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M.S. Program in Biology/Oral Biology

Applications are not currently being accepted for this program.

Program Description
The faculty of the Oral Biology Program at the College of Dentistry, through the Department of Biology at the Graduate School of Arts and Science, offers courses and a program of research leading to a Master of Science degree in biology with a concentration in oral biology. The purpose of the program is to provide a comprehensive foundation in areas of modern oral biological sciences appropriate for careers in teaching, research, or industry. This program is open to full-time students with a minimum of a baccalaureate or equivalent degree, alone or combined with advanced clinical training. Candidates are chosen based on their academic records and recommendations and an assessment of the candidate’s scientific potential. All candidates must meet the requirements of the Department of Biology of the Graduate School of Arts and Science. Candidates should have a strong background in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Scores of less than 230 are generally not acceptable. A supervisor, who is a member of the graduate faculty, is assigned to each student to closely monitor the student’s progress.

Students are awarded the M.S. degree on (1) completion of 36 credits with an average of B or better, of which 8 points must be based on an original research thesis that is mandatory and (2) defense of original research.

Didactic Program
Courses are taught at both the College of Dentistry and at the Graduate School of Arts and Science (Department of Biology).

For current course offerings, see: obcourses.html and www.nyu.edu/gsas/Programs/Bulletin.

Experimental Oral Developmental Biology
G23.2054 Prerequisite: Graduate-level biochemistry and/or cell biology. Craig. 4 points.
This seminar series discusses experimental approaches in the study of craniofacial growth and development with emphasis on odontogenesis, salivary gland, and facial development.

Current Laboratory Techniques in Oral Biology
G23.2062 Prerequisites: basic biochemistry and cell biology. McCutcheon. 3 points.
The course is intended to familiarize students with basic techniques used in oral biology. Aspects related to tissue culture, protein, and nucleic acid purification and analysis are emphasized.

Oral Microbiology
G23.2252 Prerequisite: basic biochemistry. Boylan. 3 points.
This course covers aspects of basic microbiology, mycology, and virology with emphasis on bacterial/viral interactions with oral tissues.

Biology of Chemosensory Systems
G23.2601 Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Spielman. 4 points.
The course focuses on the basic mechanisms of taste and smell.

Seminars in Oral Biology
G23.3161 Craig. 3 points.
A set of papers reflecting current trends in oral biology is assigned for critical evaluation and discussed with faculty selected from areas of bone biology, immunology, mechanisms of carcinogenesis, saliva and salivation, oral microbiology, programmed cell-death, tissue engineering, and tooth formation. This seminar series also includes research seminars given by graduate students. The course is intended to develop a critical sense toward evaluation of scientific literature and increase the student’s awareness about the necessity of following it.

Salivary Glands and Saliva
G23.3162 Prerequisite: basic biochemistry. Spielman. 4 points.
The course deals with the physiology and pathology of the salivary glands, the structure and function of salivary constituents, and their role in health and disease.

Research in Biochemistry
G23.3103-3104 Spielman. 1-12 points per term.
Required for all students are a minimum of 8 credits out of the following suggested list of basic courses offered through the Department of Biology:

Advanced Immunology
G23.1011 McCutcheon. 3 points.
This is a graduate-level introduction to immunology and its literature intended for M.S. and Ph.D. biology students who did not enroll in an undergraduate immunology course. The course focuses on the mechanisms that govern the immune response. The intention of this course is also to train students in reading and evaluating primary research articles, which are published in peer-reviewed journals. This course prepares students for the upper-level courses offered by the Department of Biology, G23.1020, Advanced Topics in Cellular and Molecular Immunology and G23.2020, Microbial Pathogenesis.

Microbiology
G23.1027 Prerequisites: college courses in organic chemistry and some advanced
biology. Recommended: biochemistry or physiology. Stotzky. 4 points.
An introduction to the evolution, morphology, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and ecology of the protists. Emphasis is on bacteria, fungi, and viruses, although algae and protozoa are considered. The similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are stressed, as is the microbiology of natural habitats.

