BMB Course Offerings

Undergraduate Courses

Course: BMB 499 "Senior Thesis"
Description: Laboratory research culminating in a thesis.
A senior thesis is a capstone experience typically conducted over 2 semesters of 2-3 credits per semester. Students will conduct significant laboratory research and write a thesis based on their research. The thesis should be 15-20 pages long and shall include a significant survey of the field (2 page min) with referencesto original literature in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related fields. The thesis will be assessed by 2 professors (at least 1 from BMB). The research will be presented at the UURAF or a lab meeting/similar event if the UURAF conflicts with the student`s schedule.
Semester(s) offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer of every year
Credits: 1-8
Restrictions:Open to juniors or seniors. Approval of department. A student may earn a maximum of 8 credits BMB 490 and BMB 499. A student may earn a maximum of 8 credits in all enrollments for this course.

COM/CHM Courses

Graduate Courses

Course:BMB 805 "Protein Structure, Design, and Mechanism"
Description: Protein architecture, dynamics, folding, stability, and evolution. Conformational changes, ligand binding, and kinetics. Elucidation of enzyme mechanisms.
Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year
Credits:3
Recommended background: BMB 462 and CEM 383
Recent Syllabus: Spring 2013

Course: BMB 960 Sect 001 "The Role of Mitochondria in Toxicology and Pharmacology"
Description: In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that many types of toxicants can disrupt various aspects of normal mitochondrial function.  These disruptions can lead to multiple disease states or even death for cells and organisms. This course seeks to acquaint participants with the current literature (within the past 2 years) regarding the role of mitochondria in mediating the toxicity and efficacy of various compounds.  The first part of the course, mechanisms of mitochondrial toxicity, will examine different mitochondrial functions disrupted by toxins and toxicants. The second part, molecules of mitochondrial toxicity, will examine several classes of toxins and toxicants shown to interrupt normal mitochondrial activities.
Semester offered: Spring 2013
Credits: 1
Restrictions: No required or recommended prerequisites.
Recent Syllabus: Spring 2013
NOTE: To enroll, please contact Dr. John LaPres at lapres@msu.edu and also submit the Biochemistry course override request form, found on the left side of the department homepage (www.bch.msu.edu). This course will be held in Room 162 Food Safety and Toxicology Building on Thursdays, 12:40 - 1:30 p.m. Enrollment is limited to 13 students.

Course: BMB 961 Sect 001 "Plant Biochemistry"
Description:Covers biochemistry unique to photosynthetic organisms. Topics vary each year but generally include photosynthesis and carbon fixation, nitrogen fixation, carbon dioxide fixation, lipid metabolism, carbon partitioning, cell walls, sulfur and nitrogen metabolism and specialized metabolism including isoprenoids, phenylpropanoids and alkaloids.  Includes some guest lectures on specific topics from Plant Biochemistry experts at MSU.
Semester offered: Spring 2013
Credits: 3
Recommended background: BMB 401 or BMB 462
Recent Syllabus:Sample syllabus   Sample Lecture Schedule

NOTE: Students wishing to enroll in this course who are not in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Program would need to submit the Biochemistry Online Override Request Form found on the left-side of the Biochemistry Department Homepage (www.bch.msu.edu). For questions relating to the course, please contact Dr. Dean DellaPenna at dellapen@msu.edu.

Course: BMB 961 Sect 003 "Genomics and Proteomics of Complex Genetic Systems"
Description: Contemporary biochemical research topics in such areas as bioenergetics, bioinstrumentation, complex carbohydrates, mass spectrometry, biomolecular spectroscopy or computer-based modeling and analysis of DNA and protein sequences and structures.
Semester(s) offered: Fall 2012
Credits: 1-3
Restrictions: Open only to graduate students in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or approval of department. A student may earn a maximum of 7 credits in all enrollments for this course.
Recent Syllabus: BMB961_003_Genomics_Syllabus" (Sect. 003 - offered Fall 2012)