Biological Sciences in Public Health


The 2009-10 membership of this committee and subcommittee has not yet been finalized. Complete membership information for 2009-10 will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Faculty of the Committee on Higher Degrees in Public Health Sciences

Faculty of the Subcommittee on the Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences in Public Health

Marianne Wessling-Resnick, Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry (Public Health) (Chair)
Michael Grusby, Professor of Molecular Immunology (Public Health) and Associate Professor of Medicine (Medical School) (Ex Officio)
Lester Kobzik, Professor of Pathology (Public Health)
Bjørn R. Olsen, Hersey Professor of Cell Biology (Medical School) and Professor of Developmental Biology (Dental School)
Frank M. Sacks, Professor of Medicine (Medical School)
Dyann F. Wirth, Professor of Infectious Diseases (Public Health)

The FAS Standing Committee on Higher Degrees in Public Health Sciences has the general responsibility of overseeing the existing PhD degree programs in biological sciences and biostatistics and developing new PhD programs in other important domains of public health.

The committee is composed of representatives from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the School of Public Health, and the Medical School. The committee membership is drawn from the biological and numeric sciences to reflect the current PhD programs. As new programs are created in the future, members representing other relevant disciplines will be added to the committee.

The committee works with the Subcommittee on the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences and the Subcommittee on the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics to make policy decisions and ensure the continuing strengths of those programs. The committee is also charged with initiating discussion of and planning for additional PhD programs.

The Subcommittee on the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences in Public Health (with membership from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Medical School, and the School of Public Health) and the Subcommittee on the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics (with membership from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the School of Public Health) hold responsibility for oversight of their respective programs, including monitoring requirements and standards for the degree and creating standards for admission.

For more courses of interest, see the School of Public Health catalog.

Primarily for Graduates

*BPH 201. Laboratory Rotations - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 32079
Marianne Wessling-Resnick (Public Health)
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
Members of the Division of Biological Sciences offer hands-on experimental methods of research in biological sciences. Students write a paper and give an oral presentation regarding their 10-week laboratory project.
Note: Offered jointly with School of Public Health as DBS 300.

*BPH 204. Metabolic Processes Underlying Complex Diseases
Catalog Number: 4367 Enrollment: Limited to 15.
Chih-Hao Lee (Public Health) and Brendan D. Manning (Public Health)
Half course (fall term). M., F., 1:30–3:30.
This course will cover mechanisms controlling key cellular and organismal metabolic processes and how deregulation of these processes contribute to complex human diseases, such as cancer and metabolic diseases. Part 1 will focus on cellular metabolic pathways and signaling networks underlying tumorigenesis. Part 2 will emphasize organismal metabolism, inter-tissue communication and the pathophysiology of diabetes, dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Note: Limited to students from the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) doctoral programs, or other graduate programs with permission from the instructors. Offered jointly with the School of Public Health as GCD 211 and with the Medical School.
Prerequisite: Fim knowledge of basic biochemistry.

BPH 206. Advanced Respiratory Physiology
Catalog Number: 1049
James Preston Butler (Medical School)
Half course (fall term). M., W., 9–10:20. EXAM GROUP: 2, 3
Respiratory measurements are an integral part of public health research. We will critically discuss their scientific bases, noting practical considerations and pitfalls, and their interpretations and inferences about physiological status and disease.
Note: Offered jointly with the School of Public Health as EH 223.
Prerequisite: EH 205 or equivalent, or signature of instructor indicating suitable background required. College-level physiology.

BPH 207. Advanced Topics in Physiology
Catalog Number: 2146
Jeffrey J. Fredberg (Public Health)
Half course (spring term). M., 10:30–12:30, W., 3:30–5:20. EXAM GROUP: 3, 4, 5, 8, 9
An opportunity for students interested in the respiratory system to focus on special topics in lung biology. This year’s emphasis is on the fundamental physical basis and quantitative description of chemical, electrical, and mechanical signaling within the cell. Specific topics covered include passive diffusion, facilitated diffusion, solvent and solvent transport, channels, action potentials, membrane transport, and receptor-ligand binding.
Note: Offered jointly with the Medical School as BPH 727.0 and with the School of Public Health as EH 225.

