Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine

BMS 734 Syllabus

BMS 734 - Cell Signaling Metabolism: Biochemical Organization of Tissues

Course Coordinator: Dr. Mike Schaller Rm 3124, 293-9514 mschaller@hsc.wvu.edu
Classroom: Wirtz Library, 3122A HSN (Mondays, 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon)
Instructors: Lisa Salati, Rm 3096A HSN, 293-7759, lsalati@hsc.wvu.edu; Mike Schaller, Rm 3124 HSN, 293-9514, mschaller@hsc.wvu.edu; Max Sokolov, Rm 240 Eye Institute, 598-6958, sokolovm@wvuhealthcare.com; Vazhaikkurichi Rajendran, Rm 3146 HSN, 293-0510, vrajendran@hsc.wvu.edu
Special Guest Lecturer: Ali Kohan, Dept of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, U of Cincinnati, alison.kohan@uc.edu

Course Description

BMS734 has been reorganized for Spring 2014 and will emphasize biochemical aspects of select normal tissues and disease. One unit will focus upon epithelial cell biology (Rajendran) and will include discussion of the problem of modeling the intestinal tract (special guest Dr. Ali Kohan, a graduate from our PhD program). Other units will discuss the role of the liver in energy homeostasis (Salati), biochemical events in neuronal tissue, specifically in sensory systems (Sokolov), and the role of altering biochemistry in the development of cancer (Schaller/Pugacheva). The course contains didactic presentations and discussions of the literature, and will be evaluated based upon class participation, a midterm and final exam.

Class Format

The class format will include a didactic component, which may be a mini-lecture or discussion of assigned reviews for the class period. The class format will also include discussions of papers from the literature. Students are expected to read these materials in advance and be prepared to discuss in class. The faculty are expecting the class to be an informal setting to encourage active participation throughout the didactic and discussion components of each class.

Exams

There will be two exams, each of 2 hours duration. Questions will include short answer and longer essay style questions.

Grading

The final grade will be based on the following proportioning of grades:

Exams - 80%
Class Participation and Assignments - 20%

Scores exceeding 90% will receive an A. Scores from 80-90% are guaranteed a minimum grade of B. The actual grading scale may differ from the traditional 90-80-70 grading scale at the discretion of the faculty.