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| Admissions - Programs - Registration - Events - Staff - NYMC Home |
BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY PROGRAM
Program Director: Dr. Joseph Wu (M.S. students) and Dr. Yuk-Ching Tse-Dinh (Ph.D. students)
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The objective of these programs is to provide students with a thorough background in modern biochemistry and molecular biology. This theoretical background provides the fundamental knowledge necessary for an understanding of the life sciences at the molecular level.
The doctoral program prepares students for a career in independent research or teaching in academia, government, or industry. Doctoral students are introduced to laboratory research early in their course of study. Research opportunities in the department are in the areas of protein structure and function, enzyme reaction mechanisms, regulation of gene expression, mechanism of hormone action and cell signaling, enzymology and mechanisms of DNA replication and repair, cell cycle regulation, control of cell growth, molecular biology of the cancer process, molecular neurobiology, and the genetics and biochemistry of bacterial and viral pathogens. A common theme of the research programs is the application of modern recombinant DNA technology to the study of gene regulation and protein structure-function relationships. Specific admission requirements for the Ph.D. include: one year each of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics at the undergraduate levels. A year of physical chemistry is also recommended.
The Master’s program provides advanced training in the principles of biochemistry and molecular biology. Research opportunities are available (Plan B). Recent graduates from the Master’s program have found technical positions in academic and pharmaceutical company labs, pursued careers in teaching, science writing and editing, and as scientific consultants in business settings, or have gone on to advanced studies for the Ph.D. or M.D. degrees.
Master of Science Program
Specific Program Requirements (Hegis Code 0414)
A minimum total of thirty credits, including either a one credit Master’s Literature Review (Plan A) or a one credit Master’s Thesis (Plan B) is required for graduation. Departmental Seminar and Journal Club (BIOC - 8020) may be taken multiple times but only two credits may be counted towards degree requirements. Courses offered by other departments may be applied toward the elective credit requirements with the approval of the program director.
| Plan A: | |
| Required Courses | |
| General Biochemistry I & II (BIOC 1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| Biochemistry of Gene Expression (BIOC 1250) | 4 credits |
| Departmental Seminar and Journal Club (BIOC 8020), taken twice OR Current Topics (BIOC 8110) | 2 credits |
| Master’s Literature Review (BIOC 9750) | 1 credit |
Electives |
15 credits |
| Total | 30 credits |
Plan B: |
|
| Required Courses | |
| General Biochemistry I & II (BIOC 1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| Biochemistry of Gene Expression (BIOC 1250) | 4 credits |
| Departmental Seminar and Journal Club (BIOC 8020), taken twice OR Current Topics (BIOC 8110) | 2 credits |
| Master’s Thesis Research (BIOC 9800) | up to 5 credits |
| Master’s Thesis (BIOC 9850) | 1 credit |
Electives |
10 - 15 credits |
| Total | 30 credits |
Doctor of Philosophy
Specific Program Requirements (Hegis Code 0414)
A minimum of 45 course credits and 15 research credits is required.
| Required Courses | |
| General Biochemistry I & II (BIOC 1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| Biochemistry of Gene Expression (BIOC 1250) | 4 credits |
| Protein Structure and Function (BIOC 2690) | 3 credits |
| Advanced Biochemical Techniques (BIOC 9110) | 9 credits |
| Departmental Seminar & Journal Club (BIOC 8020) | 4 credits |
| Cell Biology (CELL 1360) | 3 credits |
| Electives | 14 credits |
| At least 4 elective credits must be in Biochemistry courses. | |
| Subtotal, course credits | 45 credits |
| Doctoral Dissertation Research (BIOC 9900) | 15 research credits |
| Total | 60 credits |
During the first year, the student takes General Biochemistry I (BIOC 1010) and Biochemistry of Gene Expression (BIOC 1250) in the Fall term and General Biochemistry II (BIOC 1020) and Protein Structure and Function (BIOC 2690) in the Spring term. Departmental Seminar and Journal Club (BIOC 8020) is required during each year of enrollment in the Ph.D. program but only four credits of this course may be applied towards the program’s minimum credit requirements. All Ph.D. students are required and expected to attend departmental seminars. These seminars include those presented by students and invited speakers. In addition, Ph.D. students will carry out three laboratory rotations of approximately three months each during the first year (BIOC 9110). Since the academic load in the Spring term is fairly heavy and Part I of the Qualifying Examination (the Preliminary Examination) is taken in June of the first year, the third rotation may be extended into the summer.
M.D./Ph.D. Candidates
Course requirements for M.D./Ph.D. candidates seeking their Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are Cell Biology (BIOC 1360), Biochemistry of Gene Expression (BIOC 1250), and Protein Structure and Function (BIOC 2690). Departmental Seminar and Journal Club (BIOC 8020) is required during each year of enrollment in the Ph.D. program. Students may elect to take additional courses offered in other departments. M.D./Ph.D. students must also pass the written and oral examination(s), prepare a thesis proposal, and defend a doctoral dissertation like all Ph.D. candidates.
