Biochemistry
Courses for Biochemistry (BIOC) +/-
*810. Plant Molecular Biology (AGRO *810; BIOS *810; HORT *810) (3 cr II) Lec 3.
Prereq: AGRO 315 or BIOS 206; BIOC 831 or permission
Molecular genetic basis of biological function in higher plants. Genome organization, gene structure and function, regulation of gene expression, recombinant DNA, and genetic engineering principles. Material taken primarily from current literature.
*818. Agricultural Biochemistry (AGRO *818) (2 cr)
Prereq: Undergraduate major in life sciences or related area, and a course in biochemistry
A Web-based course. Biochemical underpinnings of agricultural production and processing systems. Agricultural biotechnology; bioenergetics; kinetics and enzyme regulation; interaction of biomolecules with light, photosynthesis and the balance between anabolism and catabolism in microbes, plants and animals.
831. Biomolecules and Metabolism (BIOS 831; CHEM 831) (4 cr I, II) Lec 4.
Prereq: CHEM 252 or 262
BIOS 102 recommended. First course of a two-semester comprehensive biochemistry course sequence. Structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids; nature of enzymes; major metabolic pathways; and biochemical energy production.
832. Gene Expression and Replication (BIOS 832; CHEM 832) (2 cr I, II) Lec 2.
Prereq: BIOC 831
Continuation of BIOC 831. Structural and biochemical aspects of DNA replication and gene expression, and biotechnology.
833. Biochemistry Laboratory (BIOS 833; CHEM 833) (2 cr I, II) Lab 4.
Prereq: BIOC 831 or concurrent enrollment
Introduction to techniques used in biochemical and biotechnology research including measurement of pH, spectroscopy, analysis of enzymes, chromatography, fractionation of macromolecules, electrophoresis and centrifugation.
834. Plant Biochemistry (AGRO 834; BIOS *834; CHEM 834) (3 cr II) Lec 3.
Prereq: BIOC/BIOS/CHEM 831
Offered every other year beginning spring 2007. Biochemical metabolism unique to plants. Relationships of topics previously acquired in general biochemistry to biochemical processes unique to plants. Biochemical mechanisms behind many physiological processes discussed in plant or crop physiology.
*836. Biophysical Chemistry (CHEM *836) (3 cr II) Lec 3.
Prereq: One semester of physical chemistry
Introductory course covering x-ray diffraction and protein structure, absorption, spectroscopy of biomolecules, linear and circular dichroic spectroscopy of proteins and nucleic acids, fluorescence probes, membrane dynamics, NMR, EPR, and Resonance Raman spectroscopy applied to biological systems. Energetics, enzyme kinetics, relaxation kinetics, allosteric systems, and hydrodynamics.
837. Research Techniques in Biochemistry (BIOS 837) (4 cr II) Lec 1, lab 9.
Prereq: CHEM 116 or 221 and BIOC 833, or permission
For advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students who plan a career in laboratory work within the life sciences. Practical applications of biochemical methodology to studies in the life sciences. Practical experience with quantitation by spectrophotometry, chromatographic and electrophoretic fractionation of proteins and nucleic acids, detection of biomolecules by immunological and DNA hybridization techniques, and analysis of data with a microcomputer.
*839. Survey of Biochemistry (BIOS *839; CHEM *839) (3 cr I) Lec 3.
Prereq: Permission
Comprehensive survey of biochemistry for incoming graduate students. Topics include those in BIOC 831 and 832, but not all topics discussed in lecture periods. Depth enhanced by assigned readings.
842. Computational Biology (STAT *842) (3 cr) Lec 1, lab 2.
Prereq: Any introductory course in biology, genetics, or statistics.
Databases, high-throughput biology, literature mining, gene expression, next-generation sequencing, and proteomics, metabolics, systems biology, and biological networks.
*848. Redox Biochemistry (CHEM *848) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 3 hrs BIOC and 3 hrs inorganic chemistry
Redox (oxidation and reduction)-based biochemical processes (energy generation, oxygen transfer, enzyme catalysis, signaling, gene regulation, and diseases). Recent progress in these areas. Roles of metals in biochemical reactions, metal homeostasis, and biosynthesis of metal cofactors and metal sites. Biochemistry and pathophysiology of redoxactive species and radicals. Antioxidant molecules and enzymes.
