Courses
Required Courses
BGE 510: Graduate Genetics
This course investigates fundamental aspects of the transmission and expression of genetic information in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. The course is organized in a way that allows the students to appreciate the breadth of genetics research, while also gaining an in-depth understanding of selected important topics. Students explore the use of both classical and molecular genetic approaches to understand biological processes in genetics model systems including yeast, flies, worms, mouse, and man.
Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
MCB 503: Molecular Genetics
Introduces the classical work and current developments in lower and higher genetic systems. Covers gene structure and regulation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, mutational analysis and mapping, transposable elements, and biological DNA transfer mechanisms. Bacteriophage as well as lower and higher eukaryotic systems are used to illustrate aspects of molecular genetic structure and function. This course is offered as both MCB 503 and HBM 503. Prerequisite: matriculation in graduate program or permission of instructor
Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
MCB 656: Cell Biology
Introduction to the structural and functional organization of cells and tissues and to the way structure relates to function. Particular emphasis is placed on nuclear and chromosomal structure, signal transduction, protein translocation, the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. The interaction of cellular structures and components and their regulation is stressed as is the organization and interaction of cells in tissues. The course is comparative and includes examples of cells and tissues from vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and prokaryotic systems. Prerequisite: matriculation in graduate program or permission of instructor.
Spring, 4 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
BGE 530: Laboratory Rotation
The student rotates through laboratories of three different genetics program faculty members during the first year. The selection of the laboratories is made by the student, in conjunction with individual faculty, and with the approval of the program director. By taking part in ongoing projects, the student will learn experimental procedures and techniques and become acquainted with research opportunities in the participating programs. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Fall and Spring, 1-8 credits, S/U gradingBGE 531: Graduate Student Seminar in Genetics
Students have the opportunity to present their research to other students and faculty on an annual basis. Students in the first or second year will present brief seminars as part of a one-day symposium with all of their classmates. Advanced students present research seminars as part of a weekly research seminar series that is attended by faculty and students. Although the first and second year students do not present in this weekly seminar series, they should attend these seminars as it provides an excellent mechanism for learning about current areas of research interest.
Fall and Spring, 0-1 credits, S/U gradingBGE 691: Readings in Genetics
Journal Club on thematic topics in different areas of current genetics research
Prerequisite: Permission of instructorBGE 693: Research Proposal Preparation
A course, based upon literature in the broad field of Genetics, to instruct in scientific writing and the preparation of research proposals. The course will be organized in three parts. In the first section of the course, students will become familiar with the components of the research proposal and will read and evaluate proposals written by the training faculty. Lectures given by the course co-directors will cover the basics of scientific writing, research proposal preparation, and the problems and concerns commonly voiced by reviewers of research proposals. In the second section, students will develop two short proposals for the study of genetics which are unrelated to their graduate research. One of these short proposals will be selected for development into a full proposal. In the third section, students will develop and write the full proposal. The students' skills in proposal preparation will be enhanced by critiquing the short and full proposals presented by other students in the second and third sections of the course.
Spring, 1-3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
BGE 599: Graduate Research
Original investigation undertaken with the supervision of a member of the program.
Fall and Spring, 1-9 credits, S/U gradingBGE 699: Dissertation Research on Campus
Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy (G5). Major portion of research must take place on SBU campus, at Cold Spring Harbor, or at the Brookhaven National Lab.
Fall, Spring, and Summer, 1-9 credits, S/U gradingBGE 800: Summer/Winter Research
BIO 600: Practicum in Teaching
Fall and Spring, 0 credits, S/U grading
May be repeated .
GRD 500: Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship
This course is designed to introduce students to the major issues in the ethics of science and research. Using a combination of readings - written and web-based - videos, lectures, case discussion and other exercises, students will investigate the moral values intrinsic to science and the professional and social values with which scientists must comply. Each class will begin with an introductory lecture or video followed by discipline-based, small group discussions with the participation of faculty from the department or program from which the graduate students come.
0-1 credits, S/U grading
May be repeated .
Popular Electives
AMS 534: Introduction to Systems Biology
This course is geared towards teaching essential concepts and computational skills in Systems Biology. The course is centered upon two key programming languages: Matlab for modeling applications and the R language for statistical analysis and sequence manipulation.
Spring, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
AMS 572: Data Analysis I
Introduction to basic statistical procedures. Survey of elementary statistical procedures such as the t-test and chi-square test. Procedures to verify that assumptions are satisfied. Extensions of simple procedures to more complex situations and introduction to one-way analysis of variance. Basic exploratory data analysis procedures (stem and leaf plots, straightening regression lines, and techniques to establish equal variance). Offered as AMS 572 or HPH 698.
Prerequisite: AMS 312 or permission of instructorBEE 551: Principles of Evolution
Biological evolution, including the genetics of populations, speciation, evolution of higher taxa, and the fossil record.
Fall, 4 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
BEE 554: Population Genetics and Evolution
A general introduction to mathematical population genetics and evolutionary theory. The effects of mutation, recombination, selection, and migration are studied. Modern concepts in both theoretical and experimental population genetics are covered.
Prerequisite: BEE 552 or equivalent, and a course in evolutionBEE 575: Evolutionary Ecology
The approach is to understand the theoretical basis and review empirical tests of diverse topics. The format includes both lectures and student-led discussions of primary literature.
Prerequisite: BEE 550; BEE 551, or permission of instructorBME 503: Cell and Molecular Imaging
This course will cover basics of optics, microscopy, spectroscopy and fluorescence in the context of imaging at the cellular and molecular level. Recently developed advanced imaging techniques for probing protein interactions and live cell functions are also discussed. The course is organized in 3 modules.
