List of Courses Proposed for the Program

The courses supporting this program are grouped into eight categories as follows. The numbers following each course title have the following significance: a-b-c, where a = number of laboratory hours per week, b = number of lecture meetings per week, and c = number of semester credit hours.

Core Courses

MSNT 502, 504, and MSNT 505 or 521 (depending on the student’s area of emphasis) are required courses for all students. All students in the program must also choose between Research & Thesis (MSNT 551) or Practicum (MSNT 549).



Molecular Science & Nanotechnology Courses

MSNT 502: Research Methods 0-3-3. An introduction to basic methods used in scientific research, including formulation of problems, literature search, proposal preparation, and communication of research findings. (Fall)
MSNT 503: Topics in Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology 1-3 credit hours (6). Independent study of topics arranged to meet the needs of the student.
MSNT 504: Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology Seminar 0-1-1 (3). Supervised organization and presentation of topics from literature and the student’s own research.
MSNT 505: Nanotechnology Principles 0-3-3. Fundamentals of nanotechnology, emphasizing the basic principles, materials, fabrication, measurement, and applications of nanotechnology. (Spring).
MSNT 521: Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology 0-3-3. Principles of cell and molecular biology, including molecular structure and function, cellular processes, bioenergetics, and regulation of metabolism. (Winter)
MSNT 549: Practicum in Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology (*) 0-3-3. Preq. 12 semester hours of graduate work. Thorough study of a problem in the area of molecular sciences and nanotechnology. A survey of the relevant literature and a formal written report are required. (pass/fail)
MSNT 551: Research and Thesis in Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology (*) 0-3-3 (6). Preq. 12 semester hours of graduate work. Research leading to an acceptable thesis and an oral presentation of research findings. (pass/fail)



Analytical Chemistry

CHEM 466: Instrumental Analysis 8½-2-4. Theory and practice of optical methods of analysis, advanced electrochemical techniques, and advanced separation methods. (Winter 2002)
CHEM 563: Advanced Analytical Chemistry 0-3-3. Theoretical aspects of optical, chemical, and separation techniques of analytical chemistry. (Spring 1997)
CHEM 564: Selected Topics in Analytical Chemistry 0-3-3. The topic or topics will be selected in the general areas of chemical separations or spectroscopy by the instructor. (Spring 2001)



Biochemistry

CHEM 555: Special Topics in Biochemistry 0-3-3 (9). Topics covered will vary and may include toxicology and clinical biochemistry.
CHEM 556: Protein Chemistry 0-3-3. The chemical nature and physiology of both structural and metabolic proteins.



Inorganic Chemistry & Materials Science

CHEM 523: Nanofabrication by Self-Assembly 0-3-3. Principles and techniques for self-assembly of films and structures on the nanometer scale. Topics covered will include macromolecules, biological membranes, protein multilayers, Langmuir-Blodgett, thiol, silane and layer-by-layer self-assembly techniques, nanocapsules, bio/nanoreactors, fullerenes and nanotubules, fluorescent nanosensors, electrochemical polymerizations deposition. (Spring)
CHEM 584: Chemistry of Coordination Compounds 0-3-3. A study of the structure, preparation, and properties of coordination compounds.
CHEM 586: Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry 0-3-3. A topic will be selected on a rotating basis from the following: magnetic and electric properties, solid state structures, catalysis, and group theory applications in inorganic materials.
PHYS 512: Solid State Physics 0-3-3. An advanced treatment of the structure and the thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solid materials.