*869. Chemistry for Secondary School Classrooms (BIOS *883; CHEM *869; TEAC *869) (1 cr, max 12)
Credit in this course will not count towards a graduate degree in chemistry or biochemistry or biological sciences. Course taught via World Wide Web. Chemistry content for high school teachers organized according to the National Science Education Standards. Individual course coverage includes: content, integration with other sciences and mathematics, graphing calculators, probe-experiments, simulations, at-home experiments, teaching materials, and industrial applications related to the title description.
A. Structure and Properties of Matter: Water and Solutions (1 cr)
B. Structure and Properties of Matter: Periodicity (1 cr)
D. Structure and Properties of Matter: Bonding and Structure (1 cr)
E. Structure and Properties of Matter: Carbon Chemistry and Polymers (1 cr)
J. Structure and Properties of Matter: Gases and the Atmosphere (1 cr)
K. Chemistry of Life Processes: Biomolecules (1 cr)
L. Structure and Properties of Matter: Condensed States and Materials Science (1 cr)
M. Interactions of Matter and Energy (1 cr)
N. Chemistry of Life Processes: DNA (1 cr)
P. Chemistry of Life Processes: Energy and Metabolism (1 cr)
Q. Chemical Reactions: Equations and their Consequences (1 cr)
R. Chemical Reactions: Acids and Bases (1 cr)
T. Chemical Reactions: Kinetics (1 cr)
U. Chemical Reactions: Oxidation, Reduction and Electrochemistry (1 cr)
V. Equilibrium: Unifying Theme (1 cr)
W. Conservation of Energy and the Increase in Disorder: Thermodynamics (1 cr)
Y. Inquiry and the Nature of Science: Analysis and Instrumentation (1 cr)
Z. Structure of Atoms: Nuclear Chemistry (1 cr)
886. Advanced Topics in Biophysical Chemistry (BIOS 886; CHEM 886) (3 cr)
Prereq: CHEM 871 or 881
Applications of thermodynamics to biochemical phenomena, optical properties of proteins and polynucleotides, and kinetics of rapid reactions.
*898. Research in Biochemistry (1-6 cr I, II, III)
Prereq: BIOC 833 and permission
Laboratory research on a specific problem under the supervision of a biochemistry faculty member.
*899. Masters Thesis (6-10 cr)
Prereq: Admission to masters degree program and permission of major adviser
932. Proteins (BIOS 932; CHEM 932) (2 cr) Lec 2.
Prereq: BIOC/BIOS/CHEM 832 or BIOC/BIOS/CHEM *839
Protein structure and function.
933. Enzymes (BIOS 933; CHEM 933) (2 cr) Lec 2.
Prereq: BIOC/BIOS/CHEM 432/832, or BIOC/BIOS/CHEM *839
Kinetics regulation and reaction mechanisms of enzymes.
934. Nucleic Acids (BIOS 934; CHEM 934) (3 cr II) Lec 3.
Prereq: BIOC 832 or permission
Structure and function of nucleic acids and nucleoproteins. Assessment of current research in nucleic acid biochemistry.
935. Metabolic Function and Dysfunction (BIOS 935; CHEM 935) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: BIOC/CHEM/BIOS 432/832 and permission
BIOC/CHEM/BIOS 935 is offered even-numbered calendar years.
Current metabolic research at the bioenergetic, metabolomic, and molecular level. The normal metabolic processes that go awry in cancer, obesity, and oxidative stress.
949. Biochemistry of Nutrition (ASCI 949; BIOS 949; NUTR 949) (3 cr I) Lec 3.
Prereq: BIOC 832 or *839, or permission
Offered odd-numbered calendar years. Interrelationships of nutrients, nutritional state and metabolic processes. Energy metabolism, integration of nutrition and metabolism and nutritional regulation of gene function.
