BIT - Biotechnology


BIT (MB) 210Phage HuntersUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
This course offers first-year students an opportunity for mentored research. Students will apply the scientific method to make novel discoveries. Students will isolate and characterize naturally-occurring bacteriophage (viruses that infect bacteria, but not humans) from the environment. They will present their data to each other, and the genome of one phage will be sequenced. Students have the option to continue in a second semester to annotate that genome, culminating in a submission to genbank and a poster presentation. Students in the course are part of the National Genome Research Initiative funded by The Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Student should have had a high school biology course before taking this course.


BIT (MB) 211Phage GenomicsUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: BIT(MB) 210
This course offers first-year students an opportunity for mentored research. Student will apply the scientific method to make novel discoveries. Students will build on the work they began in BIT/MB 210; The novel phage isolated in the previous semester will undergo genome sequencing over winter break, and in this course students will learn to analyze and annotate the genome sequence. This semester will culminate in a submission to genbank and a poster presentation. Students in the course are part of the national genome research initiative funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.


BIT 295Special Topics in BiotechnologyUNITS: 1-3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Offered as needed to present materials not normally available in regular course offerings or for offering of new courses on a trial basis.


BIT 410Manipulation of Recombinant DNAUNITS: 4 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: BIO 183 or ZO/BIO 160 and CH 223 with a C- or better
Introduction to molecular biology and protein chemistry. Theory behind laboratory techniques and overview of cloning strategies starting from nucleic acid or protein sequence data. Laboratory sessions involve subcloning, preparation of competent cells, transformation, screening recombinant DNA by colony hybridization and PCR, SDS-PAGE of recombinant protein, affinity purification, and western blots.


BIT 461Sequencing cDNA LibrariesUNITS: 2 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510 or BCH 454
Basic techniques in automated DNA sequencing and robotics. Colony picking and ordering cDNA libraries, use of PCR to amplify insert DNA, and strategies for large-scale automated sequencing. Principles of database management for ordering and accessing sequencing information. Half semester course, first part.


BIT 462Gene Expression Analysis: MicroarraysUNITS: 2 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510
Microarray analysis is an evolving technique with its basis in the dynamic properties of the nucleic acid hybridization. We will review current theory, techniques, instrumentation, troubleshooting, analysis tools, and advanced protocols for microarray analysis. Students will have the opportunity to utilize skills learned during lecture in a laboratory environment and have access to exceptional instrumentation. At the conclusion of this course, students should feel comfortable with microarray experimental design, its tools, an analysis of generated data. This is a half-semester course. Student must register for both lecture and lab sections


BIT (CHE) 464Protein PurificationUNITS: 2 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510 or BCH 454
Comparison of several different chromatography techniques for protein purification. Construction of purification tables and SDS-and native-PAGE analysis. Cost-benefit analysis of industrial-scale procedures. Half semester course, second part.


BIT 465Real-time PCR TechniquesUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510
Real time PCR is an evolving technique with its basis in the dynamic properties of the polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent detection. We will review current real-time theory, techniques, machinery, troubleshooting, tools, and advanced protocols for sequence detection including SYBR green, TaqMan, Beacons, multiplexing, and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Students will have the opportunity to utilize skills learned during lecture in a laboratory environment. At the conclusion of this course, students should feel comfortable with real-time experimental design, its tools, and analysis of generated data. This is a half-semester course. Student must register for both lecture and lab sections.


BIT 466Animal Cell Culture TechniquesUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510 or BCH 454
Introduction to animal cell culture techniques. Aseptic technique for vertebrate cell culture, media formulation, primary cell culture, long-term maintenance of cell lines, application of molecular techniques to in vitro situations. Half semester course, second part.


BIT 467PCR and DNA FingerprintingUNITS: 2 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: BIT 510
Introduction to polymerase chain reaction. Optimization of PCR reactions and primer design for DNA sequences using DNA databases available on the web. Laboratory sections include using rapid techniques for isolating and sequencing DNA from small amounts of sample and forensic identification of individuals using isolated human hairs. Credit is not allowed for both BIT 467 and BIT 567.


