Provisional University Bulletin (2024-2025)

• Master of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy

The graduate program in molecular and cell biology, leading to the MS and PhD degrees, is designed to provide each student with the theoretical foundations and research experience needed to become an independent and original investigator of basic biological phenomena. Preparation is achieved through the combination of (1) a flexible curriculum of required and elective courses tailored for each student's specific needs, (2) a semester of laboratory research (MS) or set of laboratory rotations (PhD) that acquaints each entering student with current research techniques and permits exploration of possible research areas, and (3) separate MS and PhD level proseminar courses specifically for first-year students and a series of journal clubs that keep students abreast of significant research findings and develop confidence with reading research literature and giving oral presentations. First-year MS and PhD students participate in all three aspects of our graduate program and are thus quickly integrated into the biological research community at Brandeis. A strength of our program is frequent interaction between students and faculty, formal and informal. Thesis research leading to the PhD degree is carried out under the personal direction of a faculty member.

A complete list of MCB faculty research interests and recent publications can be viewed online. Potential applicants are urged to review this information. As a general orientation, the following areas of research are among those represented in the program: molecular biology of the regulation of gene expression; chromosome structure and chromosomal rearrangements; mechanisms of recombination and DNA repair; developmental genetics; behavioral genetics, neural development; biophysics of single nerve cells; learning and memory; regulation of small RNAs; immune cell differentiation and development; cell biology of cell morphogenesis, membrane traffic and cytoskeletal architecture; organization of subcellular structures; structure and function of proteins; mammalian embryogenesis and the biotechnology of DNA diagnostics.

Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology

Graduate Outcomes

The MCB Master’s program will train students to realize their potential as independent scientists, and will foster students’ career development goals toward obtaining a position in research, teaching, or other scientific settings.

Students graduating with a Master’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology are expected to:

1. Demonstrate a graduate-level understanding of one of the areas of research represented by the program: molecular biology of the regulation of gene expression; chromosome structure and chromosomal rearrangements; mechanisms of recombination and DNA repair; developmental genetics; behavioral genetics, neural development; biophysics of single nerve cells; learning and memory; regulation of small RNAs; immune cell differentiation and development; cytoskeletal architecture; organization of subcellular structures; structure and function of proteins; mammalian embryogenesis and the biotechnology of DNA diagnostics.
2. Explore possible research areas and techniques through a semester of independent or semi-independent research.
3. Become confident in reading primary literature, critical thinking, and presentation.
4. Learn ethical practices in the Sciences.

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular and Cell Biology

Graduate Outcomes

Students trained in the MCB PhD program will learn the theoretical foundations and research experience needed to become an independent and original investigator of basic biological phenomena.

Students graduating with the Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology are expected to:

1. Demonstrate a graduate-level understanding of one of the areas of research represented by the program: molecular biology of the regulation of gene expression; chromosome structure and chromosomal rearrangements; mechanisms of recombination and DNA repair; developmental genetics; behavioral genetics, neural development; biophysics of single nerve cells; learning and memory; regulation of small RNAs; immune cell differentiation and development; cytoskeletal architecture; organization of subcellular structures; structure and function of proteins; mammalian embryogenesis and the biotechnology of DNA diagnostics.
2. Explore possible research areas and techniques through four first-year laboratory rotations.
3. Become confident in reading primary literature, critical thinking, and presentation.
4. Become proficient in scientific writing and oral defense of original research.
5. Gain experience teaching students in a teaching assistantship role.
6. Learn ethical practices in the Sciences.
7. Complete a significant body of original work that advances the field of Biology.

The general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, given in an earlier section of this Bulletin, apply to candidates for admission to this area of study. For more information, please view the program website.

Bruce Goode, Chair (Biology; Rosenstiel Center)
Cytoskeletal mechanisms controlling cell morphogenesis.

Susan Birren (National Center for Behavioral Genomics; Volen Center)
Developmental neurobiology.

Alexandre Bisson (Biology)
Cellular Organization and Behavior in the Archaea domain of life.

Niels Bradshaw (Biochemistry)
Regulation of protein phosphatases and the evolution of cellular signaling.

Paul Garrity (Biology; National Center for Behavioral Genomics; Volen Center)
Neural development and behavior.

