Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours from the courses listed below.
Required Courses
Graduate Biochemistry (GBCH-6010-01, fall semester, WF, 8:30-10:30 am, 4 credit hours, course director: William Wimley) The course objectives are to provide graduate level exposure to basic biochemistry, including the structure and function of proteins, membranes and lipids, the basis of enzyme function and metabolic cycles, glycoconjugate biochemistry, and DNA/RNA structure and function. Grades are assigned based on three exams given over the semester.
Advanced Cell Biology (BMSP-6070-01, fall semester, TTh, 9:30-11:00 am, 3 credit hours, course director: Gil Morris) The course objective is to introduce students to cellular organization and the molecular mechanisms of protein localization, intracellular signaling, and growth regulation. Grades are assigned based on four exams given over the semester.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar [GBCH-6020-01 (fall semester, M 12:00-1:00); GBCH-6020-01 (spring semester, M 12:00-1:00) 1 credit hour/semester, course director: Hee-Won Park) Students are required to attend and participate in the seminars given by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Introduction to Bioinformatics (GBCH-7230-01, fall semester, 3 credit hours, course director: Tianhua "Tim" Niu) This three credit course on Introduction to Bioinformatics provides students with essential concepts, tools, and databases on integrating computer science with biology and medicine to access, format, manage, visualize, and analyze biological data, especially for genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, and epigenomics. A major focus is to help students gain detailed knowledge and hands-on computer skills on next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analyses, particularly DNASeq, RNASeq, smallRNASeq, and epigenomics analyses. This course addresses the high demand of bioinformatics training for students who can apply critical software tools, data repositories, and analytical methods in their current student and future research.
Principles of Genetics (GBCH-7170-01, spring semester, 4 credit hours/semester, course director: Zachary Pursell) This four credit-course on the Principle of Genetics textbook by Griffiths et al that proceed from the basic experiments that established the principles of genetic behavior and gene regulation to the molecular genetics of higher organisms. The course is intended to fill a gap of knowledge in our curriculum for molecular genetics that nicely show the foundations of current studies using the broad range of organisms that are still being used as model organisms. An increasing number of students lack this information which we consider vital for their current work and their future studies. We use the textbook by Griffiths et al that is a favorite since it moves from genetics to a greater focus on molecular genetics.
Biomedical Statistics and Data Analysis (GBCH-7250-01, spring semester, TTh, 10:30-11:30 am, 2 credit hours, course director: William Wimley) The objective of this course is to provide biomedical graduate students with the knowledge needed to apply statistical tests and analyses to their own data and with the knowledge to understand the statistical analyses they are likely to encounter in the literature. Subjects include single and multiple parameter analyses for measured and counted variables, as well as linear and non-linear regression. Grades are based on exams that require students to apply what they learned to solving statistical problems.
Introduction to Data Science for Biomedical Informatics (BIMI-6200-01, fall, TBD, 3 credit hours, Course Director: Lan-Juan Zhao and Md Ashad Alam) The goal is to provide a comprehensive orientation to data science using SQL, R, Python, and programs with application to biomedical informatics.
Biochemistry Workshop [BMSP-7101-01 (fall semester, F, 10:30 am -Noon); BMSP-7110-01(spring semester, F, 9:00-10:30 am), 1 hour/semester, course director: Zachary Pursell) Students work in teams to present a seminar to the class on a selected research paper approved by the course instructor. Student teams will explain the topic background and specific hypothesis being tested, describe in detail the experimental design and results, and discuss the conclusions reached and whether or not they were justified. The student audience is expected to participate in class discussion following the presentation. In addition, each student is required to write a one-page summary explaining the hypothesis, content and significance of the findings for each presented paper.
Elective Courses
Advanced Bioinformatics (GBCH-7330-01, spring semester, 3 credit hours, course director: Tianhua "Tim" Niu) This three credit-course on Advanced Bioinformatics gives students a strong foundation of fundamental concepts and practical applications of machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence (AI), and trains them how to perform advanced data management, computation, analysis, and to generate effective graphical displays. Students will obtain in-depth knowledge and practical skills on computer algorithms in regression modeling, feature selection, clustering methods and principal component analysis, classification model selection with cross-validation, and deep learning. Students will also gain detailed knowledge and hands-on experience in proteomics data analysis. The crucial programming and analytical skills developed from this course can remarkably help students in hypothesis generation, model development and testing, and data analysis for their research projects.
Academic Writing and Critique (GBCH-7560-01, fall semester, W 10:00-11:50, 2 credit hours, course co-directors: Jeffrey Han & Heather Machado) Students will review the structure and syntax of papers from the primary literature and of grant proposals, investigate and report the validity of an advertised health claim, prepare a two-page grant proposal, and review a grant proposal. Review activities will be carried out in small groups with facilitation by the instructor. The grade will be based on class participation, student feedback, the report, and the proposal.
Research Methods in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBCH-7580, Days/Times to be determined, 2 credit hours/semester, course director: Hee-Won Park) Each student will work in a laboratory to learn how different methods are used to carry out research in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. At the end of the semester, the student is required to write a 2 to 3-page report describing the principle of the methods and the results of the work. The grade will be based on the feedback of the laboratory PI and the report.
Basic Medical Biochemistry (GBCH 6110, spring, MW 3:00-4:15, 3 credit hours, Course Director: Samuel Landry, Ph.D.) The course focuses on topics, mechanisms, and analyses that are most relevant to human health and disease, including biomolecule structure and function, gene regulation, and metabolism in cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Instructional methods include those currently employed in the Tulane Medical School, such as the flipped classroom and team-based learning. Students will be provided an array of learning aids, including instructional videos.
Medical Biochemistry Grand Rounds Externship (GBCH-7540-01 (fall), GBCH-7550-01 (spring), Days/Times to be determined, 3 credit hour/semester, Course Director: Hua Lu) Students are required to actively attend each of the Grand Rounds offered by either the Department of Medicine or the Department of Pediatrics and to give a one-page report post Grand Round. This report will summarize clinical and research topics, background knowledge, major experimental/diagnostic/therapeutic approaches discussed, key results, conclusions and significances of the studies presented in each Grand Round, as well as some critiques on the Grand Round. Grades are based on participation and reports
Human Medical Cellular Biochemistry (GBCH-7500-01 fall semester, TTh 3:30-5:00, 5 credit hours, course director: David Franklin) The objectives and content of the Human Medical Cellular Biochemistry course are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of cellular structure and function, and the manner by which cellular processes are normally integrated and regulated. This course stresses both the normal cellular function, and why disease states occur if normal cellular processes are disrupted.
Metabolic Biochemistry of Human Disease (GBCH-7520-01, spring semester, TTh 3:30-5:00, 5 credit hours, course director: David Franklin) The objectives and content of the Metabolic Biochemistry of Human Disease course are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic pathways involving the four major metabolic compounds: carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides; and the manner by which metabolism is normally integrated and regulated. This course stresses both the normal metabolic function, and why disease states occur if normal metabolic processes are disrupted.