Web Site of the Department

Head of Department: Koyas Bilge

Professors: Nazli Basak, Nes'e Bilgin, Koyas Bilge, Hande Caglayan, Ahmet Koman, Aslihan Tolun

Associate Professors: Ender Altiok*, Nesrin Ozoren, Muge Turet Sayar

Assistant Professors: Esra Battaloglu, Necla Birgül-Iyison, Arzu Celik

Instructors: Sahru Yuksel

*Part-time

The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics was founded in 1977 as the first molecular biology department in the country and since then has expanded to include many areas of biology. Besides the undergraduate program, the department now offers graduate degrees at the masters and Ph.D. levels. All faculty are active in research and teaching and place great emphasis on student participation both in class and in research activities. The students gain a solid foundation in biology through lecture and laboratory courses and practical experience by taking part in research projects. The department's aim is to prepare students for a promising future in research, and as a result, a large percentage of graduates pursue graduate studies in the country and abroad.

In the first two undergraduate years, core courses (mathematics, physics, chemistry, introductory biology) provide a strong scientific background upon which to build. In the third and fourth years, students combine required courses in biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, genetics and laboratory techniques with electives in specialized topics, such as developmental biology, plant genetics, human genetics and immunology. Double-major programs with the physics and chemistry departments are available.

The research interests are diverse. Human genetics is the focus of half of the research groups, and in our laboratories, research involving novel human genes and genetic diagnosis was the first to be initiated in the country. Some of the genetic diseases currently under study include neuromuscular diseases, thalassemias, hemophilias, and cystic fibrosis. The research of other faculty members includes unraveling the mechanisms of translation, understanding the development of the retina, the molecular basis of egg development, transcriptional regulation, and plant genetics.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

TOTAL: 151 credits.

* Physics courses are one of the three series:
Phys 101, Phys 130, Phys 201;
Phys 101, Phys 102, Phys 201, Phys 202;
Phys 121, Phys 201, Phys 202.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BIO 101 General Biology I (Genel Biyoloji I) (3+0+0) 3
Atomic basis of life and biomolecules; cell structure and function; cell metabolism; movement of materials across membranes; photosynthesis, fermentation and respiration; cell division; Mendelian genetics; molecular basis of genetics; control of gene expression; recombinant DNA technology; human genetics; mechanisms and evidence of evolution; the origin and history of life.

BIO 103 General Biology Lab. (Genel Biyoloji Laboratuvari) (0+0+2) 1
Introduction to basic laboratory practices and techniques. Preparation of solutions and performing relevant calculations, use of the light microscope to examine a variety of prepared slides, dissection of a vertebrate and invertebrate organism.
Corequisite: BIO 101.

BIO 104 General Biology II (Genel Biyoloji II) (3+0+0) 3
Classification, characteristics, and structure of viruses. Kingdoms of Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia; population and community ecology and ecosystems.

BIO 113 Human Physiology and Anatomy (3+0+0) 3
(Insan Fizyolojisi ve Anatomisi)
Human anatomy and physiology including the development through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Developmental abnormalities and their concequences in later years.

BIO 121 Introduction to Cell Biology (Hücre Biyolojisine Giris) (3+0+0) 3
Biochemistry of the cell; cell structure and function; photosynthesis and respiration; cytokinesis; mitosis and meiosis, principles of heredity; genes and chromosomes; molecular basis of inheritance; recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering.

BIO 122 Prelude to Molecular Biology (Moleculer Biyolojiye Giris) (1+0+0) 1
Historical development of molecular biology. Introduction to current topics in the field, such as biotechnology, cloning, gene therapy. Presentations on the current research projects in the department.

BIO 152 Introduction to Modern Biology (Modern Biyolojiye Giris) (3+0+0) 3
Origin and characteristics of life; biological macromolecules; eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure; membrane structure and function; cytokinesis, mitosis and meiosis; genes, chromosomes and heredity; homeostatic control mechanisms; nervous system; conscious brain and behavior; sensory system; endocrine system.

