MNPC Divisional Courses

Offering Schedule

 46:135 Perspectives in MNPC Research (1) (Staff)

Contemporary research in medicinal chemistry and natural products .

(Fall, every year)

46:211 Total Synthesis of Natural Products (3) (Jin)

Total synthesis of natural products; use of strategies, tactics, efficiency, selectivity, synthetic maneuvering. Consent of instructor required

(Fall 2002, 2004, 2006)

 46:219 Analytical Biochemistry (3) (Rice)

Application of modern chromatographic and detection methods used to isolate, characterize, and quantify drugs and macromolecules.

(Spring 2003, 2005, 2007)

 46:150 Synthetic Strategies (3 ) (Olivo)

Modern chemical methods for construction of carbon-carbon bonds commonly used in synthesis of natural products; strategic disconnections for the syntheses of these molecules.

(Fall 2003, 2005, 2007)

 46:137 Enzymatic Basis of Drug Metabolism (3) (Duffel)

Current literature on catalytic and physical properties, distribution, and substrate specificity of enzymes involved in mammalian drug metabolism.

(Spring 2004, 2006, 2008)

 46:215 Current Medicinal Chemistry (3) (Kerns)

Modern techniques used in drug discovery; important drug classes, their chemical mechanism of action.

(Spring 2004, 2006, 2008)

46:214 Pharmaceutical and Chemical Toxicology (3) (Doorn)

Principles and mechanisms of chemical toxicology related to drugs and environmental agents. Modern methods used to conduct toxicological research.

*Physical Chemistry or Biophysics (3-6)

http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/CollegeofLiberalArtsandSciences/Chemistry.html.

Chemical thermodynamics and its application to chemical equilibrium, phase changes and chemical equilibria; ideal and real gases; kinetic theory; surface absorption and electrochemistry; thermodynamics. Prerequisites: 004:012 or 004:014 or 004:019, and 029:012 or 029:082, and 22M:026 or equivalent.

*Pharmacology or MNPC Equivalent (3-6)

http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/CarverCollegeofMedicine/PharmacologyCourses.html

Principles of pharmacology, toxicology; drug and toxic mechanisms; systemic and organ-specific pharmacologic and toxic responses. Open only to first-year pharmacy students and to graduate students with consent of instructor.

*Physiology or Biology Equivalent (3)

http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/CarverCollegeofMedicine/PhysiologyandBiophysicsCourses.html

Principles of human physiology, organ systems, cell function. Open only to pharmacy students. Offered spring semesters. Consent of course director required. Prerequisites: grades of C- or higher in 002:010, 004:121, and 004:122

*Biochemistry (3)

http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/CollegeofLiberalArtsandSciences/Biochemistry.html

Chemistry, metabolism, molecular biology of living systems. Prerequisites: two semesters of general chemistry, one semester of organic chemistry, and one of the following: a life science course, an additional organic chemistry course, or consent of instructor.

*Organic Chemistry (6)

http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/CollegeofLiberalArtsandSciences/Chemistry.html

Carbon-containing compounds; structure, stereochemistry, physical properties, reactivity, reaction mechanisms, synthesis; emphasis on alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, alkyl halides, aromatics. Prerequisite: 004:012 or 004:014 or 004:019.

004:208 Spectroscopic (3)

https://isis4.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/

004:212 Mass Spectrometry (3)

http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/CollegeofLiberalArtsandSciences/Chemistry.html

Theory and practice of methods and instrumentation used in modern analytical mass spectrometry; emphasis on hardware components such as ionization sources, sample delivery mechanisms, mass analyzers, instrumental interfaces. Prerequisites: 004:111 and 004:112, or 004:171.

004:209 Separations (3)

http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/CollegeofLiberalArtsandSciences/Chemistry.html

004:205 Bioinorganic Chemistry (3)

https://isis4.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/

004:215 Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Imaging (3)

http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/CollegeofLiberalArtsandSciences/Chemistry.html

004:229 Advanced Organic Synthesis (3)

https://isis4.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/

046:148 Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics (3)

https://isis4.uiowa.edu/isis/courses

Kinetics of drug absorption, distribution, and elimination, including development of mathematical models. Prerequisites: two semesters of calculus and one semester of statistics, or consent of instructor.

