Graduate Program » Courses

Selected Elective Courses

> Pharmacology 233: Essentials of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Drug Discovery
Absorption, distribution, excretion and metabolism of drugs and toxic substances; drug and hormone receptors and target cell responses. Biodiversity and chemical diversity in drug/chemical design. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor required. Introductory biology; Chemistry 151L; Mathematics 31 and 32. Instructor: Slotkin

> Pharmacology 254: Mammalian Toxicology
Intensive coverage of the principles of toxicology with lectures on metabolism, toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics, toxicology of specific organ systems and of specific agents. Instructor: Abou-Donia

> Environment 212: Environmental Toxicology
Study of environmental contaminants from a broad perspective encompassing biochemical, ecological and toxicological principles and methodologies. Discussion of sources, environmental transport and transformation phenomena, accumulation in biota and ecosystems. Impact at various levels of organization, particularly biochemical and physiological effects. Prerequisites: Organic chemistry and vertebrate physiology or consent of instructor. Instructor: Di Giulio

> Environment 298.6: Integrative and Comparative Pathobiology for Toxicologists
A lecture and laboratory (computer-based and using mounted photomicrographs) course emphasizing basic concepts and terminology of cells, tissues, and organs.Ê Using the mammalian anatomical plan and its major alterations in acute and chronic toxicity, the course seeks to acquaint the student with the skills necessary to integrate molecular findings/responses to those of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.ÊInstructor:ÊHinton

> Pharmacology 347-348: Seminar in Toxicology.
A research seminar series throughout the year. Students, faculty and invited speakers make weekly presentations of research findings. In addition, faculty and trainees attend two symposia each year as a means of enhancing interaction among those involved in the Program. These are one-day topical symposia with seminars from Duke faculty and internationally respected toxicologists. After presentations of research findings, students prepare short papers concerning each seminar and symposium topic. Recent topics have included Developmental Neurotoxicology, Endocrine Disruptors in the Environment, Nitric Oxide, and Interspecies Extrapolation Modeling and Risk Assessment. Instructor: Levin

> Pharmacology 315 (Environment 315): Focused Topics in Toxicology
A contemporary advanced toxicology research area is covered with readings from the current primary literature. An integrative review of the topic will be prepared as a collaborative effort. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor required. Pharmacology 233 and Pharmacology 347. Instructor: Levin

> Pharmacology 333: Statistics for Basic Biomedical Scientists
The use and importance of statistical methods in laboratory science, with an emphasis on the "nuts and bolts" of experimental design, hypothesis testing and statistical inference. Central tendency and dispersion, Gaussian and non-Gaussian distributions, parametric and non-parametric tests, uni- and multivariate designs, ANOVA and regression procedures will be covered. Students will present their own data and literature examples in addition to formal lectures. Instructor: Slotkin

* Students are required to take two out of three of the following: Mammalian Toxicology, Environmental Toxicology, and Integrative and Comparative Pathobiology for Toxicologists.

Required Courses

> Biochemistry 259: Molecular Biology I: Proteins and Enzymes (Cell Biology 259)
Detailed concepts of the function of proteins as enzymes, with emphasis on the structural basis of activity and interactions; including mechanisms of enzume catalysis and regulation, kinetics of enzyme reactions, protein folding and stability, allostery and protein-protein interactions. Prerequisites: biochemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. Instructor: Hellinga

> Bioinformatics & Genome Technology 208: Gene Expression Analysis
This course covers topics spanning the technological and computational areas of modern gene expression analysis, developing computational methods in important and current problems of clinical and physiological phenotyping, including custom computation and algorithmic development. Instructor: Nevins

> Biology 255L: Biochemistry of Marine Animals.
*This course is taught at the Duke University Marine Laboratory. The molecular basis of behavioral and physiological responses of organisms. Evolution of molecular endocrinology and signal transduction pathways. Focus on the theory and research methodology used to study the evolution of molecular signaling and control systems. Research projects using local invertebrates to study behavioral and physiological responses to environmental signals. Field trips include night walks in local environments and marine fossil expeditions to local strip mines involved with production of fertilizer, food additives, cement, and gravel. One course (fall); one and one-half courses (summer). Prerequisites: Biology 25L; Chemistry 11L and 12L, or 21L and 22L. Instructor: Rittschof

> Biology 272 (EOS 272): Biogeochemistry
Processes controlling the circulation of carbon and biochemical elements in natural ecosystems and at the global level, with emphasis on soil and surficial processes. Topics include human impact on and social consequences of greenhouse gases, ozone, and heavy metals in the environment. Prerequisite: Chemistry 12L or 22L or equivalent. Instructors: Bernhardt and Schlesinger

> Cell Biology 203: Introduction to Physiology.
Modern organ physiology: cellular physiology, the heart and cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the kidney, the gastrointestinal, endocrine and nervous systems. Instructor: Wright

> Cell Biology 251: Molecular Cell Biology
Current research topics in cell biology presented in a lecture and discussion format based on recent research papers. Topics include: protein secretion and trafficking; mitochondria and organelles; the nucleus; cytoskeleton and cell motility; extracellular matrix and cell adhesion; growth factors and signaling; cell cycle. Instructor: Bennett

> Cell Biology 296: Developmental Biology Colloquium
This course covers a broad range of problems in developmental biology based on prominent developmental biologists who are invited to speak at Duke University during that particular semester and participate in discussions with the class. Instructor: McClay

