Curriculum
Courses

• GRDM-G504 Introduction to Research Ethics (2 cr) Introduction to the basic concepts of research ethics. The course will cover the historical development of concern with ethics in science as well as practical information needed by students working in science today. Format will be lecture and discussion.
• GRDM-G505 Responsible Conduct of Research (1 cr) The purpose of this course is to provide its students with a formal setting to learn about the basic rules and acceptable standards required for anyone conducting scientific research.  It will help its students obtain knowledge and develop skills for dealing with potential ethical problems in the research laboratory on their own.  This course is designed for all beginning graduate students working in the life sciences or related fields and other researchers who require basic training in the responsible conduct of research.
• GRDM-G506 Responsible Conduct of Translational Research (1 cr) This course provides an introduction to the responsible conduct of research (RCR), which the NIH defines as follows, " the practice of scientific investigation with integrity. It involves the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to scientific research."  While RCR is required for all types of research, this course focuses on issues that arise in relation to clinical and translational research, mostly involving human subjects.   Completion of this course fulfills the NIH requirements for instruction in RCR for trainees and students.
• GRDM-G507 Reagent Validation as a Means for Enhanced Research Reproducibility (1 cr) "Reagent Validation as a Means for Enhanced Research Reproducibility" is designed to provide training for pre-doctoral students in the area of appropriate reagent utilization by focusing on biological variables, with particular attention to murine models, and on biological and chemical resources, with particular attention to cell line authentication, plasmid verification, and antibody utilization. This course will entail a traditional didactic lecture series accompanied by relevant whole-class practical exercises allowing students to implement basic methods of reagent verification.
• GRDM-G510 MD/PhD Special Options Course (0 cr) This course is being created for a group of MD/PhD students who are in the Biomedical Engineering program, through IUSOM and Purdue. This group of students must enroll at Purdue while maintaining their student status on the IUPUI campus, due to PI location.
• GRDM-G655 Research Communications Seminar (1 cr) The study of the methodological and systematic treatments of scientific data required for effective communication through written primary research publications, oral presentations, abstracts, and poster presentations.  Students will receive instruction in organizing scientific data in formats appropriate for publication in scientific journals and presentation in abstracts and poster presentations.  Emphasis will be on organization and presentation skills required for communications of scientific findings.
• GRDM-G715 Biomedical Science I: Biochemical Basis of Biological Processes (3 cr) One of three biomedical science courses intended for incoming doctoral graduate students in the School of Medicine or other graduate students.  Covers molecular and metabolic aspects of cellular function.  The course will explore topics in the biochemical basis of biological systems, including biological macromolecules, protein ligand interactions, cell-signaling, and metabolic processes.
• GRDM-G716 Biomedical Science II: Molecular Biology and Genetics (3 cr) Second of three biomedical science courses intended for incoming doctoral graduate students in the School of Medicine or other graduate students.  Topics covered include DNA structure and replication, recombination and repair, genomics and processes of inheritance, gene expression, eukaryotic systems, and molecular genetics and disease.
• GRDM-G717 Biomedical Science III: Cellular Basis of Systems Biology (3 cr) Third of a group of three biomedical science core courses intended  for incoming doctoral graduate students in the School of Medicine or other graduate students.  Organization and function of cells, tissues and physiologic systems using disease examples.  Topics include neurophysiology, musculoskeletal, renal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine and pulmonary systems, and cancer.
• GRDM-G718 Research in Biomedical Sciences (2 cr) A laboratory research rotation course.  Allows incoming basic science doctoral graduate students in the School of Medicine programs to take research rotation in laboratories affiliated with all of the School graduate programs.
• GRDM-G720 Stem Cell Biology (2 cr) This course will cover the self-renewal, proliferative, survival, differentiation, and migration/homing characteristics of hematopoietic and embryonic stem cells, how these functions are regulated by cytokines/chemokines and other external other external stimuli, and what their clinical capabilities are and might be.
• GRDM-G724 Molecular Cancer Genetics (1 cr) An introduction to cancer focusing on genetics.  Topics include causes and effects of chromosome instability (including centromere/telomere failures and chromosomal translocation), epigenetic changes and genetic risk factors during cancer progression.
