Twin Cities campus

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Twin Cities Campus

Oral Biology Minor

Dent Dean, Office of the
School of Dentistry
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
School of Dentistry, 17-164 Moos Tower, 515 Delaware Street, S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-5984; fax 612-626-2651)
Email: oralbio@umn.edu
Website: http://www.oralbiology.umn.edu
  • Program Type: Graduate minor related to major
  • Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2019
  • Length of program in credits (master's): 6
  • Length of program in credits (doctoral): 12
  • This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
The interdisciplinary oral biology program is offered by the School of Dentistry with cooperating faculty in the Medical School, College of Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine. It gives students research skills and a broad understanding of the development, structure, function, and pathology of the orofacial region. Students are encouraged to focus in one of five areas of emphasis: biomaterials and biomechanics; epithelial biology and carcinogenesis; microbiology and immunology; sensory neuroscience; and bone biology, craniofacial development, and tissue engineering. An exceptional student can create their own area of emphasis or specialize in topics not listed here; students should discuss their interests with the director of graduate studies before applying. Curricula are designed to allow considerable flexibility in planning individual programs to accommodate specific areas of interest.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Program Requirements
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
Required Coursework (4-8 Credits)
Master's students must select at least 4 credits, and doctoral students must select at least 8 credits, from the following list in consultation with the oral biology director of graduate studies.
OBIO 8012 - Basic Concepts in Skeletal Biology (2.0 cr)
OBIO 8018 - Topics in Oral Pathobiology (2.0 cr)
OBIO 8021 - Oral Microbiology (2.0 cr)
OBIO 8022 - Oral Neuroscience (2.0 cr)
OBIO 8023 - Physical Biology of the Oral Cavity (2.0 cr)
OBIO 8024 - Genetics and Human Disease (1.0 cr)
OBIO 8025 - Topics in Cariology (2.0 cr)
OBIO 8026 - Salivary Glands and Secretions (2.0 cr)
OBIO 8027 - Biomaterials in Regenerative Dentistry (2.0 cr)
OBIO 8028 - Molecular Basis of Cellular and Microbial Adhesion (2.0 cr)
OBIO 8371 - Mucosal Immunobiology (3.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Students may not complete the program with more than one sub-plan.
Masters
Electives (2 credits)
Select at least 2 credits, in consultation with the oral biology director of graduate studies, to meet the 6-credit minimum for the master's minor.
Doctoral
Electives (4 credits)
Select at least 4 credits, in consultation with the oral biology director of graduate studies, to meet the 12-credit minimum for the doctoral minor.
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· School of Dentistry

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2020

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OBIO 8012 - Basic Concepts in Skeletal Biology
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Cells (osteoblasts, osteoclasts, chrondrocytes) that make up skeleton. Transcription/signaling networks that regulate cell growth/differentiation. Mechanisms of bone remodeling. Regulation of bone by such agents such as hormones. Prereq Grad student or instr consent.
OBIO 8018 - Topics in Oral Pathobiology
Credits: 2.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Clinical understanding of oral disease. Correlates about underlying basic mechanisms in microbiology, immunology, cancer biology, developmental biology, neuroscience. Dialog between clinic/bench to improve preventative/treatment modalities. prereq: All students must be degree-seeking graduate students or dental fellows and should hold a PhD or DDS. instr consent for 4th year dental students and PhD students. CDE available for practitioners.
OBIO 8021 - Oral Microbiology
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Role of indigenous human oral microflora in health/disease. Colonization of oral cavity. Role of specific pathogens in development of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Infections of dental pulp and periapical tissues. Oral manifestations of viral/fungal infections. Microbial considerations in specialty areas of dental practice. prereq: Dental specialist or oral research trainee or instr consent
OBIO 8022 - Oral Neuroscience
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Background lectures and student presentations on current research topics to evaluate questions in general motor/sensory function related to oral/nasal structures. Taste, smell, and other chemical senses as they relate to those structures. prereq: Dental specialist or oral research trainee or instr consent
OBIO 8023 - Physical Biology of the Oral Cavity
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Structure/function of load-bearing components of human masticatory system from biophysical point of view. Mandibular form/movement. Infrastructure of hard tissues as related to occlusal wear and masticatory efficiency. Role of saliva and salivary pellicle in reduction of interocclusal friction. Computer simulation of jaw mechanics. prereq: Dental specialist or oral research trainee or instr consent
OBIO 8024 - Genetics and Human Disease
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies: Dent 5315/OBio 8024
Typically offered: Every Spring
Principles of medical genetics. Emphasizes oral diseases. Twins, chromosomes, recombinant DNA, major gene traits, genes in populations, chromosomal abnormalities, complex traits, facial clefts, dental caries, periodontal diseases. prereq: Dental specialist or oral research trainee or instr consent
OBIO 8025 - Topics in Cariology
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Lectures, assigned readings, and discussions of basic epidemiological, biological, and chemical aspects of dental caries. Etiology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of dental caries. Influence of dietary, salivary, plaque, and microbial factors on caries process. prereq: Dental specialist or oral research trainee or instr consent
OBIO 8026 - Salivary Glands and Secretions
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Salivary gland structure/development. Mechanisms/control of macromolecule/electrolyte secretion. Salivary protein structure/function, interactions with bacteria. Salivary pellicle, salivary gland disease. Clinical studies, readings, student presentations. Each student develops a research proposal. prereq: Dental specialist or oral research trainee or instr consent
OBIO 8027 - Biomaterials in Regenerative Dentistry
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Describes most modern research strategies that are being developed by interdisciplinary groups to obtain revolutionary materials for its use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The central role of biotechnology, nanotechnology, and biomimetics in these research strategies is highlighted. Focus on dental applications is provided. prereq: Dental specialist or oral research trainee or instr consent
OBIO 8028 - Molecular Basis of Cellular and Microbial Adhesion
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Biochemical basis of adhesion phenomena. Cells of immune system, development of organs, tissue formation, bacterial colonization of the human. prereq: Dental specialist or oral research trainee or instr consent
OBIO 8371 - Mucosal Immunobiology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: MICa/MVB/OBio 8371
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Host immune processes at body surfaces. Innate/adaptive immunity at mucosal surfaces. Interactions/responses of various mucosal tissues to pathogens. Approaches to target protective vaccination to mucosal tissues. Lectures, journal. prereq: MICa 8001 or equiv or instr consent