Biosciences Program

  • Study Plans by Area of Primary Interest

    Select a department/program of primary interest to view their study plan for each semester: 


    Anatomy & Cell Biology 

    Fall

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression
    156:203 Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Anatomy & Cell Biology PhD Program

    Anatomy & Cell Biology recommendation:
    142:220 Mechanisms of Cellular Organization

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Anatomy & Cell Biology PhD Program

    Anatomy & Cell Biology recommendations:
    069:270 Pathogenesis of Major Human Diseases
    077:222 Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine
    127:191 Human Molecular Genetics
    142:215 Transcription and multi-functional regulation by RNA
    142:216 Chromatin structure and Disease
    142:217 Epigenetic, Cancer and Genetic Manipulations in Mice
    142:225 Growth Factor Receptor Signaling
    142:226 Cell Cycle Control
    142:227 Cell Fate Decisions
    650:270 Principles of Scholarly Integrity 


    Biochemistry

    Fall

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Biochemistry PhD Program

    Biochemistry recommendations:
    099:243 Introduction to Biophysical Chemistry
    099:245 Protein Stability, Folding, and Dynamics
    099:247 Binding and Macromolecular Interactions
    156:201 Biostatistics for Biomedical Research

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Biochemistry PhD Program

    Biochemistry recommendations:
    099:226 Enzyme Kinetics & Bioorganic Mechanisms
    099:246 Structure and Mechanism of Membrane Proteins
    099:248 NMR of Biological Macromolecules
    156:205 Practical Bioinformatics (wintrim) 


    Biology

    Fall

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research
    650:270 Principles of Scholarly Integrity

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Biology PhD Program

    Biology recommendations:
    002:104 Intro. to Developmental Biology
    002:128 Fundamental Genetics (section 00B for 3 Sem. Hrs.)
    002:228 Fundamental Genetics – Graduate (for 1 Sem. Hr.)
    002:131 Evolution
    002:134 Ecology
    002:143 Animal Behavior
    002:169 Intro. to Bioinformatics
    002:170 Bioinformatics
    002:171 Molecular Genetics
    002:180 Fundamental Neurobiology
    002:191 Topics in Molecular Genetics (check ISIS for availability)
    002:194 Topics in Cell & Development (check ISIS for availability)
    002:195 Topics in Neurobiology

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Biology PhD Program

    Biology recommendations:
    002:133 Biogeography
    002:114 Cell Biology
    002:117 Plant Developmental Biology
    002:128 Fundamental Genetics (for 4 Sem. Hrs.)
    002:131 Evolution
    002:145 Intro. to Neurobiology
    002:155 Cell Physiology
    002:160 Population Genetics and Molecular Evolution
    002:162 Molecular Phylogenetics
    002:168 Genes and Development
    002:174 Computational Genomics
    002:178 Genomics
    002:184 Developmental Neurobiology
    002:190 Topics in Evolution
    002:192 Basic Biology of human Disease (check ISIS for availability)
    002:193 Topics in Cell Motility (check ISIS for availability)
    002:195 Topics in Neurobiology (check ISIS for availability)
    002:200 Biology Colloquium
    002:218 Microscopy for Biomedical Research

    Biology will accept all elective credit except those noted below:
    060:234 Medical Neuroscience
    072:153 Human Physiology 


    Chemistry

    Fall

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Chemistry PhD Program

    Chemistry recommendations:
    004:228 Mechanisms of Organic Reactions
    004:234 Molecular Spectroscopy
    052:223 Introduction to Biocatalysis
    052:275 Prespecticves in Biocatalysis
    099:241 Biophysical Chemistry I

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Chemistry PhD Program

    Chemistry recommendations:
    004:221 Spectroscopic Methods in Organic Chemistry
    099:242 Biophysical Chemistry II 


    Free Radical & Radiation Biology

    Fall

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Free Radical & Radiation Biology PhD Program

    Free Radical & Radiation Biology recommendations:
    046:214 Pharmaceutical & Chemical Toxicology
    099:120 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I
    069:133 Introduction to Human Pathology
    198:180 Toxicology Seminar
    198:201 Toxicology Research
    077:103 Radiation Biology

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Free Radical & Radiation Biology PhD Program

    Free Radical & Radiation Biology recommendations:
    077:211 Medical Physics (even yrs)
    077:222 Free Radicals in Biology & Medicine (odd yrs)
    077:288 Mol & Cell Biology of Cancer (odd yrs)
    077:546 Current topics in free radical biology
    142:227 Cell Fate Decisions
    142:225 Growth Factor Receptor Signaling
    156:205 Practical Bioinformatics 


    Genetics

    Fall

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression
    156:203 Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Genetics PhD Program

    Genetics recommendations:
    127:150 Genetic Analysis of Biological Systems

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Genetics PhD Program

    Genetics recommendations:
    002:131 Evolution
    127:191 Human Molecular Genetics OR
    002:168 Genes and Development


    Human Toxicology

    Fall

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression
    156:203 Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Human Toxicology PhD Program

    Human Toxicology recommendations:
    069:133 Intro to Human Pathology
    171:161 Intro to Biostatistics
    046:214 Pharmaceutical & Chemical Toxicology
    175:197 Environmental Health

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Human Toxicology PhD Program

    Human Toxicology recommendations:
    175:260 Environmental Toxicology
    046:137 Enzymatic Basis of Drug Metabolism (even years)
    077:288 Molecular & Cellular Biology of Cancer 


    Immunology

    Fall

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Immunology PhD Program

    Immunology recommendations:

    061:247 Survey in Immunology (may be recommended in the Fall of year 1 by the Advisor if the student has not had sufficient background in immunology)
    156:204 Biostatisctics for Biomedical Research

    Students will take 5* sh (modules) of the following (fall/spring). If undecided, 156:201 and 203 are highly recommended.