046:229 Advanced Pharmacokinetics and

Pharmacodynamics (3)

046:275 Perspectives in Biocatalysis

099:120 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I(3)

099:130 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II (3)

099:140 Experimental Biochemistry (4)

099:226 Enzyme Kinetics and Bioorganic Mechanisms (2)

099:241 Biophysical Chemistry I (3)

099:242 Biophysical Chemistry II (3)

071:207 Neuropharmacology

071:209 Receptors and Signal Transduction (3)

072:153 Graduate Physiology (4)

072:220 Cell Biology I (3)

072:225 Cell Biology II (3)

002:171 Molecular Genetics (4)

061:188 Microbial Biotechnology

061:210 Advance Prokaryotic Molecular Biology(3)

061:170 Microbial Genetics (3)

061:260 Microbial Physiology (3)

052:149 Polymer Science and Technology(3)

052:108 Introduction to Biochemical Engineering (3)

052:222 Advanced Biochemical Engineering (3)

052:220 Biotechnology and Extremeophiles (3)

052:280 Engineering Aspects of Animal Cell Culture (3)

Graduate College Requirements: A minimum of 72 credit hours must be completed to satisfy the graduate college requirements. Of these, the Division requires students to complete a minimum of 30 credits of didactic coursework including a 1 credit hour course (650:270) titled “Responsible Conduct in Research”. The remaining 42 credit hours may be elected as either research credits or additional course work. For a complete listing of graduate college requirements and rules review the Manual of Rules and Regulations.

MNPC Seminars: Students will register each semester and be required to give two seminars (one literature based in year two and one final dissertation seminar described below). A separate guideline describes preparation for the literature based seminar (Appendix I).

Comprehensive Pre-Doctoral Exam: Following the completion of two years and a minimum of 24 credits of didactic coursework, students will schedule to take a pre-doctoral comprehensive exam. With the help of their advisor, the student will select a committee of five MNPC Professors that will administer the exam as described in appendix II. Upon completion of the written exam, students will immediately schedule the oral exam and prepare according to the guidelines described in appendix II.

Post comprehensive: After completing the plan of study (at least 72 credit hours) and the comprehensive exam, the students may register for continuous registration for 2 credits per semester until completion of their thesis and defense, typically near the end of year four to five.

Data Session and Thesis Defense: With the help of the division secretary, students will schedule their thesis committee of four MNPC faculty and one external (outside of the College of Pharmacy) member for a data session during years 3 or 4, at a time that is approximately one year prior to their final defense. Data sessions will include a 2 hour progress report to seek the scientific advice and approval of the committee. During these sessions, the student should prepare a brief written summary, present research results and clearly explain the immediate and final goals of their project.

The defense will be a formal public 45 minute presentation, scheduled as a regular MNPC seminar if possible, during which the student will present the details of their thesis research. Following the public presentation the student and thesis committee will meet in a closed door session to ask more detailed questions.

Guidelines for Student Seminars in MNPC

Graduate students are required to register for and attend MNPC seminar each semester. Students attending seminar will register for 1 credit and be graded as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory ("S/U") based on attendance and participation. Students are required to present two seminars during their Ph.D. program. The student should register for 2 credits during either Fall or Spring semester of their second year. A second and final seminar will be given as part of their public defense of the thesis, usually in year four or five.

Prior to the beginning of the second year, the seminar coordinator will convene a meeting of all second-year students. At this meeting the seminar coordinator will review the guidelines with students and direct the student to schedule a tentative date. This date should be considered flexible because of the occasional difficulty in scheduling outside speakers. The seminar coordinator will assign three faculty, including the student's dissertation advisor, to assist the student in selecting a seminar topic, assign grade (A-C) and critique the students performance. All faculty attending the seminar will complete a grade sheet (attached).

The first seminar will be given on a topic unrelated to the student's research. Approximately one month prior to the seminar date, the student should select three potential topics based on three current research articles. The title, reference and a brief summary of the articles will be emailed to the student's seminar committee. The committee will communicate its preference to the student's dissertation advisor who will instruct the student on the preparation of slides and on proper speaking technique.

Students will also prepare a detailed five page double space summary that includes the hypotheses, the major scientific findings, chemical structures or diagrams, a brief conclusion and additional references. The seminar abstract must be distributed to the faculty one week in advance of the seminar presentation and should be distributed to the audience at the time of presentation.

Appendix II

The Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Comprehensive Predoctoral Examination

GENERAL: Comprehensive predoctoral examinations include a written and an oral testing process. This document details aspects of both types of exam.

A. WRITTEN PREDOCTORAL EXAMINATION

1. The examination committee
The examination committee shall serve for both written and oral portions of the predoctoral exam. The committee shall consist of the student's major professor, and four other faculty members from the Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry division. Students shall select the four other members of the examining committee. The final composition of the committee must receive approval of the major professor.

