INTD 5000: Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences - Roberts
CSBL 5089: Graduate Colloquium - Leach
CSBL 5095: Experimental Design and Data Analysis - Morgan
INTD 6002: Ethics in Research - Baseman
CSBL 6071: Supervised Teaching
CSBL 6090: Seminar
CSBL 6097: Research Independent
CSBL 6098: Thesis
CSBL 7099: Dissertation

 
Track Specific Courses:

INTD 5007: Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology - Hornsby
CSBL 6048: Biology of Aging - Larsen, Van Remmen
CSBL 6064: Genes and Development - Naylor, Penalva, Vogel, Rebel
CSBL 6068: Cancer Biology Core 1 - Marciniak, Freeman
CSBL 6069: Cancer Biology Core 2 - Dahia, Naylor

 
Electives:

CSBL 6021: Animal Models - Bai
CSBL 6020: Concepts in Vertebrate Development - Vogel
INTD 5043: Fundamentals of Neuroscience - Morilak
CSBL 5011: Gross Anatomy and Human Embryology - Johnson
CSBL 5015: History of Anatomy - Moore
CSBL 5019: Gross Human Anatomy for Graduate Students - Philo
CSBL 5031: Microscopic Anatomy - Medical - King
CSBL 5032: Microscopic Anatomy - Dental - Herbert, Weaker
INTD 5041: Neuroscience - Medical - Vaughan
CSBL 5083: Practical Optical Microscopy

Required Courses

INTD 5000: Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences
This is a core course covering the fundamentals of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, immunology, and organismal & systems biology.  The course is designed for first year graduate students matriculating into the integrated, multidisciplinary graduate program. (10 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 5089: Graduate Colloquium
This course is designed to provide graduate students with training in evaluating the scientific literature and in presentation of research in a seminar or journal club format. The course will focus on critical thinking, including evaluation of existing literature, interpretation of experimental results, and comparison of alternative models and interpretations. These tools are essential both for oral presentations and for writing grant proposals and manuscripts. Emphasis will be placed on evaluation of the science, organization of the manuscript, and on oral presentation skills. (2.0 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 5095: Experimental Design and Data Analysis
The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to experimental design and statistical analysis. The emphasis of the course will be on the selection and application of proper tests of statistical significance. Practical experience will be provided in the use of both parametric and nonparametric methods of statistical evaluation. Among the topics to be covered are: data reduction, types of distributions, hypothesis testing, scales of measurement, chi square analysis, the special case of the comparison of two groups, analysis of variance, a posteriori multiple range tests, tests of the assumptions of parametric analyses, advanced forms of the analysis of variance, linear regression and correlation analysis. (2.0 Semester Credit Hours)

INTD 6002: Ethics in Research
This course will deal with topics relevant to ethics in scientific research. The course will be taught on a "case study" basis, dealing with real and hypothetical situations relevant to the conduct of scientific research. Topics discussed will include, but will not be limited to: data management, peer review, recognizing scientific misconduct, authorship, and The University of Texas regulations relevant to human and animal research. (0.5 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 6071: Supervised Teaching
Participation in the teaching program of the medical, dental, graduate or allied health curricula. (Semester hours vary depending on the time spent in teaching.)

CSBL 6090: Seminar
Attendance and participation in the regularly scheduled Department seminar series is required during each fall and spring semester. During the first spring semester students are required to write a literature review on a topic of their choice and a research grant proposal. During the second spring semester students must write and orally defend a mock postdoctoral proposal (qualifying exam). During all subsequent spring semesters students are required to present a seminar covering their progress in research. (1.0 Semester Credit Hour)

CSBL 6097: Research
Independent, Original research under the direction of a faculty advisor. (Credit to be arranged)

CSBL 6098: Thesis
Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for Master of Science degree. Instruction in the preparation of the thesis. Registration for at least one term is required of M.S. candidates. (Credit to be arranged)

