Concentration in BioDefense

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences-Newark
Concentration in BioDefense

All certificate students are required to take:
GSND N500A Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences I. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 3 cr Fall
This course is Part I of the evening fundamentals course that is given to Masters Students. This course covers basic biochemistry and molecular biology. The nature of the major macromolecules will be discussed and their role in the regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism will be illustrated. The synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids will be reviewed and the experimental techniques used in molecular biology will be considered. A review of the regulation of gene expression and intermediary metabolism will serve as an introduction to a more extensive consideration of the material to be discussed in the cell biology course in the following semester. Throughout the course an effort will be made to indicate the relevance of biochemistry to clinical medicine.

GSND N500B Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences II. Cellular Biology. 3 cr. Spring
This course is Part II of the evening fundamentals course that is given to Masters Students. In this course students are introduced to basic cellular structure and function. Topics include: an introduction to the techniques used for studying cell biology, biomembranes, cell compartments, exocytosis and endocytosis, the nucleus, cell cycle and apoptosis, cell signaling, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, wound repair, cell surface specializations and junctions, and basic tissue biology of epithelia, connective tissue and nerve tissue. The lecture series provides an overview of important concepts in cell biology. Key experiments are described and some of the relevant topics of cell biology in the news are discussed.

MSBS N517Q Introduction to Select Agent Biology. 3 cr. Spring
This course is designed to give students a working knowledge of the various biological aspects of select agents and select agents research. The course topics include: select agents, bio-safety and regulations; host response to select agents; bacterial select agents and pathogenesis and virulence; viral select agents; toxins’ mechanisms of action. This course complements the other biodefense policy courses in the BioDefense Certificate Program.

MSBS N5010 Seminar in Homeland Security. 2 cr. Spring
This course provides students with an understanding of bioterrorism and homeland security issues through the discussion of current information related to bioterrorism and homeland security.

MSBS 5140 Biological Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction. 3 cr. Fall
The goals of this course are to gain a knowledge of the history of agents of biological warfare, including political considerations, development, and use, and to relate this information to the potential for tactical/terrorist deployment; to gain a knowledge of the biology of agents of biological warfare and terrorism, including microbiology, genetics, immunology, identification, diagnosis, and disease; to gain an appreciation for the overall effects of biological weapons use, including detection and epidemiology, emergency response and management, and psychological impact; to understanding the difficulties in control and non-proliferation, including difficulties in fashioning a verification protocol to the current Biological Weapons Convention.

Below are suggested elective course offerings to complete the certificate.

Seminar in Biological Sciences 1 cr.

MICR 5620 21st Century Pathogens. 3 cr., Fall
This course provides an in-depth examination of selected viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections agents. The course is structured with two parts; formal lecture and class discussion of primary literature. Topics covered include: tuberculosis, listeria, anthrax, DNA ciruses and retroviruses, HIV pathogenesis, Cryptococcus infections, antifungal drug mechanisms, trypanosomiasis and malaria.

MICRN 5233 Microbes and Infectious Disease, 3 cr., Spring
The objective of this course is to provide a general overview of bacterial, parasitic, fungal and viral infectious agents, as well as in-depth coverage of the molecular details of several select infectious agents. Topics discussed include basic virulence mechanisms, host interactions and defenses, mechanisms of pathogenesis and microbes in the news. The course is primarily designed for Masters level students, although all students may apply. In addition to lectures and written (short answer and essay) exams, students will be required to write a short report on a topic of their interest.

MSBS 5100 Current Molecular Techniques. 3 cr. Spring
The goal of this course is to provide graduate students with an understanding of the concepts and practice of contemporary molecular techniques. The emphasis of the course will be on exposure to and experience with methodologies. Therefore, a major aspect will be actual hands-on experience in basic research laboratories. There are three organizational modules and associated with each module are 7-10 techniques. Students will be divided into small groups (3-4) and will be assigned a technique. Senior graduate students, Post docs, or P.I.s will offer direct training in laboratories currently using the technique, over the span of 1-2 days. Each small group will then make a presentation to the entire class. These presentations will include (1) a detailed protocol, (2) any data derived from the technique studied with experimental context and (3) a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses

PATH N5211 Immunology. 3 cr. Spring
The goals of this course are to provide in-depth information on all aspects of modern immunology and bring the students up to date with the latest developments in the field of immunology. This course provides the basic concepts of both cellular and molecular immunology. Subjects covered include innate and acquired immune responses. The beginning of the course concentrates on the cells involved in the immune response, the mechanisms responsible for the generation of diversity in the immune response and aspects of the maturation of the immune response. Topics covered extend to cellular interactions, complement system, cytokine networks, antigen processing, immune completes, and signal transduction. The last third of the course concentrates on alterations in immunity that occur following infection, the interactions between neural and immune systems, autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, cancer, transplantation, and immunodeficiency. This course is taught by faculty whose course interests and expertise involve immunology. Evaluation will be based on a mid term, a final, and a student paper evaluation of literature reports.

PATH 5220 Fundamentals of Immunology. 2 cr.
Introductory level course in immunology, covering the basic concepts of the cells and humoral products of the immune system, the genetics of immunoglobulin production, and antigen - antibody reactions. Using an approach that correlates these basic concepts with clinical manifestations of disease, the immunopathologic mechanisms of hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, transplantation, tumor immunology and immunodeficiency are presented.

For an application or further information contact:

Stephen Garrett, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
garretst@umdnj.edu
Tel: 973-972-4483 ext. 20698