Qualifying Examination
Part I of the Qualifying Examination (the Preliminary Exam) is administered at the end of the first year (usually in June). This written examination tests the student's mastery of material covered in the first-year curriculum and other selected topics. All first year students must take the examination at this time. Under certain circumstances, if performance on the examination is unsatisfactory, a student may be given the opportunity to re-take the examination within one year. No more than two opportunities to pass the examination will be provided.
Part II (Qualifying Exam): Within one year of completing Part I of the examination, the student must submit a short written proposal describing the design of a research project on a topic not directly related to the student's dissertation research. An examining committee will be established consisting of at least three faculty from the program and one faculty member from another doctoral program within the College. This committee will review and approve the student’s topic. The proposal will then be presented and defended orally in front of the examining committee and the department, at which time the student will be examined on various aspects of the proposal.
Candidacy
The student is considered a doctoral candidate when he or she has passed both parts of the Qualifying Examination, has earned at least 30 didactic (letter-graded) credits including all the required courses, and has been recommended for candidacy by the program faculty. M.D./Ph.D. students are eligible for candidacy under the same conditions except that the credit requirement consists only of the required graduate courses.
Dissertation Committee
Students must choose a thesis advisor after successful completion of Part I (Preliminary Exam) of the Qualifying Examination (i.e., at the end of the first year). Before the end of the second year, a dissertation committee should be formed. This committee must have at least five members, including at least three graduate faculty from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program and one graduate faculty member from another doctoral program. One member of the committee may be a scientist with appropriate expertise from outside the College. The thesis advisor chairs the committee. Within a year of beginning the thesis research, the student should present a dissertation research proposal to this committee. A written progress report should be presented to the committee at least once each year. Upon approval of the committee, the student may write the dissertation and defend it before the committee and the department
Course Descriptions
| BIOC 1010, 1020 General Biochemistry | (8 credits) | |
| BIOC 1010 Part I (Fall) | Dr. Horowitz and Staff | |
| BIOC 1020 Part II (Spring) | Dr. Horowitz and Staff | |
| (Previously offered as 230A.4 and 230B.4) | ||
| This course is designed to present a thorough background of
structural biochemistry, molecular biology and metabolism. The first
semester provides the underpinning of quantitative biochemistry, i.e.,
stoichiometry, acids, bases, thermodynamics and kinetics. This is followed
by a consideration of the structure and properties of amino acids and
proteins. Fundamentals of catalysis and enzyme properties and mechanisms
follow the development of protein structure. Molecular biology is developed via consideration of the structure, function and synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins. Aspects of information transfer and its control are discussed in addition to the topics of regulation of gene expression and biotechnology. Finally, the structure and properties of carbohydrates and lipids, including glycoproteins, glycolipids and glycosaminoglycans are presented. The second semester focuses largely on metabolism. The subject is introduced by a discussion of the principles governing metabolism including bioenergetics, compartmentalization, and the operation and control of pathways. Major metabolic pathways of carbohydrate metabolism are discussed. This is followed by a consideration of oxidative metabolism and lipid metabolism (i.e., triglycerides, phospholipids and sterols). This is followed by signal transduction, membrane biochemistry and biochemistry of hormones. Then, the metabolism of amino acids, porphyrins and nucleotides are developed with considerable discussion of inborn errors of metabolism. The course concludes with a discussion of nutritional biochemistry and integration of pathways. Normally, Part I is a prerequisite for Part II. The order of a student’s enrollment may be reversed with the approval of the instructor if the student has received adequate training in physical chemistry and molecular biology. Lectures and conferences: 4 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| BIOC 1250 Biochemistry of Gene Expression | (4 credits) | Drs. Wu and M. Lee |
| (Previously offered as 246.4) | ||
| In vitro and in vivo aspects of DNA, RNA and
protein synthesis are covered in depth by instructors actively doing
research in each of these areas. Special emphasis is placed on methods and
techniques used to address key questions in the macromolecular processes of
DNA replication and repair, RNA transcription and processing, protein
synthesis, and post-translational modifications. Students are introduced to
principles and applications of molecular techniques and new discoveries in
the molecular biology of eukaryotes. Students are provided with a
comprehensive reading list. Lectures: 4 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| BIOC 1350 Biophysical Chemistry | (3 credits) | Dr. Tse-Dinh |
| (Previously offered as 235.3) | ||
| This course gives a thorough description of molecular
properties and processes such as diffusion, viscosity, sedimentation and
electrophoresis. The application of these properties and processes to the
determination of the size and shape of macromolecules is stressed.
