Graduate Program: Courses

540.602 Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology of Mammalian Systems
Molecular biology techniques, DNA, RNA, and proteins; control of gene expression; microarray technology and proteomics; cell-cell signaling and communication; cell adhesion; extracellular matrix; introductory glycobiology. Cell structure: membrane, cytoskeleton, organelles, proteins secretion and degradation. Cell Replication and Death: cell cycle, cell division, senescence, and apoptosis. Multicellular Systems: fertilization. Tissue Development: nervous system, ectoderm (neuronal crest), mesoderm, endoderm metamorphosis, regeneration, aging. Stem Cell Biology: Adult and fetal stem cells, germ and embryonic stem cells, cell expansion of undifferentiated and progenitor cells, differentiation regulation, and control/engineering of stem cell renewal and differentiation in vitro.
Gerecht / Fall semester


540.610 Fundamentals of Membrane Science for Filtration Applications
This course focuses on the principles underlying the formation of micro-to-nanostructured membranes applied in a range of modern filtration technologies such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, pervaporation, gas separation, electrodialysis, hemodialysis, fuel cells, drug delivery, tissue engineering and sensors. Polymeric membranes prepared by phase separation will be examined in detail, while interfacial polymerization and sol-gel processing to prepare thin film composites and ceramic membranes, respectively, will also be studied. The first part of the course will discuss how concepts from thermodynamics, multicomponent diffusion and fluid/solid mechanics are applied to membrane formation theory. The second part will present membrane transport theory, and demonstrate how engineering principles are applied to the various filtration applications and the design of modules.
Prakash / 3 hours, Fall Semester


540.614 Computational protein structure prediction and design
(For description, see 540.414)
Gray / 3 hours, Spring Semester


540.615 Interfacial science with applications to nanoscale systems
Nanostructured materials intrinsically possess large surfacearea (interface area) to volume ratios. It is this large interfacial area that gives rise to many of the amazing properties and technologies associated with nanotechnology. In this class we will examine how the properties of surfaces, interfaces, and nanoscale features differ from their macroscopic behavior. We will compare and contrast fluidfluid interfaces with solid-fluid and solid-solid interfaces, discussing fundamental interfacial physics and chemistry, as well as touching on state-of-the-art technologies.
Frechette / 3 hours, Fall Semester


540.626 (E) Introduction to Biomacromolecules
[For description, see 540.426]
Wirtz


540.630 Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics for chemical and biomolecular systems
We will develop equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics from the unified perspective of entropy maximization subject to constraints. After a brief review of classical thermodynamics, we will undertake the study of statistical mechanics leading up to the study of liquids, especially liquid water, and of the hydration of (bio)molecules. Time permitting, we will (a) explore a modern approach of including quantum chemistry in describing hydration, and (b) understand the relation between non-equilibrium work and equilibrium free energies.
Asthagiri / 3 hours, Fall Semester


540.633 Engineering Aspects of Controlled Drug Delivery
[For description see 540.433]
Hanes


540.637 Application of Molecular Evolution to Biotechnology
[For description, see 540.437]
Ostermeier / 3 hours, Spring Semester


540.640 Micro to nanotechnology
[For description, see 540.440]
Gracias

540.649 Logic and Decision-making in Biomolecular Systems
In this course we explore the design principles by which biomolecular networks can make decisions and orchestrate complex processes such as self-assembly, signal transduction, homeostasis or apoptosis.  We will also explore how we can in turn design complex biomolecular networks.  The course will introduce principles from electrical circuit theory, computing and control theory and show how these tools can be applied to these systems. Topics will include the design and analysis of molecular logic circuits, transcriptional and translational control, signal transduction cascades, biomolecular oscillators and cycles, molecular folding and self-assembly, molecular computing, and biological and in vitro self-assembly processes.  Students should be familiar with programming and chemical engineering principles. Schulman / 3 hours, Fall Semester

540.652 Fundamentals of Biotransport Phenomena
This lecture course introduces students to the applicationof engineering fundamentals from transport and kinetic processes to vascular biology and medicine. The first half of the course addresses the derivation of the governing equations for Newtonian fluids, their solution in the creeping flow limit. The second half of the course considers how these concepts can be used to understand the behavior of a deformable cell near planar surfaces.
Drazer / 3 hours, Fall Semester


540.801-816 Graduate Research
1-12 hours