Jeff Gelles (Biochemistry)
Mechanisms of mechanoenzymes and macromolecular machines. Single-molecule light microscopy as a tool to study enzyme mechanisms.

Leslie Griffith (Biology; National Center for Behavioral Genomics; Volen Center)
Biochemistry of behavior.

James Haber (Biology; Director, Rosenstiel Center) 
Genetics and molecular biology of yeast meiotic and mitotic recombination. Mating-type switching. Repair of broken chromosomes.

Lizbeth Hedstrom (Biology)
Enzyme structure-function. Chemical biology. Protein engineering.

Tijana Ivanovic (Biochemistry; Rosenstiel Center)
Molecular mechanisms on virus translocation across biological membranes.

Sebastian Kadener (Biology; Rosenstiel Center; Volen Center)
Molecular neurobiology and RNA metabolism.

Julia Kardon (Biochemistry)
Mechanisms for control of mitochondrial protein activity, quality, and lifespan.

Isaac Krauss (Chemistry)
Organic synthesis.

Yerbol Kurmangaliyev (Biology)
Genomics of brain development.

Susan Lovett (Biology; Rosenstiel Center)
Genetics and molecular biology of bacteria and yeast. DNA repair. Recombination and mutagenesis.

Michael Marr (Biology; Rosenstiel Center)
Mechanisms controlling gene expression.

Maria Miara, Graduate Advising Head (Biology)
Science Education. Comparative anatomy and physiology.

Sacha Nelson (Biology; National Center for Behavioral Genomics; Volen Center)
Physiological genomics of the mammalian neocortex.

Suzanne Paradis (Biology; National Center for Behavioral Genomics; Volen Center)
Molecular mechanisms of synapse development.

Kaushik Ragunathan (Biology)
Molecular mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance; single molecule approaches to study chromatin associated factors in vitro and in cells.

Avital Rodal (Biology; Rosenstiel Center; Volen Center)
Endosomal membrane traffic in neurons.

Michael Rosbash (Biology; National Center for Behavioral Genomics; Volen Center)
Circadian rhythms, behavior, and gene expression.

W. Benjamin Rogers (Physics)
Complex fluids and biological physics, programmable self-assembly of soft materials.

Piali Sengupta (Biology; National Center for Behavioral Genomics; Volen Center)
Behavioral and neuronal development in C. elegans.

Timothy Street (Biology, Rosenstiel Center)
Mechanisms of protein folding in the cell.

Doug Theobald (Biochemistry)
Biological redox enzymes’ structure and function.

Program of Study

The program is designed to guide each student toward realizing their potential as independent scientists and foster their career development toward obtaining a position in research, teaching, or other scientific settings. Students are encouraged to become experts in the theory and practice of their chosen area of research, as well as to obtain breadth in other areas strongly represented in the program. Graduate courses are available in the areas of molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, biochemistry, structural biology, immunology, cancer biology, and neurobiology.

A. A total of six graduate-level courses, along with the attendance of appropriate Journal Clubs (at least BIOL 305a/b) for two semesters and the Graduate Student Research Seminar (BIOL 350a/b) for two semesters are required for the degree. 

B. The courses must include: 

1. BIOL 100b (or BIOL 103b, with permission of the chair)
2. BIOL 101a (or BIOL 105b, with permission of the chair)
3. The Masters Proseminar course (BIOL 205a) 
4. One laboratory or research based course, with the balance of courses being graduate-level life science elective courses. However, it is the aim of the program to be flexible and allow students to fill gaps in their education. Thus, if warranted, non-graduate courses or courses outside of biology can be taken if agreed upon with the program chair. 
   • The laboratory or research component can be met by a Masters Research Lab (BIOL 296a), or by a Project Laboratory (e.g. BIOL 151b, BIOL 156a, BIOL 159a, or NBIO 157a). Students who wish to fulfill the research requirement through BIOL 296a must obtain approval from the program chair and the faculty member in whose lab the research is to take place, and must submit a written laboratory report at the end of the semester. If a student takes both the Masters Research Lab course (BIOL 296a) and a Project Laboratory course, the latter will be considered an elective course. The Masters Research Lab course (BIOL 296a) cannot be considered an elective, even if taken more than once. 