Molecular Biology

BISC 504: Advanced Microbial Physiology-I 3-3-4. An advanced course on the physiology of bacteria, including bacterial growth and variation, cytology, nutrition, respiration, and temperature effects.
BISC 508: Graduate Bacterial Gentics 3-2-3. Regulation of gene expression, DNA transfer, mutations, and molecular tools in genome analysis.
BISC 512: Advanced Immunology 6-1-3. An advanced study of the activities of antigens and antibodies.
BISC 522: Graduate Molecular Biology 0-3-3. Emphasis on protein structure and function, DNA and RNA, replication, transcription, translation, and control of gene expression. Molecular techniques including transformation, plasmids, PCR, and blotting.
BISC 535: Current Topics in Biological Sciences 0-1-1 (4). An interactive discussion of current issues and problems in biological sciences. May be repeated for credit with change of course content.
BISC 562: Graduate Virologyy 3-2-3. Intermediate and advanced concepts related to virology, with emphasis on virus nomenclature, structure, taxonomy, replication, and the consequences of virus infections in organisms and populations.
BISC5 87: Graduate Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Diseases 4-3-4. The Molecular mechanisms and clinical impacts of bacterial virulence factors, including host-bacteria interactions during infections.
BISC 590: Graduate Microscopy Techniques 0-3-3. Theory and techniques necessary for microscopy and histological studies. (new course)
BISC 591: Graduate PCR Methods and Applications 0-3-3. DNA and RNA extraction and analysis techniques, including real-time approaches for gene expression studies.
BISC 592: Graduate Protein Analysis 3-2-3. Laboratory methods used for protein analysis. Techniques include protein extraction and quantification, polyacrylamide electrophoresis, and blotting.



Micro/Nano Scale Systems

MSE 501: Fundamentals of Microfabrication Processes 0-3-3. Fundamentals of Microsystems, emphasizing the basic principles, materials, fabrication, measurement, and applications of microsystems. (Fall)
MSE 502: Microsystems Principles 0-3-3. Fundamentals of microfabrication processes for the realization of microelectromechanical and microelectronic devices. (Winter)
MSE 504: Advanced Materials for Micro/Nano Devices and Systems 0-3-3. Preq. MSE 501. Fundamentals of advanced materials used for the realization of micro/nano devices and systems, emphasizing the properties and characteristics of various materials.
MSE 506: Micro/Nano Scale Materials, Measurements, and Analysis 0-3-3. Fundamentals of micro/nano scale materials, measurements, and analysis, based on modern techniques.



Organic Chemistry

CHEM 501: Physical Organic Chemistry 0-3-3. An advanced study of the mechanisms of organic reactions, the methodology used in their investigations, and organic quantum chemistry.
CHEM 502: Selected Topics in Organic Chemistry 0-3-3 (6). Areas covered will vary; however they will generally include advanced organic synthesis and related structure identification with emphasis on spectroscopic techniques.



Physical Chemistry

CHEM 520: Molecular Spectroscopy 0-3-3. The relationship between molecular spectra and molecular structure.
CHEM 523: Special Topics in Physical Chemistry 0-3-3. Topics will vary and will include kinetic theory of gases, molecular structure, phase rule, photochemistry, nuclear chemistry, chemical kinetics, or statistical thermodynamics.
CHEM 524: Quantum Chemistry 0-3-3. Physical and chemical applications of quantum theory, and applications of computational chemistry software packages.



New Molecular Science & Nanotechnology Courses under development

Physical Methods in Biochemistry and Biology 0-3-3. A survey of physical methods such as various forms of spectroscopy and microscopy for the analysis of biological systems.

Biological Thermodynamics 0-3-3. Considers the most general area of science and engineering from the physical biochemist's viewpoint. Topics include cell energetics, protein thermodynamics, hormone-receptor binding, polymerase chain reaction, relationship between biological information and Shannon information theory, origin of life, and measurement of thermodynamic quantities.

Molecular Modeling and Molecular Dynamics of Macromolecules 0-3-3. An introduction to computational modeling of the structure, energetics, and dynamics of large molecules of biological relevance.

Topics in Molecular Biophysics 0-3-3. Covers timely topics in molecular biophysics, emphasizing principles of the structure and function of biological macromolecules, particularly DNA and proteins, and principles of macrmolecular engineering, particularly as these relate to recent scientific discoveries and ongoing research and development at Louisiana Tech.

Biomaterials 4¼-2-3 Biological and biomedical applications of polymers, metals, ceramics, composites, and other materials, including materials characterization and analysis.