3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)BME 534: Functional Genomics
Course provides foundation in concepts of functional genomics and proteomics. Topics include organization and complexity of the mammalian genome and mechanisms of expression of genes, gene expression analysis technologies with a strong focus on construction and utilization of DNA microarrays, and tools for determining gene function by perturbation of gene expression.
Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)CHE 543: Chemical Approaches to Biology
The use of molecular concepts and methodology to solve problems in biology and medicine. The course covers methods to elucidate and control biological systems. Possible topics include chemical genomics, metabolomics, and chemotherapeutics.
Prerequisite CHE 542CSE 549: Computational Biology
This course focuses on current problems in computational biology and bioinformatics. Our emphasis will be algorithmic, on discovering appropriate combinatorial algorithm problems and the techniques to solve them. Primary topics will include DNA sequence assembly, DNA/protein sequence comparison, hybridization array analysis, RNA and protein folding, and phylogenic trees.
3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
HBH 550: Statistics in Life Sciences
This course covers statistical concepts and issues in the life sciences. Basic algebra is assumed as a prerequisite. Topics covered include: descriptive statistics, foundation of statistical inference, sampling distribution, point estimate and confidence internal, comparison of independent and paired samples, analysis of categorical data, correlation, ANOVA, linear regression, and nonparametric test.
1 credit, S/U gradingHBM 522: Biology of Cancer
A short course with the emphasis on cancer as a disease of man. Lectures address human cancer as seen by the clinician and as basic research relates to human disease. This course provides students with a link between courses in cell and molecular biology and the application of this basic information to tumor management. Offered as HBM 522 and HPH 659.
Spring, even years, 2 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
HBM 640: Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis
This course covers the principles and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of a selected group of the best understood viral and bacterial pathogens. A major focus of the course relates to pathogen modification of host extracellular and intracellular signalling events, as well as pathogen-host interactions pertaining to the innate, humoral and cellular responses to infection. The material is presented by invited lecturers who are leaders in their fields. This courses is directed to graduate students, post-doctorate and medical fellows, and advanced medical students, who are are contemplating careers in infectious disease research. Prerequisite: HBM, BMO 503 and BMO 520
3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
HBM 692: Experimental Methods in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the rationale underlying the wide array of new methods in biology, as well as to promote the critical analysis of scientific literature. Lectures will be given about various scientific methods and approaches, and journal articles relating to the concepts introduced will be assigned. A separate discussion section will be held to review and critique the articles, to be led by the students.
1 credit, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
HBM 533: Immunology
Principles of immunology for graduate students in the biological sciences, including definition of antigens and antibodies, specificity of the immune response, immunoglobulin structure, the genetics of immunoglobulin synthesis, cellular cooperation in the immune response, hypersensitivity, tolerance immunogenetics. Open to advanced undergraduates.
Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
HBY 561: Statistical Analysis of Physiological Data
Statistical methods useful in analyzing common types of physiological data. Topics include probability, data distributions, hypothesis testing with parametric and non-parametric methods, ANOVA, regression and correlation, and power analysis. Emphasis is on experimental design and appropriate, efficient use of statistical software.
Spring, 1 credit, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
MCB 517: Biomembranes
Examines the molecular architecture of membranes; the structure, organization, functions, and assembly of lipids and proteins in biological membranes.
Prerequisite: Matriculation in Graduate Program or permission of instructor.MCB 520: Graduate Biochemistry I
Several topics in modern biochemistry are treated at an advanced level. Topics covered will include protein structure, enzyme kinetics and mechanisms, and enzyme regulation.
Prerequisite: undergraduate biochemistry course, matriculation in graduate program or permission of instructorMCB 657: Principles of Development
This course deals with developing systems at all levels from the morphological to the molecular. Illustrative material from both animal and plant kingdoms is used. Special attention is given to gametogenesis, genetic control of early development, transcriptional and translational control of protein synthesis, the role of cell division and cell movements, and cell-to-cell interactions in defining developing systems.
Prerequisite: MCB 656, matriculation in graduate program or permission of instructor.WRT 621: Graduate-Level Writing
This course, designed for a mixture of students from any of our graduate programs or departments, is a workshop in writing academic papers, theses, or dissertations, with attention to research methods, drafting, organizing, revising, and editing work that the students have already been assigned in their primary departments.
3 credits, S/U gradingAlan Alda Center for Communicating Science Courses (Partial Listing)
COM 522: Communicating Science to Policy Makers
A hands-on experience that provides students with the skills, practice, and knowledge to clearly, concisely, and effectively communicate the importance of science to policy makers. Communication is essential to secure funding and successfully advocate for or against legislation that could greatly impact research. Learning how to effectively communicate science to state and federal elected officials and agency staff is crucial for scientists, healthcare professionals, and professional science communicators. Students will explore communication tactics and methods based in theory and practice.
3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
COM 534: Communicating Science Using Digital Media
Science and health information increasingly travels by digital media, as new ways emerge for scientists to communicate directly with the public, without the intermediaries of press or public relations. Students will learn how to use blogs, podcasts, Twitter and other forms of social media for two-way communication with different segments of the public, including colleagues in other disciplines. The course will include hands-on instruction in working with digital media, tailored to students' interests and levels of experience.
3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)COM 565: Foundations of Science Communication
A foundational course in science communication and an introduction to the Alda Method ®. Students will learn about evidence-based approaches to communicate scientific concepts and data accurately and effectively to diverse audiences. Through an exploration of science communication literature and applied-improvisational theater exercises, students build communication skills to help them understand, connect, relate, and adapt to various audiences such as peers, professors, employers, policy makers, funders, journalists, and the public. Students hone their written and oral science communication skills by creating, delivering, and evaluating audience-centered messaging.
3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
COM 585: Communicating Science and Health Risks to the Public
3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)