In order to earn a degree from this program, the student must complete a minimum of 32 credits.

With approval of the supervising faculty member and the chair of the program, students have the option to write a Master’s Thesis (BIOL 299a) following completion of at least one full semester of Master’s Research Lab (BIOL 296a), provided that the research was performed in a single laboratory at Brandeis. Those who wish to complete a Master's Thesis in their third or fourth semester must obtain approval by March 1st of their second semester (for students who matriculate in the fall) or by November 1st (for students who matriculate in the spring). After completion and approval, the thesis must be electronically deposited in ProQuest ETD. For instructions on how to do this, visit the Thesis and Dissertation Guide.

Annual Academic Performance Review and Progress to the Degree

Every student, whether or not currently in residence, must register at the beginning of each term. All graduate students will be evaluated by the program each spring. At this evaluation the records of all graduate students will be carefully reviewed with reference to the timely completion of coursework and non-course degree requirements, the quality of the work and research in progress and the student’s overall academic performance in the program. Students must receive grades of B- or better in all courses and may be asked to leave the program at the end of a semester if their progress is found to be unsatisfactory by the graduate committee.

Residence Requirement

The minimum in-person residence requirement is one year.

Students may take an additional one or two semesters to complete the MS degree as an Extended Master's student with approval of the chair of the program. International students may extend their time one semester if they are still completing required coursework. International students who have completed all required coursework and wish to complete the optional Master’s Thesis may stay an extra semester with advanced approval from the advising faculty, the program chair, and International Students & Scholars Office (by November 1st if completing the thesis in the spring semester and by March 1st if completing the thesis in the fall semester).

Program of Study

Students wishing to obtain the specialization in Quantitative Biology (QB) must first gain approval of the Molecular and Cell Biology representative for the QB program (listed online on the Brandeis QB website). This should be done as early as possible in the program. In order to receive the M.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology with specialization in QB, candidates must complete (a) the requirements for the M.S. described above and (b) the course requirements for the QB specialization described in the QB section of this Bulletin.

Any alteration to the QB course requirements must be approved by both the Molecular and Cell Biology Program Chair and the QB Program Chair.

Program of Study

A. Students must take a total of six graduate-level courses for the degree. 

1. Generally two courses are taken each semester in the first year, of which three are required: 
   • BIOL 103b
   • BIOL 105b
   • BIOL 107a. 
2. BIOL 200a (Proseminar, a workshop in primary literature reading, critical thinking, and presentation, and in grant proposal writing and defending) is also required, and is generally taken in the second year.
3. The remaining two courses are electives to be chosen by the student, but they must be graduate-level life science courses (BIOL, BCHM, CBIO, or NBIO; course numbers of 100 or higher). In selecting electives, students are expected to gain knowledge in at least two different disciplines represented in the program: genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, immunology, biochemistry, and structural biology. Students must complete all courses with a grade of B- or better.

B. In addition, all students are required to take CONT 300b (Responsible Conduct of Science) or attend the comparable Division of Science Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) workshop, typically in the spring of their first year. This does not count as one of the six courses toward the degree. Students who need to miss the RCR workshop must notify both the Office of Research Administration and the Director of Graduate Studies to get a waiver until the following year.   

C. First-year students must also complete four separate nine-week rotations (and register for BIOL 300a/b) in four different laboratories on campus. 

D. Beginning in year 2, students are required to present once a year in journal club (BIOL 305 a/b). Beginning in year 3, they also must present once a year in the Graduate Student Research Seminar (Pizza Talks, BIOL 350a/b). They are also required to register for and attend both of these courses each semester to remain in good standing in the program. Students are required to present a total of four times in Journal Club and three times in Pizza Talks during their tenure in the program. 

E. Beginning in the second year, students should register for BIOL 401d every semester (fall and spring) until finishing the program.

F. Students are also expected to continue participating in other departmental seminars and colloquia relevant to their fields of study for the entire time they are in the graduate program. The suggested schedule of courses for the first two years is (note: students must register for all courses, even those not for credit):

First Year

Fall: BIOL 105b, BIOL 107a, BIOL 300a, BIOL 305a, and BIOL 350a.