• GRDM-G725 Gene Transfer Approaches to Clinical and Basic Research (1 cr) A lecture-based course of basic principles involved with the transfer and expression of genetic material.  Focus on technical aspects of each vector system, followed by applications to human diseases/experimental animal models.  Practical understanding of non-viral and viral gene transfer to utilize these techniques in research studies.
• GRDM-G727 Animal Models of Human Disease (1 cr) This class explores advantages and limitations of animal models of human disease.  Topics include models for diabetes, psychiatric disorders, cancer, osteoporosis, polycystic kidney and cardiovascular disease.  The goal of the course is to provide a framework for students to select experimental animal models in their future research careers.
• GRDM-G728 Fundamental Concepts of Infection and Pathogenesis (1 cr) This course will cover concepts of host-pathogen interactions ranging from pathogen entry, growth and spread in the host to pathogen and mediated injury, immune evasion, pathogen survival strategies and transmission to new hosts.  Basics of bacterial, viral and parasitic structures will be considered as they relate to pathogenesis.
• GRDM-G729 Introduction to Immunological Systems (1 cr) An introductory biomedical science, lecture-based core course intended for all incoming basic science graduate doctoral students in the School of Medicine programs or other interested graduate students.  The course will cover components of the immune system development of the immune system, the immune response to pathogens and immunological disease.
• GRDM-G733 Introduction to Biological Microscopy (2 cr) Introduces key concepts and capabilities of modern biological microscopy, covering basic concepts that carry through all microscope imaging modalities and providing examples of how these concepts apply in the real world at the level of cellular and molecular imaging using transmitted light and fluorescence and in EM.
• GRDM-G734 Advanced Molecular Imaging (2 cr) Introduces imaging methods and concepts used in molecular structure as dynamics analysis.  The course emphasizes general principles of macromolecular structure and dynamics applied to ensemble and single molecules.  Methodologies use visible light, electrons and atomic force mapping.
• GRDM-G735 Cardiovascular, Renal, and Respiratory Function in Health and Disease (2 cr) The course will advance fundamental elements of cardiovascular function including basic hemodynamic cardiac function, respiratory function, ventilator mechanics, gas exchange and kidney function, including control of excretion and regulation of body fluid dynamics.  An emphasis will be placed on integrative function of different organ systems.
• GRDM-G736 Endocrine and Gastrointestinal Function in Health and Disease (1 cr) The course emphasizes the use of modern experimental techniques to study mechanisms underlying the physiological function of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system.  Lectures highlight the molecular and cellular basis for diseases of the gastrointestinal and endocrine systems and how they impact whole animal function.
• GRDM-G737 Introduction to Histology (1 cr) This course is designed to introduce graduate students in the biomedical sciences to the microscopic structure of the tissues and organs of the body.  It is the first unit of ANAT-D 851 Histology.  Lectures will focus on the structural basis of normal physiology processes, with emphasis of the contribution of the basic tissues (epithelium, nerve, muscle, connective tissue) to simple organ systems (i.e. blood vessels and integument).
• GRDM-G743 Fundamentals of Electrical Signaling & Ion Channel Biology (2 cr) Experimental basis for cellular and molecular concepts of electrical excitability and membrane transportation through ion channels.  The goals are to foster an understanding of how we accumulate information and to provide students with tools to evaluate hypotheses and to define unanswered questions, rather than provide current facts to memories.
• GRDM-G744 Neuropharmacology of Synaptic Transmission: Receptors and Ligands. Experimental basis for current cellular and molecular concepts of postsynaptic receptors and signals involved in chemical synaptic transmission in the nervous system.  The goals are to foster an understanding of how we accumulate information and to evaluate hypotheses and to define unanswered questions, rather than provide current "facts" to memorize.
• GRDM-G745 Fundamentals of Intracellular Signal Transduction (2 cr) Experimental basis for cellular and molecular concepts of intracellular signaling cascades activated by multiple processes. The goals are to foster an understanding of how we accumulate information and to provide students with tools to evaluate hypotheses and to define unanswered questions, rather than provide "facts" to memorize.
