COURSES

You will also find a list of courses offered this semester just below the link to the course catalog.

BIOCHEMISTRY 000: QUALIFYING EXAM (O CR)
Students present and defend a proposal for research consisting of a statement of an original research problem in which a scientific question is asked and the experimental approach to answering the question is explained in a written proposal. The proposal is presented orally to the faculty. Program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 210: PRINCIPLES OF BIOCHEMISTRY (1 CR)
A general survey of the structure, function, and interrelationships of the molecules involved in the life processes, primarily for medical students. Relationships to disease are emphasized. Baleja, program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 223: GRADUATE BIOCHEMISTRY (2 CR)
A graduate-level discussion of the structure and function of biologically important molecules. Problems of protein and nucleic acid biochemistry are emphasized. Schaffhausen, program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 230: BIOCHEMISTRY OF GENE EXPRESSION AND SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION (2 CR)
The molecular mechanisms of gene expression and signal transduction. The fundamental mechanisms underlying transcription, RNA processing, translation, and DNA replication are highlighted, and the integration of these fundamental mechanisms into molecular and cellular regulation of proliferation and signal transduction is discussed. Current literature is emphasized. Yee, program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 230A: BIOCHEMISTRY OF GENE EXPRESSION (1 CR)
The fundamental mechanisms underlying transcription, RNA processing, translation, and DNA replication are highlighted. Current literature is emphasized. Yee, program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 230B: BIOCHEMISTRY OF SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION (1 CR)
The integration of these fundamental mechanisms into molecular and cellular regulation of proliferation and signal transduction is discussed. Current literature is emphasized. Yee, program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 231: MOLECULAR RECOGNITION IN BIOLOGY and DRUG DESIGN (1 CR)
Discussion of the association of biological molecules. Complexes of proteins with other proteins, with lipids, and with nucleic acids are emphasized. A discussion of drug screening and optimization techniques as they have been applied in a number of detailed, real-world cases. Bachovchin, Bohm, and program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 231A: MOLECULAR RECOGNITION IN BIOLOGY (0.5 CR)
Discussion of the association of biological molecules. Complexes of proteins with other proteins, with lipids, and with nucleic acids are emphasized. Bohm, program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 231B: DRUG DESIGN (0.5 CR)
A discussion of drug screening and optimization techniques as they have been applied in a number of detailed, real-world cases. This course builds on the concepts discussed in Biochemistry 231A, which is a prerequisite. Bachovchin, program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 235: FUNDAMENTALS OF NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE (0.5 CR)
Fundamentals of NMR is a course designed to learn advanced topics in NMR spectroscopy at a deep and fundamental level. Baleja

BIOCHEMISTRY 275: APPLIED ETHICS FOR SCIENTISTS (0.5 CR)
A series of discussions, with active student participation, in definition and evaluation of both positive and problematic ethical issues in research. Issues considered include: ethical underpinnings of science; recognition, reporting, and evaluation of apparent misconduct; authorship, credit, and intellectual property; conflict of interest in reviews of papers, grants, and in commerce; animals and humans as subjects in research; and ethical choice of research projects. Program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 291, 292: GRADUATE SEMINAR (0.5 CR)
Presentations of scientific research by visiting speakers from the Boston community and beyond. Program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 293, 294: SPECIAL TOPICS (0.5 CR)
Advanced seminars. Topics have included protein phosphorylation, G protein function, and molecular structure determination by NMR. Students may also pursue guided individual study of an approved topic. Program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 295, 296: JOURNAL CLUB (0.5 CR)
Presentation of individual reports on literature topics to a seminar group for discussion. Program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 297, 298, 299: GRADUATE RESEARCH (ARRANGED CR)
Guided research on a topic suitable for a doctoral dissertation. Program faculty

BIOCHEMISTRY 403, 404: PHD DEGREE ONLY (0 CR)
Doctoral dissertation preparation. Program faculty

SACKLER 202: STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY ( 0.5 CR)
Intensive summer course covering the basic theory and practice of macromolecular crystallography and NMR. Roughly one week is devoted to each technique, and the course meets from 9am-5pm daily. Bohm and Baleja