Yang Gao

Repeatable for Credit.

Independent research in Rice BioSciences faculty laboratories (sections 2 and above) or other Texas Medical Center laboratories (section 1). Students must have secured a research position prior to applying for BIOS 310. Students spend at least 42 hours in the laboratory for each semester hour of credit (>9h/week for 3 credits). A minimum of 3 credit hours is needed to count toward the BS in Biosciences or to replace one required 300+ level elective lab course for the BA in Biosciences (cannot replace major concentration core labs). Requires a proposal abstract, weekly reports, and a research paper (fall/spring/summer) or a poster presentation (spring/summer for advanced students). Students wishing to perform their research in an off-campus lab must apply online (biosugresearch.rice.edu) at least 3 weeks prior to the start of classes and may not register for fewer than 3 credit hours. Students taking BIOS 310 in the full summer semester must be available to do full-time research for a minimum of 6 weeks or part-time equivalent which should equal to a total of 126 hours working in the lab. It is recommended that summer students spread their hours over 8-10 weeks. Recommended Prerequisite(s): Students are strongly advised to secure research advisors and register for the class well in advance of the start of classes. Recommended Prerequisite(s): Students are strongly advised to secure research advisors and register for the class well in advance of the start of classes. Repeatable for Credit.

The Biosciences Honors Research Program offers our seniors and advanced juniors the opportunity to perform a two-semester, individual research project in a research laboratory in Biosciences or an approved off-campus site and offers opportunities for students to develop their written and oral scientific communication skills. Students registering for BIOS 401 are expected to take BIOS 402 the following semester. Each semester, students are expected to average 15 hours per week in research (laboratory) and communication skills activities (scheduled through the companion seminar co-requisite). In BIOS 401, students will prepare regular progress reports, attend lab meetings, and write an end-of-semester short paper (at least 5 pages) on their work. Must register for co-requisite BIOS 411.

The course intends to provide in-depth knowledge of the molecular basis of human diseases. We will discuss: 1) Different types of genetic variations that may lead to human diseases; 2) The various approaches to investigate the molecular basis of human diseases; 3) The molecular and cellular consequences of disease-associated genetic variations; 4) The physiological and environmental causes of genetic variations; 5) The molecular basis for disease diagnosis and treatments. We will mainly focus on molecular mechanisms of inherent genetic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and environmentally induced diseases. This will be a combined lecture/discussion course. The class materials are mainly based on preliminary literatures and case studies. Students are expected to actively participate in discussion in class and to give presentations and lectures based on research paper. Cross-list: BIOS 520.

The course intends to provide in-depth knowledge of the molecular basis of human diseases. We will discuss: 1) Different types of genetic variations that may lead to human diseases; 2) The various approaches to investigate the molecular basis of human diseases; 3) The molecular and cellular consequences of disease-associated genetic variations; 4) The physiological and environmental causes of genetic variations; 5) The molecular basis for disease diagnosis and treatments. We will mainly focus on molecular mechanisms of inherent genetic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and environmentally induced diseases. This will be a combined lecture/discussion course. The class materials are mainly based on preliminary literatures and case studies. Students are expected to actively participate in discussion in class and to give presentations and lectures based on research paper. Cross-list: BIOS 420.

First of two integrated classes taken by first-year graduate students in BCB (to be followed by BIOS 588: Cellular Interactions). Covers advanced topics in biochemistry, ranging from protein and nucleic acid synthesis, folding, function, and engineering to allostery, dynamics, and degradation with an emphasis on fundamental principles, research methodologies, problem solving, and critical analysis of primary literature. Enrollment limited to BCB graduate students.

Discussion of individual research or current topics in particular areas. Intended for students conducting research projects in the lab of the instructor. Repeatable for Credit.

Biochemistry & Cell Biology graduate research. Repeatable for Credit.

Graduate students will conduct independent research/thesis project under the direction of their advisor. Repeatable for Credit.