Print
Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Course Code
BCBT 100  Credits 3 
Title The Science of Cooking 
Lasc Area Goal 3 Lab  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course will look at cooking from a scientific perspective to understand the food we eat and enjoy. Cooking may be the oldest and most widespread application of science. Students will use principles of biochemistry with some chemistry and biology to analyze food and investigate how cooking works. Students will also do several edible experiments and look at the science behind how it all works. Each week a different food will be explored. Topics include, but are not limited to, what makes a good experiment, death by chocolate, cheese making, the joys of hot sauce and salsa food biochemistry, the science of spice, and what is taste? This course includes a lab component. Students are expected to conduct three food experiments independent of class time. Learn to be a better cook by understanding food at the molecular level. MnTC Goal 3. 



Course Code
BCBT 190  Credits 1-3 
Title Topics in Biochemistry & Biotechnology 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Exploration of a specific biochemistry/biotechnology topic. This course may be repeated as topic varies. 



Course Code
BCBT 220  Credits 1 
Title Survey of BCBT Research and Methodology 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Introduction to research approaches in areas of biochemistry and biotechnology research. Seminar topics include: application of the scientific method in BCBT research fields; breadth and depth of background/training to be successful in research; reading scientific literature; introduction to ethics in research. Seminars will relate to current research by MSUM affiliated faculty that students may work with later in their program. 



Course Code
BCBT 290  Credits 1 
Title Topics in Biochemistry & Biotechnology 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Exploration of a specific Biochemistry / Biotechnology topic. This course may be repeated as topic varies. 



Course Code
BCBT 360  Credits 3 
Title Team-Based BCBT Research 
Prerequisite BIOL 111 and CHEM 150  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Students will participate in a team-based research experience in a principle investigator system in which they will apply advanced research techniques to a current research problem. In addition to research skills, as part of a research team the students will learn research management, team coordination, and conflict resolution skills. 



Course Code
BCBT 390  Credits 1-3 
Title Topics in Biochemistry & Biotechnology 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Exploration of a specific biochemistry/biotechnology topic. This course may be repeated as topic varies. 



Course Code
BCBT 397  Credits 1-3 
Title Biochemistry & Biotechnology Research 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Faculty-mentored independent research in Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Course may be repeated for credit. 



Course Code
BCBT 400  Credits 3 
Title Biochemistry I 
Prerequisite CHEM 350 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A survey of the chemistry and metabolism of living systems. Topics include buffers and biological buffering, structure, function and chemistry of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and enzymes, and introduction to metabolism and metabolic pathways.  



Course Code
BCBT 405  Credits 1 
Title Biochemistry Laboratory I 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Representative experiments in the quantitation, isolation and metabolism of naturally occurring substances. Techniques include: assay development, column chromatography, protein and nucleic acid isolation and analysis, protein electrophoresis, and enzymology. 



Course Code
BCBT 450  Credits 3 
Title Molecular and Biophysical Chemistry 
Prerequisite CHEM 400 and MATH 261 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Biophysical study of molecular structures, biophysical techniques, and biological mechanisms. Includes the biological functions of cells, tissues and organisms in terms of the structure and behavior of biological molecules and techniques. 



Course Code
BCBT 461  Credits 3 
Title Biotechniques: Nucleic Acids & Bioinformatics 
Prerequisite BIOL 385 and BIOL 385L 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description Advanced theory and practice of techniques for working with DNA and RNA for research and applications. Development of modern bioinformatics skills and applications to genomic research.  



Course Code
BCBT 462  Credits 3 
Title Cell Culture and Immunochemistry 
Prerequisite BIOL 111 and CHEM 350 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description Animal Cell culture and immunochemistry is a core laboratory technique in many molecular biology, immunology, neurobiology and developmental biology laboratories. It is one of the fundamental techniques performed prior to molecular analysis, or for bio manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. This course is designed to provide students with the necessary technical and critical reasoning skills to perform animal cell culture and immunochemistry required in biotechnology industry or graduate school set up. The laboratory will emphasize the principles and practices of initiation, cultivation, maintenance and preservation of cells in culture. The laboratory will also impart skills related to experimental design, troubleshooting, budget preparation, data analysis, project management and team work, as student teams will be expected to design their own project timeline and deliverables.  



Course Code
BCBT 463  Credits 3 
Title Proteomics and Advanced Chromatography 
Prerequisite CHEM 410 and CHEM 405 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description An introduction to proteomics, mass spectrometry, and advanced chromatography systems. Students will learn the theory and development of proteomics as a key component of systems biology and explore how proteomic techniques can be applied to gain insight into a wide variety of biochemical and biotechnological research problems. Advanced techniques include 2D electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, quantitative and tandem mass spectrometry, and protein bioinformatics. This is a lab/lecture course where students will study background and theory and practice some of these techniques in the lab. 



Course Code
BCBT 463  Credits 3 
Title Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond 
Prerequisite CHEM 400, CHEM 405, and BIOL 341 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description An introduction to the science and practice of omics disciplines including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. Students will learn the theory, development, and practice of omics technologies as a key component of systems biology. Students will explore how omics data can be integrated and applied to gain insight into a wide variety of biochemical and biotechnological research problems, such as personalized medicine and agricultural sustainability. Advanced techniques practiced in lab may include long and short read DNA sequencing, RNAseq, 2D electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, quantitative and tandem mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics. This is a lab/lecture course where students will study background and theory and practice some of these techniques in the lab. 



Course Code
BCBT 464  Credits 3 
Title Histology and Detection 
Prerequisite BIOL 385 and BIOL 385L 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description This course offers laboratory training in methods involving histology, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry (i.e. detection methods in histology). The tissue of choice will be nervous tissue harvested from mice.  



Course Code
BCBT 469  Credits 1-12 
Title Internship 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course is the required capstone experience for the Biochemistry and Biotechnology Certificate Program. An internship or work experience is required to complete the Biochemistry and Biotechnology Certificate. The experience can be a paid or volunteer experience. The experience needs to be approved by a faculty advisor in the Biochemistry and Biotechnology Certificate Program. Following the internship or work experience the student will be required to write a paper pertaining to the experience. Student must be in junior standing in a bioscience or chemistry major. 



Course Code
BCBT 490  Credits 1-4 
Title Topics in Biochemistry & Biotechnology 
Prerequisite BIOL 111 CHEM 400 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course will cover a variety of topics or laboratory techniques that may include advanced recombinant DNA and RNA, a short course on cell culturing, surgical techniques, advanced microscopy or other Biochemistry & Biotechniques related subjects. This course will be a combination of two or more topics depending on demand. 



Course Code
BCBT 497  Credits 1 
Title Senior Research Thesis 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Research studies in all areas of biochemistry and biotechnology. A comprehensive research report is required. BCBT 497 should be taken only once.