Spring: BIOL 103b and one elective graduate-level science course, plus BIOL 305b, BIOL 350b, BIOL 300b, and CONT 300b (or comparable Division of Science Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) workshop). Students who need to miss the RCR workshop must notify both the Office of Research Administration and the Director of Graduate Studies to get a waiver until the following year.

At the end of the first year after completing rotations, each student must find a faculty adviser and position in that laboratory in which to perform their thesis work. Any requested extensions to this timeline, e.g. for the purpose of conducting a fifth rotation over the summer, is subject to approval by the Graduate Committee. The adviser will assist the student in planning a well-balanced thesis-research program in their field of interest with the objective and expectation of publishing the work.

Second Year

Fall: BIOL 200a, BIOL 401D, BIOL 305a, and BIOL 350a.

Spring: One elective graduate-level science course, plus BIOL 305b and BIOL 350b. Students also have the option to delay their final elective into their third year.

Qualifying Examination

Students take a qualifying exam at the end of the second year in May. In this exam, there is a written proposal component that is submitted by the student to the members of their exam committee, followed by an oral defense of the proposal. The exam must be on the student’s thesis research, and outlines their planned experiments and goals for the remaining years in the PhD program. It also includes preliminary data that the student has obtained during their first two years in the program.

Teaching Requirement

All PhD students are required to participate in undergraduate teaching during the course of their studies. Every graduate teaching assistant (TA) is supervised by a member of the faculty, who serves as a mentor to improve the quality of the TA's teaching. Please see the GSAS section on Teaching Requirements and the program handbook for more details.

Residence Requirement

The minimum in-person residence requirement is three years.

Summer Registration

PhD students in the program are required to be on campus or at a related lab for the full year while engaged in taking classes and/or doing research related to their field of study and will be enrolled in CONT 250b by the Registrar's office. Registration for Graduate Summer Term does not count toward the residency requirement. The summer registration fee will be waived.

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for the PhD degree.

Annual Academic Performance Review and Progress to the Degree

Every student, whether or not currently in residence, must register at the beginning of each term. All graduate students will be evaluated by the program each spring. At this evaluation the records of all graduate students will be carefully reviewed with reference to the timely completion of coursework and non-course degree requirements, the quality of the work and research in progress and the student’s overall academic performance in the program.

Dissertation and Defense

Each student will conduct an original investigation under the guidance and mentorship of their thesis adviser and write a dissertation of their results. After submission of the dissertation, the candidate will give a public seminar to the University community, and on the same day defend the work in an oral exam to the dissertation committee. The dissertation committee must include the thesis adviser, at least two additional Brandeis science faculty (at least one of whom must be listed as an MCB faculty), and one additional faculty member from outside the university - typically an expert in the area of the thesis research. The dissertation committee is selected by the student and adviser through mutual agreement. There is an expectation that students will publish a minimum of one first-author research paper from their graduate work before graduating.

Please note that the above Program of Study is typical of a student entering the PhD program directly. Students who enter the PhD program from a Brandeis Master’s program may have an altered Program of Study, to be discussed and agreed upon by the student and the Graduate Committee prior to matriculation.

Program of Study

Students wishing to obtain the specialization in Quantitative Biology (QB) must first gain approval of the MCB representative for the QB program (listed online on the Brandeis QB website). This should be done as early as possible in the program, ideally during the first year. In order to receive the PhD in MCB with specialization in QB, candidates must complete (a) the requirements for the PhD described above and (b) the course requirements for the QB specialization described in the QB section of this Bulletin.

Any alteration to the QB course requirements must be approved by both the MCB Program Chair and the QB Program Chair.

BIOL 100b Advanced Cell Biology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b.

An advanced course on cell biology. Topics include structure and organization of the cell, principles of signal transduction, and cell division and proliferation. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 101a Molecular Biotechnology
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Prerequisite: BIOL 14a and BIOL 18b.

Develops knowledge of molecular biology, and skills to research, choose and interpret the best experimental approaches for answering research questions in molecular biology. Studies molecular biology techniques such as PCR, DNA sequencing, genomics, cloning, microarrays, and CRISPR, and their research applications. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 102b Structural Molecular Biology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b, or permission of the instructor.
 

This introduction to the structural basis of viral molecular biology examines the designs of proteins, their folding and assembly, and the means whereby we visualize these structures. We will use several recent viral pandemics including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, and HIV as models of how to understand viral structure and assembly. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 103b Mechanisms of Cell Functions
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Prerequisite: BIOL 100b.

