Courses
Spring 2010
Histology, BIOL 1890 S01
Instructor: Marjorie E. Thompson, Ph.D
This class will meet Tuesdays, 3:30-6:30 PM on the Pfizer campus beginning on January 26, 2010
Course Description:
This course will provide an in-depth treatment of the "stuff we are made of" and the wonderful logic of its organization. The basic architecture of the body is of primary significance in gaining an understanding of what we as human animals are made of, and how we work. Fundamental to such an understanding is the basic unit of life, the cell. During early development, cells in the aggregate undergo specialization as tissues, which are the building blocks of the body. This course focuses first on the biology of the four basic tissues (epithelium, connective tissue, muscle and nerve) and second, how they contribute to the functional anatomy of all organs and systems. We will emphasize characteristic developmental, structure-function and regulatory relationships many of which are the foundation for the understanding of pathologic alteration.
Upcoming Courses at Pfizer (subject to revision)
Fall 2010
Environmental Health and Disease
Volkan Gurel
Spring 2011
Molecular Genetics**
Mark Johnson
Fall 2011
Neuroscience (tentative) TBD
**Core course
Fall 2009
Physiological Pharmacology, BIOL 1260 S02
Instructors; Dr. Robert L. Patrick, Dr. John Marshall
This class will be held Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30 pm in the Groton building 118W auditorium
Course Description:
This course will examine the major organ systems of the human body from the standpoint of how pharmacology can help treat system disorders. Starting with basic principles describing how drugs can interact with tissue targets , we will examine how drugs can be administered, distributed, metabolized and excreted. The rationale for drug therapies will be presented for systems such as: cardiovascular (angina, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, cholesterol control), central nervous system( Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy, drug addiction), endocrine (diabetes, osteoporosis), GI (peptic ulcer) and pulmonary (asthma).
Chemotherapeutic agents used to treat cancer, viruses and bacteria will also be evaluated. Finally, the process of drug development from the preclinical stage to marketing, and frontiers in pharmacology will be discussed.
Core Curriculum Requirement: Yes
Summer 2009
Human Physiology, BIOL 2117Z sec 01
Instructor; John Stein, Ph.D
This class will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-6:15 pm in the Groton building 118W auditorium
Course description:
BIOL2117Z provides an introduction to basic human physiological concepts along with more advanced coverage of selected systems. We will start with topics of diffusion, cell physiology and the basis of cell membrane potential and then cover the nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal systems. We will focus on normal human physiology and at times incorporate discussions of exercise physiology, pathophysiology, and specific physiologic scenarios to build toward the goal of understanding complex integration of function between cells, tissues and organ systems.
Core Curriculum Requirement: No
Spring 2009
Both courses will begin in December in order to fall under the new 2008 Pfizer educational assistance policy.
Cell Biology, Biol 1060
Instructor: Peter Heywood, Ph.D.
The class will be held on Thursdays from 3-6pm in Groton Building 118W auditorium.
Course Description:
This course provides a detailed survey of modern eukaryotic cell biology. Topics include: the structure and function of membranes and membrane systems such as the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi; the production of extracellular material, exocytosis, and endocytosis; the cytoskeleton and molecular motors; nuclear structure, mitosis, and meiosis; mitochondria and respiration; chloroplasts and photosynthesis; organellar nucleic acids and non-Mendelian inheritance. Also, we will consider how cell and molecular biology can provide an understanding of some human diseases such as those caused by defects in lysosomes, mitochondria, and the cytoskeleton. Readings will be assigned from “Essential Cell Biology” by Alberts et al. (Garland Press, 2004), review articles and papers from the primary scientific literature. The course grade will be based on two 90 minute in-class exams (25% each), a 3 hour final exam (35%) and three 20-minute quizzes throughout the semester (5% each). Students should have a background in biology and knowledge of organic chemistry.
Core Curriculum Requirement: Yes
Cancer Biology, Biol 1290, Section 2
Instructor: Anatoly Zhitkovich, Ph.D.
The class will be held on Tuesdays from 3-6pm in Groton Building 118W auditorium.
Course Description:
BIO1290 is designed to provide a conceptual understanding of molecular events underlying development of human cancer. The main focus of the course will be on the genetic changes leading to the neoplastic transformation of cells. The course will cover several major areas of cancer biology such as cell cycle control, DNA damage, tumor microenvironment, chemotherapy and drug resistance.
The ability to understand malignant transformation of cells on the molecular level and to critically evaluate existing literature in the field are two major goals of this course. The lecture materials will provide an overview of each topic whereas discussions of original research articles will be used as a tool for developing critical thinking in the analysis of cancer-related research.
Core Curriculum Requirement: No
Fall 2008
Virology - 21712 - BIOL 1560 - S02
Instructor: Peter R. Shank, Ph.D.
The class will be held on Tuesdays from 3-6pm in Groton Building 118W auditorium.
Course Description:
The emphasis of this course will be on understanding the molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. It will begin with a general introduction to the field of virology and then focus on the biology of specific viruses that are associated with human disease. Lectures will be based on the current literature.
Core Curriculum Requirement: No
Summer 2008
Pharmaceutics Delivery in Biological Systems - BIOL 2930Z
Instructor:Beth Zielinski, Ph.D.
Course Description:
Pharmaceuticals have traditionally been administered to patients via oral routes that rely on ingestion of tablets, appropriate degradation absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and transport to target tissues. Many drugs are chemically unstable and are significantly degraded during the digestion and absorption processes. Furthermore, once in the circulatory system, these drugs do not necessarily reach their intended physiological sites and are distributed throughout the entire body. Advances in the formulations of chemical and protein-based therapeutic molecules and site-specific delivery systems have allowed for the development of targeted drug and protein therapies. The immergence of advanced delivery technologies for drugs and most recently genes, for gene therapy, has catapulted site-specific drug, protein and gene therapies into the forefront of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical research, process development and manufacturing.
Drug and Gene Delivery will address the historical perspectives and the science and technologies that form the basis of drug, protein and gene delivery systems. Presentations and interpretations of these advances in the lay press will also be reviewed and discussed. The therapeutic systems will be presented in the context of specific organ systems and associated pathophysiologies. Topics for discussion will include drug and gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, hormone therapies, bone and cartilage related therapies and genetically-based vaccines. The immerging areas of in utero and embryonic gene therapies will also be discussed.
This course meets at Pfizer, Inc. (on-site in Groton, CT)
Core Curriculum Requirement: No
Archived Course Information
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