Creighton University

COURSES (see course bulletin descriptions below).

1. Graduate Courses in the Department of Pharmacology

2. Graduate Courses in Other Departments

With permission from their supervisor, students in the program may also enroll in graduate courses offered by other departments. Please find listed below examples of courses offered by other departments that may be relevant to the Ph. D. degree program.

Biomedical Sciences

Medical Microbiology:

 This required course for students in the graduate programs at Creighton University is designed to introduce fundamental concepts, principles and guidelines regarding scientific integrity in biomedical research.  Through readings, lectures and case discussion students are given an opportunity to reflect on ways in which they can help foster and maintain responsible conduct in resarch.  They also become acquanited with existing regulations, guidelines, ethical themes and on-line resources regarding the ethics of their profession.

 Chemistry:

GRADUATE BULLETIN DESCRIPTION OF COURSES

PHR 631 Medical Pharmacology I (5)

A comprehensive coverage of the major drug groups and their mechanisms. The emphasis is on human pharmacology and the rational basis for therapeutics. Specific drug classes will be discussed with emphasis on mechanism of action, organ systems affected by the drugs, their pharmacokinetics, therapeutic indications, untoward effects, contraindications and drug-drug interactions. P: BMS 301; BMS 404; CO: MIC 141.

PHR 632 Medical Pharmacology II (5)

Continuation of PHR 632. P: PHR 632.  
 

Graduate Courses in the Department of Pharmacology

PHR 537 Rational Drug Design and Discovery (2)

Scientific basis for the rational design and development of new drug molecules. Discussion of drug-receptor theory, structure activity relationships, and specific examples of the design of new drugs. P: DC.

PHR 723 Drug Metabolism and Disposition (2)

An in-depth consideration of the various factors which influence the metabolism and disposition of drugs and foreign elements. The influence of physiological factors, physico-chemical factors, genetic factors, pathological factors, inducers, activators, inhibitors, co-oxidation, regioselectivity and stereoselectivity on drug metabolism will be addressed. The importance of various cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes and their metabolic specificities will be considered. P: DC.

PHR 711 Receptor and Molecular Pharmacology (3)

Exhaustive treatment of receptor and molecular pharmacology that considers historical development of concepts, radioligand receptor binding, drug-receptor interactions, receptor characterization and isolation, and signal transduction. P: PHS 601; BCH 600 or DC.

PHR 715 Advanced Pharmacology (3)

Discussion of recent advances in the pharmacology of cardiovascular, autonomic and central nervous systems. Comprehensive review of drug classes including discussions on possible mechanisms by which drugs produce functional effects in these systems. P: Gr. stdg.; PHR 631; or DC

PHR 717 Molecular Biology in Pharmacology (2)

A survey course in molecular biology and relevant techniques. The course is geared to pharmacologists and others in medical and scientific fields seeking fundamental knowledge of this area. The goal is to provide an understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of molecular biology for use in research. P: DC.

PHR 790 Research Methods in Pharmacology (1-5)

Laboratory rotations in which graduate students perform or observe methods used in pharmacological research. The value of the method and its application to the research efforts of the pharmacology faculty are described in detail. P: DC.

PHR 595 Directed Independent Study (1-5)

Supervised independent projects that may include laboratory work, assigned readings, research papers, etc. Available in autonomic pharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, exocrine pharmacology, and neuropharmacology. P: Undergraduate or graduate stdg. and DC.

PHR 597 Directed Independent Study (1-5)

Supervised independent research for motivated students to become involved in ongoing original research projects of the pharmacology faculty. P: Undergraduate or graduate stdg. and DC.
 

PHR 791 Pharmacology Seminar (1)

Seminar in selected subjects for pharmacology graduate students. P: DC

Graduate Courses in Other Departments

Biomedical Sciences:

BMS 603 Cell Biology (4)

Detailed consideration of the functional aspects of cell biology, with an emphasis on eukaryotic cells. Topics include signal transduction, neuronal cell biology, synthesis, transport and processing of secretory proteins, extracellular matrix proteins , cell adhesion, cytoskeleton. P: IC.

BMS 604 Molecular Biology (4)

Detailed consideration of the structure, function and synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins, focusing on the eukaryotic cell. Topics include DNA structures, transcription, translation, replication, recombinant DNA technology, eukaryotic viruses and the control of cellular differentiation in normal and pathophysiology states such as cancer. Emphasis will be given to the most current advances. P: IC.

