The GCMB Specialization is composed of faculty members that share interests in Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology. Research areas are diverse, and include: cell biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, virology, immunology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, animal/plant pathology, genetics, genomics, systems biology, and molecular evolution.
Our goal is to develop broadly trained biologists that have both the conceptual tools and expertise necessary to address fundamental research questions in cell and molecular biology. To meet this goal, our graduate curriculum includes a list of suggested core courses for first year students as well as a list of additional courses. Additionally, GCMB faculty frequently offer seminars and discussion groups relating to more specialized research areas.
Required Coursework
Students are expected to register for the GCMB (BIOS 915A) or EEB (BIOS 915E) seminar course in each semester they are in residence on the UNL campus. The GCMB seminar meets weekly, and presentations may include seminars by external speakers and/or GCMB students, post docs, or faculty presenting proposed, in progress, or completed work. In addition, M.S. and Ph.D. defense talks may be given at the GCMB seminar.
Suggested Coursework
The coursework for individual students will be tailored to their research interests and should be determined primarily by the student’s Supervisory Committee. However, three of the following core courses are recommended for all GCMB students, and would serve the students best if taken early in their program.
- BIOS 807 Molecular Cell Biology
- BIOS 818 Advanced Genetics
- BIOS 820 Molecular Genetics
- BIOS 827 Practical Bioinformatics Laboratory
- BIOS 877 Bioinformatics and Molecular Evolution
In addition, each student, in consultation with his/her Supervisory Committee, will determine which additional coursework is appropriate. Some regularly offered courses are listed below.
1. Genetics, Genomics, and Molecular Biology related courses
- BIOS 802 Cancer Biology
- BIOS 807 Biology of Cells and Organelles
- BIOS 812 Human Genetics
- BIOS 818 Advanced Genetics
- BIOS 820 Molecular Genetics
- BIOC/BIOS 831 Biomolecules & Metabolism
- BIOC/BIOS 832 Gene Expression and Replication
- BIOC/BIOS 839 Survey of Biochemistry
- CHEM/BIOS 932 Proteins
- CHEM/BIOS 933 Enzymes
- CHEM/BIOS 934 Genome Dynamics and Gene Expression
- BIOS 945 RNA Biology
- BIOS 964 Signal Transduction
- BIOS 998 Special Topics: Epigenetic Regulatory Mechanisms
2. Bioinformatics, Molecular Evolution, and Systems Biology related courses
- STAT 801 Statistical Methods in Research [general statistics]
- BIOS 827 Practical Bioinformatics Laboratory
- BIOS 828 Perl Programming for Biological Applications
- BIOS 829 Phylogenetic Biology
- STAT 841 Statistical Methods for High Throughput Biological Data
- STAT 842 Computational Biology
- STAT 843 Next-Generation Sequencing and Systems Biology
- BIOS 856 Mathematical Models in Biology
- BIOS 877 Bioinformatics and Molecular Evolution
- BIOS 897 Special Topics: Computational Systems Biology [should have a new course number soon]
- BIOS 924 Molecular Phylogenetics
- BIOS 942 Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics of Prokaryotes
3. Microbiology related courses
- BIOS 840 Microbial Physiology
- VBMS/BIOS 841 Pathogenic Microbiology
- BIOS 843 Immunology
- BIOS 844 Geomicrobiology
- FDST 805 / BIOS 845 Food Microbiology
- FDST 806 / BIOS 846 Food Microbiology Laboratory
- AGRO/BIOS 847 Soil Microbiology
- VBMS 852 Molecular Virology and Viral Pathogenesis
- FDST 855 Microbiology of Fermented Foods
- FDST 855L Microbiology of Fermented Foods Laboratory
- PLPT 867 Plant Associated Microbes
- BIOS 897 Special Topics: Fungal Genetics and Cell Biology
- FDST 908 Topics in Advanced Food Microbiology
- BIOS 940 Microbial Diversity
- BIOS 947 Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
- BIOS 950 Medical Molecular Virology
- VBMS 951 Advanced Molecular Infectious Diseases
- AGRO/BIOS 963 Genetics of Host-Parasite Interaction
- BIOS 966 Advanced Viral Pathogenesis
- BIOS 998 Special Topics: Viral Oncology
Additional Expectations
The GCMB Specialization expects its graduate students to be involved in all of the activities that are designed to enhance their education, training, and interactions with each other and the Specialization faculty. These activities include interacting with visiting speakers and participating in the Biology Graduate Student Association (BGSA) annual student symposium, and attending other research forums, such as the SBS and Center for Biotechnology Seminar Series, Plant Science Innovation Symposium, Nebraska Center for Virology Symposium, etc.