Courses with the MBIOS Subject

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The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective. Courses showing two entries of the same number indicate that the course information is changing. The most recently approved version is shown first, followed by the older version, in gray, with its last-effective term preceding the course title. Courses shown in gray with only one entry of the course number are being discontinued. Course offerings by term can be accessed by clicking on the term links when viewing a specific campus catalog.

Molecular Biosciences (MBIOS)

101 [BSCI] Introductory Microbiology 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: Not intended for majors in the School of Molecular Biosciences. Microbiology for the informed citizen as it impacts humans and their environment. Not for students needing BIOLOGY 106 and 107.

138 Molecular Biosciences Seminar 1 Introduction to the field of molecular biosciences: careers, current events, research opportunities at WSU, scientific and research ethics. S, F grading.

201 [COMM] Introduction to Communication in the Molecular Life Sciences 3 (1-4) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 with a C or better or BIOLOGY 107 with a C or better. Analysis of primary literature and an introduction to scientific communication skills in the molecular life sciences. Recommended preparation: Pre-admitted or admitted major in Biochemistry, Genetics & Cell Biology, Microbiology, or Neuroscience. (Crosslisted course offered as NEUROSCI 201, MBIOS 201.)

301 General Genetics 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 or 120; BIOLOGY 107. Principles of modern and classical genetics. (Crosslisted course offered as MBIOS 301, BIOLOGY 301.)

301 (Effective through Summer 2024) General Genetics 4 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 or 120; BIOLOGY 107. Principles of modern and classical genetics. (Crosslisted course offered as MBIOS 301, BIOLOGY 301).

301 (Effective through Spring 2024) General Genetics 4 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 or 120; BIOLOGY 107; CHEM 101 or 105; CHEM 102 or 106. Principles of modern and classical genetics. (Crosslisted course offered as MBIOS 301, BIOLOGY 301).

303 Introductory Biochemistry 4 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 107 with a C or better; CHEM 102 or 345 with a C or better. Modern biochemistry for undergraduates in the biological sciences. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

304 Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory 3 (1-6) Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 303 or concurrent enrollment, or MBIOS 305 or concurrent enrollment. Basic microbiology and molecular biology techniques.

305 General Microbiology 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 107 with a C or better; CHEM 102 or 345 with a C or better. Structure, function, nutrition, physiology, and genetics of microbes and their application to immunology, pathology, microbial diversity, and environmental microbiology. Recommended preparation: MBIOS 303.

306 General Microbiology Laboratory 2 (0-6) Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 305 or concurrent enrollment. Laboratory for MBIOS 305.

320 [BSCI] DNA and Society 3 The role of DNA in natural processes and diseases; impact of biotechnology on health care, agriculture, industry, and our lives. Recommended preparation: One college-level course in biology highly recommended.

342 Microbial Ecology 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 or 120; CHEM 102 or concurrent enrollment, or CHEM 345 or concurrent enrollment. Discussion of microorganism behavior in nature and microbial activities influence on ecological balance.

360 [M] Cell and Molecular Laboratory 2 (0-6) Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 301; MBIOS 303 or concurrent enrollment. Laboratory methods in cell biology, genetics and molecular biology.

401 Cell Biology 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 301; MBIOS 303 or concurrent enrollment. Cellular structure and function; membrane biochemistry and transport; cell-cell communication; regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis; cell signaling; cancer biology. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory genetics and biochemistry coursework. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 401 and MBIOS 501. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

402 [M] Genetics Laboratory 3 (1-6) Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 301; MBIOS 304. Basic principles of modern and classical genetics utilizing several species.

404 Molecular Biology 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 301; MBIOS 303; MBIOS 305 or concurrent enrollment. Introduction of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome organization and gene expression, modern molecular techniques, experimental approaches, genome and gene function and analyses.

405 Cell Biology of Disease 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 301; MBIOS 303. Discussion of human diseases characterized by cell biological defects, using popular press and research articles as a source of information. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 405 and 505. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

410 Medical Microbiology 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 305; MBIOS 404 or concurrent enrollment. Microbial pathogens and their relationship to disease.

411 Diagnostic Medical Bacteriology 3 (1-6) Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 304; MBIOS 410 or concurrent enrollment. Techniques and tests for the identification of bacteria pathogenic for humans.

411 (Effective through Summer 2024) [M] Diagnostic Medical Bacteriology 3 (1-6) Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 304; MBIOS 410 or concurrent enrollment. Techniques and tests for the identification of bacteria pathogenic for humans.

