Semester 1 (Fall)
Mechanisms in Biomedical Sciences: From Genes to Disease GPLS601-603
Semester 2 (Spring)
Principles of Microbial Pathogenesis GPLS 710 (3 credits)
• Course Directors – Nicholas Carbonetti and John Sacci
This course is intended to provide a groundwork in basic principles of, and research approaches to, microbial (bacterial and parasite) pathogenesis, including adherence, toxins, secretion mechanisms, immune evasion, genetics and evolution, gene discovery, genomics and proteomics, and host-pathogen interactions. This course is based on a combination of lectures and discussion of the current research literature, and requires student presentations, 2 exams, and participation in class discussions of assigned research papers. Prior to 2009 this course was titled Principles of Bacterial Pathogenesis and dealt exclusively with bacterial pathogens.
Basic Immunology GPLS 702 (3 credits)
• Course Director – Martin Flajnik
This course introduces basic concepts of immunity and the immune system, including evolutionary and comparative studies, specific and nonspecific immunity, the biology of T and B lymphocytes, the genetics of the antigen-receptor and MHC loci, immunochemistry, and the role and action of cytokines. The course is lecture-oriented, but student presentations and research paper discussions are also required.
Semester 3 (Fall)
Principles of Virology GPLS 704 (3 credits)
• Course Director – Ricardo Feldman
This course serves as an introduction to the general field of virology with a concentration on pathogenesis, molecular biology and immunology of select, medically important viruses. Lecture material is drawn from both the classical and current literature. Students actively participate in and lead discussions based on assigned readings and problem sets.
Required Elective Course (3 credits)
New in our curriculum for Fall 2009, second year students will be required to choose an additional course that is most appropriate for their future area of thesis research study.
Possible courses include:
- GPLS 769 Advanced Immunology (Course Director: Donna Farber) – An approved course planned for first offering in Fall 2009, the format will be student-led research literature discussions to highlight important current concepts in immunology research.
- GPLS 635 Bacterial Genetics (Course Director: Diana Oram) – An approved course that is planned to undergo changes to include bacterial genomics and pathogenesis, as an advanced course for students interested in bacteriology research.
- GPLS 719 Advanced Parasitology (Course Director: John Sacci) – An approved course with a one-on-one discussion format (typically only one student will take the course) discussing the research literature on advanced aspects of parasitology.
- GPLS 616 Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction (Course Director: Jeff Winkles) – A popular long-running course that uses both lecture and research paper discussion to teach basic molecular principles of signal transduction in mammalian cells.
- GPLS 701 Advanced Molecular Biology (Course Director: Lindsay Black) – A course taught principally from current primary literature, using a combination of lectures and student-directed seminars to address recent developments in DNA/RNA metabolism and regulation of gene expression, and genetic and molecular contributions to control of cellular function and disease.
Additional courses offered by other GPILS programs (see Course Catalog ) may also be considered if appropriate to the student’s research goals.