Biochemistry is the study of the molecular design of life. In this first module, the molecular structure and function of amino acids and proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids will be reviewed. The mechanisms in which metabolic energy is generated and stored will be discussed, and the integration and regulation of these metabolic pathways will be examined.

Neuroscientists study the nervous system using approaches that range from neurophysiology, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology and cellular and molecular neuroscience to studies of human behavior and brain imaging. Areas of research interests for a Neuroscientist include membrane and synaptic physiology, behavior & learning and clinical aspects of diseases of the nervous system. This last module of the Core Course examines the ways that many of the molecular and cellular events studied earlier in this course are used by the nervous system to accomplish its function, i.e., to detect and process environmental information and then act on that information by eliciting an appropriate response.

The Immunology module of the Core Curriculum will provide first year graduate students in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences with an overview of the immune system, its various components, and its importance to homeostasis in the body. The course will describe how the immune system develops the necessary diversity to protect us against the seemingly endless variety of pathogens that exist, and what can happen when immune system components are dysfunctional or respond inappropriately.

An overview of bioinformatics including the databases and applications that drive the discipline. Students will learn to find, retrieve, and analyze common classes of data. Emphasis in this unit will be on practical skills and preparation to continue keep skill sets fresh in future environments.