413 General Biochemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 303; junior standing. Structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids and biological membranes; principles of enzymology; biochemical methodology. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory biochemistry coursework. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 413 and MBIOS 513. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

414 General Biochemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 413. Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, bioenergetics; photosynthesis; control of metabolic processes. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 414 and MBIOS 514. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

423 Human Genetics 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 301. Exploration of individual and population genetics leading to critical discussion of current social, medical, and scientific issues.

426 Microbial Genetics 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 301; MBIOS 303. Genetics of bacteria, bacteriophages and plasmids; regulation of gene expression; genetic manipulation of microorganisms.

430 [M] Combined Immunology and Virology Laboratory 3 (1-6) Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 304; MBIOS 305; concurrent enrollment MBIOS 440 or 442. Fundamental principles in immunology including the cultivation and characterization of viruses using laboratory techniques.

440 Immunology 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 305. Principles of basic immunology. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 440 and MBIOS 540. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory microbiology coursework; concurrent enrollment with MBIOS 548 highly recommended. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

442 General Virology 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 301; MBIOS 303 or concurrent enrollment. The biology of bacterial, animal, and plant viruses. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory genetics and biochemistry coursework; concurrent enrollment with MBIOS 548 highly recommended. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 442 and MBIOS 542. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

446 Epidemiology 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Study of diseases in human populations; concepts of etiology, disease rates, susceptibility and risk factors, screening for disease, and prevention. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

450 Microbial Physiology 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 303; MBIOS 304; MBIOS 305. Basic microbial physiology and its relevance to the processes of applied microbiology. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory genetics, biochemistry or microbiology coursework. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 450 and 550. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

454 [M] Biochemistry Laboratory 3 (1-6) Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 303; MBIOS 304. Techniques related to the structural and functional analysis of macromolecules including proteins, lipids and carbohydrates.

460 Advanced Interdisciplinary Molecular Biosciences (AIMS) Laboratory 3 (1-6) Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 201; MBIOS 304; MBIOS 360. Authentic laboratory investigations of contemporary topics from Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, and Microbiology using a variety of model organisms; topics vary by semester and may include (but are not limited to) cell culture, protein structure and function, protein purification, detection of viruses using immunoassays, DNA isolation and transformation, DNA sequence analysis, gene editing, microscopy, and bioinformatic tools for DNA, protein, and gene expression analysis.

465 Principles of Biophysical Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 303; MATH 140 or 171; 4 credits of PHYSICS 102 or 202, or PHYSICS 102 and 112 or concurrent enrollment, or PHYSICS 202 and 212 or concurrent enrollment. Biochemical reactions and processes, molecular recognition, coupled reactions, enzyme catalysis, analysis of macromolecular structure by electrophoresis, sedimentation, viscosity, and spectroscopy.

478 Bioinformatics 3 (2-3) Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 301, 303, or CPT S 355. Computer analysis of protein and nucleic acid sequences, functional genomics and proteomics data; modeling biological networks and pathways. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory genetics or biochemistry coursework. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 478 and MBIOS 578. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

480 Methods of Teaching Secondary Science I 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Application of learning and theory and philosophy and structure of science in teaching middle and secondary school science courses. (Crosslisted course offered as BIOLOGY 430, MBIOS 480, TCH LRN 430.)

481 Methods of Teaching Secondary Science II 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 430, MBIOS 480, or TCH LRN 430; junior standing. Integration of assessment, curricular, and technological tools into instruction that aligns with learning theory and the philosophy/structure of science. (Crosslisted course offered as BIOLOGY 431, MBIOS 481, TCH LRN 431.)

490 Special Topics in Molecular Biology V 1-2 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Current topics discussed by experts in the field.

494 [CAPS] [M] Senior Project in Molecular Biosciences 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major in Biochemistry, Genetics and Cell Biology, or Microbiology; senior standing. Written paper and seminar presentation on laboratory research project.

495 Internship Training V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 8 credits. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Experience in work related to specific career interests. S, F grading.

498 Directed Research V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Minimum 1 credit MBIOS 499. Continued laboratory research; requires oral or poster presentation at a WSU event or external meeting.

499 Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Independent study conducted under the jurisdiction of an approving faculty member; may include independent research studies in technical or specialized problems; selection and analysis of specified readings; development of a creative project; or field experiences. S, F grading.

501 Cell Biology 3 Cellular structure and function; membrane biochemistry and transport; cell-cell communication; regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis; cell signaling; cancer biology. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory genetics and biochemistry coursework. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 401 and MBIOS 501. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

503 Advanced Molecular Biology I 3 DNA replication, gene expression and regulation, including chromatin structure, DNA repair, recombination, genomic editing, and epigenetic regulation.