BIO 165 Introduction to Computer Usage (2+2+2) 3
(Bilgisayar Kullanimina Giris)
Computer systems use of peripherals and graphical user interfaces, scientific word processing (via WORD, WORD PERFECT or LATEX) Tabulation, spreadsheet (via EXCEL or PARADOX), graphical presentations, electronic mail and information retrieval systems (Internet), rudiments of programming.

BIO 241 Cell Biology (Hucre Biyolojisi) (3+0+2) 4
Evolution of the cell; conditions of primitive earth and formation of the protocell; discovering the cell structure and importance of cellular organization; cellular organelles; structure and function of cellular membranes; DNA packaging; nucleus; aerobic respiration and mitochondria; photosynthesis and chloroplast; cytoskeletal structure of the cell; extracellular structure and cell matrix; cellular signaling and cancer.
Prerequisite: BIO 101.

BIO 252 Genetics (Genetik) (3+0+2) 4
Mendelian genetics and its applications; chromosomes and heredity; genetic linkage; extranuclear inheritance; population genetics.

BIO 301 Biochemistry I (Biyokimya I) (4+0+0) 4
Molecules of life; structure and function of proteins; nucleic acids; DNA as genetic material; flow of genetic information; enzymes; membrane structure and dynamics; membrane channels and pumps.

BIO 302 Biochemistry II (Biyokimya II) (3+0+0) 3
Catabolism and generation of phosphate bond energy; glycolysis; TCA cycle; oxidative phosphorylation; oxidation of fatty acids and oxidative degradation of amino acids; photosynthesis; biosynthesis of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides.
Prerequisite: BIO 301.

BIO 305 Practical Applications in Biochemistry and Genetics (1+0+3) 2
(Biyokimya ve Genetikte Laboratuvar Uygulamalari)
pH and amino acids; principles of chromatography; absorption spectroscopy; quantitative determination of proteins; nucleic acids and their absorption properties; determination of concentration and purity of nucleic acids; determination of mutation rate.
Prerequisite: BIO 301 or can be taken concurrently.

BIO 306 Practical Applications in Biochemical Techniques (1+0+3) 2
(Biyokimya Tekniklerinde Laboratuvar Uygulamalari)
Microscopy techniques; effects of chemical agents on DNA structure; protein extraction; protein purification by exclusion chromatography and identification on SDS-PAGE gels; quantitative protein assays; determination of serum cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
Prerequisite: BIO 302 or can be taken concurrently.

BIO 332 Techniques in Biological Research (3+0+0) 3
(Biyolojide Arastirma Teknikleri)
Light and electron microscopy; spectrophotometric techniques (UV and visible absorption spectroscopy); chromatographic techniques; centrifugation; electrophoresis, enzyme assays; use of radioisotopes in biological research
Prerequisite: BIO 241.

BIO 342 Physiology I (Fizyoloji I) (3+0+2) 4
Homeostatic mechanisms; cellular communication; membrane potential; neural physiology; central nervous system; peripheral nervous system; special senses; principles of endocrinology and central endocrine organs; muscle physiology; control of body movement; consciousness and behavior.
Prerequisite: BIO 241.

BIO 351 Microbiology (Mikrobiyoloji) (3+0+2) 4
Structure, growth and physiology of microorganisms; classification of bacteria; diverse activities of bacteria; interaction of various bacterial species with their environment; viruses; microbial pathogenicity; exploitation of microorganisms by man.

BIO 353 Molecular Genetics (Molekuler Genetik) (4+0+0) 4
Chemistry of the gene; DNA replication and recombination; transcription; translation; mutation; transposable elements; genetics of bacteria and phages; gene cloning and manipulation.
Prerequisite: BIO 241, BIO 252.

BIO 401 Molecular Biology I (Moleküler Biyoloji I) (4+0+0) 4
Evolution of the cell; the cell nucleus; control of gene expression; cell signaling; the cytoskeleton; the cell-division cycle; the mechanics of cell division.
Prerequisite: BIO 353.

