Course Descriptions

Required Courses

BIOL 600 - Seminar - Molecular Biology (2)
Seminar series in molecular biology.

BIOL 610 - Advanced Research Methods Lab (4)

BIOL 620 - Molecular Biology (4)
Advanced study of the molecular basis of cell function, with an emphasis on the unifying principles and approaches that define the field of molecular biology.

BIOL 685 - Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology (2)
Recombinant DNA techniques and methods of nucleic acid isolation and characterization.

BIOL 686 - Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Lab (2)
Corequisite: BIOL 685. Two laboratory sessions each week.

BIOL 697 - Internship in Biotechnology (4)
Professional experience through an internship in the biotech industry.  Positions in professional biotech laboratories or academic research laboratories are obtained by the student.  Internships are directed and evaluated by a faculty advisor and supervised by an on-site professional.  Minimum of 320 hours for the semester completed at an approved biotechnology-related business and/or laboratory.

CS 686 - Bioinformatics (4)
Research in bioinformatics that may lead to publication and development of software tools for use by the scientific community.  The class partners with industry.  Prerequisite: proficiency in one biology, chemistry, computer science, and/or physics.

MSIS 661 - Local and National Biotechnology (2)
A course that studies the biotechnology timeline, the basic terminology of the biotech field, the applications represented by the biotech field, including pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, energy, industrial applications and biodefense, the biotech business environment of the San Francisco Bay Area - the world's largest biotech cluster, the capabilities of regional clusters throughout the United States, global biotech clusters, and the global industry.  Professionals from the biotechnology field will present on a variety of topics.

MSIS 662 - Information of Biotechnology (2)
Surveys the creation, storage and analysis needs of the information generated by the biotech industry, including the data collection requirements of Phase I, II & III clinical trials, the information requirements for drug and device submissions to the FDA, the EU, and other agencies on the global landscape, the digital representation of DNA, and the biotech computer applications available from major software/hardware manufacturers, including Dell, Intel, Google, Oracle and Microsoft.

MSIS 663 - Legal, Social & Ethical Implications of Biotechnology (2)
The study of biotech intellectual property and patents on a national and global basis, privacy and security regulations from HIPAA and GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act), societal implications of the development and use of biotechnology in both the developed and developing world, ethical concerns and human use regulations for clinical studies, and implications for information systems designers and managers. Professionals from the biotechnology field present for a portion of each class session.

MSIS 664 - Global Biotechnology (2)
This course examines the capabilities of the global biotech clusters and the global biotechnology industry as a whole.  Topics include venture capital deals, intellectual property challenges, and multinational corporate structures, taking advantage of the global marketplace.

http://usfbiotech.wordpress.com/

MBA 6103 - Leadership and Organization (3)
An MBA course that blends theory and practice with the model of principled leadership in service to others.  Students engage in experiential exercises, simulations, dialogue, and personal reflection.  The course enhances leadership skills including managing and working in teams, conflict management, and models for motivation.


ELECTIVES

Biochemistry (4)

Cancer Biology (4)
An introduction to cancer biology, including molecular mechanisms for cancer initiation and progression, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and contemporary issues related to cancer

Cell Ultrastructure (4)
The study of different techniques and microscopies used to produce biological informational images with special emphasis on animal, plant, bacterial and viral ultrastructure.

Developmental Biology (4)
An introduction to the processes of organismal development in both vertebrates and invertebrates.

Endocrinology (4)
A study of basic endocrine function, hormonal mechanisms, endocrine disorders, and contemporary issues in endocrinology.

Immunology (4)
Introduction to humoral and cell-mediated immunity in health and disease, with a focus on cellular and molecular immunology and immunochemistry.  Lab sessions once per week

Medical Microbiology (4)
An introduction to microbiology and survey of microbial pathogens, mechanisms of pathogenicity, and host responses. The emphasis is on microbes that cause disease in humans

Microbiology (4)
An introduction to microorganisms: structure, metabolism, and biological properties.

Molecular Medicine (4)
A study of the field of pharmacogenomics, which examines the genetic influence of drug responses in humans.

Pharmacogenetics (4)

Virology (4)
Structure, replication, and genetics of viruses with emphasis on viruses that infect vertebrates and dynamics of host-virus interactions

Research for Advanced Students (4)