Course Descriptions and links for Basic Science Core Curriculum

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Fall) BIOC5103
A broad presentation of basic biochemistry and molecular biology as background for other graduate programs in the biomedical field. Prerequisites: General and Organic Chemistry and College Algebra.
Course Director: Anna Radominska-Pandya, Ph.D.

Regulation of Gene Expression (Fall) PHYO5043 (former course number, PHYO5114) http://www.uams.edu/physiology/GradGeneExp/GeneExp.htm
The focus of this course will be on the various processes involved in the flow of information from genes to their expressed products. Regulation of these processes will be explored in depth for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Topics will include: genomic organization, DNA replication and recombination, transcription, RNA processing, translation, genomics and proteomics, differentiation and development. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Course Director: Patricia A. Wight, Ph.D

Cell Biology (Fall) NBDS5113
http://www.uams.edu/physiology/GradCellBiol/GenCellBiol.asp
The structure and function of cells and cellular organelles with particular attention to how these interact in larger units of organization. (Same as ANAT 5093 and BIOC 5093) (this is the description from the Physiology Dept site, where the link to the course syllabus is).

The structure and function of cells and cellular organelles with particular attention to how these interact. The cellular and molecular biology of eukaryotes and relevant prokaryotes is investigated using an organellar approach. Particular attention is paid to molecular interactions between cell surface, nucleus, and cytoplasmic membrane systems. (this is the description from NBDS site, but lacks the actual course syllabus link).
Course Directors: M. Donald Cave, Ph.D. and Paul Drew, PhD

General Physiology (Spring) PHYO 5013
http://www.uams.edu/physiology/GradGenPhys/GenPhys.htm
This course is a lecture-based survey of mammalian organ systems physiology with emphasis on human physiology. Each of the major organ systems, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, and gastrointestinal, are covered along with cell physiology, endocrinology and neurophysiology.
Course Director: Parimal Chowdhury, Ph.D.

General Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology (Spring) PCOL5033
This course offers an overview of the principles and general mechanisms underlying the effects of drugs and chemicals on biological systems. The application of these principles to proper experimental design is also considered.
Course Director: Philip Mayeux, PhD

Scientific Communication and Ethics (Fall, Spring, first 2 years of IBS) PCOL5041
This course will provide formal training in scientific communication and ethics to students in the first and second years of graduate school. Various faculty within and outside the department will lead discussion concerning how to write and publish scientific studies and ethical conduct related to science. Students will also prepare an oral presentation of recent peer reviewed research. Prerequisites: enrollment in the Pharmacology or Interdisciplinary Toxicology Graduate degree program or permission of course instructor.
Course Director: Robert Brock, PhD

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Seminar (Fall, Spring, all years of IBS enrollment) IBSD5051
Information about upcoming seminars can be found here http://www.uams.edu./ibs/current_students/seminars.asp
Students will attend weekly seminars. Seminars will be assigned, or students may be permitted to select topics according to their research interests. Second year students and beyond, will present seminars related to their original research. Grades will be based on presentations and on brief student reports about the seminars they attended.
Course Director:   William D. Wessinger, PhD

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Research (Fall, Spring, Summer) IBSD501V 1–9 credit hours
Students will participate in research projects under the supervision of a faculty member in the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. During the first year of the IBS PhD degree program, students will rotate for 8–10 weeks through 3 or 4 research laboratories.
Course Director:  William D. Wessinger, PhD

Clinical Trials Design (Spring) IBSD5203
This course provides students with an opportunity to learn the rationale, planning, design, and conduction of clinical trials. Selection of questions, response variables, phases of trials, study populations, experimental designs, inclusion and exclusion criteria, recruitment, randomization and blinding, sample size calculations, data collection and quality control, adverse effects, reliable and valid measurement outcomes, and intervention fidelity are demonstrated.
Course Director: TBA

Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (On Demand) IBSD604V 1-3 credit hours
This course provides for in-depth study of current topics in biomedical sciences or advanced study of specialized topics not covered elsewhere. Instructional techniques may include directed reading, group discussion, lectures, web-based instruction or other innovative methods. Performance evaluation may be based on participation, graded discussion, student presentations or writing assignments. Prerequisites: Consent.
Course Director:  William D. Wessinger, PhD

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Master's Thesis Research (Fall, Spring, Summer) IBSD600V 1-6 credits hours
Prerequisites: Graduate student status in the IBS Master’s degree program (Thesis Track) and preceptor consent.
Course Director: William D. Wessinger, PhD

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Dissertation Research (Fall, Spring, Summer) IBSD700V 1-9 credits hours
Prerequisites: Candidacy and dissertation advisors consent.
Course Director:  William D. Wessinger, PhD

Electives available to IBS students (not all inclusive, see course catalog)

PHYO 5033 Cellular Endocrinology
This course covers general or vertebrate endocrinology, both anatomical and physiological, with lectures and laboratory exercises each week. In addition, students will prepare a term paper on a selected area in the field. Prerequisite: PHYO500V and consent.
Course Directors: Herschel H. Conaway, Ph.D. and Dana Gaddy, Ph.D.

Molecular Biophysics I (Spring) PHYO5063
http://molbiophysics.uams.edu/
Introduction to molecular biophysics: the investigation of the structure, dynamics and function of biological macromolecules, using physical techniques. Subject matter includes selected cellular macromolecules (e.g., polypeptides, nucleic acids), the role of molecular chaperones, and relevant topics in radiation biophysics. Prerequisites: BIOC 5103 or equivalent.
Course Director: William A. Nagle, Ph.D.

Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience. (Spring) NBDSxxxx
This course consists of lectures, assigned readings and student presentations that cover the structure, function and development of cells of the nervous system. Also considered are the basic principles of the physiology of excitable cells, synaptic transmission, and various aspects of nervous system injury. Fundamental Neuroscience, 2nd Edition, Academic Press, 2003, is used as a text.
David Davies and Bob Skinner, Directors, 3 credit hours.