BPH 208. Human Physiology
Catalog Number: 3627
Stephanie A. Shore (Public Health)
Half course (fall term). M., W., 10:30–12:20. EXAM GROUP: 3, 4, 5
An introduction to the principles governing function in the human body designed to provide a framework in physiology for future public health researchers and professionals who have not taken college level physiology courses. Emphasis on the concept of homeostasis and on integrative aspects of physiology. Examples of pathophysiology and environmental physiology highlight these processes.
Note: Offered jointly with the School of Public Health as EH 205. Required lab.
Prerequisite: College-level introductory biology or permission of the instructor.

BPH 209. Introduction to Computational Genomics for Infectious Disease - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 87097
Dyann F. Wirth (Public Health)
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
The study of infectious diseases is being revolutionized by the availability of genomic data for many pathogenic oganisms. These date include genome sequences and annotation, comparative sequence data and population data, expression data, and metabolic data. For these data to be maximally useful to infectious disease researchers, familiarity with the appropriate analysis, methods and concepts must be acquired. This course will be an introduction to computational genomics methods with selected applications to infectious disease.
Note: Offered jointly with School of Public Health and MIT.

BPH 210. Pathophysiology of Human Disease
Catalog Number: 3078
Lester Kobzik (Public Health)
Half course (spring term). M., F., 1:30–3:20. EXAM GROUP: 6, 7
Surveys major human disease problems in the cardiovascular, respiratory, hematopoietic, reproductive and gastrointestinal systems. Emphasis on understanding the pathophysiologic basis of common disease manifestations and the pathogenesis of the disease process.
Note: Offered jointly with the Medical School as BPH 729.0 and with the School of Public Health as EH 208.
Prerequisite: A college-level human physiology course.

*BPH 212. Cellular and Molecular Biology of Parasites
Catalog Number: 0703 Enrollment: Limited to 35.
Barbara Burleigh (Public Health) and members of the Department
Half course (spring term). Tu., 3–6. EXAM GROUP: 17, 18
We cover aspects of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology of protozoan parasites of humans, including: malaria, toxoplasma, leishmania, trypanosomes, amoebea and giardia. Includes in-depth discussions on comparative mechanisms of pathogenesis; unique parasite biochemistry and organelles; strategies/ molecular basis for host immune invasion; bioinformatics approaches to molecular pathogenesis.
Note: Given in alternate years. Offered jointly with the Medical School as BPH 721.0 and with the School of Public Health as IMI 216.
Prerequisite: Coursework in biochemistry, genetics, or microbiology.

BPH 215. Principles of Toxicology
Catalog Number: 5366
Robert O. Wright
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 1:30–3:20. EXAM GROUP: 15, 16, 17
Emphasizes mechanisms of injury and clinical consequences following exposures to environmental and occupational chemicals. Examines actions at the molecular, cellular, organ system, and organismal levels. Discusses methods for detecting, evaluating, analyzing, and combating toxic effects.
Note: Offered jointly with the School of Public Health as EH 504.
Prerequisite: Organic chemistry and mammalian physiology or equivalent.

*BPH 216. Immunology of Infectious Diseases
Catalog Number: 6938 Enrollment: Limited to 35.
Members of the Department
Half course (spring term). Tu., 3:30–5:20. EXAM GROUP: 17, 18
Covers in detail the interactions of pathogens with the host immune system, including innate and protective responses and those immune responses that are deleterious. Topics include: overview of immune reponses; response of mucosal-secretory immune system to pathogens; innate immunity “the collectins”; innate immunity “Th2 PAMPs”; pathogen regulatation of host immune responses; pathogen evasion of immune effector mechanisms; polarization of CD4+ T helper cell subsets and relationship to disease outcome; resistance to HIV; HIV and co-infection with other pathogens; mechanisms of immunopathogenesis; and development of vaccines. Pathogens covered in detail include: HIV, cholera, TB, staph/strep, toxoplasma, intestinal protozoa, malaria, helminths.
Note: Given in alternate years. Offered jointly with the Medical School as BPH 724.0 and with the School of Public Health as IMI 208. Each lecture requires reading several relevant papers and completion of a problem set.
Prerequisite: An immunology course.

