Coursework

IDSP110 Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology (3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to the basic biochemical properties of amino acids and proteins, protein assembly and folding into the three-dimensional structures required for function, and an introduction to basic principles of enzyme kinetics, examples of enzyme active site structure and mechanism of action. Membrane transport, carbohydrates and the biochemical processes and enzymes that cells utilize to generate metabolic energy are also included. The course concludes with a basic introduction to nucleic acid structure and function: replication, transcription, RNA processing and protein synthesis.

IDSP113 Genetics (1 credit)
Through lectures and discussions of the current literature, this course will provide the student with an overview of classical genetics as well as an in-depth consideration of several fundamental processes involving DNA, including its recombination and repair. The course will also explore the emerging areas of genomics and proteomics.

IDSP116 Methods in Biomedical Sciences: Biochemical and Molecular Methods (1 credit)
This course covers principles and application of common methods used for separation, detection and analysis of macromolecules and their structure, function, and interaction. The goals of the course are to develop an understanding of basic methods applied to the study of proteins and nucleic acids, to become familiar with the instrumentation used for these methods and to become aware of the ways that these methods and techniques are applied to biomedical study.

IDSP117 Methods in Biomedical Sciences: Recombinant DNA and Cell Biology (1 credit)
Goals are the same as for IDSP116. This course covers recombinant DNA methods, including cloning and gene expression, DNA sequencing, PCR, and mutagenesis. The course also covers analysis of nucleic acids and proteins, including interaction detection methods, genomics and proteomics, direct observation methods of analysis, and immunological methods.

IDSP118 Cell Biology (3 credits)
An introduction to cellular signaling processes in eukaryotic cells, cellular structure, and the mechanisms underlying cell division and protein trafficking. Lectures and discussions of the current literature will cover the cell biology of the nucleus, regulation of the cytoskeleton, secretory pathways, endocytosis, protein targeting, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, apoptotic mechanisms, mechanisms of cell division and cell cycle control, protein and membrane trafficking mechanisms, and adhesion-mediated biology.

IDSP119 Gene Expression (1 credit)
Through lectures and discussions of the current literature, this course will provide the student with an overview of fundamental processes of transcription, translation and transposition in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The course will also explore the roles of siRNA and alternative splicing, and model systems of eukaryotic gene expression.

BCH 223 Physical Biochemistry (2 credits)
Lectures and discussions of physical and chemical techniques used in biochemistry to study macromolecular architecture and interactions.

BCH 224 Biochemistry of Metabolism (2 credits)
Lectures covering generation of metabolic energy and products in animals. Students will learn metabolic pathways and connections between them, as well as their regulation in the context of cells and organisms.

IDSP 226 Basic Biostatistics (1 credit)
This course is designed for graduate students who have little background in statistics. Lectures and associated assignments will provide working knowledge of basic statistical methods and their applications. Topics will include frequency distribution, correlations, regression analysis, probability, distributions and hypothesis testing. Examples of use of these methods, descriptions of experimental design incorporating these methods and ethical treatment of data will be considered.

BCH 288 Scientific Writing (1 credit)
A course designed to teach fundamentals of writing a grant proposal, and identifying topics and approaches suitable for grant proposals. Basic principles of proposal writing also will apply to writing a scientific manuscript. Course will include lectures and discussion, as well as writing and reviewing grant proposals.

BCH 271 Topics in Signal Transduction (1 credit)
A literature-based discussion course on current topics in signal transduction. The course will focus on current literature describing student-chosen signal transduction pathways. Discussion will emphasize critical evaluation of the literature.

BCH 281 Molecular Mechanisms of Post-transcriptional Control (1 credit)
A literature-based course dealing with post-transcriptional control of gene expression in eukaryotic cells and their viruses. Topics will include mRNA splicing, mRNA stability, translational control, and protein targeting.

BCH 282 Protein Structure/Function (1 credit)
A series of lectures and tutorials focused on the use of state-of-the-art approaches to study protein structure, protein folding and protein-ligand interactions.

BCH 283 Molecular Mechanisms of Transcriptional Control (1 credit)
A literature-based course covering the roles of promoter-specific activators and repressors, the nature and roles of the general transcriptional machinery, and the roles of nucleosomes and higher-order chromatin structures in regulating transcription.

BCH 287 Applications of Spectroscopic Techniques to Biochemical Problems (1 credit)
This course emphasizes the principles of well-established methods, such as fluorescence spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, and their applications to biochemical problems.

See Course catalog for descriptions: http://catalog.lsuhscshreveport.edu/content.php?catoid=19&navoid=825

IDSP123 Animal Models in Translational Research (1.5 credits)

IDSP 201 Introduction to Human Cancer Research, Treatment and Prevention (2 credits)

IDSP 202 Mechanisms of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis (1 credit)

IDSP 204 Practical Bioinformatics- A Survey

IDSP 212, IDSP 213, IDSP 214, IDSP 216, IDSP 217, IDSP 218, IDSP 219 Foundations of Biomedical Sciences I and II (Organ Systems)

IDSP 227 Advanced Biostatistics (1 credit)

IDSP 230 Advances in Gene Therapy (1 credit)

MICRO 276 General and Molecular Virology (2 credits)

MICRO 297 Immunology (2 credits)

MICRO 291 Bacterial and Molecular Pathogenesis I (2 credits)

IDSP 240 Philosophical and Ethical Issues in Science (1 credit)
The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of the underlying philosophy in scientific endeavors and the ethical issues that face scientists. The course will include lectures and detailed discussions about the history of scientific thought, the scientific method, experimentation and data collection, mentoring and current ethical issues.

BCH 207 Introduction to Special Methods of Research (1-6 credits)
This course provides first-year students credit for their efforts in laboratory rotations. Each incoming student is expected to participate in three separate rotations of two months each.

BCH 298 Biochemistry Journal Club (0.5 credit)
Each student is expected to make a one hour presentation of a paper from the current literature and to participate in all journal club meetings scheduled in the Fall and Spring semesters throughout their graduate work. First and second year students choose a faculty mentor who is not their dissertation or rotation director to advise on choice of topic and to critique the presentation.

BCH 299 Research Seminar (0.5 credit)
This course offers credit for participation in the departmental seminar program and student seminar program. Each student is expected to present a formal research seminar on their research project and to participate in all departmental seminars scheduled in the Fall and Spring semesters throughout their graduate work.

BCH 300 Thesis Research (1-6 credits)
This course offers credit for research work applied to the Master’s thesis.

BCH 400 Dissertation Research (1-9 credits)
This course provides students credit for research work toward the PhD dissertation.