BIT 468Genome MappingUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510 or BCH 454
Students will be introduced to basic techniques in genetic and physical mapping. The principles of DNA marker development, marker detection, genetic and physical mapping and DNA sequencing will be addressed from a practical view with an emphasis onagricultural applications. This is a half semester course. Student must register for both lecture and lab sections.


BIT 470Advanced Animal Cell Culture: Bioreactor CultureUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: BIT 466 or BIT 566 or PO 566
Principles of scaling animal cell seed-stock from frozen storage to three liter culture. Students will learn to assemble and operate a three-liter bioreactor to produce antibodies, as well as assess final product quantity using antibody techniques. This is a half-semester course.


BIT 471RNA Interference and Model OrganismsUNITS: 2 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510 or BCH 454
Introduction and history of RNA interference technology. Principles, mechanism, and applications of RNA interference in model organisms. Laboratory sessions include RNA interference-mediated silencing of genes in plants, C. elegeans, and mammalian cell culture. This is a half-semester course (8 weeks). Student may not earn credit for both BIT 471 and BIT 571.


BIT (PB) 481Plant Tissue Culture and TransformationUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Basic techniques in plant tissue culture and transformation. Empirical approaches to techniques in plant tissue culture, designing transgenes for expression in specific plant cell organelles and tissues, use of reporter genes to optimize transformation, and troubleshooting transformation. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with plant tissue culture and transformation. Use of reporter genes, fluorescence microscopy and digital imaging. Half semester course, first part.


BIT 492External Learning ExperienceUNITS: 1-6 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
A learning experience in the area of biotechnology within an academic framework that utilizes facilities and resources which are external to the campus. Contact and arrangements with prospective employers must be initiated by student and approved by a faculty adviser, the prospective employer, and the departmental teaching coordinator prior to the experience. Project must be approved by the Academic Coordinator or Program Director of the Biotechnology Program.


BIT 493Special Problems in BiotechnologyUNITS: 1-6 - No Course Evaluation, Offered in Fall Spring Summer
A learning experience within an academic framework that utilizes campus facilities and resources. Contact and arrangements with prospective mentor(s) must be initiated by student and approved by a faculty adviser, the prospective mentor, and the departmental teaching coordinator prior to the experience. Project must be approved by the Academic Coordinator of Program Director of the Biotechnology Program.


BIT 495Special Topics in BiotechnologyUNITS: 1-3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Offered as needed to present materials not normally available in regular course offerings or for offering of new courses on a trial basis.


BIT 501Ethical Issues in BiotechnologyUNITS: 1 - Offered in Spring Only
Students investigate and discuss current controversial issues in biotechnology. This course emphasizes thinking about new technologies in a rational and thoughtful way.


BIT 510Core Technologies in Molecular and Cellular BiologyUNITS: 4 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Equivalent of CH 223 and MB 351 or GN 411
Basic technologies of recombinant DNA procedures, gene expression, isolation and identification of nucleic acids and proteins.


BIT 562Gene Expression: MicroarraysUNITS: 2 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510
Microarray analysis is an evolving technique with its basis in the dynamic properties of the nucleic acid hybridization. We will review current theory, techniques, instrumentation, troubleshooting, analysis tools, and advanced protocols for microarray analysis. Students will have the opportunity to utilize skills learned during lecture in a laboratory environment and have access to exceptional instrumentation. At the conclusion of this course, students should feel comfortable with microarray experimental design, its tools, an analysis of generated data. This is a half-semester course. Student must register for both lecture and lab sections


BIT 563Fermentation of Recombinant MicroorganismsUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Introduction to fermentation and protein chemistry. Theory behind laboratory techniques and overview of industrial scale expression systems. Laboratory session sinvolve use of microbial expression vectors, fermentation systems, and large-scale purification of recombinant protein. Half semester course, first part.