*BPH 219. Biological Sciences Seminars
Catalog Number: 1152
Marianne Wessling-Resnick (Public Health)
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 9–10:20. EXAM GROUP: 11, 12
Faculty present seminars on their current research in the biological sciences and direct a student discussion of the logic and experimental design of this research. Topics include chemical and viral carcinogenesis, DNA damage and repair, immunology, molecular biology, metabolism, cardiovascular disease, parasitology, and how these areas apply to public health issues.
Note: Required for first-year students in the BPH program. Offered jointly with the School of Public Health as DBS 205.

BPH 222. The Science of Human Nutrition
Catalog Number: 0216
Frank M. Sacks (Medical School, Public Health), Clifford Lo (Medical School, Public Health) and members of the Department
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 1:30–3:20. EXAM GROUP: 15, 16
A review of the biochemistry of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals in the context of human disease. Contemporary topics are emphasized. Particular emphasis given to current knowledge of the mechanisms that may explain the role of diet in the causation and/or prevention of ischemic heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cancer. Recommended dietary intakes of selected nutrients are discussed in order to understand their limitations.
Note: Offered jointly with the Medical School as BPH 733.0 and with the School of Public Health as NUT 202.
Prerequisite: Introductory nutrition course. Prior familiarity with nutrition and the health sciences expected, as well as a basic knowledge of biochemistry and human physiology.

Graduate Courses of Reading and Research

*BPH 300. Laboratory Rotations
Catalog Number: 8441
Michael Grusby (Public Health, Medical School) 1987 and members of the Committee
Members of the Division of Biological Sciences offer hands-on experimental methods of research in the biological sciences.
Note: Offered jointly with the School of Public Health as DBS 300.

*BPH 307. Cellular Defenses Against Oxygen Radical Damage
Catalog Number: 2758
Bruce F. Demple (Public Health) 7853

*BPH 312. Regulation of the Cellular Uptake of Macromolecular Nutrients
Catalog Number: 2736
Marianne Wessling-Resnick (Public Health) 1315

*BPH 315. Molecular Genetic Analysis of Gene Expression and Drug Resistance in Parasitic Protozoan, Including Leishmania and Malaria
Catalog Number: 2756
Dyann F. Wirth (Public Health) 2492

*BPH 317. Gene-Environment Interactions in Human Lipoprotein Metabolism
Catalog Number: 2541
Hannia Campos (Public Health) 2710

*BPH 319. Signaling Mechanisms of Peptide Hormones, Genetic and Molecular Basis of Obesity and Diabetes
Catalog Number: 8425
Gokhan S. Hotamisligil (Public Health) 2725

*BPH 322. Study of Epidemiologic and Biological Characteristics of HIV Viruses in Africa
Catalog Number: 4523
Phyllis J. Kanki (Public Health) 2270

*BPH 323. Human Lipoprotein Metabolism: Biochemistry and Metabolic Modeling
Catalog Number: 5530
Frank M. Sacks (Medical School) 2276

*BPH 324. Protein Phosphorylation and Gene Expression in Normal and Transformed Cells
Catalog Number: 5915
Raymond L. Erikson 7506

*BPH 325. Assessment of the Impact of Workplace Pollutants on Health
Catalog Number: 7448
David Christiani (Public Health, Medical School) 1514

*BPH 330. Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences in Public Health
Catalog Number: 3976
Marianne Wessling-Resnick (Public Health) 1315
A series of discussion and seminars each running for a half term (7-8 weeks).

