategies for developing therapeutic treatments. Applications of genetic, cellular, and biochemical information in treating disease states. Especially appropriate for students interested in biomedical research and the health profession.

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3100. Introduction to Translational Research

Basic science and design of human subject research; participation in clinical, patient-oriented research projects at CT Children's Medical Center emergency department in Hartford, CT.

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3189. Clinical Research Laboratory

Participation in a clinical research study at a medical center (transportation to this off-campus site to be arranged by the student).

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3201. Gene Expression

Basic mechanisms of genetic information transfer in eukaryotic cells from DNA to folded and assembled proteins. Regulation of transcription, translation, DNA replication, and the cell cycle.

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3211. Cancer Cell Biology and Genetics

Genetics and epigenetics of cancer cells. Cellular signaling and growth control. The role of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in regulating cancer cell proliferation and death. DNA damage and repair mechanisms. Carcinogen activation detoxification. General and targeted approaches to cancer therapy.

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3219. Developmental and Regenerative Biology

Fundamental principles that govern animal embryonic development and regeneration with emphasis on the cellular and molecular basis of pattern formation and cell differentiation in a variety of model organisms. Relevance to human development and disease and therapeutic applications will be discussed.

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3220. Developmental Biology Laboratory

Zebrafish used as an experimental model system to investigate molecular mechanisms of vertebrate development. Self-directed experiments utilize cellular, genetic, pharmacological and microscopic techniques to recreate established findings and pursue new knowledge.

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3246. Virology

Biological, biochemical, physical, and genetic characteristics of viruses, with an emphasis on molecular and quantitative aspects of virus-cell interactions.

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3400. Human Evolutionary Genomics

Principles of evolutionary genomics and their applications in understanding recent human evolutionary history and the origin and distribution of genetic and phenotypic variation, including disease, within and among human populations.

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3410. Eukaryotic Genomics

Introduction to the study of eukaryotic genomes. Topics include genome sequence organization and analysis, comparative genomics, structural variants, transposable elements and genome regulation in human health and disease.

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3412. Genetic Engineering and Functional Genomics

Methods and applications of genetic engineering, including gene manipulation and transfer techniques in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Emphasis on applications of recombinant DNA technology in the elucidation of gene function. Consideration of recent technological developments in molecular genetics, such as cloning, gene therapy, the patenting and release of genetically engineered organisms, and societal issues related to these developments.

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3413. Concepts of Genetic Analysis

Survey of genetic theory and applications of genetic analysis to model organisms including animals, plants, and microbes.

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3417. The Molecular Genetics of Inherited Human Disease

An overview of the genetic basis for inherited human disease and how changes in protein structure due to mutations produce disease phenotypes.

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3421. Introduction to Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics

Evolution of biomolecules and application to molecular data analysis and the design of new molecules. Topics include prebiotic chemistry, origin of cells, selfish genes, molecular innovations, data bank searches, alignment of sequence and 3-D protein structures. Course includes lectures, discussions and computer lab exercises.

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3617. Molecular Biology and Genetics of Prokaryotes

Molecular genetics of bacteria, archaebacteria, and their viruses. Transcription and replication of DNA, transformation, transduction, conjugation, genetic mapping, mutagenesis, regulation of gene expression, genome organization.

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3620. Host-Associated Microbiomes

Current research on microbial communities associated with living hosts, with a focus on evolution, ecology, immunology and human health.

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3633. Pathogenic Microbiology

Descriptions of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and protozoans in relation to the affected human organ systems and discussions of the underlying virulence factors, molecular mechanisms, and epidemiological data. Modern techniques are used in the laboratory to identify and characterize pathogenic bacteria.

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3637. Practical Methods in Microbial Genomics

Analysis of microbial genomes, including genome assembly, annotation, and comparison. Students will design and perform computational analyses of public domain genomic data. No previous computational experience is expected.

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3841W. Research Literature in Molecular and Cell Biology

Discussion of current research in molecular and cell biology.

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3842W. Current Investigations in Cancer Cell Biology

Mechanisms involved in cancer initiation, promotion, and progression: cancer genomes, epigenetic regulation of gene expression and reprogramming, cancer stem cells, alterations in cell signaling networks, cancer cell bioenergetics, environmental exposures and xenobiotic metabolism, development of resistance to therapeutics.