Focuses on the mechanistic basis of cell biological processes, with a heavy emphasis on how they are elucidated experimentally. Classic and modern research papers are used to illustrate a range of genetic, biochemical, and imaging-based experimental approaches. Topics include cell compartmentalization, membrane traffic, cytoskeleton, cell motility, and cell division. The primary learning goal is to understand how the scientific method is applied in cell biology research. Intended for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 105b Molecular Biology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b.

Examination of molecular processes in replication and expression of genetic information and techniques by which this understanding has been achieved. Topics include recombinant DNA and other molecular biological techniques, structure and organization of DNA in chromosomes, DNA replication, transcription and regulation of gene expression, RNA structure and processing, mRNA stability, and other mechanisms of post-translational control. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 107a Data Analysis and Statistics Workshop
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Prerequisites: BIOL51a, high school statistics, or similar course.

The interpretation of data is key to making new discoveries, making optimal decisions, and designing experiments. Students will learn skills of data analysis and computer coding through hands-on, computer-based tutorials and exercises that include experimental data from the biological sciences. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 112b Evolutionary Developmental Biology
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Prerequisite: BIOL 14a and BIOL 16a.

Examines both the evolution of developmental processes and the impact of development on evolution. This course will draw on the many sub-disciplines that feed into Evo-Devo including developmental biology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, ecology and paleontology. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 122a Molecular Genetics
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Prerequisite: BIOL 14a. Recommended prerequisite: BIOL 72a or another upper-level course in genetics, genomics, or molecular biology.

A lecture- and literature-based course for students who have already taken a basic course in genetics and molecular biology. Organized somewhat historically, we will explore how genetic approaches have elucidated the nature of the gene and its regulation and the analysis of gene function. In other words, it's a course about 'genetic thinking,' with increasingly large doses of molecular biology added in as we progress. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics will be discussed. Before each class, students will be assigned one or two papers from the published literature that will form the basis of the next lecture/discussion. To facilitate this discussion, students will be required to post questions about the reading prior to class. In addition, each student will be responsible for writing a paper, due near the end of the semester, about a topic that they found particularly creative in using genetic approaches to delve into the mysteries of cell growth and development. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 125a Immunology
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Prerequisites: BIOL14a and BIOL 15b. CHEM 25a is recommended. May not be taken for credit by students who took BIOL 70a in prior years.

Topics include properties and functions of cells involved in innate and adaptive immunity; genes, structure and function of immunoglobulins, B cell receptors and T cell receptors; lymphocyte differentiation; genetic regulation; MHC restriction; cell interactions and signaling; pathogen immunity (bacteria, viruses) and vaccines; tolerance and autoimmunity. Usually offered year.

BIOL 128a Human Genetics
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and either BIOL 15b or BIOL 16a.

Survey of topics, including monogenic and multifactorial conditions, gene mapping, molecular methodology in genetics and genomics, population genetics, cancer genetics, and genetics of development. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 131b Introduction to Genomics
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b.

Focuses on the rapidly developing field of Genomics. During the course, the students will be introduced to general concepts, technologies, and approaches for generating and analyzing genomic datasets. The specific applications will include the analysis of large-scale neurogenomics datasets. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 132a General Microbiology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b. May not be taken for credit by students who took BIOL 71a in prior years.

Topics include the physiology and properties of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms; microbial nutrition, metabolism, growth; bacterial genetics; horizontal gene transfer; microbial pathogenesis; immunity; antibiotics and other means of microbial control. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 152b Virus Hunter Project Lab
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a, BIOL 15b, BIOL 12a and 12b or BIOL 18a and 18b.

During this course, students will learn about a common type of virus called bacteriophage. They will isolate novel bacteriophage from the marine environment and using modern molecular biology and bioinformatic techniques, they will sequence, analyze, and annotate the viral genome. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 159a Project Laboratory in Microbiology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 12a and 12b or BIOL 18a and 18b.

A discovery-based laboratory to study the diversity of microorganisms in particular environments. Students will isolate microbes with ability to metabolize complex compounds from special environments, characterize their properties and identify them by DNA sequence analysis. After students learn foundational microbiology concepts and techniques, they will choose, design, and carry out a short research project. This project lab is primarily for seniors and master's students. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 160b Human Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b.