*BPH 332. Function and Structure of Pulmonary and Hepatic Macrophages
Catalog Number: 7331
Joseph D. Brain (Public Health) 2520

*BPH 334. Molecular Basis of Host Cell Invasion, Signaling and Differentiation by the Human Pathogen, Trypanosoma Cruzi
Catalog Number: 2409
Barbara Burleigh (Public Health) 2763

*BPH 336. Study of Human and Primate T-lymphotrophic Retroviruses Including Agents that Cause AIDS
Catalog Number: 3248
Myron Essex (Public Health) 2499

*BPH 339. Mechanical Basis of Airway and Lung Parenchymal Function
Catalog Number: 6572
Jeffrey J. Fredberg (Public Health) 1303

*BPH 340. Genetic Regulation of Immune Response
Catalog Number: 3323
Laurie H. Glimcher (Public Health, Medical School) 1362

*BPH 342. In Vivo Models of Immune Deficiency by Homologous Recombination in ES Cells
Catalog Number: 2309
Michael Grusby (Public Health, Medical School) 1987

*BPH 343. Molecular Mechanism of Cellular Circadian Regulation
Catalog Number: 7740
J. Woodland Hastings 1311

*BPH 345. Lung Macrophage Differentiation and Function
Catalog Number: 1495
Lester Kobzik (Medical School, Public Health) 1313

*BPH 348. Human and Related Primate Retroviruses
Catalog Number: 3024
Tun-Hou Lee (Public Health) 2769

*BPH 352. Regulation of Acute Inflammatory Responses by Signaling Molecules
Catalog Number: 5578
Joseph P. Mizgerd (Public Health) 2787

*BPH 353. Human Papillomaviruses (HPV’s): the Cause of Hyperplastic Skin-leisions
Catalog Number: 6469
Karl Münger (Medical School) 1586

*BPH 354. Molecular Studies of Skeletal and Vascular Morphogenesis
Catalog Number: 8067
Bjørn R. Olsen (Dental School) 1164

*BPH 357. Physiological and Pharmacological Aspects of Bronchoconstriction.
Catalog Number: 5047
Stephanie A. Shore (Public Health) 1304

*BPH 358. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Envelope Glycoproteins and Vaccine Development
Catalog Number: 0241
Joseph G. Sodroski (Medical School, Public Health) 1712

*BPH 359. Relations of Dietary Factors to the Occurrence of Human Disease
Catalog Number: 8215
Walter C. Willett (Public Health, Medical School) 1805

*BPH 363. Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer and other Diseases
Catalog Number: 9066
David J. Hunter (Public Health) 3844

*BPH 364. Molecular Biology of Bacterial Interactions; Peptide Production and Release; Growth Phase Regulation of Gene Expression
Catalog Number: 6936
Roberto G. Kolter (Medical School) 7727

*BPH 365. Virulence Factors of Mycrobacteria; Acquisition of Virulence Determinants of Vibrio Cholerae; Generalized Mutagenesis Systems for Bacteria
Catalog Number: 5044
Eric J. Rubin (Public Health) 4084

*BPH 366. Theoretical, Statistical, and Experimental Approaches to Population Biology and the Epidemiology of Infectious Deseases
Catalog Number: 7822
Marc Lipsitch (Public Health) 4097

*BPH 368. Host-pathogen Interactions of Shigella
Catalog Number: 6995
Marcia Goldberg (Medical School) 3783

*BPH 370. Environmental Exposures for Studies in Health Effects, and Investigation of the Relationship Between Environmental Exposure and Internal Dose
Catalog Number: 5653
Thomas Jay Smith (Public Health) 4337

*BPH 372. Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Pathogenesis of Human Malaria
Catalog Number: 2598
Manoj T. Duraisingh (Public Health) 5177

*BPH 374. Nuclear Lipid Receptors as Therapeutic Targets of Metabolic Diseases
Catalog Number: 3153
Chih-Hao Lee (Public Health) 5294

*BPH 375. Signaling Pathways Underlying Tumorigenesis and Metabolic Diseases
Catalog Number: 3159
Brendan D. Manning (Public Health) 5293

*BPH 376. Secretion and pathogenesis in M. tuberculosis
Catalog Number: 7620
Sarah Merritt Fortune 5736