Graduate Courses in Biotechnology Science and Engineering

Core/Required Courses

CHE 560–Introduction to Bioprocess Engineering. 3.hrs

Application of engineering principles to the analysis of and the development and design of processes using biological catalysts including enzymes, plant and animal cells and genetically engineered cells. Other topics will include fermentation and biological mass transport processes. Prerequisites: CH 361, CH362

CHE 561 Bioseparations, recombinant techniques and protein engineering 3hrs.

General characteristics of separation processes used in the biotechnology industry - including the removal of insolubles, isolation and purification of thermally sensitive products and the preparation of products for final use by the customer. Application of unit operation principles for biological separations, recombinant DNA techniques, protein engineering. Prerequisites: CH 361, CH 362, ChE 460.

CH 561/BYS 547 Biochemistry I 3.hrs

Structural chemistry and function of biomolecules, mechanisms of biochemical reactions, enzyme kinetics, and energy transfer. Prerequisites: CH 332 (or CH 361)

CH 562/BYS 548 Biochemistry II 3 hrs

Biosynthesis of macromolecular precursors, storage, transmission and expression of genetic information, and molecular physiology. Prequisites: CH 561 (or BYS 547)

BYS 519 Gene structure and Function 3 hrs

Molecular basis for inheritance and gene expression, advanced studies of replication, transcription, translation. Includes regulation of gene expression, gene cloning and recombinant DNA technology. Prerequisites: BYS 219 and BYS/CH 361

BYS 543 Molecular Biology of the Cell 3 hrs

Cellular structure and function including mitosis, meiosis, cell cycle, and cell signaling. Discussion of biological techniques such as tissue culture, hybridoma and monoclonal antibody production, gene cloning and recombinant DNA, radiotracer methodology, and specialized microscopy Prerequisites: BYS 219, BYS/CH 361

BSE 601 Current Topics in Biotechnology 3 hrs

Survey of current Biotechnology literature. Students will be required to critically evaluate the assigned literature and present their summaries Graduate student admitted into the Ph.D. program in Biotechnology Science and Engineering or with special permission of the Director of the Biotechnology Program..

BSE 602 Laboratory Rotations in Biotechnology 3 hrs

Acquire a broad background in biotechnology science and engineering through two 6 week internships in an active research program under the direction of faculty mentors. Students will pursue independent projects in consultation with the faculty in charge of the particular research laboratory Prerequisites: Graduate student admitted into the Ph.D. program in Biotechnology Science and Engineering and with permission of the director of the research laboratory.

BSE 603 Research Internships in Biotechnology 3 hrs

Students will obtain meaningful work experience with either a biotechnology company or business or a research laboratory that has specific relevance to the biotechnology science and engineering program. Students will earn 3 credits for working approximately 20 hours per week on a project supervised by a mentor at work and a faculty advisor. The course requires the submission of a written report and an oral presentation Prerequisites: Graduate student admitted into the Ph.D. program in Biotechnology Science and Engineering and passed CH 561, CH 562, BYS 519, BYS 543, ChE 560, ChE 561, BSE 601 and BSE 602. Exceptions to these prerequisites can be made by appeal to the Coordinator of the Biotechnology Program.

Specialized/Track Courses

CHE 559 Special Topics in Polymeric Drug Delivery Systems 3hrs

Discussion of biocompatible polymers and their application in drug delivery systems. Polymers of natural and synthetic origin will be studied, special emphasis will be placed upon the synthesis of biocompatible polymers. The formation of polymeric micelles, hydrogels and liposomes will be studied. The process of extravasation as uptake mechanism for polymeric delivery systems will be discussed. Reading material will be based on the latest publications in the field. Prerequisites: CH 540

CH 565 Molecular Biochemistry Laboratory 3 hrs

Practical experience in isolation, characterization and manipulation of biomolecules Prerequisites: CH 562

CH 661 Biological Macromolecules 3 hrs.

Detailed analysis of structures of proteins, nuclei acids, and complex polysaccharides.

Prerequisite: CH 562.

BYS 691 Special Topics in Tissue Culture 3 hrs

Lecture and laboratory instruction in the preparation and maintenance of eucaryotic cell primary cultures and cell lines. Teaches students the basic techniques for tissue culture – aseptic technique, media preparation, equipment needs. Introduces them to several procedures used for isolating primary cultures from tissue and for culturing cell lines. Covers culture characterization and contamination issues. Prerequisites BYS 543; BYS/CH 361 or 561

BYS 691 – Special Topics in Growth Factors and Oncogenes 3 hrs

Discussion of the cell cycle, the nature of growth factors and their relationship to oncogenes and cancer. This course is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the regulation of the cell cycle and cell function by growth factors and the relationship between growth factors, oncogenes and cancer. Textbooks will provide the basic framework for the course, but a large part of the material will come from the latest published research articles.

Prerequisites BYS 543 and BYS/CH 361 or 561

CH 765 – Selected Topics in Biochemistry: Protein Crystallography 3 hrs

Practical instruction in the use of X-ray crystallography for macromolecular structure determination. Examines both theoretical and practical aspects of macromolecular structure determination by x-ray diffraction methods. Topics covered include protein crystallization, theory of x-ray diffraction, phase determination, and data collection and analysis. Extensive laboratory and computer work is required, with the predominant focus being on usage of the various program packages for model building and structure refinement. Prerequisites by topic/course number Basic knowledge of DNA/RNA, amino acids and proteins, enzymatic properties and functions, CH560, CH 661.

CHE 699 – Special Topics: Advanced Enzymology 3hrs

Enzymes and how they work on a molecular level, modeling kinetics of their reactions, how they can be modified by random mutagenesis and protein engineering, and how they operate in nonconventional media. This course will provide a thorough coverage of enzymes and how they work at a molecular level. Topics related to enzyme engineering such as how they can be modified by mutagenisis and protein engineering will be covered. Students will learn about enzymes in nonconventional media. Prerequisites ChE 560, ChE 561

CHE 650 Principles of Liquid and Solid Interfaces 3 hrs.

Applies basic principles in thermodynamics and kinetics to characterize surfaces and surface phenomena. Fundamental properties of gas-liquid, liquid-liquid, solid-liquid, and solid-gas interfaces and phenomena occurring at these interfaces. Prerequisite: CH 341.

CHE 747 Advanced Topics in Bioengineering 3 hrs.

Engineering aspects of microbial processes and the processing of biological materials. Integrating knowledge of governing biological properties and principles with chemical engineering methodology. Emphasis on current literature in the areas of purification and separation technology, bioprocess development and biomaterials. Prerequisite: B.S. in chemical engineering or permission of instructor.

BSE 620 :Introduction to Bioinformatics: Fundamentals, methodologies and applications 3 hrs

Students will learn how computational and mathematical techniques are being used to understand DNA and protein sequences, how the information from the genome is being used to understand phenomena at a macro-level. Prerequisites: Graduate student admitted to the Ph.D. program in Biotechnology Science and Engineering. Graduate students from other disciplines may seek permission from the Coordinator of the Biotechnology Science and Engineering Program to take this class.