BF 500 Introduction to Molecular Biology - Introduction to the characteristics and biological functions of nucleic acids and proteins in living cells with emphasis on the central dogma theory, molecular immunology and genetic engineering/recombinant DNA technology. 3 credit hours.
BF 502 Introduction to Statistics - Basic concepts of statistical models and use of sample - variation, statistical measures, distributions, test of significance, regression and correlation. 3 credit hours.
BF 504 Introduction to Computer Programming - Introduction to database concepts and programming languages. Relational, hierarchal and network models, data models, lightweight database application protocol (LDAP), scripting languages, system implementation, security issues and data integrity. 3 credit hours.
BF 601 Introduction to Bioinformatics - Recent developments of the sciences have produced a wealth of experimental data of sequences and three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules. This course will provide students with an introduction to the theory and practice of bioinformatics and computational biology. It will discuss the basic concepts of bioinformatics and focus on how to identify, obtain, establish, maintain and exchange research information in biology. It will review the major scientific databases needed to research problems in biology. Students will learn basic Internet tools, as well as work in a team to design, write, and present a research project for the course mini-symposium. 3 credit hours.
BF 602 Databases - Mining, Relationships and Programming - Introduction to principles of database design, and survey of alternative database organizations and structures. Logical database organization; schemas; subschemas; data description languages; hierarchical, network, and relational databases; database management systems; normal forms. Prerequisite: A computer programming course (CS 203/204, CS221, CS231, CS 251, CS 309 ) or BF 504. 3 credit hours.
BF 603 Design of Experiments - Advanced research design techniques and the planning of and theories in the statistical design of experiments. Applications from a wide variety of disciplines will be considered in detail. Students will learn the theoretical aspects of statistical design as well as the application of complex techniques to realistic situations. Optimization of experimental design techniques will also be covered. Prerequisite: A statistics (MA 302 or EH 350) course or BF 502. 3 credit hours.
BF 611 Genomics and Genome Technology - In-depth analysis of eukaryotic cell structure and function, including membrane structure and transport, cellular organelles and the cytoskeleton, and cell communication. Emphasis will be on experimental approaches to understanding concepts in cell biology/molecular biology. Prerequisite: Two biology courses with a lab (BI 111/112, BI 410, BI 311 or BF 501. 3 credit hours.
BF 612 Algorithms - Design and Analysis - Introduction to the mathematical analysis of computer algorithms, correctness, complexity, asymptotic lower bounds, efficient data structures, and combinatorial algorithms. NP-complete problems. Prerequisite: BF 602. 3 credit hours.
BF 613 Bioinformatics Programming - Introduction to programming skills needed to perform large-scale genomic analysis in research and professional settings. The Perl programming language will be taught in the context of and with applications to bioinformatics. Libraries of Perl code modules with applications to bioinformatics, such as BioPerl and the NCBI Toolkit, will be introduced. Prerequisite: BF 602. 3 credit hours.
BF 701 Systems Biology - Cells, tissues, organs and organisms are systems of components whose interactions have been defined, refined, and optimized over hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Computational systems biology is a field that aims at a system-level understanding of biological systems by analyzing biological data using computational techniques. Prerequisite: BF 611. 3 credit hours.
BF 711 Proteomics - Review of computational methods for the analysis, classification and prediction of three-dimensional protein structures. This course is an introduction to the field of proteomics. The goal is to provide an understanding of the fundamentals required to perform and apply proteomic analysis to problems in modern biology, and to critique current literature in this field. Prerequisite: BF 611. 3 credit hours.
BF 712 Statistical Bioinformatics - Introduction to the statistical methods used in bioinformatics. This course will focus on statistic issues related to DNA and protein sequence analysis. Prerequisite: BF 603. 3 credit hours.
BF 795-797 Thesis Research - To allow each student to demonstrate their independent learning ability and interest in advancing their knowledge through the pursuit of independent research and/or development work in an area related to bioinformatics. Prerequisite: BF 500 - 603. 3-12 credit hours.