Newly Approved GMS Courses

GMS AN 728: Topics in Neurophysiology

This course will provide you with an overview of the structural and functional properties of neurons and their synapses. We will review the methods used to study neuronal properties and the underlying molecular mechanisms that determine neuronal function. Through didactic lectures given by departmental experts, you will learn how to interpret scientific data regarding principles of the action potential, synaptic transmission, molecular signaling, synaptic plasticity, and sensory perception. Through in-class problem sets, you will apply your knowledge of the neurophysiological principles that underly neuronal signaling and explore how neurophysiological processes apply to the function of the nervous system. (2cr)

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Jeannine Foley

GMS BD 740: Cancer Bioinformatics

The Cancer Bioinformatics course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced computational methods and analysis in cancer research. Students will analyze high-throughput sequencing data, including mutation calling, copy number alterations, discovery of mutations that drive tumor development and tumor phylogenies, while learning statistical modeling and machine learning techniques. The course integrates computational tools such as Linux, Python, and R alongside cloud platforms like Terra and Docker, to process and visualize large-scale datasets. Topics include next-generation sequencing (NGS), tumor biology, RNA-Seq, single-cell RNA-Seq, DNA repair signatures, proteomics, and epigenetics. Emphasizing both theoretical foundations and practical skills, the course prepares students to tackle complex challenges in cancer genomics and clinical bioinformatics. (3cr)

COURSE INSTRUCTORS: Ignaty Leshchiner

GMS OH 733: Physiology B/Dental

Prereq: Must be in the Oral Health Sciences program. (4cr)

This course is a continuation of GMS OH 732.

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: William Lehman

GMS PM 803: Systems Pharmacology & Therapeutics

The requested change consolidates this two-semester course into a single semester while retaining the same underlying course concepts described above. This revised version course offers that same in-depth analysis of major drug classes used in the treatment of neurological, cardiovascular, immune-related, infectious diseases and a number of other severe chronic disorders that have presented a therapeutic challenge. Special attention is given to the molecular, cellular, and circuit-specific actions of novel pharmacological agents. The course begins with foundational reviews of disease mechanisms, followed by emerging concepts and innovative treatment strategies. Discussions focus on comparing new approaches to current standards of care, critically analyzing their therapeutic advantages. This course will be required for PhD students in the Biomolecular Pharmacology Training Program as well and will typically be taken in the second semester of the first year of study. It is also open as an elective to PhD students in other biomedical science programs. (3cr)

COURSE INSTRUCTORS: Clint Makino, Travis Rotterman, Venetia Zachariou

GMS PM 610: Professional Success Skills

The Professionalism and Skills for Success course is comprised of weekly workshop style sessions that will allow students to learn and apply best practices in professional behavior, success skills for the classroom and workplace, networking, and interviewing skills. Students will be assessed on their thoughtfulness in self-reflections as well as contributions to group projects, and individual assignments. (2cr)

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Kate Carnevale

GMS PM 620: Foundations in Life Sciences

The Foundations in Life Sciences course is comprised of weekly lectures on topics related to the review of biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, physiology and pharmacology principles. Students will be expected to be prepared to participate in class discussions, applications activities, readings, and be regularly quizzed and examined on key topics in the course. (3cr)

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Kate Carnevale

GMS PM 630: Topics in Drug Discovery

The Drug Discovery Course is comprised of weekly lectures on topics related to an advanced analysis of the bench-bedside process involved in drug discovery. This includes an in-depth analysis of mechanisms underpinning selected diseases, the identification of therapeutic targets and novel therapeutics. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions, readings, and be regularly quizzed and examined on key topics in the course. Finally, students will be expected to give a short talk on a therapeutic of their choice, the disease(s) that the therapeutic is intended to treat, and mechanisms underlying the drug action. This course is designed to provide a comprehensive view of technical concepts, and the application of pharmacological principles in drug target identification to drug development. Concrete examples of mechanism-based novel therapeutic targets and treatments will be described and discussed throughout the course. The individual student presentations provide a unique opportunity for applying course information to understanding disease-treatments that are in-use and drugs that are in the developmental pipeline. Each student will present on specific marketed drugs of their choice, the mechanism-based rationale for treatment and adverse effects and treatment success. Throughout the course, relevant research publications will be discussed with active student participation. (3cr)

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Kate Carnevale

GMS PM 640: Modern Research Methods

The Modern Research Methods course is comprised of didactic lectures, labs, and an applied project illuminating concepts in macromolecular structure and analysis important for pharmacologists. The modules of the course cover an introduction to biophysical and biochemical experimental methods for analysis of macromolecular structure and function, and quantitative binding assays. After completing the course, learners will be able to describe the principles of the experimental techniques, identify their applications, advantages and limitations, and to select the assays that are most appropriate for answering specific practical questions. (3cr)