BIT 564Protein PurificationUNITS: 2 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Spring Only
Comparison of several different chromatography techniques for protein purification. Construction of purification tables and SDS-and native-PAGE analysis. Cost-benefit analysis of industrial-scale procedures. Half semester course, second part.


BIT 565Real-time PCR TechniquesUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510
Real time PCR is an evolving technique with its basis in the dynamic properties of the polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent detection. We will review current real-time theory, techniques, machinery, troubleshooting, tools, and advanced protocols for sequence detection including SYBR green, TaqMan, Beacons, multiplexing, and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Students will have the opportunity to utilize skills learned during lecture in a laboratory environment. At the conclusion of this course, students should feel comfortable with real-time experimental design, its tools, and analysis of generated data. This is a half-semester course.


BIT (PO) 566Animal Cell Culture TechniquesUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Introduction to animal cell culture techniques. Aseptic technique for vertebrate cell culture, media formulation, primary cell culture, long-term maintenance of cell lines, application of molecular techniques to in vitro situations. Half semester course, second part.


BIT 567Pcr DNA FingerprinUNITS: 2
Introduction to polymerase chain reaction. Optimization of PCR reactions and primer design for DNA sequences using DAN databases available on the web. Laboratory sections include using rapid techniques for isolating and sequencing DNA from small amounts of sample and forensic identification of individuals using isolated human hairs.


BIT 568Genome MappingUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510 or BCH 454
Basic techniques in genetic and physical mapping. The principles of DNA marker development, marker detection, genetic and physical mapping and DNA sequencing will be addressed from a practical view with an emphasis on agricultural applications. This is a half semester course. Student must register for both the lecture and the lab.


BIT 569RNA Purification and AnalysisUNITS: 2 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510
Laboratory-intensive course covering techniques in RNA purification and analysis including: isolation of quality RNA; quantification by gel and spectrophotometer; separation by gel electrophoresis; reverse transcription PCR; and Northern blotting using non-radioactive labeling and detection by chemi-luminescense. Half semester course.


BIT 570Advanced Animal Cell Culture: Bioreactor CultureUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: BIT 466 or BIT 566 or PO 566
Principles of scaling animal cell seed-stock from frozen storage to three liter culture. Students will learn to assemble and operate a three-liter bioreactor to produce antibodies, as well as assess final product quantity using antibody techniques. This is a half-semester course. Students must register for both lecture and lab.


BIT 571RNA Interference and Model OrganismsUNITS: 2 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: BIT 410 or BIT 510 or BCH 454
Introduction and history of RNA interference technology. Principles, mechanism, and applications of RNA interference in model organisms. Laboratory sessions include RNA interference-mediated silencing of genes in lants, C. Elegans, and mammalian cell culture. This is a half-semster course (8 weeks). Student may not earn credit for both BIT 471 and BIT 571.


BIT (CH) 572ProteomicsUNITS: 2 - Offered in Spring Only
Introduction and history of the field of proteomics followed by the principles and applications of proteomics technology to understand protein expression and protein post-transitional modifications. Laboratory sessions include growing yeast with stable-isotope labeled amino acids, protein purification, Western blots, protein identification and quantification, and protein bioinformatic analysis. This is a half-semester course.


BIT 581Plant TransformatnUNITS: 2


BIT 595Special TopicsUNITS: 1-3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Offered as needed to present materials not normally available in regular course offerings or for offering of new courses on a trial basis.


BIT 696Summer Thesis ResUNITS: 1


BIT 815Advanced Special TopicsUNITS: 1-6 - Offered in Summer
Prerequisite: BIT 810
Intensive three-week or six-week courses in advanced technologies such as DNA sequencing, downstream processing, immunological techniques, construction of c-DNA libraries, mammalian embryo manipulation, plant transformation, bioreactor design, cloning in gram positive bacteria, electron microscopy or techniques in yeast molecular biology.


BIT 896Summer Dissert ResUNITS: 1