Masters of Life Sciences – Course Plan
Minimum total of 90 quarter credits: 49 coursework, Minimum 41 - Maximum 87 thesis research credits.
Must have a completed bachelor’s degree to take any of the following 500 level courses.
Coursework credits include:
27 foundation/elective courses
9 credits 500 level seminar
Course Plan
First Year
Fall Quarter
Course
Credits
LFSC545F
Research on the Reservation
1
LFSC539
Molecular Biology
5
CHEM535
Advanced Chemistry
5
LFSC595
Master's Thesis Research
1
NRMG508
Technical, Research, and Professional Writing
3
Total Credits
15
Winter Quarter
Course
Credits
LFSC545W
Research on the Reservation
1
NRMG512
Indigenous Research Methodologies
3
NRMG514
Graduate Research Methodologies
3
LFSC546
Metabolomics and Systems Biology
5
LFSC595
Master's Thesis Research
1
Total Credits
13
Spring Quarter
Course
Credits
LFSC545S
Research on the Reservation
1
LFSC570
Advanced Microiology
5
LFSC572
Life Sciences Computation and Instrumentation
5
NRMG512
Indigenous Research Methodologies
3
NRMG514
Graduate Research Methodologies
3
Total Credits
17
Second Year
Fall Quarter
Course
Credits
LFSC555F
Graduate Life Sciences Seminar
2
LFSC565
Advanced Special Topics
3
LFSC595
Master's Thesis Research
7
Total Credits
12
Winter Quarter
Course
Credits
LFSC555W
Graduate Life Sciences Seminar
2
LFSC565
Advanced Special Topics
3
LFSC595
Master's Thesis Research
7
Total Credits
12
Spring Quarter
Course
Credits
LFSC555S
Graduate Life Sciences Seminar
2
LFSC595
Master's Thesis Research
10
Total Credits
12
Third Year
Fall Quarter
Course
Credits
LFSC595
Master's Thesis Research
12
Total Credits
12
Winter Quarter
Course
Credits
LFSC595
Master's Thesis Research
12
Total Credits
12
Spring Quarter
Course
Credits
LFSC595
Master's Thesis Research
12
Total Credits
12
Course Descriptions
LFSC545: Research on the Reservation (F, W, S) | 1 credit each
Research on the Reservation will be offered in each quarter of the first year of a Life Sciences Master’s degree program. Students will learn about the IRB process, the Tribal research review board, Tribal oversight for any collected materials on the reservation and key ethics that are specific to research on Tribal lands and for Tribal people. Students will also conduct a thorough literature review, presenting papers of interest that will lead to the development of a thesis project that is driven by Native American research interests by the end of their first year.
LFSC555: Graduate Life Sciences Seminar (F, W, S) | 2 credits each
The Graduate Life Sciences Seminar is to be taken in the second year of a Life Sciences Master’s degree program. Students will present weekly on their ongoing thesis research including up-to-date results and referenced by current peer-reviewed research papers. Students will be expected to integrate their on-going research with indigenous methods.
NRMG508: Technical, Research and Professional Writing | 3 credits
Technical, Research, and Professional Writing reviews the writing, research, and technological skills needed to produce written documents at a graduate level. Students will gain the ability to plan and complete research and technical documents including purpose statements and proposals, as well as informational and analytical reports. Coursework will focus both on the writing process and final product. Emphasis will include attention to audience analysis and cultural perspectives. The course also emphasizes academic integrity in professional writing.
NRMG512: Indigenous Research Methodologies | 3 credits
Indigenous Research Methodologies develops understanding and bridges Western and Indigenous research methodologies, concepts and practices as they relate to Natural Resource Management problems. The course introduces students to qualitative and quantitative research methods focusing on Indigenous research methodologies, methods, and techniques. Students will apply research knowledge, skills and tools for performing indigenous research and review roles and responsibilities of an Indigenous researcher, oral and recorded traditions and sources of information; and respectful research with indigenous communities or research related to cultural intellectual property of indigenous peoples.
NRGM514: Graduate Research Methodologies | 3 credits
Graduate Research Methodologies focuses on graduate-level methods for conducting research. The course covers subject-matter literature reviews and citations, differing citation and writing styles, and the use of peer review systems. Students will learn successful approaches to hypothesis development, statement, and testing. Additional course topics include practical, discipline -specific sampling/experimental design, problem-specific review, post-sampling statistical methodologies, and effective communication of data to multiple audiences. Students will also examine bridges to Indigenous Research Methodologies and considerations for research in indigenous communities.
LFSC539: Molecular Biology | 5 credits
The Molecular Biology course provides an in-depth study of cell structure and function. It includes the fundamentals of cellular and molecular immunology including consideration of structure, genetics and function of immunoglobulin, T-cell receptors and major histocompatibility antigens; regulation of the immune response; transplantation and immunological diseases. Students will also investigate the biochemical basis of modern molecular biology; structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, and membranes; replication; transcription; translation; regulation of gene expression; and recombinant DNA. Additionally, recent advances in understanding and research methods using both eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems will be reviewed.
CHEM535: Advanced Chemistry | 5 credits
Organic and inorganic reaction chemistry for advanced students. Modern reagents and transformations are treated in detail, along with relevant theoretical and mechanistic considerations. This course will introduce mass spectrometric methods of analysis, applications of quantum mechanics to molecules and spin systems, and other relevant advanced chemistry methodologies.
LFSC546: Metabolomics and Systems Biology | 3 credits
Metabolomics and Systems Biology will cover the language, methods and scientific literature surrounding metabolomics and systems biology and examples of applications to understanding mechanisms in health and disease. Students will increase their understanding of biological circuits and feedback regulation with emphasis on changes in metabolism that are close to phenotype in health and disease. Students will become familiar with the most recent scientific literature on metabolomics and systems biology that is relevant to understanding biological mechanisms of interest to Native Americans.
LFSC595: Master’s Thesis Research | 1-15 credits per quarter
Master’s Research Thesis consists of independent graduate research that is connected to indigenous methods and/or Tribal relevance conducted under guidance of the mentor advisor and resulting in a written thesis and publication worthy paper. The paper may be included verbatim as a thesis chapter. The course may be repeated up to a maximum of 63 quarter credits.
LFSC570: Advanced Microbiology | 5 credits
Advanced Microbiology is designed to explore recent developments in the molecular biology of prokaryotes, using a literature-based approach. Topics will include: genomics, microbial cell structure and function, bioenergetics, and immunology. Virology will be included.
LFSC565: Advanced Special Topics | 3 credits
Advanced special topics is designed to allow students to investigate relevant and specific scientific topics within their chosen thesis research with their mentor. The course will include discussion or written interpretations of literature directly in line with chosen field of study. The course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 quarter credits. The minimum requirement is 6 quarter credits.
LFSC572: Life Sciences Computation and Instrumentation | 5 credits
Life Sciences Computation and Instrumentation is a course that for the training and usage of multiple scientific instruments in the life sciences department. The course also includes the computation and bioinformatics necessary to run the machines and interpret the resultant data. Students will specialize on instruments that are connected to their thesis research. Computational processing of research output will include data and statistical analysis, basic and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted computer programming.