Master's Degree Curriculum
Overview: All biomedical science fields recognize that advanced scientific knowledge is the foundation for both basic and translational research. To that end, full-time research is preceded by a curriculum that introduces scientific facts and provides opportunities for the development of critical thinking, synthesis of information, development of factual knowledge, and the ability to read and comprehend original literature.
Curriculum Design and Courses: Core curriculum courses (Core I-VI) must be passed with a final grade of B or better. Obtaining a C as a final grade will require the student to retake the course. Expected graduation date may be delayed by this.
FIRST YEAR
Fall Semester
GSBE 5104 — Biomedical Sciences Seminar (1:1:0): This course offers presentations, journal articles, and related material in biomedical sciences presented by faculty and special guests for group discussion. (F)
GSBE 5201 — Core IV: Laboratory Methods in Biomedical Sciences I (2:2:0): This course introduces first-year graduate students to the fundamental principles and techniques in basic science research. (F)
GSBE 5301 — Core I: Biochemistry (3:3:0): This course teaches structure, biosynthesis, and functions of the major classes of organic compounds with particular reference to organic molecules and their relationship to polymers, such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. (F)
GSBE 5302 — Core II: Cell Biology (3:3:0): This course teaches the structural details and molecular functions of the different parts of the cell. The course also deals with the signal transduction processes and cellular functions required for cell growth and death. (F)
Spring Semester
GSBE 5101 — Responsible Conduct of Research (1:1:0): This course addresses the regulatory and ethical environment of today’s biomedical
research, as well as topics such as authorship and data management. (F)
GSBE 5102 — Laboratory Methods in Biomedical Sciences II (1:1:0): This course provides an integrated approach to modern biochemical techniques in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and genetics, including RNA interference and recombinant DNA techniques. (F)
GSBE 5104 — Biomedical Sciences Seminar (1:1:0): Students are required to attend all seminars sponsored by the biomedical studies program. Students who wish to deviate from the yearly seminar requirement must obtain approval from the graduate program committee. (F)
GSBE 5303 — Core III: Genetics (3:3:0): This course teaches the principles of molecular genetics. The main topics covered in this course include gene structure and function at the molecular level, regulation of gene expression, organization of genetic information in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, genetic rearrangements, and genetic engineering. (F)
GSBE 5310 — Biostatistics (3:3:0): This course introduces the basic concepts and methods for presenting and analyzing biomedical data. Topics include concepts of estimation and testing, experiment design, an introduction to randomized clinical trials, sample size and power calculation, curve fitting, ROC analysis, and statistics for genetic data. (F)
SECOND YEAR
Fall Semester
GSBE 5104 — Biomedical Sciences Seminar (1:1:0): Students are required to attend all seminars sponsored by the biomedical studies program. Students who wish to deviate from the yearly seminar requirement must obtain approval from the graduate program committee. (F)
GSBE 5220 — Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (2:2:0): Students in this course will emerge with an advanced understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of cancer. The principles of cancer biology — from the origin of cancer to therapeutic interventions — are addressed. (F)
GSBE 5222 — Advanced Human Genetics (2:2:0): This course covers, in detail, population genetics, cytogenetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry as they relate to human heredity and genetic disorders. It includes discussion of current research literature. (F)
GSBE 5224 — Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (2:2:0): This course addresses molecular mechanisms of neuro-degeneration associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including spinal muscular atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Huntington’s disease. The course consists of lectures and critical discussions of recent research papers.
GSBE 5226 — Principles of Virology (2:2:0): This course covers material relating to the principals of virology. Students will learn about the molecular biology of viruses, mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and methods of host control. (F)
GSBE 5640 — Core V: Introduction to Biomedical Research (laboratory rotations) (6:0:18): This course offers a hands-on introduction to the laboratories in which students may wish to conduct their thesis or non-thesis research. (F)
Spring Semester
GSBE 5104 — Biomedical Sciences Seminar (1:1:0): Students are required to attend all seminars sponsored by the biomedical studies program.
Students who wish to deviate from the yearly seminar requirement must obtain approval
from the graduate program committee. (F)
GSBE 5221 — Microbial Genetics (2:2:0): This course covers current techniques in genetic analysis, molecular biology, and gene regulation in microorganisms, with an emphasis on bacteria and bacteriophages. (F)
GSBE 5223 — Nutrition, Epigenetics, and Human Diseases (2:2:0): This course will teach Pathogenesis of diabetes, Genetic variants and risk of diabetes and obesity with Breast Cancer, Molecular basis of Diet supplementation, Insulin resistance, Diet-gene interactions in the development of diabetes, Parental nutrition and Epigenetics. (F)
GSBE 5225 — Immunology (2:2:0): This course teaches basic and advanced concepts in immunology, including a survey of immunology as a host response to foreign agents, the nature of antigens and antibodies, effector and memory T cell responses, innate and adaptive immunity to microbial infections, allergic reactions, and tumor immunology. (F)
GSBE 5227 — Medical Physiology (2:2:0): This course lays the basis for understanding how cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems function together to create one organism. Students will learn from biomedical professors in graduate-level courses, expanding their knowledge of advance human physiological principles. (F)
GSBE 7000 — Research in Biomedical Studies (V1-18): In this course, students engage in full-time laboratory research in a TTUHSC El Paso laboratory, under the direct supervision of a graduate faculty member. Emphasis is placed on experimental methods and independent research on projects related to biomedical studies. After a student is well-established in his/her research, additional rotations may be done to gain expertise in techniques specific to the student’s research (if not available in the faculty advisor’s laboratory). The course if repeatable if different methods are covered for each registration. (F)
Final Written Research Report
Students are expected to submit a final research report as part of the requirements for GSBE 7000 — Research in Biomedical Studies prior graduation. The master’s final written research report represents independent student work, conducted under the supervision of a GSBS faculty mentor, and is expected to be written clearly and concisely. Students must earn a grade of B or better on the research report to qualify for graduation. A copy of the research report must be submitted to the GSBS main office a week before the end of the semester.
Enrollment in GSBE 7000 — Research in Biomedical Studies is required for the master’s research report. Review the syllabus for this course for specific details and information.
Laboratory Research
Laboratory research is conducted during the second year of the master’s program. Laboratory work is incorporated into GSBE 5640 — Core V: Introduction to Biomedical Research and GSBE 7000 — Core VI: Research in Biomedical Studies. The goal of these courses and the laboratory research is to formally introduce students to research and to determine if the student has an interest in a particular research area. Laboratory works is performed under the supervision of a GSBS faculty member. The GSBS faculty member becomes a mentor and is required to perform a written evaluation of the student’s performance at the end of the semester. The signed evaluation form is included in the student’s program file and it is considered into the grading process for each class.