Elective Courses

Pathology and Microbiology (PAMM) electives

PAMM 830. Clinical Laboratory Management I  
This course introduces the theory, practical application and evaluation of laboratory management principles in health care and laboratory information systems, research, educational methodology, quality control, ethics, laboratory operations, and laboratory accreditation standards. Opportunities for building critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, professionalism, research, management, and leadership skills are provided.
Credits: 3
Course director: K. Honeycutt
Prereq: Enrolled in MS in PAMM Program focused on CLS training/instructor permission
Offered: Fall (annually)

PAMM 857. Medical Immunology
A study of the basic concepts and mechanisms of modern immunology with discussion of the applications of these principles to the study of diseases.
Credits: 2
Course director: T. McDonald
Prereq: None
Offered: Fall (annually) 

PAMM 871. Antibiotics: Mechanisms of Action and Resistance
This course is designed to give students an in-depth understanding of how antibiotics inhibit growth in bacterial cells. Genetics of the mechanisms of resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics within both gram-negative and -positive bacteria will be covered extensively. In addition, pros and cons of various antimicrobial-resistance testing methodologies will be assessed and discussed.
Credits: 3
Course director: P. Fey
Prereq: None. PAMM 898 (Microbiology) is suggested. Enrollment needs instructor approval.
Offered: Spring (every 2-3 years) 

PAMM 873. Introduction to Computerized Genetic Sequence Analysis
Fundamentals of using online search techniques for the analysis of genetic sequence databases. The course will be taught in UNMC computer clusters by lecture and by the completion of assignments using computer programs available on campus. Programming experience is not required. Also known as Bioc 873.
Credits: 2
Course director: D. Bastola 
Prereq: Intro to Computational Molecular Biology, undergraduate course in biochemistry or molecular biology, or permission of instructor.
Offered: Spring

PAMM 880. Principles and Methodologies in Cancer Research
Also listed as BIOC 841, PHAR 880, or PHSC 880. See BIOC 880 for course description.
3 credits

PAMM 890. The Molecular Biology of Viruses 
The principles of molecular biology and their application to the study of virology will be discussed in seminar format, drawing largely on the current literature. The contributions of virology to the understanding of general mechanisms of pathogenesis will be discussed. 
3 credits

PAMM 898. Bacterial Genetics
This course will cover the principles of bacterial genetics including genome structure, DNA replication and recombination, transcription and translation, as well as quorum sensing and environmental sensing.
3 credits / Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PAMM 902. Protein Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics
This course explores the concept and history of proteomics (2 hrs), basic components of mass spectrometry (4), protein identification and quantification techniques (6), proteomic analysis of post-translational modifications (4 hrs), protein-protein interactions (2 hrs) and cellular organelles (2 hrs) as well as proteomics in medical applications (6) . Laboratory work of identifying cheese proteins using mass spectrometry will be included (6). Course director: SJ Ding, Ph.D.
2 credits / Prereq: BRTP 821 and Instructor Permission Required / Offered in fall (annually)

PAMM 910. Bacterial Pathogenesis
This course explores the genetic mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis in both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as the immunological response of the host to these pathogens. Particular importance will be placed on major pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, pathogenic Escherichia coli, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, lesser studied pathogens will also be discussed.
3 credits / Prerequisite: BRTP 821-824, Permission of instructor.

PAMM 922. Neuroimmunology
Also listed as PHAR 930
The objective of this course is to provide essential knowledge towards a better understanding of the principles of Neuroimmunology and Pharmacology as they apply to the pathogenesis and pharmacotherapeutics of neurodegenerative disorders and disorders in which the immune system is implicated. The course is designed for in depth study of neurobiology, neuroimmunology, neuropharmacology, immunotherapy, and neurodegenerative disorders.  The course is based on the textbook Neuroimmune Pharmacology, edited by Ikezu and Gendelman. This is an essential course for the Neuroscience Track in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience. Course director: Lee Mosley.
3 credits / Prereq: Second semester of 2nd and 3rd year graduate students who have completed BRTP 821/822, 824, and one GCBA Neurobiology course (922 or 932) or M.D./Ph.D. students fully engaged in their graduate studies. A background in immunology, such as a Medical Immunology course is highly recommended / Offered in spring

PAMM 940. Molecular Basis of Human Disease 
Focuses on human biochemical genetics. Following a brief review of genetic principles, well-studied inborn errors of metabolism and development are used to illustrate how genetic variations (e.g. mutations) alter metabolic, developmental, or signaling systems and result in the expressed phenotype. Disease processes are considered in the context of environment and genetic diversity. One-third of the course involves discussion of contemporary literature relevant to diseases for which mechanisms are not yet well understood or only recently elucidated. 
3 credits / Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and BRTP 821 or 822.

PAMM 950 Special Topic Series

PAMM 950B. Special Topics: Protein Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics
This course is designed to teach specific techniques for the MS and MS/MS characterization of peptides and proteins, including proteomics. This course will address fundamental aspects of protein chemistry, sample preparation, mass spectrometry, and sample introduction systems.
2 credits / Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PAMM 950C. Special Topics: Topics in Staphylococcal Biology
This course familiarizes students with known aspects of staphylococcal biology (including Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci) including pathogenesis, metabolism, regulatory pathways, and biofilm. It is designed as a literature and discussion based course.
2 credits / Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PAMM 950D. Special Topics: Virology for the Rest of Us
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to deal with current issues in virology.  Concepts of historical and current challenges in human health involving virology will be introduced and discussed. 
3 credits / Prerequisite: PharmD Medical Microbiology or CPH 623 Infectious Disease Epidemiology or equivalent.

PAMM 955. Advanced Immunobiology 
Conceptual study of cellular and biomolecular immunology. Includes mechanisms of immune recognition, regulatory and effector functions, interleukins and clinical immunology, with discussion of current literature.
3 credits / Prerequisite: Permission of instructor, and BRTP 821, 822, 823, 824 and PAMM 950A.

PAMM 956. Advanced Immunology Laboratory
Techniques of immunology with emphasis on T and B cell identification, studies of lymphokine activities, lymphocyte effector function, monoclonal antibodies, and biotechnology. Lab 4.
2 credits / Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent to PAMM 955.

BIOSTATISTIC (BIOS) & BIOINFORMATICS (BIOI/UNO) ELECTIVES

BIOS 806. Biostatistics I
This course is designed to prepare the graduate student to understand and apply biostatistical methods needed in the design and analysis of biomedical and public health investigations. The major topics to be covered include types of data, descriptive statistics and plots, theoretical distributions, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, and one-way analysis of variance. A brief introduction to correlation and univariate linear regression will also be given. The course is intended for graduate students and health professionals interested in the design and analysis of biomedical or public health studies.
3 credits

BIOI 8866. Bioinformatics Algorithms
The main objective of this course is to provide an organized forum for learning about recent developments in Bioinformatics, particularly, from the algorithmic standpoint. The course will present basic algorithmic concepts in Bioinformatics and show how they are connected to molecular biology and biotechnology. Standard topics in the field such as restriction mapping, motif finding, sequence comparison, and database search will be covered. The course will also address problems like next generation sequencing, DNA arrays, genome rearrangements and biological networks.
3 credits / Prerequisite: CSCI 3320 and BIOL 1450 or permission of instructor.

PAMM 830. Clinical Laboratory Management I  
This course introduces the theory, practical application and evaluation of laboratory management principles in health care and laboratory information systems, research, educational methodology, quality control, ethics, laboratory operations, and laboratory accreditation standards. Opportunities for building critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, professionalism, research, management, and leadership skills are provided.
Credits: 3