This seminar course is designed for first year graduate students who have just matriculated in the Department of Biological Sciences. This course introduces new graduate students to the graduate culture in the Department of Biological Sciences. Students are required to attend the Department?s weekly seminars as well as a one hour class discussion with the instructor. [1]

Tutorial designed for non-thesis M.S. candidates to research and write a scholarly paper to complete the requirements for the non-thesis master?s degree. [3]

An examination of current problems in prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetics. Such problems may include transcription and translation, recombination, DNA and chromosome replication, chromosome organization, gene regulation and extrachromosomal inheritance. Note: May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and passage of the genetics qualifying examination. [3]

This seminar course is designed for graduate students working in the sciences and addresses key concerns and challenges faced by mentors at all levels in scientific disciplines. The topics covered in this seminar include intellectual issues (scientific teaching, comprehension and learning how to ask questions), technical issues (experimental design, precision, accuracy), personal growth issues (developing confidence, creativity and independence) and interpersonal issues (dealing with students of diverse experiences and backgrounds, motivation, honesty between mentor and student, scientific integrity and discrimination). The course uses a discussion format using case studies and reading materials relevant to each topic to provide tangible starting points for discussion. The grade is based on participation in discussion, completion of written assignments and presentations in class. Prerequisites: Graduate student/post-doctoral status in a scientific discipline. [1]

Critical discussions on current problems in cell biology, concentrating on the structure and function of the various cellular structures and the relations among them. The topics will include the structure and function of cell membranes, the cell nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts and other organelles. Additional topics will include genetic transcription and translation, cell growth and division, cell motility and regulation of cellular processes. Note: May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and passage of the cell biology qualifying examination. [3]

Designed primarily for students currently engaged in some aspect of membrane research. Critical discussion of literature and ongoing research, a seminar presentation and a paper are required. Note: May be repeated for credit with the consent of the instructor. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in biochemistry and consent of instructor. [1]

Intended primarily for students engaged in research in immunology. Students and faculty will present results of their recent experiments and/or important papers from current literature for critical discussion. Participation in the discussion of the work of others is expected. Note: May be repeated for credit. [1]

An examination and critical review of current problems in plant biology, concentrating on molecular approaches to these problems. Topics may include control of growth and development, responses to the environment, improvement of crop production in agriculture, molecular analysis of photosynthesis, host/pathogen interactions, plant reproduction and model systems for molecular genetic analyses. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Recommended: BIOL 304 and BIOL 456 or equivalent. [3]

This course is intended primarily for students engaged in research in molecular biology. Students and faculty will present results of their recent experiments and/or important papers from current literature for critical discussion. Participation in the discussion of the work of others is expected. Note: May be repeated for credit. [1]

An examination and critical review of literature pertaining to persistent problems in developmental biology and the differentiation of cell types. Topics to be covered include gametogenesis, fertilization and cleavage patterns, biochemical events during early embryogenesis, nucleocytoplasmic interactions in development, inductive phenomena, the role of cell contact specificities in morphogenesis, stability of the differentiated state and the hormonal controls in differentiating cell systems. The theory of differential gene expression will be evaluated by examining the cytological and biochemical evidence for time and tissue specificities of gene action. Note: May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and passage of the developmental biology qualifying examination. [3]

This is a research and literature review course focused on the field of developmental biology. Recent primary scientific literature and reviews reporting on important developments in the broad area of developmental biology will be presented by students and faculty for critical discussion. Topics chosen may come from work on prokaryotic, animal or plant model systems. Note: May be repeated for credit. [1]

This seminar course is designed to familiarize the student with contemporary problems and experimental approaches in the field of regulatory biology at the organismic level. Emphasis will be placed on critical evaluation of current literature in one of the following areas: respiratory and circulatory systems, ion and water balance, mechanisms of hormonal regulation, biological basis of behavior, temperature regulation and compensation or sensory neurophysiology. The topic chosen will vary each semester. Note: May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and passage of the organismic biology qualifying examination. [3]

This course is designed primarily for students engaged in research into aspects of animal physiology and behavior at the organismic and cellular levels. Critical discussion of current literature and ongoing research and a seminar presentation are required. Note: May be repeated for credit. [1]

This is a research and literature review seminar course in the area of cellular neurobiology. Primary scientific literature and recent reviews reporting on important new developments in research on nervous systems will be presented and discussed. One or two general topics will provide the focus for each semester?s study. Note: May be repeated for credit. [1]

This course is intended primarily for students engaged in research in plant biology. Students and faculty will present results of their recent experiments and/or important papers from current literature for critical discussion. Participation in the discussion of the work of others is expected. Note: May be repeated for credit. [1]

This seminar emphasizes critical examination of the literature in one or more current research areas in ecology and evolutionary biology. Possible topics include mechanisms of adaptation at different levels of organization, multi-variate interpretation of data from natural populations, evolution of life history patterns, population growth and regulation, inter-specific competition, predator-prey interactions, mutualisms and indirect effects in food webs, community structure and function and nutrient cycling and energy flow. Note: May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and passage of the population biology qualifying examination. [3]

This course is intended primarily for students engaged in research in ecology and evolution. Students and faculty will present results of their recent experiments and/or important papers from current literature for critical discussion. Participation in the discussion of the work of others is expected. Note: May be repeated for credit. [1]

The class will consist of a series of studentled seminars related to a specific topic in molecular biology. The topic will change from year to year and normally will be in an area where substantial progress recently has been reported. Each weekly session will include student presentation of several papers assigned by the class director upon discussion with the student in charge of a given seminar. The presentation will be intermingled with discussion among the seminar participants. All students are expected to have read assigned papers before each seminar and to contribute to the discussion. Note: Grading will be based on the quality of the presentation(s) and the participation in the discussion. [3]

Students will write and submit for evaluation a scholarly paper on research undertaken in BIOL 635L and BIOL 636L during their applied molecular biology program. Enrollment is limited to students in the APMB program. [1]

Master's thesis research under the direction of a UMBC MEES faculty member. Note: Six credit hours are required for the master's degree. [1-6]

Master?s thesis research is conducted under the direction of a faculty member. Note: Six credit hours required for the master?s degree with thesis. [1-6]