Course deals with hormonal, cellular, and molecular aspects of gametogenesis, fertilization, pregnancy, and birth. Pathological and abnormal variations that occur and the available medical technologies for intervention, correction, and facilitation of these processes are discussed. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 163b Repairing and Editing the Genome
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b.

DNA damage must be repaired to maintain genome integrity and prevent mutations and chromosome rearrangements associated with cancer. Understanding of these repair mechanisms has opened the door to precisely modify genes, for gene therapy or even to recreate extinct mammals. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 172b Growth Control and Cancer
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Prerequisites: BIOL 14a and BIOL 15b, and CHEM 25a.

Investigates the research that has revealed the molecular basis of cancer development and cancer treatments, including the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern cell growth, differentiation, and survival in normal cells, and how this regulation is disrupted in cancer. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 199a Senior Research

The first of a two-semester course for students pursuing the combined BS/MS in Biology, this is an intensive research experience. The student conducts an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. To fulfill the BIOL 199 requirements, students must (1) submit to their research sponsor, at the conclusion of their first BIOL 199 semester, a paper that reviews the literature pertinent to their field of research, and (2) submit to their research sponsor, at the conclusion of their second BIOL 199 semester, a senior thesis that includes an abstract, an introduction, a review of materials and methods, results, discussion, and references. Students enrolled in this course must defend their thesis, receive Departmental Honors, and submit their thesis to GSAS. If a student drops out of the BS/MS program, BIOL 199 will be replaced with BIOL 99. Students must petition the department for permission to enroll in BIOL 199. Usually offered every semester.

BIOL 199b Senior Research

A continuation of BIOL 199a. See BIOL 199a for course description.

NBIO 136b Computational Neuroscience
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Prerequisites: MATH 10a or higher and one of the following: NBIO 140b/240b, PHYS 10b/11b/15b, BIOL 107a, or any COSI course.

An introduction to concepts and methods in computer modeling and analysis of neural systems. Topics include single and multicompartmental models of neurons, information representation and processing by populations of neurons, synaptic plasticity and models of learning, working memory, decision making and neural oscillations. The course will be based on in-class computer tutorials, assuming limited prior coding experience, with reading assignments and preparation as homework. Usually offered every second year.

BIOL 200a Experimental Design and Analysis for Research Proposals

Introduces second-year Molecular and Cell Biology PhD students to the process of writing research proposals. Using their own research topics and materials, as well as readings from the literature and training sessions with the instructor and additional domain experts, each student will learn to analyze the relevant scientific literature, develop testable hypotheses, design well-controlled experiments, quantitatively analyze the resulting data, test for statistical significance, and communicate the results in visual plots and concise, well organized scientific writing. The end result will be a draft research proposal suitable for submission to a funding agency such as the NIH. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 205a Masters Proseminar

Enrollment limited to Life Science Masters students.

In the life sciences, theories, methods and discoveries must be communicated effectively. Equally important is the ability to interpret and evaluate the work done by others. Students will have opportunities to learn, practice and evaluate oral and written methods of scientific communication. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 251a Project Laboratory in Protein Biochemistry
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Features experiments in protein biochemistry that are fundamental to the field of biotechnology. These include protein purification, characterization and quality assessment. Focus is placed on designing purification protocols for both tagged and untagged proteins using biochemical knowledge. The designed protocols are tested by purifying known proteins. As part of the course, students will contribute to research projects of unknown outcome by purifying and assaying novel proteins. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 256a Project Laboratory in Biotechnology
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The primary goal of this course is to teach current methods in molecular biology to establish a foundational skill set that makes seniors and master’s students viable in today’s research job market or academic research positions. For juniors and seniors, it can also function to add laboratory experience for those that have not been able to fulfill such a proficiency. The course meets during its scheduled times with access to the laboratory during off time hours for any wishing to continue their work. The experiments done contribute to research projects sponsored by laboratories at Brandeis. This helps prepare students for a career in science and understand what attributes are necessary to be competent in the field of research. Some projects have spanned many semesters allowing successive classes to continue working on a project from previous years. New projects are also introduced providing a variety of research opportunities to pick from, adding to the dynamics of the course. Through these projects, some of the techniques taught will include DNA isolation, DNA sequence analysis, generation of mutations, recombinant DNA cloning, polymerase chain reaction, yeast two hybrid assays, screening small chemical libraries, Gateway & Gibson cloning techniques, training on an industry standard equipment, multiplate assays, and many more. Undergraduates will be responsible for one project, while master’s students will pick two projects from a group of projects to work on. There is a possibility of continuing a project as an independent researcher in the spring semester. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 296a Master's Research Lab

Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director.