BIO 402 Molecular Biology II (Molekuler Biyoloji II) (4+0+0) 4
Cell junctions; cell adhesion and the extracellular matrix; germ cells and fertilization; cellular mechanisms of development; differentiated cells and the maintenance of tissues; the immune system; cancer.
Prerequisite: BIO 401.

BIO 407 Seminar (Seminer) (1+0+0) 1
A literature survey prepared and presented by students in various fields of molecular biology.
Prerequisite: BIO 353.

BIO 409 Molecular Biology Lab I (Moleküler Biyoloji Laboratuvari I) (1+0+5) 3
Extraction and quantitative analysis of DNA; DNA sequencing; PCR-SSCP (polymerase Chain Reaction - Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism) as a screening technique; Southern blotting; cloning in a bacterial system.
Prerequisites: BIO 353; BIO 305 or 306.

BIO 410 Molecular Biology Lab II (Molekuler Biyoloji Laboratuvari II) (1+0+5) 3
Extraction of genomic DNA from human blood cells; the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its applications; methods for detecting DNA mutations.
Prerequisite: BIO 409.

BIO 421 Physical Biochemistry (Fiziksel Biokimya) (3+0+2) 4
Biochemical thermodynamics; bioenergetics; sedimentation; radioactivity and use of isotopes in biology; ligand binding; reassociation kinetics.

BIO 422 Biophysics (Biofizik) (3+0+0) 3
Physical tools in biology: Circular dichroism, optical rotatory dispersion, UV and visible absorption spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, scattering, NMR, ESR, Raman spectroscopy; membrane potential; excitation; neurobiophysics.

BIO 424 Enzyme Catalysis and Kinetics (Enzim Katalizi ve Kinetigi) (3+0+0) 3
Principles of enzyme catalysis; transition state theory; basic equations of enzyme kinetics; steady-state and pre-steady state kinetics; irreversible and reversible enzyme inhibition; enzymatic rate constants, rate determining processes; practical methods to determine kinetics and equilibriums; determination of intermediates in enzymatic reactions; usage of binding energy in catalysis; enzyme specificity and accuracy; editing or proofreading mechanism; cost of accuracy in enzymatic reactions.

BIO 443 Physiology II (Fizyoloji II) (3+0+0) 3
Circulation (blood, heart, basic principles of ECG); respiration; the kidneys, regulation of water and inorganic ions; the digestion and absorption of food; regulation of organic metabolism; growth and energy balance; reproduction; defense mechanisms of the body.

BIO 460 Developmental Biology (Gelisim Biolojisi) (3+0+0) 3
Patterns of development; mechanisms of cellular differentiation; specification of cell fate and embryonic axes; cellular interactions during organ formation.

BIO 470 Genetic Disorders (Genetic Hastaliklar) (3+0+0) 3
Genetic basis of inherited disorders; identification and characterization of novel genes; multifactorial disorders; molecular diagnosis; gene therapy.

BIO 475 Plant Molecular Biology ad Genetics (3+0+0) 3
(Bitki Molekuler Biyoloji ve Genetigi)
Structures of nuclear and cytoplasmic genomes, gene transfer techniques, gene expression and regulation in flowering plant development, transgenic plants and their use in biotechnology.

BIO 480-499 Special Topics in Molecular Biology and Genetics (3+0+0) 3
(Molekuler Biyoloji ve Genetikte Ozel Konular)

BIO 491 Special Project I (Ozel Proje I) (1+0+5) 3
Designed for individual students to carry out laboratory research projects under the supervision of a faculty member. A written final report is required.
Prerequisite: BIO 353.

BIO 492 Special Project II (Ozel Proje II) (1+0+5) 3
Also designed for individual students to carry out laboratory research projects under the supervision of a faculty member. A written final report is required.
Prerequisite: BIO 353.

Web Site of the Department

BU Main Page - Academics - Administration - Admissions - Students - Research - Library - Services

Contact Information Bogazici University 34342 Bebek, Istanbul Tel: 0212 359 54 00