2. Selection of a Proposal Topic Before Taking the Written Exam
Selection of a proposal topic (vide infra) must be completed before the student sits for the written examination.

3. The examination
The written predoctoral exam shall normally be administered twice each year -- during the Spring and Fall semesters. The exam is usually scheduled for Saturday beginning at 8:00 AM and ending at 5:00 PM.

The exam will consist of a total of eight (8) questions submitted by the examining committee. Each question will be worth ten (10) points. Three committee members will submit two questions each, while two committee members will provide one question each for the examination. The major professor shall assign members of the examining committee to prepare one or two questions, and students will be informed of this decision.

Students must answer all questions on the exam. Faculty members will grade their specific questions, and the results will be communicated to the major professor. The results of the exam will be discussed at a meeting of the examining committee as soon as possible -- usually within one week of the exam.

4. Written Exam Results
Students may be recommended for "pass" or "fail". Students passing the written examination may begin the process of assembling a proposal for the oral portion of the predoctoral exam.

Students who fail the written examination may petition to retake the written predoctoral examination at the next regularly scheduled exam time. Upon failing the exam for a second time, a student will no longer be enrolled in the MNPC graduate program.

B. THE ORAL EXAMINATION

For the oral examination, the MNPC Division uses a Proposal Format. The purposes of the oral examination are: to provide a forum in which the student can demonstrate abilities to respond to questions and to "think on her/his feet"; and to provide a didactic experience in the preparation of a scholarly grant proposal.

1. Rules for the NIH-Format Proposal:
Rules governing the construction of the NIH Proposal Format are given below.

a. Writing of the proposal should be started only after the predoctoral written examination has been satisfactorily completed.

b. Students are charged to complete the Proposal and to submit it to the committee within 45 days after completion of the written examination.

c. Proposals should describe a level of quality and quantity of work to be conducted by a Ph.D. in Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry

d. Students failing to submit a Proposal within the 45 day period following completion of the written examination requirement may be required to retake the written examination.

2. Mechanism:

a. Before taking the written predoctoral exam, students will suggest two or three possible Proposal topics to their faculty advisor. The faculty advisor will assist the student in choosing a suitable topic. Selection of the proposal topic should be completed before the student sits for the written examination.

b. Faculty advisors will supply the appropriate NIH grant application forms and instructions, and they should assist the student with regard to budgetary information and mechanical aspects of the Proposal -- but not in any aspect of the substance of the proposal.

c. Proposals must be submitted a minimum of two weeks prior to the proposal defense date.

d. Students will arrange for defense of the Proposal by choosing a date, time and room convenient to the examining committee -- and by informing the examining committee in writing of the examination schedule, and preparing (at least 3 wks in advance) all necessary Graduate College Forms for the Plan of Study and Comprehensive Exam.

e. Upon completion of the oral examination, discussion of good and bad points of the Proposal will be transmitted to the student by the major professor.

3. Format (Written):

Specific instructions for proposal preparation as described in the most recent edition of NIH form PHS 398 must be strictly adhered to. The following modifications to these instructions will apply:

a. pg 2 - DESCRIPTION - This is one of the most important sections of any proposal. The allotted space should be completely filled with a thorough and carefully-written description of the project.

b. Sections of the Proposal are suggested to have the following lengths:

-Specific Aims - 1 page or less
-Background & Significance - 3 pages
-Research Design & Methods - 5-7 pages

c. The proposal should be designed for completion of the proposed work within a two-year project period.

d. The student should assume that he/she is employed as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, and that the facilities and equipment at the University of Iowa are available for her/his use.

e. A detailed budget must be presented according to NIH guidelines. This includes use of the appropriate budgetary percentages for institutional overhead, and fringe benefits.

f. Proposals are considered to be the property of student authors. As such, they will be treated in a confidential manner.

3. Format (Oral):

a. In general, no oral review of the project will be made by the student.

b. Examinations typically last 1.5 - 2 hours.

c. Students may be questioned on any aspect of the Proposal. Subjects for questioning by examining committee members will not necessarily be limited to the Proposal per se.

4. Results of the Oral Exam

After the examination period has been completed, members of the examining committee will meet to determine whether the student has passed or failed. Students passing the examination will be informed by the major professor that he/she has successfully completed the MNPC predoctoral examination.

Students may receive a conditional pass recommendation in which they may be required to redraft all or a portion of the proposal.

Students failing the oral examination may petition to retake the oral examination at a time acceptable to the examining committee but no earlier than four months following the first oral examination. They may be required to rewrite the proposal, or to write a new proposal on a different topic.

Students failing the oral examination twice will not be permitted to enroll further in the MNPC graduate program.

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