992K. Seminar in Biological Chemistry (CHEM 992K) (1-2 cr, max 2 I, II)
Prereq: BIOC 832 or *839; and permission
998. Advanced Topics in Biochemistry (1-3 cr, max 3)
Prereq: BIOC 832 and *839
BIOC 998 is a special biochemistry topics when faculty and student needs cannot be met by other courses.
999. Doctoral Dissertation (1-24 cr, max 55)
Prereq: Admission to doctoral degree program and permission of supervisory committee chair
Description
For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary.
Director for the Center for Biological Chemistry: Paul N. Black, Ph.D.
Graduate Chair: Melanie Simpson, Ph.D.
Graduate study in biochemistry is pursued through the Center for Biological Chemistry, which has responsibility for instructional programs, undergraduate degrees, and graduate degrees in biochemistry. The purpose of the program is to provide training in biochemistry that will prepare students for professional careers in agricultural, biomedical or natural sciences, with particular emphasis on carrying out and interpreting contemporary research. The program is designed to provide sufficient depth that the student will be at the state of the art in his/her area of specialization. At the same time, the program is designed to provide sufficient breadth that the student can understand current studies in related areas of biochemistry.
The faculty of the Center for Biological Chemistry is made up of faculty in Nutrition and Health Sciences, Agronomy and Horticulture, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.
Applicants for graduate work in the Center for Biological Chemistry must have a BS or BA degree in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, or a related field. Undergraduate work should include at least one course in biochemistry, one course in genetics, one course in physical chemistry (calculus based), one year of organic chemistry, and one year of physics. Deficiencies in these requirements will be made up during the first year of graduate study. The verbal, quantitative and analytical parts of the Graduate Record Examination are required for a student to be considered for admission. The advanced Graduate Record Examination in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry is recommended. Foreign students whose native language is not English must have a minimum TOEFL score of 550.
Further information about admission and graduate programs can be obtained from the Center for Biological Chemistry, N200 Beadle Center, City Campus. Also visit the biochemistry Web site at biochem.unl.edu.
Master of Science Degree.
All students must take BIOC 932, 933, 934, 935 and at least 2 credits of biochemistry seminar (BIOC 992K). Other course requirements are arranged in consultation with the Examining Committee. Students under Option I (advance permission is required to use Option II) must earn a minimum of 30 hours of credit, consisting of 20 to 24 hours of courses (including seminar) and 6 to 10 hours of thesis credit. At least one half of the required hours (including thesis) must be taken in the Center. At least 8 hours must be taken in courses only open to graduate students (900 level or 800 level without a 400 counterpart). Students will be required to assist with teaching biochemistry courses for a minimum of one semester.
Each student must pass a written comprehensive examination formulated and administered by the Examining Committee. The purpose of the exam is to test the student’s breadth of knowledge in biochemistry.
Students in the Option I program must complete an original research project, write a thesis, and present a publicized seminar open to faculty and students at which the work comprising the MS thesis is presented. Each student must pass a final oral examination administered by the Examining Committee.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree.
The PhD in the Center for Biological Chemistry is a research degree providing in-depth education in an area of biochemistry. Course requirements are arranged in consultation with the student’s Supervisory Committee but should include credit hours in BIOC 932, 933, 934, 935 and 4-8 credits in biochemistry seminar (BIOC 992K). There is a requirement to assist with teaching biochemistry courses for a minimum of 2 semesters.
Students must pass a comprehensive examination consisting of written and oral components. This examination will include preparation and defense of an original research proposal and the student’s Supervisory Committee is responsible for administering the exam.
Students must complete an original research project, write a dissertation, formally present and defend the research work in a seminar, and pass a final oral examination covering the research work and thesis administered by the Supervisory Committee. The PhD degree is principally a research degree; thus, this is the most important requirement in the program.
Minor in Biochemistry.
To fulfill the requirements for a minor in biochemistry, graduate students outside the Center for Biological Chemistry seeking a masters degree are required to complete at least 9 credits in BIOC-listed or cross-listed courses at the 800 or 900 level, with at least 3 credits at the 900 level. Students seeking a doctoral degree must complete at least 15 credits in BIOC-listed or cross-listed courses at the 800 or 900 level with at least 6 credits at the 900 level (for the doctoral degree).
