This course trains Master’s students in scientific reasoning and research proposal writing in cell biology, biochemistry, and life sciences. With a supervisor, students develop a research overview, identify testable questions, and design an experimental strategy. Workshops cover critical reasoning, generative AI, writing, and presentation skills, culminating in proposal submission and defense.

The course will introduce students to a selected set of laboratory techniques that are foundational to modern biological research.

The course can be taken alone or in combination with the spring course “A Problem Based Approach to Cellular Biochemistry”. During this seminar style course, students will explore research topics in cellular biochemistry focused on the structure, function and regulation of selected cell components. In the best case, student efforts can be aligned with an ongoing or future research project.

The course will introduce the students to the key concepts in membrane biology and will allow them to be involved in laboratory projects related to that broad field. The course will consist of lectures, literature discussions, and practical laboratry work in small groups. Results of the practical projects will be presented during the poster session at the end of the course.

Students will learn about biochemical approaches to analyze cellular functions. The course consists of practical projects in small groups, lectures and literature discussions. The course concludes with the presentation of results at a poster session.

This course on advanced topics in molecular biology and biochemistry covers the structure and function of large cellular protein assemblies. The lecturers will cover topics including membrane proteins, protein glycosylation, horizonal gene transfer, microbial cytomotive filaments, and microbial contractile injection systems.

During this Masters level course students synthesize and defend their critical scientific review of selected manuscipts in the broad field of basic experimental molecular biology, including but not limited to biochemistry, structural biology and biophysics.