- M253: Macromolecular
Structure (1)
Chemical and physical properties of proteins and nucleic acids.
Structure, cloning, and analysis of DNA; biosynthesis and processing of
RNA; biosynthesis, purification, structure, and analysis of proteins;
correlation of structure and biological properties. Letter grading.
(Course outline in the appendix.).
- M267A: Cell Structure,
Signaling and Development (5)
Content includes
cell
cycle regulation, signal transduction, intracellular protein transport,
and the structure and function of the cytoskeleton (including cell-cell
and cell-substrate interactions), genetics and molecular genetics of
Drosophila and mammals.
Each
session will involve student presentation of primary research articles
in cell biology, chosen by the instructors of 267A. The class will
be divided into sections of 8-10 students each plus an instructor
(different from the 267A instructors).
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M267B: Seminar in Cell Structure, Signaling and Development(3)
Each student will present twice during
the semester, receiving constructive criticism on speaking style and
content from the instructor. A paper will also be required of each
student that will require evaluation of the background and rationale for
the paper, critical analysis of the experiments, and suggestions for
future directions.
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EHS 240: Fundamentals of Toxicology. (4)
Lecture, four hours. Essential
aspects of toxicology with emphasis on the human species; absorption,
distribution, excretion, biotransformation as well as basic toxicological
process and organ systems will be discussed. Letter grading.
-
M234: Ethics and
Accountability in Biomedical Research (2)
The course focuses on situations arising in the laboratory that may present
ethical dilemmas for graduate students. (Students may take this course any time
in their first two years of study.)
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Molecular Toxicology 246. Advanced
Molecular Toxicology (4)
This
course will address advanced topics in molecular toxicology. Students
will be required to have taken EHS240 or an equivalent course. The
first four weeks will focus on fundamental aspects of toxicology that
are required for a deep understanding of toxicological processes. Weeks
five through ten will focus on in-depth analysis of several specific
areas of molecular toxicology
-
Mol Tox 211A-C. Molecular
Toxicology Seminar. (1)
All Molecular Toxicology students will be required to attend two toxicology
seminar series, each of which will meet once per month during the academic
year. The first series consists of presentations by outstanding toxicological
researchers from outside UCLA. Collectively, the Molecular Toxicology graduate
students are responsible for selecting and inviting one “Graduate Students
–Invited Lecturer” each year.
The second series consists
of internal seminars presented by toxicology students and postdoctoral fellows.
Trainees will be required to both attend this seminar, and give a presentation.
Since we anticipate a total of about 18 Molecular Toxicology pre- and
post-doctoral students, each trainee will present about once every two years in
this series.
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Mol Tox 296A-E. Research Topics in Molecular Toxicology. (2)
One of sections A to E is chosen. These are research group meetings. Students give presentations to
their research group members on their current research. This provides an
opportunity for the students to acquire skills presentation skills in a
supportive environment, and to receive expert input into the progress of their
research. Research group meetings occur weekly for about 1.5 hours. S/U
grading:
296A.
Chemical Toxicology
296B.
Molecular Carcinogenesis
296C.
Teratogenesis
296D.
Germ Cell Cytogenetic/Genetic Biomarkers
296E. Genetic
Toxicology
- M245. Laboratory in Toxicological Methods. (2)
Lecture, one hour; laboratory, four to five hours. Survey of
experimental techniques used in study of toxic substances. Experiments
conducted within known toxin to demonstrate its effects at molecular,
cellular, and tissue levels. Presentation of principles of techniques
and methods of data analysis at discussion session prior to laboratory.
Letter grading.
- Laboratory Rotations
In order to
sample the range of research areas represented in the Molecular
Toxicology Program, students carry out a minimum of three laboratory
rotations during their first year (one during each quarter, 10 weeks
duration). In most cases students are able to "match" with a mentor
after three rotations.