Biochemistry I-II
G23.1046-1047 Prerequisites: V25.0243 and V25.0244 or equivalent course in organic chemistry. Kallenbach. 4 points per term.

A two-semester course taught jointly by faculty from the Departments of Biology and Chemistry. Topics include organic and physical chemistry of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids; enzyme kinetics and mechanisms; membrane structure and function; bioenergetics, intermediary metabolism; molecular genetics; and regulation of cellular processes.

Cell Biology
G23.1051 Prerequisites or corequisites: G23.1046-1047. Chang. 4 points.
General topics in modern cell biology are covered. Includes an examination of the current state of knowledge in areas such as the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, chloroplasts, protein synthesis and secretion, the cell surface, and the mechanisms underlying the control of cellular function. Topics are discussed with reference to the methodology employed to conduct studies that have led to our current understanding of the cell.

Applications of Molecular Biology
G23.1121 Corequisite: biochemistry or permission of the instructor. Staff. 4 points.
Introduces the student to the application of recombinant DNA technology to study gene structure and function. Promoter structure and function, mechanisms of RNA splicing, capping and polyadenylation are examined in detail. Covers specific topics of importance for gene regulation, such as rearrangement of the immunoglobulin genes during B-cell development, steroid hormone control of gene expression, the implications of transposable genetic elements, methylation, and chromatin structure.
Statistics in Biology
G23.2030 Prerequisites: college algebra and/or calculus. Lecture and laboratory. Tranchina. 4 points.
An advanced course designed to teach graduate-level biology students techniques of statistical analysis and experimental design that will be of use in their research and in the interpretation of biology literature. Principles of statistical inference, the design of experiments, and analysis of data are taught using examples drawn from the literature. The use of common parametric and nonparametric distributions for the description of data and the testing of hypotheses are covered.

Research Program
The course of studies is individualized to student interests and goals. The program offers opportunities to specialize in areas such as bone cell metabolism, connective tissue biochemistry, epidemiology and health promotion, oral immunology, periodontal and caries microbiology, chemical carcinogenesis, mechanisms of mineralization, multistage carcinogenesis/tumor biology, periodontal wound healing, saliva and salivation, taste mechanisms, tissue engineering, and tumor immunology.

Students are asked to pursue an original line of mentored research, complete a project, write a thesis, and defend it successfully.

Accreditation Status
The M.S. Degree Program in Biology/Oral Biology is fully accredited.

Length of the Program
First year usually begins in September, and the program typically last 24 months. The length of the program is contingent on completion of all requirements.

Director
Andrew I. Spielman, M.S., D.M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Graduate Coordinator: Peter G. Sacks, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology

Admission
Interested candidates should submit a full set of application documents to the Graduate School of Arts and Science. Both the Department of Biology and the Oral Biology Program screen applications.
Candidates are encouraged to apply one full year prior to the starting date of the program, as listed in the bulletin of the Graduate School of Arts and Science. The M.S. Program in Biology/Oral Biology usually accepts candidates for admission for the fall term, but spring term admissions are also decided on an individual basis.

Applicants who are graduates of international dental schools are required to submit evidence of all previous education and training. This should include (1) a copy of the applicant’s diploma from a dental school listed and approved by the World Health Organization (copy of original and certified English translation); (2) a copy of the applicant’s school transcript (copy of original and certified English translation); and (3) a letter of recommendation from the dean or other senior faculty member.

Application
Applications for admission to the M.S. Program in Biology/Oral Biology can be obtained by writing to Graduate Enrollment Services, New York University, P.O. Box 907, New York, NY 10276-0907; telephone: 212-998-8050; fax: 212-995-4180.

To download an application form or to learn about the application process, please visit the Graduate School of Arts and Science Web site: www.nyu.edu/gsas.

Further information about this program may be obtained by writing to

Graduate Coordinator, Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, #837S
New York University College of Dentistry
345 East 24th Street
New York, NY 10010-4086

telephone: 212-998-9545; fax: 212-995-4087;
Web site: Advanced Education Programs.