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression*
    156:203 Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes*
    142:220 Mechanisms of Cellular Organization
    148:211 Immunology Graduate Student Seminar; (1 sh awarded during the fall semester of year one and the spring semesters of years one and two
    148:221 Advanced Topics in Immunology
    148:211 Immunology Graduate Student Seminar; (1 sh awarded during the fall semester of year one and the spring semesters of years one and two (optional but recommended)

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research
    148:211 Immunology Graduate Student Seminar; (1 sh awarded during the fall semester of year one and the spring semesters of years one and two (optional but recommended)
    148:201 Graduate Immunology

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Immunology PhD Program

    Immunology recommendations:
    142:215 Transcription, RNA*
    142:216 Chromatin and Disease*
    142:217 Mouse Models, Cancer*
    142:225 Growth Factor Receptor Signaling*
    142:226 Cell Cycle Control*
    142:227 Cell Fate Decisions*

    Immunology will accept all elective credit except those noted below:

    004:205 Bioinorganic Chemistry
    004:211 Chemical Catalysis in Biology
    004:228 Mechanisms of Organic Reactions 


    Microbiology

    Fall

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression
    156:203 Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Microbiology PhD Program

    Microbiology recommendations:
    061:201 Graduate Immunology I
    061:267 Graduate Intro Animal Viruses
    061:270 Graduate Microbial Genetics
    061:279 Graduate Bacterial Diversity (odd yrs)

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Microbiology PhD Program

    Microbiology recommendations:
    061:259 Graduate Pathogenic Bacteriology
    061:260 Graduate Microbial Physiology
    061:268 Molecular Biology of Animal Viruses

    Microbiology will accept all elective credit except those noted below:
    004:228 Mechanisms of Organic Reactions
    060:234 Medical Neuroscience (same as 132:234)
    072:153 Human Physiology
    132:180 Fundamental Neuroscience
    132:240 Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience 


    Molecular & Cellular Biology

    Fall

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression
    156:203 Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Molecular & Cellular Biology PhD Program

    Molecular & Cellular Biology recommendations:
    156:204 Biostatisctics for Biomedical Research
    142:220 Mechanisms of Cellular Organization (required for Molecular & Cellular Biology students)

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by Molecular & Cellular Biology PhD Program

    Molecular & Cellular Biology recommendations:
    142:215 Transcription and multi-functional regulation by RNA (required for Molecular & Cellular Biology students)
    142:216 Chromatin structure and Disease (required for Molecular & Cellular Biology students)
    142:217 Epigenetic, Cancer and Genetic Manipulations in Mice (required for Molecular & Cellular Biology students)
    142:225 Growth Factor Receptor Signaling
    142:226 Cell Cycle Control
    142:227 Cell Fate Decisions
    156:205 Practical Bioinformatics


    Molecular Physiology & Biophysics

    Fall

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression
    156:203 Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Physiology & Biophysics PhD Program

    Physiology & Biophysics recommendations:
    132:180 Fundamental Neuroscience
    142:220 Mechanisms of Cellular Organization
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Physiology & Biophysics PhD Program

    Physiology & Biophysics recommendations:

    132:181 Neurophysiology (odd yrs)
    142:215 Transcription and multi-functional regulation by RNA
    142:216 Chromatin structure and Disease
    142:217 Epigenetic, Cancer and Genetic Manipulations in Mice
    142:225 Growth Factor Receptor Signaling
    142:226 Cell Cycle Control
    142:227 Cell Fate Decisions

    Molecular Physiology & Biophysics will accept all elective credit except those noted below:

    002:233 Seminar Ecology  


    Neuroscience

    Fall

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression (Molecular Track)
    156:203 Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes (Molecular Track)
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Neuroscience PhD Program

    Neuroscience recommendations:
    031:278 Principles of Neurpsychology (Cognitive Track)

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Neuroscience PhD Program

    Neuroscience recommendations:
    132:240 Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience
    132:234 Medical Neuroscience 


    Pharmacology

    Fall

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression
    156:203 Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Pharmacology PhD Program

    Pharmacology recommendations:
    072:153 Human Physiology

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Pharmacology PhD Program

    Pharmacology recommendations:
    071:135 Principles of Pharmacology  


    Speech & Hearing Science

    Fall

    156:201 Fundamentals of Gene Expression
    156:203 Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes
    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (1) from the approved Fall Electives or those recommended by the Speech & Hearing Science PhD Program

    Speech & Hearing Science recommendations:
    003:201 Principles of Voice Production
    003:251 Biophysics of Speech and Hearing (even years only)
    132:180 Fundamental Neuroscience
    051:170 Biomaterials and Implant Design

    Spring

    156:265 Biosciences Critical Thinking & Communication
    156:302 Biosciences Research

    Elective Choose any (2) from the approved Spring Electives or those recommended by the Speech & Hearing Science PhD Program

    Speech & Hearing Science recommendations:
    003:256 Physiology of Hearing
    003:230 Advanced Hearing Science & Speech Perception
    051:177 Cell Material Interactions