Spectroscopic methods, such as ultraviolet and visible absorption,
fluorescence, circular dichroism, optical rotatory dispersion, nuclear
magnetic resonance, as well as X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy are
discussed and their applications to the study of proteins and nucleic acids
are emphasized. Prerequisite: undergraduate course in physical chemistry.
Lectures: 3 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| BIOC 2010 Advanced Biochemistry | (3 credits) | Dr. Sabban |
| (Previously offered as 261.3) | ||
| The first part of the course examines principles of
regulatory mechanisms of various enzymes in metabolic pathways and in the
nervous system. Selected examples of short- and long-term regulation will be
presented. This is followed by the selected topic of peptides in the nervous
system to demonstrate examples of transcriptional, translational and
post-translational regulatory pathways. Students will read and discuss
recent papers on these topics. Lectures: 3 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| BIOC 2320 Nutritional Biochemistry | (3 credits) | Dr. Horowitz and staff |
| (Previously offered as 232.2) | ||
| The biochemical basis for mammalian nutritional requirements
will be surveyed. Diets will be analyzed for nutritional adequacy and the
consequences of nutritional deficiencies will be elaborated. The
relationship between energy expenditure, energy uptake, and weight loss or
gain will be studied. Students will read original literature in nutrition
research. Recent studies on gene expression and nutrients, free-radicals,
leptins and integration of metabolism will be discussed. Prerequisite: BIOC
1010 and 1020 or BIOC 1250 or consent of instructor. Lectures: 3 hrs/wk.
Letter-graded.
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| BIOC 2630 Cell Signaling | (2 credits) | Drs. Olson and Lerea |
| (Previously offered as 263.2) | ||
| An advanced topic course that covers major signaling
components such as phospholipases, GTP binding proteins, protein kinases,
and protein phosphatases. Format includes lectures by the instructors and
presentations of original literature by the students. Prerequisite: BIOC
1010 or CELL 1360. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. Enrollment is limited.
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| BIOC 2660 Steroid Hormones | (2 credits) | Dr. Weinstein and staff |
| The course covers all aspects of steroid hormones their
biosynthesis from cholesterol and the mechanisms by which they alter the
metabolism of target cells. The “classical” intracellular receptors as well
as newly described mechanisms are presented. The sex steroids,
corticosteroids, Vitamin D and phytosteroids are all covered in detail.
Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter graded.
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| BIOC 2690 Protein Structure and Function | (3 credits) | Dr. Tse-Dinh and Staff |
| (Previously offered as 269.3) | ||
| An introduction to the foundations of experimental
approaches to current models of protein structure. Topics include protein
folding, protein-protein interaction, protein engineering and
structure-function relationships. Lectures: 3 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| BIOC 2720 DNA-Protein Interactions | (2 credits) | Drs. Tse-Dinh and M. Lee |
| (Previously offered as 272.2) | ||
| Topics include structure of DNA binding motifs,
sequence-specific recognition and mechanisms of nucleases, topoisomerases,
recombinases, and other DNA-modifying enzymes. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk.
Letter-graded.
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| BIOC 8020 Departmental Seminar and Journal Club | (1 credit) | Dr. Olson |
| (Previously offered as 291.1) | ||
| Students will present research results from current
literature in a seminar format. Seminar: 1 hr/wk. Pass/Fail. May be taken
multiple times, but only a limited number of credits may be applied towards
degree requirements.
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| BIOC 8100 Current Topics in Molecular Biology | (1 credit) | Dr. Wu and Staff |
| (Previously offered as 247.1) | ||
| Students and staff present papers on topics in molecular
biology. Seminar: 1 hr/wk. Pass/Fail.
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| BIOC 8110 Current Topics | (2 credits) | Drs. Horowitz and Wu |
| (Previously offered as 290.2) | ||
| Students present papers taken from the recent scientific
literature. Seminar: 2 hrs/wk. Pass/Fail. Open to Master’s students only.
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| BIOC 9110 Advanced Biochemical Techniques | (3 credits) | Dr. Sabban and Staff |
| (Previously offered as 255.1-9) | ||
| Laboratory rotations for Ph.D. students in individual
faculty laboratories. Three rotations are required (three credits per
rotation). These rotations are meant to introduce the incoming graduate
student to laboratory research by immediate participation in ongoing faculty
research. Through this work, students will learn basic laboratory techniques
but, just as important, will be introduced to the process of bench science
and data analysis. The evaluation of the student’s progress will be based on
his/her a) ability to execute bench experiments, b) ability to critically
evaluate the experimental results, c) ability for problem solving, and d)
acquisition of a basic knowledge of the literature that provides a
background context for the project. Research. Hours to be assigned.
Pass/Fail. May be taken three times. Open to Ph.D. students only.