CSBL 7099: Dissertation
Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for Doctor of Philosophy degree. Registration for at least two terms is required of Ph.D. candidates. (Credit to be arranged)

Track Specific Courses:

INTD 5007: Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
The topics covered by the course will be cell surface receptor-mediated signal transduction, nuclear receptor signaling, mitochondria and apoptosis, stem cell and differentiation, and DNA damage response and cell cycle check points. The teaching emphasis will be a critical evaluation of current literature. This course will provide an understanding of cellular processes via the experimental results which led to the conclusions currently held. (3.0 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 6048: Biology of Aging
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the most up-to-date information on current understanding of the aging process in molecular terms. This advanced (elective) graduate course will be offered to students who wish to either specialize in or have a strong background in the interrelated areas of development, aging and age-related diseases. Faculty members and postdoctoral fellows of the Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, as well as faculty from several other departments and colleagues associated with the VA-GRECC program may benefit from this course. (3.0 semester credit hours)

CSBL 6064: Genes and Development
Genes and Development is the core course of the Genetics, Genomics and Development Track. The course consists of four modules: genetics, genomics, developmental biology, and stem cell biology. Basic concepts in genetics such as cytogenetics, mitochondrial genetics, cancer genetics, linkage analysis, complex traits, population genetics, animal models, sex determination and epigenetics will be presented. The genomics section will include historical aspects of the genome project and high throughput analysis. The students will be introduced to new techniques in global analysis as well as have hands on experience. The developmental biology section provides a survey of concepts in developmental biology (induction, cell-cell interactions, morphogen gradients, morphogenetic movements, transcriptional regulation, organogenesis) using experimental examples from both invertebrate and vertebrate embryos. The stem cell biology section includes the following topics: basic biology of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, stem cells in different tissues and model systems; microenvironment-mediated and epigenetic regulators of stem cells; stem cells in medicine, including regenerative medicine, cancer and aging; and ethics. Each of the 4 sections will also be offered as a one credit course. (4 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 6068: Cancer Biology Core 1
This is the first part of the Cancer Biology Track core course. This course will provide an overview of current areas of research in the molecular biology of tumor formation. Areas that will be covered include oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, telomere biology, DNA repair pathways and maintenance of genomic stability. The alteration of normal cellular pathways in the multi-step process of tumorigenesis will be discussed, as well as modes stem cells in cancer. (3.0 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 6069: Cancer Biology Core 2
This is the second part of the Cancer Biology Track core course. This course provides an overview of different cancers including lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, hematological and tumors of the nervous system. The pathology of the cancers as well as their molecular basis is presented. The basis for therapies and an introduction to clinical trials is discussed as well as chemoprevention. Current experimental approaches that will be presented include animal models, molecular diagnostics and tumor profiling. (2.0 Semester Credit Hours)

Electives:

CSBL 6021: Animal Models
The relevant biology, applicability and practical use of a number of animal models to biomedical research is covered. Invertebrate (e.g. C. elegans) and vertebrate (e.g. fish and rodents) model systems are included in the course. Strengths and weaknesses of each organism that render them particularly valuable as animal models are emphasized. Experimental approaches and tools that are utilized in conjunction with each animal model are rigorously examined. The course is taught from primary scientific literature using classic historical publications and recent publications. (3.0 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 6020: Concepts in Vertebrate Development
This course will employ classical experimental embryology as a background for presenting recent advances in molecular and cellular aspects of vertebrate development. Topics include: gametogenesis and fertilization, cleavage and midblastula transition, gastrulation, neural induction, neural crest migration, CNS patterning, limb development, and inductive events in endodermal differentiation. Emphasis will be placed on mechanisms of morphogenesis and differentiation at the molecular level. (3.0 semester credit hours)

