MBB Graduate courses

A listing of all MBB Graduate courses, with an indication as to when they are offered, is presented below. Click on a course title to obtain the complete course description (PDF file). To assist with course planning, consult the Projected Courses guide .

MBB 505-3 Problem Based Learning in Bioinformatics offered in Spring 2016
The problem-based learning course will develop students' ability to exchange ideas in small groups focused on real but simplified problems in bioinformatics. Problems will be carefully selected to cover multiple areas of bioinformatics research. This is an advanced bioinformatics course that assumes the student has previous bioinformatics training. Prerequisite: MBB 741 or equivalent bioinformatics course (undergraduate or graduate). This course is identical to CMPT 505 and students can not take both courses for credit.

MBB 659-3 Special Topics in Bioinformatics
Consideration of recent research literature on contemporary topics in bioinformatics. See Supplementary Outline for more information. Prerequisites: MBB 441 or 741; or CMPT 341 or 881.

MBB 700-1 Selected Topics in Biotechnology and Business
A survey of the legal, economic and social aspects of technology transfer in the areas of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology presented by a series of local experts. Topics will include patents, contracts, intellectual property, capitalization and others. The format will be a formal lecture followed by a workshop. Students with credit for MBB 400 may not take this course for further credit.

MBB 702-3 Developmental Genetics
Aspects of developmental and cellular biology in the context of signal transduction pathways. The diverse mechanisms used in cell signalling and how the various approaches to the study of signal transduction in organismal development complement each other will be examined with an emphasis on current literature.

MBB 721-3 Nucleic Acids
An examination of recent literature about the structure and function of DNA and RNA.

MBB 722-3 Biological Membranes
A review of recent literature on the structure, dynamics, function and biosynthesis of membrane lipids and proteins.

MBB 723-3 Protein Structure and Function
Mechanistic principles for how protein molecules achieve diverse functions such as chemical catalysis and conformational switching. Students will learn to critique hypotheses about structural mechanisms, and to interpret the primary literature reporting on structural evidence from X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy.

MBB 724-3 Membrane Transport Mechanisms
Structure and function of molecules that mediate transport across membranes including channels, carriers, and pumps. Primary literature from the fields of biochemistry and physiology will be explored through lectures and independent study. Prerequisite: MBB 321, 322 and either MBB 323 or CHEM 360 or permission of the instructor.

MBB 726-4 The Immune System I: Basis of Innate and Adaptive Immunity
The basic organization of the immune system, including structure, function and genetics of antibodies, T-cell receptors, innate immune receptors, and the complement system. Innate, antibody and cellular immune responses and their control, and development of the cells involved in these responses. Prerequisite: MBB 331, or its equivalent, or consent of the instructor. Students who have taken MBB or HSCI 426, MBB 826 or HSCI 726 may not complete MBB 726 for credit.

MBB 727-3 The Immune System II: Immune Responses in Health and Disease offered in Spring 2016
The immunologic response to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, immunological diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency, hypersensitivity reactions (including asthma and allergy), and transplantation-rejection reactions. Immunotherapeutics and vaccine development.Prerequisite: MBB/HSCI 426 or MBB/HSCI 726 or permission of the instructor. Students with credit for MBB 427, HSCI 427 or HSCI 727 may not complete MBB 727 for credit.

MBB 729-3 RNA-mediated Gene Regulation offered in Summer 2016
RNA plays an important role in gene regulation. This course will explore recent primary literature studying the biochemistry of these processes. Students who have taken MBB 420 or MBB 829 under the same title cannot take this course for further credit.

MBB 730-3 Mechanisms of Secretory Transport
Analysis of mechanisms of protein, lipid, and nucleic acid delivery and transport within cells. The course will examine processes of protein targeting,exocytosis, and endocytosis; molecular mechanisms of COP-and clathrin-mediated vesicle transport; and viral and SNARE-mediated membrane fusion.Lectures will present landmark experiments from classic papers, and student presentations will focus on recent research articles. The significance of these findings with respect to human disease and signal transduction will be considered. Prerequisite: MBB 322 and BISC 331/MBB 331 or permission of the instructor.

MBB 736-3 Gene Expression offered in Spring 2016
A consideration of the mechanisms and regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

MBB 737-3 Molecular Genetics of Signal Transduction
Consideration of recent literature dealing with mechanisms of signal transduction. The emphasis of the course varies from term to term. Past offerings have ranged from a specific focus on studying signaling using molecular genetics in model organisms, to an examination of diverse cell biological, biochemical, and genetic approaches being used in current signal transduction research.

MBB 738-3 Human Molecular Genetics
The course will consider recent advances in human molecular genetics. Topics will include genome analysis, genetic testing, and studies of genetic disorders. Prerequisite: MBB 331 (or BISC 331) or equivalent.

MBB 741-3 Bioinformatics
An overview of the newly emerging field of bioinformatics, which is loosely defined as the intersection between the fields of molecular biology and computer science. A combination of lecture format and hands-on instruction is provided in the use of, and theory behind, bioinformatic software tools used in genomic and computational biology research. An introduction to the development of bioinformatic software is included, though only basic computer science knowledge is required for this particular course. Prerequisite: one introductory computer programming course (e.g. CMPT 102, 103, 110, 120 or equivalent).