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| BIOC 9750 Master’s Literature Review | (1 credit) | Dr. Sabban |
| (Previously offered as 297.1) | ||
| The student conducts a thorough library search and writes a
scholarly report on an advanced topic in biochemistry or molecular biology
under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Required for Plan “A” Master’s
degree. Independent study. Pass/Fail.
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| BIOC 9800 Master’s Thesis Research | (1-5 credits) | Dr. Sabban |
| (Previously offered as 298.1-5) | ||
| Original research in the laboratory of a faculty sponsor is
undertaken towards fulfillment of Plan “B” Master’s degree requirements in
biochemistry and molecular biology. May be taken multiple times for 1-5
credits per term, but only 5 credits may be counted towards program
requirements. Thesis Research. Hours to be arranged. Pass/Fail.
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| BIOC 9850 Master’s Thesis | (1 credit) | Dr. Sabban |
| (Previously offered as 295.1) | ||
| The candidate writes a scholarly thesis describing his/her
original laboratory research in biochemistry or molecular biology. The
thesis must be approved by a faculty committee and defended by the student.
Required for Plan “B” Master’s degree. Independent study. Pass/Fail.
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| BIOC 9900 Doctoral Dissertation Research | Dr. Sabban | |
| (Previously offered as 299.1-15) | ||
| Dissertation research conducted by candidates for the Ph.D.
degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. May be taken multiple times
for a total of 15 credits. Thesis Research. Hours to be arranged. Pass/Fail.
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| BMS 3010 Molecular Neurobiology | (2 credits) | Drs. Ross, Leonard and Sabban |
| (Previously offered as 920.2) | ||
| Discussion of the structure and function of important molecules in the nervous system. The first part of the course concerns itself with molecules responsible for ion transport, such as the sodium channel and transmitter receptor channel, utilizing results from path-clamping and gene cloning. The second part covers intercellular communication, such as peptides, NGF and cellular recognition molecules. Prerequisite: PHYS 1010 and 1020 or BMS 1410. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. | ||
Graduate Faculty and Research Interests
David
N. Frick, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
B.A. 1989, Franklin and Marshall College; Ph.D. 1995, Johns Hopkins University
Research/Interests - Molecular mechanisms of hepatitis C virus replication and drug resistance; protein expression and purification; structure-based rational antiviral drug design.
Martin I. Horowitz, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
B.S. 1950, M.A. 1952, Brooklyn College; Ph.D. 1957, Rutgers University
Research/Interests - Interaction of glucose with histones and membrane lipids, properties and characterization of sulfotransferases, nutritional biochemistry.
Ernest
Y.C. Lee, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
B.Sc. (Hons.) 1961, University of Cape Town; Ph.D. 1966, University of London
Research/Interests - Protein phosphatases: studies of the enzymology, structure-function relationships and regulation of ser/thr protein phosphatases.
Marietta Y.W. Lee, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
B.S. 1965, Nazareth College; M.S. 1968, New York University; Ph.D. 1973, University of Miami
Research/Interests - DNA replication, DNA polymerases, DNA repair, cell cycle regulation.
Susan
C. Olson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
B.S. 1978, College of Charleston; M.S. 1980, Western Carolina University; Ph.D. 1984, Wake Forest University
Research/Interests - Signal transduction, regulation of phospholipase D pathway by protein kinase C and G proteins.
Esther L. Sabban, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Graduate Program
Director
B.S. 1970, M.S. 1972, Hebrew University; Ph.D. 1977, New York University
Research/Interests - Molecular neurobiology, molecular mechanisms of stress, regulation of gene expression for catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes and neuropeptides by stress, nicotine and estrogen.
Ira
S. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman of Microbiology and Immunology; Professor of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Professor of Medicine
B.S. 1968, City College of New York; Ph.D. 1973, City University of New York
Research/Interests - Molecular pathogenesis of Lyme disease and other tick-borne pathogens, functional genomics.
Yuk-Ching
Tse-Dinh, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
B.A. 1977, Hollins College, Ph.D. 1982, Harvard University
Research/Interests - Protein-DNA interactions; topoisomerase structure and function; gene regulation and DNA supercoiling.
Bernard I. Weinstein, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
B.A.1962, Franklin & Marshall College; Ph.D. 1969, University of Chicago
Research/Interests - Biochemistry of steroid action, metabolism of cortisol and the biological activity of the metabolites, enzyme deficiencies in glaucoma.
Joseph
M. Wu, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
B.S. (Hons.) 1970, McGill University; M.S. 1972, Ph.D. 1975, Florida State University
Research/Interests - Intracellular bacterial pathogen-mammalian host interaction, cell cycle control by nucleic acid-dependent enzymes, studies of chemoprevention by fenretinide and phytochemicals in human prostate and breast cancer cells.