505 Cell Biology of Disease 3 Discussion of human diseases characterized by cell biological defects, using popular press and research articles as a source of information. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 405 and 505. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

513 General Biochemistry 3 Structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids and biological membranes; principles of enzymology; biochemical methodology. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory biochemistry coursework. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 413 and MBIOS 513. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

514 General Biochemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 513. Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, bioenergetics; photosynthesis; control of metabolic processes. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 414 and MBIOS 514. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

525 Advanced Topics in Genetics V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 4 credits. Recent genetics research in selected areas. Recommended preparation: MBIOS 503 or an equivalent course providing a basic understanding of molecular biology or molecular genetics.

528 Molecular and Cellular Reproduction 3 (2-2) State of the art concepts of the molecular, cellular, and physiological aspects of mammalian reproduction. (Crosslisted course offered as MBIOS 528, ANIM SCI 558.) Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

529 Selected Topics in Cell Biology V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 3 credits. Selected topics in cell biology using current literature. Recommended preparation: MBIOS 401 or an equivalent course providing a basic understanding of a typical eukaryotic cell.

540 Immunology 3 Principles of basic immunology. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 440 and MBIOS 540. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory microbiology coursework; concurrent enrollment with MBIOS 548 highly recommended. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

541 Research Seminar 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 2 credits. Literature reviews and research reports. S, F grading.

542 General Virology 3 The biology of bacterial, animal, and plant viruses. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory genetics and biochemistry coursework; concurrent enrollment with MBIOS 548 highly recommended. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 442 and MBIOS 542. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

548 Selected Topics in Immunology & Virology 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 2 credits. Selected topics in immunology and virology using the current literature. Recommended preparation: Concurrent enrollment with MBIOS 540 or 542. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

550 Microbial Physiology 3 Basic microbial physiology and its relevance to the processes of applied microbiology. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory genetics, biochemistry or microbiology coursework. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 450 and 550. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

561 Biochemical Signaling in Plants, Animals and Microorganisms 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS 513. New research on intra and extra cellular biochemical signaling, including communication in plants and hormone action in animals. (Crosslisted course offered as MBIOS 561, MPS 561.)

568 Advanced Topics in Molecular Biosciences V 1-3 May be repeated for credit. Recent research in selected areas of molecular biosciences.

574 Protein Biotechnology 3 Provides skills, experiences, and knowledge to promote protein biotechnology research, research career preparation, and intellectual property commercialization. (Crosslisted course offered as MPS 574, CHE 574, MBIOS 574.)

578 Bioinformatics 3 (2-3) Computer analysis of protein and nucleic acid sequences, functional genomics and proteomics data; modeling biological networks and pathways. Recommended preparation for graduate students: Introductory genetics or biochemistry coursework. Credit not granted for both MBIOS 478 and MBIOS 578. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

579 Molecular Biosciences Seminar 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 10 credits. Required of all graduate students in molecular biosciences. S, F grading.

580 Science Information Literacy 2 Efficient methods to locate and effectively use a wide variety of information resources that will be useful in the work world.

583 Professional Skills Seminar 1 Covers many aspects of professionalism, including professional behavior, professional dress, and professional sensitivity in social settings.

584 Medical Genetics 3 The mechanisms of human heredity and how these mechanisms can influence human health.

585 Molecular Biotechniques 2 Background and application of classical and current techniques involved in cloning, characterization, modification, and expression of genes.

586 Molecular Biotechniques Laboratory 1 (0-3) Laboratory exploration of classical and current techniques involved in cloning, characterization, modification, and expression of genes. Recommended preparation: MBIOS 585 or concurrent enrollment.

593 Research Proposal 2 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 4 credits. Written proposal and oral defense of research project in the area of molecular biosciences. S, F grading.

600 Special Projects or Independent Study V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent study, special projects, and/or internships. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor before enrolling in 600 credit, which cannot be used toward the core graded credits required for a graduate degree. S, F grading.

700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their master's research, thesis and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 700 credit. S, U grading.

701 Master's Independent Capstone Project and /or Examination V 1-6 May be repeated for credit. Capstone project or final examination for professional master's degree under the Graduate School. The credits will include a balloted evaluation of the student's completion of the program's capstone/examination requirements by the program's graduate faculty. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and obtain approval from their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 701 credit. S, U grading.

702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research in special problems, directed study, and/or examination credit for students in a non-thesis master's degree program. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 702 credit. S, U grading.

800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the Molecular Biosciences PhD program. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their doctoral research, dissertation and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 800 credit. S, U grading.