Representative Electives
-
M201. Cell,
Developmental, and Molecular Neurobiology (6). Fundamental topics
concerning cellular, developmental, and molecular neurobiology,
including intracellular signaling, cell-cell communication,
neurogenesis and migration, synapse formation and elimination,
programmed neuronal death, and neurotropic factors. Letter grading.
-
Environmental Health 280 (4). Principles of Nanobiological
Interactions and Nanotoxicology. This new course will discuss
synthesis and physical-chemical characterization of engineered
nanomaterials; the unique properties of engineered nanomaterials and
how these properties contribute to biological interactions, and the
relationship between properties of engineered nanomaterials to their
potential of transport, reactivity, uptake, and toxicity in natural
environments and in the body.
-
Epidemiology 200(4) Lecture, two hours; laboratory, four hours.
Introduction to epidemiology, including factors governing health and
disease in populations. Letter grading.
-
294. Basic Concepts in Oncology (4). Lecture, three hours.
Fundamental biological, genetic, and molecular process involved in
genesis and growth of cancer cells, and diagnosis, characterization,
and treatment of cancer. Letter grading.
Teaching
Requirements
All students will obtain instruction
in teaching skills by serving as teaching assistants (TAs) or readers
for one or two quarters, typically one quarter during the second year
and one during the third. Assignments are made at the end of the first
year and are influenced by student preference and expertise.
Qualifying
examinations—written and oral
This examination will visually
typically be taken towards the end of the student’s second year at UCLA.
Both a written and oral qualifying examination is required. The format
for the written qualifying examination will consist of a NIH-style
research proposal on a topic which is approved by members of the Thesis
Committee. The Thesis Committee will consist of four faculty members
including the student's advisor, who will serve as the Chair.
The written proposal will be an
original research proposal consisting at a minimum of the following
sections:
a. Statement
of the Proposal:
A concise statement
should be given regarding the aims and goals of the proposal. This will
provide the committee with a clear understanding of the proposed studies
and rationale (approximately 1 page).
b. Background
and Significance:
This section will cover the background and significance of the research
topic. This should not be a comprehensive review of the research area.
It should, however, provide enough background on the subject to allow
the committee to evaluate the relevance and novelty of the proposal. Key
references should be included (approximately 4 pages).
c. Methods:
In this section, the student should state the specific questions being
asked and describe experimentally how these questions will be addressed.
Sufficient experimental detail should be provided such that the
committee can evaluate the student’s understanding of the techniques. A
brief discussion of the legitimacy and appropriateness of the proposed
methods (versus others) should be provided, and the merits and
limitations of the methods are should be discussed (this may not be
necessary for routine or widely utilized techniques). This section
should also include a discussion of the interpretation of the possible
results of the proposed experiments (approximately 5 pages).
d. Conclusion:
A brief discussion of how the results of the proposed studies may
further the field of Molecular Toxicology should be provided
(approximately 1 page).
The oral examination of the written
proposal will allow the Thesis Committee to fully evaluate the ability
of the student to discuss the subject matter in a scholarly fashion. The
student must be able to defend the validity and importance of the
proposed research as well as the experimental approaches taken. The oral
qualifying examination also provides the Thesis Committee the
opportunity to specifically address perceived weaknesses in the
student’s educational background as well as evaluate the student’s
communication skills. Thus, it is expected that students will be able to
both write about and verbally discuss his/her research proposal and
experiments in a manner commensurate with someone receiving a Ph.D. in
Molecular Toxicology.
After successful completion of both the oral and the written qualifying
examinations, the student will advance to candidacy.
Dissertation
A dissertation based on original research
is required. The dissertation must be written in the format approved by
UCLA. As a general guideline, the dissertation should consist of
research equivalent to at least two peer-reviewed publications in
reputable journals in the field.
Final examination
A final defense of the Ph.D. thesis will
be required.
Normative time from matriculation to
degree
Students who fail to complete the
dissertation within 18 quarters will have their record evaluated to
determine if an extension of time is warranted. If an extension is
granted, the student will be carefully monitored to make sure the
dissertation is completed within the additional time allowed.
