Teaching

Undergraduate


MSc (Chemistry)


MTech (Biomedical Engineering)


PhD (Chemistry/Biomedical Engineering)


Elective Courses

CY456: Chemistry of Life - An Introduction (undergraduate, 4 credits)

The main aim of this course is to introduce engineering students to fascinating world of biology and induce in them a passion for education and research at the inter-phase of engineering and biology. At the end of this course, you will start appreciating life at the level of molecules. You will realize that there is a chemical logic to everything that happens in living organisms. You will be amazed by the complexity and yet preciseness of life forms. This course will answer some of your key questions about life: What are various life forms? How are they different from nonliving systems? Why cells are considered structural and functional unit of life? How do cells proliferate and how do they die? How is the information transferred in cells and how do they communicate? How do biomolecules present in cells sustain life? How chemical reactions are catalyzed in cells? Where do cells get their energy? How do they store energy?

Since it is an introductory course, significant portion of teaching will be from textbooks. Your evaluation will be based on two quizzes (20%), a project report (10%), and mid-semester (30%) and end-semester (40%) examinations. Good attendance (at least 75%), timely submission of assignments, and active participation in class activities will be required.


CY458: Biomaterials (undergraduate, 4 credits)

This course is meant for engineering students, who seek challenges beyond their core competence area. Biomaterials are substances (natural or man made) that interact with biological systems during the course of a diagnostics and/or treatment procedure. This course will provide you an overview on different types of biomaterials, in particular biodegradable biomaterials, and their surface and bulk properties. As an engineering student, you are proficient in material design but not so in understanding the intricacies of biological systems. This course aims to fill this gap. At the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of challenges in biomaterial design, like protein adsorption to surfaces, cell and tissue interaction with biomaterials, and host responses to biomaterials (inflammation, immunity, systemic toxicity, hypersensitivity, blood coagulation, and tumorigenesis). You will also learn about the concept of biocompatibility, and biomaterials used for soft and hard tissue replacements, and drug delivery.

Significant portion of teaching will be from textbooks. Your evaluation will be based on two quizzes (20%), a project report (10%), and mid-semester (30%) and end-semester (40%) examinations. Good attendance (at least 75%), timely submission of assignments, and active participation in class activities will be required.  


CY459: Biomedical Nanotechnology (undergraduate, 3 credits)

Nanomaterials exhibit fundamental properties that are significantly different from that of bulk and are attributable to their nano dimension. The main aim of nanotechnology is to take advantage of these unique properties for fabricating new materials and devices for developing unique applications, whereas the biomedical nanotechnology focuses on applying the benefits of nanotechnology to health care. In this course, you will learn about the rationale and benefits of applying nanotechnology to healthcare. You will also learn about the use of nanotechnology in diagnostics, therapy with particular reference to cancer, and implants and prostheses. Last but not the least, potential risks associated with the use of nanotechnology in healthcare and pathways to regulatory approval will also be discussed.

Significant portion of teaching will be from textbooks. Your evaluation will be based on two quizzes (20%), a project report (10%), and mid-semester (30%) and end-semester (40%) examinations. Good attendance (at least 75%), timely submission of assignments, and active participation in class activities will be required.


CY614: Principles of Biochemistry (PhD, 3 credits)

This course aims to provide you a sound foundation in biochemistry. At the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of cellular, chemical, physical, and genetic foundations of life. You will be able to delineate the role of biomolecules, like carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acid, and proteins, in sustaining life processes. You will have the knowledge of precise mechanisms involved in  common metabolic pathways and of role played by enzymes. You will also have an overview of hormonal regulation and integration of metabolic pathways, and metabolic disorders.

Since it is a graduate course, significant amount of teaching will be done from research and review articles. A research or a review article on a relevant topic will be discussed almost every week. In addition to usual quizzes, mid- and end-semester examinations, you will have to give a seminar on a topic relevant to this course and critically review a published research article.


CY705: Bioconjugates - Techniques and Applications (PhD, 3 Credits)

The main aim of this course is to give you an advanced knowledge of bioconjugate chemistry. Bioconjugates are prepared by covalent attachment of biomolecules, by chemical or biological means, to other molecules. The bioconjugates are prepared either to introduce an entirely new property or improve an existing property. The properties of interest are plasma half-life, cellular uptake, targeted delivery, toxicity, and diagnostics and material properties. At the end of this course, you will be have a thorough understanding of bioconjugates. You will be able to distinguish bioconjugates from prodrugs. You will have the appreciation of challenges involved in an efficient bioconjugation. You will have an extensive knowledge of bioconjugates of antibodies and enzymes, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and biofunctionalized surfaces. Last but not least, you will be able to design a bioconjugate for a particular diagnostic and therapeutic application.

Since it is an advanced graduate course, most of teaching will be done from research and review articles. A research or a review article on a relevant topic will be discussed almost every week. In addition to usual quizzes, mid- and end-semester examinations, you will have to give a seminar on a topic relevant to this course and critically review a published research article.