First Year

Study of chemistry, biochemical activity, isolation and identification of drugs of forensic interest in biological materials. Postmortem, human performance and drug testing scenarios commonly encountered in forensic laboratories are appraised. Advanced concepts in sample preparation and analytical methods for presumptive and confirmatory testing are covered. Many factors affecting the interpretation of toxicology results are considered. A molecular level approach is taken on many topics.

(3 credits)

First Year

An introductory graduate-level course that will introduce students to basic statistical concepts and applications that are used in a majority of biomedical and translational research studies. The emphasis will be on "how" and "why" certain basic statistical applications are used rather than the theory behind various statistical methods.

(2 credits)

First Year

An introductory graduate-level course on mechanisms associated with DNA structure, replication, recombination and repair, chromatin, transcriptional control, mRNA processing, and protein synthesis. Aspects of contemporary genetics, genomics and bioinformatics will also be included. Techniques in genetic engineering and recombinant DNA that are critical to molecular biology research will be covered.

(3 credits)

Second Year

This course covers the science of the interactions between the human body and drugs, or xenobiotics. The focus is on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in the area of pharmacokinetics. Additional topics also include drug-drug and drug-food interactions, pharmacogenetics, and pharmacodynamics of commonly abused drugs. The objective of this course is to provide a strong scientific foundation for the understanding and practice of analytical and forensic toxicology.

(2 credits)

Second Year

Descriptive chemistry of amino acids and proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Discussion of structure and function; metabolism and bioenergetics; and biological information flow. At the undergraduate level, understanding is demonstrated through hour examinations; at the graduate level, understanding is demonstrated through hour examinations and a brief paper. Lecture, three hours; one optional conference.

(4 credits)

First Year

An introductory graduate-level course on mechanisms associated with DNA structure, replication, recombination and repair, chromatin, transcriptional control, mRNA processing, and protein synthesis. Aspects of contemporary genetics, genomics and bioinformatics will also be included. Techniques in genetic engineering and recombinant DNA that are critical to molecular biology research will be covered.

(3 credits)

First Year

An introductory graduate-level course that will introduce students to basic statistical concepts and applications that are used in a majority of biomedical and translational research studies. The emphasis will be on "how" and "why" certain basic statistical applications are used rather than the theory behind various statistical methods.

(2 credits)

First Year

This course will cover advanced topics in hereditary and genetics as it applies to humans using essential and contemporary knowledge relating to genetic science and genetic disease. Topics include single gene and complex diseases, Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance, genetic evolutionary divergence, family pedigrees, ownership of genetic information, gene and environment interactions, personalized medicine, behavioral genetics, genetics and reproduction, and pharma-cogenomics.

(2 credits)

First Year

An introductory graduate-level course on mechanisms associated with DNA structure, replication, recombination and repair, chromatin, transcriptional control, mRNA processing, and protein synthesis. Aspects of contemporary genetics, genomics and bioinformatics will also be included. Techniques in genetic engineering and recombinant DNA that are critical to molecular biology research will be covered.

(3 credits)

Second Year

This survey course examines the population dynamics and equilibria of genes in nuclei, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. Emphasis will be on biological relevance (in plants, animals, and micro-organisms), but some theoretical derivations will also be introduced.

(3 credits)

Second Year

This course will train students to become experts in the collection, identification, and evaluation of biological evidence in criminal matters and DNA testing using current DNA technologies. Methods routinely used for the isolation of DNA from cells, DNA quantitation, PCR, electrophoretic separation, and DNA sequence determination will be discussed in detail. Students will understand the theory and practice underlying the use of instrumentation in PCR, Real-Time PCR, capillary electrophoresis, next-generation sequencing, the applications of robotics and the use of DNA databases. The complex range of considerations that need to be considered in data collection, sample storage, data interpretation, analysis, and reporting will also be covered in detail. Current uses of single nucleotide polymorphisms, mitochondrial DNA analysis, Y or X chromosome analysis, and nonhuman DNA will be described. The legal aspects specific to DNA testing will be incorporated to prepare students for expert witness testimony.

(4 credits)