Students engage in biological research by working in the laboratory of a faculty member for a minimum of 10 hours per week for one semester. Intended for students in the MS Program in Molecular and Cell Biology. Usually offered every semester.

BIOL 297a Readings in Molecular and Cell Biology

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 298a Independent Study in Molecular and Cell Biology

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 299a Master's Research Thesis

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 300a Biological Research

Primarily for the first-year student, with the purpose of introducing them to biological research and to the work in progress in the laboratories of a number of faculty members. In consultation with the graduate adviser, the student plans a sequence of such tenures, each comprising nine weeks, and then carries out experimental investigations under the guidance of the faculty members involved. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 300b Biological Research

Primarily for the first-year student, with the purpose of introducing them to biological research and to the work in progress in the laboratories of a number of faculty members. In consultation with the graduate adviser, the student plans a sequence of such tenures, each comprising nine weeks, and then carries out experimental investigations under the guidance of the faculty members involved. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 305a Topics in Molecular Genetics and Development

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 305b Topics in Molecular Genetics and Development

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 350a Graduate Student Research Seminar

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 350b Graduate Student Research Seminar

Usually offered every year.

BIOL 401d Dissertation Research

Independent research for PhD candidates. Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.

BCHM 102a Quantitative Approaches to Biochemical Systems
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Prerequisite: BCHM 100a or equivalent and Math 10a and b or equivalent.

Introduces quantitative approaches to analyzing macromolecular structure and function. Emphasizes the use of basic thermodynamics and single-molecule and ensemble kinetics to elucidate biochemical reaction mechanisms. Also discusses the physical bases of spectroscopic and diffraction methods commonly used in the study of proteins and nucleic acids. Usually offered every year.

BIOL 107a Data Analysis and Statistics Workshop
[ dl qr sn ]

Prerequisites: BIOL51a, high school statistics, or similar course.

The interpretation of data is key to making new discoveries, making optimal decisions, and designing experiments. Students will learn skills of data analysis and computer coding through hands-on, computer-based tutorials and exercises that include experimental data from the biological sciences. Usually offered every year.

NBIO 136b Computational Neuroscience
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Prerequisites: MATH 10a or higher and one of the following: NBIO 140b/240b, PHYS 10b/11b/15b, BIOL 107a, or any COSI course.

An introduction to concepts and methods in computer modeling and analysis of neural systems. Topics include single and multicompartmental models of neurons, information representation and processing by populations of neurons, synaptic plasticity and models of learning, working memory, decision making and neural oscillations. The course will be based on in-class computer tutorials, assuming limited prior coding experience, with reading assignments and preparation as homework. Usually offered every second year.

PHYS 105a Biological Physics
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Physical forces in living matter are studied from the perspective offered by statistical mechanics, elasticity theory, and fluid dynamics. Quantitative models for biological structure and function are developed and used to analyze systems such as single molecule experiments, transcriptional regulation networks, the forces arising during DNA packaging in a virus, and mechanisms underlying mammalian pattern formation. Usually offered every second year.

QBIO 110a Numerical Modeling of Biological Systems
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Prerequisite: MATH 10a and b or equivalent.

Modern scientific computation applied to problems in molecular and cell biology. Covers techniques such as numerical integration of differential equations, molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations. Applications range from enzymes and molecular motors to cells. Usually offered every second year.

QBIO 120b Quantitative Biology Instrumentation Laboratory
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Focuses on optical and other instruments commonly used in biomedical laboratories to make quantitative measurements in vivo and in vitro. Students disassemble and reconfigure modular instruments in laboratory exercises that critically evaluate instrument reliability and usability and investigate the origins of noise and systematic error in measurements. Usually offered every year.