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3843W. Research Literature in Comparative Genomics

Current research in comparative genomics, which uses cross-species analyses to identify functional genome sequences. Primary research literature concerning the complex and dynamic nature of eukaryotic genomes. Emphasis on communicating scientific findings using experimental data.

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3844W. Microbiology and the Media

Analysis and comparison of how contemporary microbiological topics such as food-borne diseases and influenza outbreaks are represented in the scientific literature and in popular media.

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3845W. Microbial Diversity, Ecology and Evolution

Readings from the scientific literature will provide a focus for investigating the mechanisms and strategies for the exchange of genetic information, as well as the impact of gene transfer on environmental adaptation and evolution.

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3847W. Historically Excluded and Underrepresented Scientists

The history and implication of the exclusion of people from various backgrounds in science. A focus on biological research and ways to improve scientific and academic environments to include people from diverse backgrounds.

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3849W. Symbiosis: The Science of Living Together

All animals and plants enter into lifelong associations with beneficial microorganisms that have a profound impact on host development and health. Readings from the scientific literature will explore the molecular mechanisms by which these complex associations are established and maintained in various model systems.

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3893. Foreign Study

Special topics taken in an international study program. Consent of instructor required, normally to be granted before the student's departure.

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3895. Special Topics

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3898. Variable Topics

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3899. Independent Study

Designed for the advanced undergraduate student who is pursuing a special problem as an introduction to independent investigation.

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4008. Techniques of Biophysical Chemistry

Theory and applications of biophysical methods for the analysis of the size, shape and interactions of proteins and nucleic acids. Topics include analytical ultracentrifugation, light scattering, X-ray scattering, calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance and single molecule approaches.

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4009. Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules

Fundamentals of protein structure and the forces that stabilize structure. Topics include recurrent structural motifs, molecular ancestry/homology, evolution of protein structure, structure-function correlations, and the structural basis of regulation. Discussion of the techniques used to investigate structure, including X-ray diffraction, NMR, TEM, AFM, structure prediction, and computational simulations. Advanced topics may include chaperones, structural genomics and the roles of misfolded proteins in disease.

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4014. Structure and Dynamics of Macromolecular Complexes

Biochemical and biophysical characteristics of macromolecular biological assemblies from atomic to the cellular level. Topics include ribosomes, viruses, polymerases, membrane protein assemblies and ion transporters, examined through lecture, discussion, primary literature and interactive computational modules.

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4026W. Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory

Theory and application of modern techniques for separation and characterization of biological macromolecules, including several types of liquid chromatography, liquid scintillation spectro-photometry, and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Instruction in writing a scientific paper.

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4211. Basic Immunology

An introduction to the genetic, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms of the immune system. This course will address basic aspects of immune function, and will examine abnormal immune function associated with cancer, autoimmune disease, AIDS, and other immunological abnormalities.

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4215. Fundamentals of Light Microscopy and Digital Imaging

The principles behind a wide range of microscopy techniques, including epifluorescence, confocal, Total Internal Reflectance Microscopy (TIRFM), and super-resolution and expansion microscopy.

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4416. Forensic Application of DNA Science

DNA analysis in forensic science, with emphasis on molecular genetic technology in criminal investigations and issues surrounding the use of DNA evidence. Team-taught with forensic practitioners.

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4624. Experiments in Bacterial Genetics

Experiments in bacterial genetics, emphasizing genetic manipulations and analyses using modern biological techniques including transposon mutagenesis, DNA isolation, PCR, DNA sequencing and phenotypic analysis.

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4893. Foreign Study

Special topics taken in an international study program. Consent of program director required, normally to be granted before the student's departure.

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4896. Undergraduate Research

Laboratory research project carried on by the student under the guidance of a faculty member. The student is required to submit a brief report on the research findings at the end of the semester.

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4897W. Senior Research Thesis

Writing of a thesis based upon the student's independent laboratory research project.

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4996. Honors Undergraduate Research

Laboratory research project carried on by the student under the guidance of a faculty member. The student is required to submit a brief report on the research findings at the end of the semester.

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4997W. Senior Honors Research Thesis

Writing of a thesis based upon a student's independent laboratory research project.

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