MBB 742-3 Proteomics
Since the completion of the human genome, the next step is to understand the function of these genes. Proteomics cover the integration of a number of topics with the aim of analyzing the complete complement of proteins expressed by a biological system. This course will give a general understanding of the proteome, describe many of the different aspects of proteomics that have been developed recently, identify the technologic limitations related to proteomics, and will also include likely future directions for the field. Prerequisite: one introductory computer programming course (e.g. CMPT 102, 103, 110, 120 or equivalent).

MBB 743-3 Protein Biogenesis, Function and Degradation
The central dogma of molecular biology (DNA to RNA to protein) underscores two fundamental biological processes, transcription and translation, that are essential to life. Protein biogenesis (folding, assembly, targeting to the proper cellular compartment), protein modification and protein degradation represent three other equally important cellular activities. The emphasis in this course will be to review the literature on protein biogenesis,function, and degradation, and explore the new and exciting developments that are just starting to uncover how mechanistically complex these processes are.

MBB 744-3 Developmental Neurobiology
The course will examine recent literature on neuronal growth cones and axonal guidance. Cell culture, biochemical, and molecular genetic approaches will be emphasized in assessing the roles and functions of guidance cues. Prerequisite: MBB/BISC 331 and BISC 333 or equivalent and permission of the instructor.

MBB 746-3 Cell Death and Cell Survival offered in Spring 2016
An examination of various types of cell death and cell survival mechanisms and their relationship to disease with a focus on cancer and therapeutic strategies. Prerequisite: MBB 322, MBB 331.

MBB 761-3 Comparative Genomics
Examination of the fundamentals of comparative genomics, identification and activity of functional elements in genomes, inter- and intra-species comparisons, relationship of genomic to phenotypic variation, and personalized genomics are among the topics to be explored. Comparison of genome data has impacts on medicine and many other fields of the life sciences. Prerequisite: MBB 331.

MBB 762-3 Human Genomics
The organization of the human genome and the role of genomic variation in health and disease. Genomics and personalized medicine; intellectual property and privacy issues. Prerequisite: MBB 331.

MBB 801-3 Student Seminar in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry I
Discussion of recent literature through student seminars and written reports. Introduction to professional skills for scientific careers.

MBB 806-3 PhD Graduate Research Candidacy Examinationoffered in Spring 2016
Oral presentation and defense of a written PhD research proposal. Students will be examined on their knowledge relevant to the proposed research, capacity to complete the proposed thesis research (including any relevant preliminary results), and understanding of the broader field of study. All PhD students enrolled in the MBB PhD graduate program must take MBB 806. See Supplementary Outline for more information and the MBB 806 application form.

MBB 821/822/823-1 Cell and Molecular Biology Colloquium offered in Spring 2016
Recent research articles on the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular activities will be presented and discussed by students and faculty, with an emphasis on critical analysis of the concepts and experimental design and methods. Prerequisite: BISC 331/MBB 331 or equivalent. Students who have taken BISC 821, 822 or 823 may not receive credit for this course. A student may not take more than 3 units of Cell and Molecular Biology Colloquium courses, including BISC 821, 822, 823.

MBB 829-3 Special Topics in Biochemistry: Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis offered in Spring 2016
The molecular strategies that bacterial and viral pathogens use to colonize the human body and cause disease will be studied. Emphasis will be placed on specific microbes and their virulence factors and systems. Strategies for combating microbial infections - antibiotics, antiviral agents and vaccines - will be discussed in detail.

MBB 839-3 Special Topics in Molecular Biology: Cells and Disease offered in Spring 2016
An exploration into the cellular basis of a few select chronic diseases, such as cancer and polycystic kidney disease. The course relies on reading primary literature and will consist of overview lectures and class discussions in which we will critically analyze current research papers. Students will be expected to read 2 papers per week, and be prepared to present them in class or discuss them in an informal setting. A background in genetics, developmental and molecular biology is required. We will focus on a few topics and will explore them in depth, emphasizing the most recent developments.

MBB 861/2/3-1 Biomolecular Structure and Function Colloquium offered in Spring 2016
Recent research articles on the structure, function, and interactions of macromolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, as well as their complexes, will be presented and discussed by students and faculty, with an emphasis on critical analysis of the concepts and experimental design and methods. Prerequisite: BISC 331/MBB 331 or equivalent.

MBB 871-1 Directed Readings in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Programs of directed readings and critical discussions offered to individual students according to their needs. Except under exceptional circumstances, the readings should not be offered by the senior supervisor or directly related to the student's thesis research topic. Study programs must be approved by the MBB graduate studies committee.

MBB 872-2 Directed Readings in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Programs of directed readings and critical discussions offered to individual students according to their needs. Except under exceptional circumstances, the readings should not be offered by the senior supervisor or directly related to the student's thesis research topic. Study programs must be approved by the MBB graduate studies committee.

MBB 873-3 Directed Readings in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Programs of directed readings and critical discussions offered to individual students according to their needs. Except under exceptional circumstances, the readings should not be offered by the senior supervisor or directly related to the student's thesis research topic. Study programs must be approved by the MBB graduate studies committee.

MBB 898-18 MSc Thesis
Students who are working on their Master of Science thesis enrol in this course every term. This course will not count towards the course work requirements.

MBB 899-6 PhD Thesis
Students who are working on their PhD thesis enrol in this course every term. This course will not count towards the course work requirements.