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

(Spring 2009, 2011, 2013)

 46:219 Analytical Biochemistry (3) (Rice)

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

(Spring 2009, 2011, 2013)

 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.

(Spring 2010, 2012, 2014)

 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 2010, 2012, 2014)

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

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

(Fall 2010, 2012, 2014)

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.

046:209 Drug Discovery and Mechanisms (3) (Roman)

Examination of the development and implementation of current methods in modern drug discovery, with particular focus on high throughput screening.

*Physical Chemistry or Biophysics (3-6)

http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/LiberalArtsandSciences/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/medicine/pharmacology/

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.

*Molecular Physiology or Biology Equivalent (3)

http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/medicine/molecularphysiologyandbiophysics/

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/medicine/biochemistry/

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/liberalartsandsciences/chemistry/

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.

Suggested Courses

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=650&ccc=270&sss=001&session=20093

Students complete a four-hour orientation workshop to introduce principles of scholarly integrity.  Course completion requires participation in eight, 90-minute topical workshops over four semesters.  Small groups will discuss topics focusing on issues of student/mentor responsibilities for the pursuit of scholarly work (ownership, authorship, plagiarism/falsification/fabrication of data); the student/mentor relationship and promoting an intellectual dialogue (communication, collaboration, grievance management); and student responsibilities involving the institution, the scholarly community, and society (intellectual property, conflict of interest, fiscal responsibilities, human/animal subjects).

156:201

Fundamentals of Gene Expression (1)

https://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=156&ccc=201&sss=001&session=20093

This course will cover topics of DNA and RNA structure, nuclear organization, DNA replication, RNA production and processing, small RNAs, RNAi and genetic and epigenetic regulation. Instruction will include didactic and small group sessions, with discussion of primary research publications.

The Thursday class is a weekly course review session with the TA.

156:202

Fundamentals of Protein Regulation (1)

https://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=156&ccc=202&sss=001&session=20093

This course will cover topics of protein structure, purification, analysis, production, post-translation modification and cellular trafficking.  Instruction will include didactic and small group sessions, with discussion of primary research publications.

156:203

Fundamentals of Dynamic Cell Processes (1)

https://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=156&ccc=203&sss=001&session=20093

This course will give an overview of the following topics: actin, microtubules, motors, intermdiate filaments, cell-cell junctions, G-coupled signaling, wnt-jak/stat signaling, ion channels, cell cycle, and stem cells.

004:172
Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=004&ccc=172&sss=001&session=20093

004:203 Organometallic Chemistry (3)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=004&ccc=203&sss=001

Emphasis on organometallic compounds of transition metal elements.
Prerequisites: 004:170.

004:221 Spectroscopic Methods in Organic Chem (3)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=004&ccc=221&sss=001&session=20088

This course covers the most commonly used spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques in organic structure elucidation, with the exception of X-ray crystallography.  The vast majority of course time is devoted to NMR and MS methods, their practical applications, and interpretation of data generated using these techniques.

Prerequisites: 004:132

004:228
Mechanisms of Organic Reactions
(3)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=004&ccc=228&sss=001&session=20093

This course covers various aspects of the kinetics and mechanisms of organic reactions. Specific topics include electron pushing, elementary reaction kinetics and transition state theory, mechanisms of proton transfer reactions, isotope effects, linear free energy relationships, carbonyl addition and substitution reactions, pericyclic reactions, and photochemistry.

Prerequisites: 004:172

004:229
Advanced Organic Synthesis (3)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=004&ccc=229&sss=001&session=20088

Applications of modern asymmetric synthesis methods to the planning and critical evaluation of synthetic routes to complex organic compounds.  Retrosynthetic analysis serves as a unifying theme, and tools for understanding mechanisms of regio- and stereoselectivity are introduced.

004:275 Perspectives in Biocatalysis (1-3)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=004&ccc=275&sss=001&session=20088

Topics include applied enzymology, protein design, structure-activity relationships, biosensor technology, microbial transformations, and biodegradation of environmental pollutants. Same as: 046:275, 052:275, 053:275, 061:275, 099:275.

060:204
Survival Skills for a Research Career (1)

061:201
Graduate Immunology I (3)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=061&ccc=267&sss=002&session=20093

Basic physical, chemical, biological properties of animal viruses, their association with human diseases; optional laboratory with emphasis on methods in basic, clinical, and molecular virology; discussion topics in the primary literature. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 061:157 or equivalent. Offered Fall semester only.

For 3 s.h. credit, register for Dis 001 for 3 s.h. Lec 00A will be added automatically. For 5 s.h. credit, register for L-D 002 for 5 s.h. Lec 00A will be added automatically.

Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in 061:157 or equivalent.

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=071&ccc=135&sss=001&session=20088

No detailed description is provided. Prerequisites: None.

071:182

Neurotransmitter Receptors & Ion Channels (3)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=071&ccc=182&sss=001&session=20088

No detailed description is provided. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

071:204

Pharmacology Seminar (1)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=071&ccc=204&sss=001&session=20088

No detailed description is provided. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

071:210

Special Topics in Pharmacology

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=071&ccc=210&sss= &session=20088

No detailed description is provided. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

071:250

Adv Prob Solving in Pharmacol Sciences (1)

No detailed description is provided. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

072:153

Graduate Physiology (4)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=072&ccc=153&sss=A01&session=20093

The 72:153 topics will include analysis of traffic through the secretory pathway, lipids in membranes and diseases caused by protein delivery problems.  G-protein coupled receptors will be considered both in the context of normal cellular function and disease.  Molecular and cellular analysis of muscle function will be discussed for skeletal and cardiac tissue.  Synthesis, secretion and action of hormones will be described.  The goal of this section of the course is to give students an appreciation of the range and power of modern Physiological research and how it explains tissue and organ function.Prerequisites: grades of C- or higher in 002:010, 004:121, and 004:122.

099:120 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I (3)

099:130 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II (3)

099:226 Enzyme Kinetics and Bioorganic Mechanisms (2)

099:237
Topics in Biochemistry & Molec Biology (1)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=099&ccc=237&sss=001&session=20093

Current topics in transcriptional regulation, chromatin structure and function, cell signaling pathways, regulation of development, molecular mechanisms of disease. Repeatable.

Prerequisite:  156:201 or consent of instructor.

099:238
Topics in Biophysical Chemistry (1-2)

http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/details.page?ddd=099&ccc=238&sss=001&session=20088

Current topics in structure and function of membranes or proteins; DNA-protein interactions; computational biochemistry; application of NMR, X-ray diffraction, calorimetry, or spectroscopy. Repeatable.

Prerequisite: 099:241 or 099:242 or consent of instructor.

099:241 Biophysical Chemistry I (3)

099:242 Biophysical Chemistry II (3)

132:180 Fundamental Neurobiology
(3)

132:235 Neurobiology of Disease (3)

142:215 Molecular Biology of Gene Expression (3)

175:265 Advanced Toxicology (4)

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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