INTD 5043: Fundamentals of Neuroscience
This course is intended to introduce the student to a broad survey of the basic concepts of neuroscience. The course is organized into a series of modules discussing levels of neurobiological functions that range from molecular through behavioral and cognitive processes, and covering topics such as the action potential, molecular mechanisms of synaptic release, neurotransmitter systems, autonomic regulation, the limbic system, sensory and motor processing, emotion, cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. While this is an introductory graduate course, a basic background in organismic biology, cell biology and chemistry is assumed. (4.0 semester credit hours)

CSBL 5011: Gross Anatomy and Human Embryology
Lectures, conferences and laboratory work covering normal human developmental and gross anatomy. Lectures on early embryonic development and implantation are presented at the beginning of the course. Lectures and laboratories on the development of the systems are correlated with the presentation and dissection of the gross structure of the adult. Groups of four students dissect a cadaver under supervision of the Cellular and Structural Biology Staff. Prosections, demonstration specimens, x-rays, films and other learning aids supplement the laboratory work. Applied anatomy and malformations are discussed by clinical specialists. (7.5 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 5015: History of Anatomy
The History of Anatomy course studies the physicians and scientists who made great discoveries in the field of anatomy from the early Egyptian and Greek scholars to recent anatomists in America with an overview of the discoveries and state of medicine during the time they lived. Emphasis is placed on reviewing primary literature (or translations) where possible. Included in the course is a visit to the Nixon Library collection of rare books with a display of anatomical illustration and important anatomical texts. (2.5 Semester Credit Hours)
View History of Anatomy Photo Gallery of Visit to P.I. Nixon Medical History Library.

CSBL 5019: Gross Human Anatomy for Graduate Students
This course will teach structural and functional anatomy of the normal human body. Lectures will serve as introductory information for the laboratory dissections to follow and to clarify the interactions of the various anatomical components to accomplish the function of the body. The course will cover the central and peripheral nervous systems, vertebral column and back, head and neck, body wall, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and perineum, and the upper and lower limbs. Special emphasis will be placed on the laboratory experience in which the learner will perform a detailed dissection of the entire human body in order to achieve an understanding of the three-dimensional relationships and thus the interactive function of the body. These dissections will be supplemented by the study of prosected specimens, models skeletons and other demonstration materials. (6.0 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 5031: Microscopic Anatomy - Medical
This course consists of a series of lectures and laboratory sessions which cover current concepts in cell biology and human histology. Basic information on the structure and function of cells and tissues is presented in the lectures; this is followed by staff-supervised laboratory sessions emphasizing the recognition of cells and the fundamental tissues. Each student is provided with a box of microscopic slides of human tissues. The laboratory sessions are accompanied by microscopic slide demonstrations and/or television tapes of tissues under study. Supplemental study material such as films, television tapes and transparent photomicrographics are available upon request through the Audiovisual Department and the Learning Resources Center. The general purpose of this course is to offer the student the opportunity to become acquainted with basic cytology and histology of normal human tissues, thereby developing a firm foundation of knowledge for the understanding of normal and disease processes. (5.0 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 5032: Microscopic Anatomy - Dental
Lectures, conferences, demonstrations and laboratory work studying the microscopic structure of the tissues and organs of the human body. Lectures will emphasize the correlation of structure and function while laboratory work will be devoted to the recognition of normal human tissue. (5.0 Semester Credit Hours)

INTD 5041: Neuroscience - Medical
Lectures, conferences, and laboratories deal with study of the anatomy and function of the brain and spinal cord. The course will include presentations of neurological cases and will be taught by an interdisciplinary task force from the Departments of Cellular and Structural Biology, Physiology, Medicine and Surgery. (5.0 Semester Credit Hours)

CSBL 5083: Practical Optical Microscopy
This course will be a one-hour elective for graduate students consisting of eight (8) one-hour lectures plus eight (8) one-hour laboratories. The course focuses on the practical aspects of using optical microscopes. The objectives are to teach students the fundamental principals of optical microscopy and to provide them with hands-on experience using the optical instrumentation in the Institutional Imaging Core. (1.0 Semester Credit Hour)

Course Descriptions | Interdepartmental Courses