> Environment 236: Water Quality Management
Types, sources and effects of pollutants. Water quality standards and criteria. Engineering approaches to water management. Mathematical models and their application to water quality management. Federal regulations, in particular, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Policy analysis for water quality management planning. Instructor: Reckhow

> Environment 239: Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment
Topics central to both health and ecological risk assessment are explored. Basic concepts of hazard identification, dose-response relationships, exposure assessment, and risk characterization and communication are discussed in the context of both human health and environmental assessment. The basis and rationale for using specific, as well as extrapolated, scientific information and expert judgment, and the strengths and weaknesses of alternative approaches, are evaluated. Applications emphasizing real cases are used to illustrate the interdisciplinary process and products of risk assessment, as well as the regulatory use of the information. Group projects emphasized. Instructors: Staff, departemental

> Environment 243: Environmental Biochemistry (Cell Biology 243)
Introduction to the (macro)molecules of life and fundamental metabolic pathways. Topics are presented in the context of environmental perturbations. Fundamental aspects of energetics, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Emphasis on mechanisms of adaptation, molecular controls, and responses to toxicants. Prerequisites: Organic chemistry. (Conducted at the Beaufort Campus). Instructor: C. Bonaventura

> Environment 279: Atmospheric Chemistry
Principles and Processes Provides a broad overview of the science of oxidant chemistry in the atmosphere. Basic physical and chemical concepts relevant to the understanding of atmospheric chemistry will be presented and several contemporary topics will be discussed from a process-level perspective. Topics include atmospheric structure and chemical composition; atomic structure and chemical bonds; chemical thermodynamics and kinetics; atmospheric radiation and photochemistry, tropospheric and stratospheric ozone chemistry; aqueous-phase atmospheric chemistry; atmospheric aerosols; and air quality modeling. Prerequisites include one college-level course each in chemistry and calculus. Instructor: Kasibhatla

> Environment 298.6: Comparative and Integrative Pathobiology for Toxicologists
This will be a lecture and laboratory (computer-based) course emphasizing basic concepts and terminology of cells, tissues and organs. Using the mammalian anatomical plan and its major alterations in acute and chronic toxicity, the course seeks to acquaint the student with the skills necessary to integrate molecular findings/responses to those of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. Electron microscopic features of epithelial cells will provide the student with a knowledge of endocytosis, unidirectional trafficking and transport as well as exocytosis. Fluorescence microscopy will be used to bridge molecular to cellular events while emphasizing topographic relationships in cells. Basic concepts for cells and tissues will be covered. The course will also cover specific organ systems reviewing dynamic anatomy and emphasizing features of toxicity. The major aim is to integrate form with altered function enabling the student to move from molecular derangement to phenotype. Circulatory, musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, integumentary, reproductive, respiratory, and urinary systems will be covered. Instructor: Hinton

> Environment 312: Wetlands Ecology and Management
The study of bogs, fens, marshes, and swamps. Emphasis on processes within the ecosystem: biogeochemical cycling, decomposition, hydrology, and primary productivity. Ecosystem structure, the response of these systems to perturbations, and management strategies are discussed. A research project is required. Prerequisites include one course in ecology and chemistry. Instructor: Pahl

> Environment 319: Mechanisms in Environmental Toxicology
Provides an in-depth examination of key molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which organisms defend themselves against environmental pollutants. Cellular mechanisms by which chemicals produce toxicity when the defense systems are overwhelmed will be addressed. Includes examinations of "state of the art" approaches for experimentally elucidating these phenomena. Course format will be that of a graduate seminar, with lectures given and discussions led by the instructors, guest speakers, and course participants. Prerequisites: one course in biochemistry and one course in toxicology. Instructors: Freedman and Kullman

> Neurobiology/Pharmacology 364: Neurotoxicology
Adverse effects of drugs and toxicants on the central and peripheral nervous system; target sites and pathophysiological aspects of neurotoxicity; factors affecting neurotoxicity, screening and assessment of neurotoxicity in humans; experimental methodology for detection and screening of chemicals for neurotoxicity. Instructor: Abou-Donia

> Pharmacology 417; Cell Biology 417; Biochemistry 417: Cellular Signaling
Basic and current concepts of mechanism of action of hormones at the cellular level including hormone-receptor interactions, second messenger systems for hormones, plasma membrane receptor signaling (G protein-coupled receptors, receptor tyrosine kinases, phospholipid signaling, ion channels), regulation of growth and differentiation and pathophysiology involving signaling pathways. Instructor: Caron

> University Program in Genetics (UPGEN) 278 or 378: Genetic Approaches to the Solution of Biological Proglems
Use of genetic approaches to address research problems in cell and developmental biology, beginning with genetic fundamentals and building up to modern molecular genetic strategies, including genetic screens, reverse genetics, genetic interactions, and dominant negative mutants. Instructors: Capel, Kiehart, Lew, McCusker, Wharton

> University Program in Genetics (UPGEN) 200: Genetic Analysis of Human Disease
Quantitative and molecular aspects in the identification of human disease genes, implications for genetic counseling and risk assessment, and legal and social issues associated with the human genome initiative. Concepts of linkage analysis in Mendelian and complex disease, molecular approaches to disease gene cloning, molecular mechanisms of disease gene expression, gene therapy, and the utility of animal models for understanding human disease. Instructor: Speer

> University Program in Genetics (UPGEN) 232: Human Genetics
Segregation, genetic linkage, population genetics, multifactorial inheritance, biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, somatic cell genetics, neurogenetics, cancer genetics, clinical genetics, positional cloning, complex disease. Reading and discussion of papers from the research literature. Instructor: Marchuk