• GRDM-G746 Chromosome Instability and Disease (1 cr) Exploration of the mechanisms of chromosome instability and the clinical impact of this problem.  Topics will include chromosome structure and function and how failures in these functions promote chromosome instability in meiosis and mitosis.  Other topics include the clinical consequences of chromosome instability in miscarriage, birth defects, and cancer.
• GRDM-G747 Principles of Pharmacology (1 cr) This course is intended for incoming, basic science doctoral graduate students in the School of Medicine Pharmacology & Toxicology programs of other interested graduate students.  This course covers the basic of drug receptor interactions, drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacokinetics.  This course will include PowerPoint presentations and student presentations.
• GRDM-G748 Principles of Toxicology I (1 cr) This course will present the fundamental concepts of toxicology necessary to understand the effects of chemicals on human health.  Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in toxic responses elicited by pharmaceutical and environmental agents, activation and detoxification of drugs and chemicals, and the principles of carcinogenesis and mutagenesis will be presented.
• GRDM-G749 Introduction to Structural Biology (1 cr) An introduction to structural biology including the fundamentals of macromolecular structure and interactions, methods used to determine three-dimensional structures, the relationship between protein sequence and structure, and prediction and analysis of macromolecular structure.
• GRDM-G751 Advanced Concepts in Cytosolic and Nuclear Signal Transduction (2 cr) Cellular signal transduction mechanisms comprise a complex communication network that governs cellular function and responses. These networks include communication between cells as well as that within cells. Signaling networks govern the ability of cells to perceive and correctly respond to their surroundings and are therefore critical in organ development, tissue repair, and homeostasis. Errors in signaling responses can result in diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, pain, osteoporosis, autoimmunity, and diabetes. The potential modulation of cellular signaling networks is the basis of current research in disease in the 21st century. This course is designed to give graduate students in biological sciences a state-of-the-art education in cellular signaling mechanisms and the methodology used to study them. Landmark and breaking scientific journal articles in various signaling fields will be discussed and critically evaluated. Emphasis is given to both experimental design and results interpretation. Prior education in biochemistry and cell biology is required. By the end of this course, students will have a state-of-the-art current knowledge of the cytosolic and nuclear mechanisms of cellular signaling pathways. Students will have a working to design experiments to study signaling pathways, and how to interpret results. Students will have gained the skill of how to read, interpret, and critically evaluate published journal articles in the fields of cellular signaling mechanisms.
• GRDM-G754 Principles of Toxicology 2 (1 cr) Xenobiotic-induced target organ toxicity will be discussed with respect to the biological and/or chemical factors that influence toxicity at a tissue site, the modes of action for producing damage, and the methodology used to measure injury.  This course is designed to provide a foundation for understanding the complex interactions between toxicants and biological systems from a basic science approach.
• GRDM-G755 Principles of Toxicology 3 (1 cr) The effects associated with specific classes of chemicals, including chemical agents that either demonstrate a great chance for injury and/or pose significant potential for human exposure will be presented.  The chemical classes covered will include selective metals, solvents and alcohols, pesticides, plastics and gases.
• GRDM-G756 Radiation and Cancer Biology (3 cr) This is a graduate level course covering the effects of ionizing radiation at the cellular/molecular, tissue, and organismal level relevant to radiation oncology, radiology, and radiation protection.  Topics include acute and late effects in normal tissue, and tumors, apoptosis, cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair, tumor kinetics heritable effects, and carcinogenesis.
• GRDM-G760 Epithelial Cell Biology (3 cr) An integrated approach to epithelial structure and function and the role of subcellular organization in organ physiology and pathophysiology.
• GRDM-G761 Molecular & Cellular Physiology of Ion Channels (1 cr) Ion channels and transporters are crucial for life. Without these proteins, the heart will stop beating, and we will be unable to flex our muscles, see, smell, hear, taste, and think. The goal of this course is to introduce the fundamental concepts of molecular physiology of ion channels and transporters. The emphasis will be on the electrophysiological and optical methods used for investigating ion transport proteins. Specific topics will include ion channel biophysical characteristics and ion channel/transporter modulation and function. Two laboratory demonstrations will help students to master the learned concepts in a real experimental setting.