BMS 605 Molecular Endocrinology (3)

Study of the function of endocrine glands at the organismal, cellular and molecular level. 3C & D. P: BMS 601 or equiv. or IC.

BMS 606 Proteins: Structure-Function Relationships (4)

Topics covered include primary structure, principles of secondary and tertiary structures, enzyme kinetics, chemical modifications and their effects, protein-protein interactions, protein complementation and prediction of conformation. Presentation and model building by students are integral parts of this course. 4R.. P: BMS 521 or 600 or equiv.

BMS 607 Enzymes (4)

Classification and properties of enzymes, kinetics, activators and inhibitors. Study of selected enzymes to demonstrate general principles. 3R. P: BMS 521 or 600 or equiv. and BMS 606.

BMS 608 Peptide Chemistry (4)

A detailed study of the theoretical and practical aspects of peptide synthesis, isolation, purification and structure. P: IC and BMS 521 or BMS 600 or equiv.

BMS 609 Biochemistry of Lipids (4)

Systematic study of the structure and function of lipids and steroids in biological systems. Topics include identification, biosynthesis and function of lipids in membrane structure, as metabolic fuel and as regulators of metabolism. 3R. P: BMS 521 or 600.

BMS 610 The Carbohydrates (3)

Structure, function and metabolism of carbohydrate-containing macromolecules. P: IC.

Medical Microbiology:

MIC 615 Medical Microbiology and Immunology (5)

Basic instruction in the biology of microorganisms, host-parasite relationships, infectious diseases, immunobiology and immunopathology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, mycology, molecular genetics, and antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy. Required of all graduate students. 5R&L arr.

MIC 739 Microbial Physiology (4)

Study of molecular and sub-cellular processes in microorganisms. Includes molecular structure and function, cell division, synthesis of macromolecules, and metabolism. 4R. L arr. P: IC.

MIC 753 Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (4)

Chemistry, pharmacology, and biology of antibiotic substances and their use in therapy of infectious diseases. P: MIC 615 or IC.

MIC 727 Methods in Medical Microbiology and Immunology (3)

Study of modern methods of bioinstrumentation as related to medical microbiology. Laboratory and group discussion dealing with the assay of bacterial components and bioactive products.

MIC 746 Advanced Immunology (3)

Lectures and conferences providing a coordinated and detailed account of current immunology at an advanced level. Students will be expected to familiarize themselves with the original literature, and emphasis will be given to the more rapidly progressing areas. 3R&L arr. P: MIC 543 or IC.

Chemistry

CHM 501 Inorganic Chemistry I (2)

Relation of atomic and molecular structure to chemical and physical properties. Periodicity and descriptive chemistry of inorganic classes and groups. Topics covered include group theory, MO theory, molecular and ionic structures, redox reactions, acid/base theories, and coordination compounds. Laboratory (3 hours weekly); descriptive inorganic chemistry. P: CHM 331.

CHM 502 Inorganic Chemistry II (2)

Additional topics in inorganic chemistry. Emphasis on organometallic chemistry of transition metals, molecular binding, synthesis and chemical reactivities of inorganic and organometallic compounds. P: CHM 501.

CHM 506 Environmental Chemistry and Natural Resources (3)

The nature, identification, and quantitative determination of air and water pollutants. Study of natural resources and energy production. Topics covered include the atmosphere, ozone, the troposphere, natural water, acid rain, drinking water, metals, organochlorine compounds and waste management. P: CHM 208 or DC.

CHM 521 Synthetic Organic Methods (3)

A contemporary survey of the analysis, design, and execution of new methods and innovative total synthesis in organic chemistry. Approaches and techniques for critical reading, discussion, and application of the literature of organic chemistry will be introduced and developed. P: CHM 323.

CHM 523 Bioorganic Chemistry (3)

A survey of current topics at the boundary between organic chemistry and biology, with emphasis on the role of organic reactions in biological systems. The current chemical literature will serve as source material for study and discussion. P: CHM 323.

CHM 524 Advanced Techniques in Organic Chemistry (3)

Advanced techniques in organic and inorganic chemistry with emphasis on synthetic methods. Introduction to the literature of chemistry. Development of skills in information-finding through manual and computer-assisted searches. 1R, 6L. P: CHM 323 & 324.

CHM 525 Organic Spectroscopic Analysis (3)

A study of infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C and ¹H), ultraviolet, and mass spectrometry. The principles of spectrometry are treated along with principles of operation of each technique and the use of each method in the elucidation of molecular structure. P: CHM 323.