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Professor William Orr, Department Chair
Professors: Christine Buchanan, Richard Jones, Larry Ruben, John Ubelaker, Steven Vik; Associate professor: Pia Vogel; Assistant professors: Robert Harrod, James Waddle.
In addition to meeting the minimum requirements described by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, an applicant’s preparation should include six term hours of calculus or statistics, 16 term hours of chemistry (including eight term hours of organic chemistry) and at least four advanced courses in biology. Applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who know the candidate well and can speak to the candidate’s ability for graduate study should be submitted before the candidate is admitted to the program.
A student must maintain a B average (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) and receive no more than two grades at or below the grade of C. Failure to meet these requirements will result in either probationary status or in dismissal from graduate study. Enrollment in graduate seminar is required of students each term during their first two years in residence. Courses in biochemistry and molecular biology are also required of most beginning students.
Requirements with respect to proficiency in foreign language, computer programming and statistical methodology or in other cognate fields will be determined for each candidate by a departmental advisory committee.
This program is designed for students who seek additional training in the biological sciences as a prerequisite to further study in professional schools or for individuals seeking additional training for secondary education.
Candidates must complete 36 hours in biological science with at least 12 hours from 6000-level courses. A three-term-hour research project is required of all students. At least one year must be spent as a full-time student at SMU.
This program is designed primarily for students who are research oriented and who wish to prepare for advanced work at the doctoral level. To become candidates for this degree, students must prepare, present and successfully defend a written research proposal.
In addition, candidates must complete 30 term hours, including 18 term hours at the 6000 level and BIOL 6398, 6399 (thesis), and conduct a research project, the results of which must be presented orally and defended before an appropriate examining committee of the faculty. At least one year must be spent as a full-time student at SMU.Admission to graduate study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy does not constitute formal admission to candidacy for the degree. In addition to those requirements set forth in the section “Degree Requirements,” to become a candidate for the degree a student must complete successfully all course work recommended by the departmental advisory committee, must complete successfully a qualifying examination that includes both written and oral sections and must defend before an appropriate faculty committee a monograph detailing the area of proposed research or a research proposal patterned after a grant proposal.
The candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must enroll for the courses necessary to bring the total number of term hours of graduate credit to 60 (as many as 24 term hours may be waived for students with previous graduate work in the life sciences), carry out a research program under supervision of the faculty, prepare a dissertation, successfully defend it before an audience that includes the dissertation committee of the faculty and meet a residence requirement of two years as a full-time student at SMU.5110 (CHEM 5110). Biological Chemistry Laboratory. One three-hour laboratory period each week. Corequisite: BIOL 5310.
5166 (GEOL 5116). Vertebrate Origins and Evolution Laboratory. A laboratory course to accompany BIOL/GEOL 5366. Exercises include basic anatomy, dissections and examination of fossils. Corequisite: BIOL 5366.
5304. Molecular Biology: Control and Expression of Genetic Information. DNA structure and replication, control of transcription and translation and techniques in molecular genetics and recombinant DNA technology. Prerequisite: BIOL 3304.
5310 (CHEM 5310). Biological Chemistry: Macromolecular Structure and Function. Introduction to the structure and function of macromolecules of biological importance. Emphasis on nucleic acid and protein structure and synthesis, enzyme kinetics and carbohydrate and lipid chemistry. Three lecture hours each week. Prerequisite: organic chemistry.
5311. Biological Chemistry: Metabolism. Introduction to the pathways and regulatory events in the intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides. Three lecture hours per week. Prerequisite: organic chemistry.
5312 (CHEM 5312). Physical Biochemistry. Physical chemistry of macromolecules and biological membranes, with an emphasis on the thermodynamics of solutions. Prerequisites: MATH 1338 and CHEM 3372, 5310. CHEM 5381 or 5383 is recommended.
5315. Molecular Parasitology. Evaluation of recent advances in parasitic diagnosis and treatment resulting from application of modern techniques in molecular biology. Prerequisite: BIOL 3354. BIOL 3350 is recommended.
5325. General and Molecular Virology. Emphasis on the molecular aspects of viral replication and pathogenesis, including the roles of viruses in emerging human infectious diseases, cancer and bioterrorism. Prerequisite: BIOL 3304.
5364. Endocrine Physiology. The role of hormones in maintaining physiological balance. Cellular actions of hormones are described in relation to subsequent effects in the whole organism. Three lecture hours each week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3306 or permission of the instructor.
5366 (GEOL 5366). Vertebrate Origins and Evolution. An introduction to biological and geological processes that have affected the diversity of vertebrate organisms throughout earth history, including origination, biogeography, adaptation and extinction. Strong emphasis on vertebrate anatomy. Corequisite: BIOL 5166.
6307. Cell Regulatory Mechanisms. Mechanisms of cell regulation and control. Three lecture/discussion hours each week.
6310. Advanced Cell Biology. Ultrastructure, molecular architecture and physiologic function of cells and their organelles. Three lecture/discussion hours each week.
6312. Proteins: Structure, Function and Design. Protein structure determination, predictions of secondary and tertiary structure, enzyme mechanisms and design and current topics in protein research.
6317. Techniques in Electron Microscopy. Laboratory exercises in transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
6321. Molecular Biology of Prokaryotes. Molecular biology and biochemistry of prokaryotic cells with emphasis on molecular genetics and regulatory mechanisms. Three lecture/discussion hours each week.
6322. Molecular Biology of Eukaryotes. Structure and function of eukaryotic chromosomes as mediators of gene expression during growth, differentiation and oncogenesis. Three lecture/discussion hours each week.
6324. Techniques in Cell Biology. Theory and application of molecular techniques in cell biology. Experiments with cell culture, antibody probes, protein purification and nucleic acid techniques. Two lecture hours and at least three laboratory hours each week.
6325. Mechanisms of Cellular Aging. Nature of age-associated cellular changes in animals. Three lecture/discussion hours each week. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
6350. Advanced Topics in Developmental Genetics. Genetic aspects of cellular and organismal development. Three lecture/discussion hours each week. Prerequisites: BIOL 3304 and permission of the instructor.
6375. Scientific Analysis and Writing. Development of skills necessary for the preparation of grant applications and of scientific manuscripts for publication. Three lecture/discussion/reading hours each week.
7312. Perceptorship in Biological Chemistry. Lectures, discussions, readings and laboratory training on metabolic processes in cell systems. Three lecture/discussion hours each week.
6120-6129. Graduate Seminar.
6114, 6214, 6314. Concepts in the Biological Sciences. Discussion of current literature and new concepts in varied areas of the biological sciences.
6170, 6270, 6370, 6371, 6372, 6373. Research in the Biological Sciences.
6398, 6399. Thesis. (for M.S. candidates)
7000. Research in the Biological Sciences.
7315, 7316. Selected Topics in the Biological Sciences.
8049. Full-Time Status. (for students engaged in research)
8398, 8399, 8698, 8699, 8998, 8999. Dissertation. (for Ph.D. candidates)
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