• GRDM-G762 Physiology and Pathophysiology of Lipid Rafts. To acquire a core of essential principles about lipid raft structure and comprehensive insight into the functional process of these membrane domains by means of introductory lectures, review of current literature, and group discussions with an emphasis on experimental techniques used to examine membrane physiology.
• GRDM-G790 Special Topics in Biomedical Science (1-3 cr) This special topics course will focus on new, cutting-edge, and/or timely issues, ideas, and skills in the biomedical sciences.  These courses will include a combination of lecture, independent reading and work, and interaction with course content, instructor, and/or peers.
• GRDM-G791 Internship in Biomedical Science (1-3 cr) Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor. An internship course allowing incoming basic science doctoral graduate students enrolled in programs (minors, etc.) that require internships.
• GRDM-G792 Practicum in Biomedical Science (1-3 cr) Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor. A course allowing basic science doctoral graduate students enrolled in programs (minors, etc.) to complete practica experiences as required by a program.  Required as part of the Policy Analysis for Biomedical Sciences doctoral minor.  Permission of course director(s) is required.
• GRDM-G801 Experimental Approaches to Cell Structure and Function The overall objective of this graduate course in Cell Biology is to present in an experimental context, information integrating cell structure with cell function. The focus is on topics in which new information on cell structure has enhanced or re-formulated our understanding of cell function.
• GRDM-G803 Research (1-4 cr) Mentored research for MD/PhD students.
• GRDM-G807 Structural and Chemical Biology (2 cr) Fundamentals of structural and chemical biology focused on state-of-the-art approaches to inhibitor discovery, use of inhibitors in elucidating biological function, and computational and structural approaches to rational inhibitor design.
• GRDM-G817 Molecular Basis of Cell Structure Function (2 cr) Organization and function of subcellular structures. Intracellular coordination of cell activities including protein and RNA processing/trafficking/quality control, chromatin dynamics, and cell division.
• GRDM-G819 Basic Bone Biology (3 cr) An introduction to basic bone biology, including bone morphology, composition and physiology; cell biology of bone cells; measurement techniques; adaptation to the mechanical and metabolic environments; regulatory factors and mineral homeostasis; and growth and development.
• GRDM-G828 Concepts in Biotechnology (2 cr) Case studies exploring topics on the cutting edge of biotechnology and tutorials in biotechnology calculations.
• GRDM-G830 Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology (3 cr) Advanced study of the cardiovascular system using contemporary methods is emphasized. Concepts of cardiovascular structure, function, hemodynamics, excitation-contraction coupling, signal transduction and electrophysiology are reinforced. The format of the course will include faculty lectures and facilitated interactive student discussion.
• GRDM-G848 Bioinformatics, Genomics, Proteomics, and Systems Biology (2 cr) Biology has been transformed by various high-throughput technologies (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc.), which is turn have led to a large number of massive databases and software analysis packages.  This course focuses on the "omics" technologies, on the resulting databases, and on the computational tools used to analyze the data.
• GRDM-G852 Concepts of Cancer Biology: Signaling Gone Awry (2 cr) Fundamentals of cancer biology; the signaling of events that regulate cell growth, survival and differentiation; how mutation/dysregulation of signaling molecules leads to cancer and might be exploited for treatment.
• GRDM-G855 Experimental Design and Biostatistics (1 cr) This course will provide students with a functional understanding of experimental design and statistical testing in the biological sciences. Students will learn why a thoughtful approach to the design of their experiments and a rigorous, unbiased testing of their results are both important to their work and future careers. Students will receive an introduction to basic statistical theory with a practical focus on interpreting printouts from a variety of statistical programs (rather than a focus on students carrying out their own calculations). Practical examples of experimental design and statistical testing-both good examples and bad-will be worked through for a variety of real situations in biomedical research.
• GRDM-G890 Applied Molecular Biology (3 cr) Basic principles and techniques in molecular biology and pathology. Particular emphasis will be on molecular techniques used to study pathogenesis of diseases.
• GRDM-G910 Advanced Molecular Biology Methods (3 cr) Advanced theory and techniques in Molecular biology - the focus of the course will be on techniques related to manipulation of cloned DNA to study their expression, structure and function.