Course Descriptions - Spring 2004

G16.1998 – Introduction to Pre-Doctoral Research

This course is offered on a non-credit pass/fail basis and required of all first year graduate students. Students are expected to meet regularly with the Director to discuss research rotations and prepare reports on a quarterly basis describing results.
Non-credit
Course Director: Joel Oppenheim (212-263-8001) – oppenj01@popmail.med.nyu.edu
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G16.2000 – Ethics Course

A non-credit course entitled “Scientific Integrity and the Responsible Conduct of Research” is, as mandated by the NIH, required for all first year Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students, post-doctoral trainees, and clinical research fellows at NYUSOM. It is highly recommended for Honors Program students. Dr. Joel Oppenheim and Ms. Debra Stalk coordinate the course. Assisted by a number of faculty volunteers, they are responsible for inviting guest lecturers. The course meets weekly during the Spring semester for approximately 1 1/2 hours per week. Written materials including bibliographies and other resources related to the topic are given out each week. To evaluate the trainees’ comprehension and retention of information presented during the course, a written examination must be passed. Attendance is closely monitored throughout the course. Anyone with two or more absences and/or a failing grade on the exam will be required to repeat the course.
Non-credit
Course Director: Joel Oppenheim (212-263-8001) – oppenj01@popmail.med.nyu.edu
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G16.2002 - Foundations of Cell and Molecular Biology II

Foundations II provides a broad overview of cell biology, signal transduction, and basic genetic mechanisms in three modules. The Cell Biology module covers protein transport, endocytosis, molecular motors, cell-cell interaction and cell adhesion. The Signal Transduction module will include G-proteins, hormonal signaling, concepts in receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, and the cell cycle. The final segment provides an introduction to the genetics of bacterial and phages, yeast, drosophila, mice, and humans. Genetic approaches to whole genome analysis will also be emphasized. The reading of primary research articles is heavily stressed.
Lectures will generally be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in MSB 393 from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. The discussion sessions, held on Friday, will be in two sections (9:00-10:30 A.M., and 10:30-12:00 noon) in the west wing of the Biochemistry Library (MSB 391). Sections will be decided during the first week of class. The course has a total of three exams that are a mixture of in-class and take-home exams. Attendance and participation in discussion sessions will account for a portion of the final grade.
6 credits
Course Director: James Borowiec (212-263-8453) - borowj01@popmail.med.nyu.edu
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G16.2006 - Introduction to Integrative, Cognitive & Developmental Neuroscience

Introduction to neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, developmental biology and behavioral function of the vertebrate nervous system. The structure and function of sensory, motor, integrative and cognitive systems of the peripheral and central systems are analyzed using electrophysiological, behavioral, genetic, morphological, molecular and computational techniques. Emphasis is placed on integration of cellular and molecular neurobiological properties of individual neurons with network and computational organization of the major systems of the brain. Subjects include: information processing and coding mechanisms used by vision, hearing, touch, proprioceptive and chemical senses; neural control of movement by cerebral, cerebellar, brain stem and spinal circuits; molecular and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the development, maturation and aging of individual neurons and neuron systems; and the neurobiology of cognitive function in higher brain centers.
6 credits
Course Director: Esther Gardner (212-263-5412) - gardne01@popmail.med.nyu.edu
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G16.2104 Tutorial in Advanced Cell Biology

This tutorial is geared towards advanced students in the cellular and molecular biology program. Students will be paired with CMB faculty to study a varied number of topics.
1.5 credits
Staff
For info contact: Daniel Rifkin (212-263-5234) - rifkid01@popmail.med.nyu.edu
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G16.2318 - Molecular Oncology

Studies the molecular basis for cancer. Topics include somatic mutations and DNA repair mechanisms, viral systems relevant to cellular transformation and human cancer, the pathogenesis of cancer as a consequence of alterations in oncogenes, growth factor genes and tumor suppressor genes with emphasis on the function of their normal counterparts as well, tumor progression, mechanisms of metastasis, and tumor immunology.
4 Credits
Course Directors:
George Teebor (212-263-5473) - George.Teebor@msnyuhealth.org
Angel Pellicer (212-263-5342) - pellia01@popmail.med.nyu.edu
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G16.2404 - Molecular Signalling and Drug Development

This course will be divided into two parts. The first will focus on modern drug design with lectures on topics including structure/function analysis, rational drug design, combinatorial chemistry, automation, target discovery and gene based therapies. The second part will cover topics related to drug discovery as they apply to biology and medicine including peptides as inhibitors of amyloidosis, receptors and AIDS, angiogenic inhibitors, anti-obesity peptides, vaccine development for malaria inflammation, anti-cancer drugs, and factors that control neuronal survival/death. Start date: January 23rd.
4 credits
Course Director: Jan Sap (212-263-7120) - sapj01@med.nyu.edu
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G16.2503 - Medical Physiology

This course is designed to help students gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to successfully approach medical problems in clinical situations through an understanding of the physical and chemical basis for the functioning of the human body. This will be achieved by: (1) identifying and providing students with an understanding of the basic concepts underlying the function of the major organ systems and how these act in concert to maintain a normal equilibrium state, (2) imparting the essential facts of cellular and organ physiology and (3) integrating these concepts and facts in clinical situations through the study of case histories in a small group setting.
Course Director: Kerry Walton (212-263-5432) waltok01@popmail.med.nyu.edu
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G16.2604 - Bioinformatics

This is a practical course in Bioinformatics which will emphasize how to use the computer as a tool for research that involves DNA and protein sequences, genomes and gene expression data. No prior knowledge of computer programming is necessary.
Course Director: Stuart Brown (212-263-7689) - browns02@popmail.med.nyu.edu
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G16.2607 Advanced Topics in Microbial Pathogenesis

The objective of this course is to familiarize students with an integrative approach to host-microbial interactions. Recent developments in the genetics and physiology of pathogens as well as in the immune response of the host make microbial pathogenesis a very exciting field of research. The course will be structured as follows: Wednesday afternoon 2-4 pm journal club of research papers selected by the speaker, presented by two students and moderated by course directors, location MSB 224. The papers will be in the general area of the disease. Thursday 11:00 am-12:30 pm the speaker gives an overview of disease area and their research, audience participation is encouraged. The course organizers are present to facilitate questions. Students are left alone with speaker for post seminar lunch 12:30-1:00 pm. Classes take place in Deans Large Conference Room and MSB 224.
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G16.2609 Developmental Genetics II

This course is a continuation of the seminar series taught by faculty of the Developmental Genetics program in the Fall '03. Successful completion of DG I and permission by the instructors is a prerequisite for participation in this course. The course combines a practical component and a discussion. In the practical part, experiments that have led to the discovery of important aspects of developmental biology are demonstrated and conducted by the students. For the discussion, student will read and discuss research articles pertinent to the respective laboratory session.
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G16.2610 - Advanced Techniques in Structural Biology

This course is comprised of lecture and lab sessions and will cover a range of topics/techniques including the following: x-ray protein crystallography; electron microscopy; NMR; light microscope, MRI and ultrasound.
4 credits
Course Director: Xiang-Peng Kong 212-263-7897 - kong @saturn.med.nyu.edu
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