Course Descriptions

MAE 6850 - Measurement Theory and Advanced Instrumentation

Studies the theory and practice of modern measurement and measurement instrumentation; statistical analysis of data; estimation of errors and uncertainties; operating principles and characteristics of fundamental transducers and sensors; common electrical circuits and instruments; and signal processing methods.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate electrical science.



Credits: 3

MAE 6870 - Applied Engineering Optics

Analyzes modern engineering optics and methods; fundamentals of coherence, diffraction interference, polarization, and lasing processes; fluid mechanics, heat transfer, stress/strain, vibrations, and manufacturing applications; laboratory practice: interferometry, schlieren/shadowgraph, and laser velocimetry.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2415.



Credits: 3

MAE 6993 - Independent Study in Mechanical or Aerospace Science: Intermediate Level

Independent study of first-year graduate level material under the supervision of a faculty member.
Prerequisite: Students must petition the department Graduate Studies Committee before enrolling.



Credits: 3

MAE 7030 - Injury Biomechanics

This is an advanced applications course on the biomechanical basis of human injury and injury modeling. The course covers the etiology of human injury and state-of-the-art analytic and synthetic mechanical models of human injury. The course will have a strong focus on modeling the risk of impact injuries to the head, neck, thorax, abdomen and extremities. The course will explore the biomechanical basis of widely used and proposed human injury criteria and will investigate the use of these criteria with simplified dummy surrogates to assess human injury risk. Brief introductions to advanced topics such as human biomechanical variation with age and sex, and the biomechanics of injury prevention will be presented based on current research and the interests of the students.
Prerequisite: MAE 6080.



Credits: 3

MAE 7150 - Combustion

Reviews chemical thermodynamics, including conservation laws, perfect gas mixtures, combustion chemistry and chemical equilibrium; finite-rate chemical kinetics; conservation equations for multicomponent reacting systems; detonation and deflagration waves in premixed gases; premixed laminar flames; gaseous diffusion flames and droplet evaporation; introduction to turbulent flames; chemically-reacting boundary-layer flows; ignition; applications to practical problems in energy systems, aircraft propulsion systems, and internal combustion engines. Projects selected from topics of interest to the class.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate thermodynamics and MAE 631, or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

MAE 7510 - Research Seminar, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: Master’s Students

Required one-hour weekly seminar for master’s students in mechanical and aerospace and nuclear engineering. Students enrolled in MAE 8999 or 6594/7540 make formal presentations of their work.



Credits: 0 to 1

MAE 7520 - Special Topics in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering Science: Advanced Level

A specialized, advanced, or exploratory topic relating to mechanical or aerospace engineering science, at the second-year or higher graduate level. May be offered on a seminar or team-taught basis. Subjects selected according to faculty interest. Topics and prerequisites are listed in the Course Offering Directory.



Credits: 3

MAE 7530 - Independent Study in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering Science: Advanced Level

MAE 7540 - Special Graduate Project in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering: Advanced Level

A design or research project for an advanced graduate student under the supervision of a faculty member. A written report must be submitted and an oral report must be presented. Up to three credits of either this course or MAE 6594 may be applied toward the master’s degree.
Prerequisite: Students must petition the department Graduate Studies Committee before enrolling.



Credits: 1 to 12

MAE 7555 - Advanced Topics in Distance Learning

MAE 7630 - Optimal Dynamical Systems

Introduces the concept of performance metrices for dynamical systems and examines the optimization of performances over both parameter and function spaces. Discusses both the existence of optimal solutions to dynamic problems and how these may be found. Such results provide via limits to performance of dynamic systems, which delineate what can and cannot be achieved via engineering. Constitutes a basis for more advanced study in design synthesis and optimal control. Cross-listed as ECE 7853.
Prerequisite: Two years of college mathematics, including some linear and vector calculus. Classical and state-spaced controls and undergraduate design courses are recommended.



Credits: 3

MAE 7650 - Multivariable Control

State space theories for linear control system design have been developed over the last 40 years. Among those, H2 and Hinf control theories are the most established, powerful, and popular in applications. This course focuses on these theories and shows why and how they work. Upon completion of this course, student will be confident in applying the theories and will be equipped with technical machinery that allows them to thoroughly understand these theories and to explore new control design methods if desired in their own research. More importantly, students will learn a fundamental framework for optimal system design from a state perspective.
Cross-listed as ECE 7855.
Prerequisite: MAE 6620.



Credits: 3

MAE 7660 - Nonlinear Control Systems

Studies the dynamic response of nonlinear systems; approximate analytical and graphical analysis methods; stability analysis using the second method of Liapunov, describing functions, and other methods; adaptive, learning, and switched systems; examples from current literature.
Cross-listed as ECE 7856.
Prerequisite: ECE 6851 or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

MAE 7680 - Digital Control Systems

Topics include sampling processes and theorems, z-transforms, modified transforms, transfer functions, stability criteria; analysis in both frequency and time domains; discrete-state models for systems containing digital computers; and applications using small computers to control dynamic processes.
Cross-listed as ECE 7858.
Prerequisite: MAE 5265 or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

MAE 7720 - Computational Fluid Dynamics II

A continuation of MAE 6720. More advanced methods for grid generation, transformation of governing equations for odd geometries, methods for compressible flows, methods for parabolic flows, calculations using vector and parallel computers. Use of personal computers/workstations/supercomputer, including graphics.
Prerequisite: MAE 6720 or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

MAE 8591 - Research Seminar, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: Doctoral Students

Required one-hour weekly seminar for doctoral students in mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering. Students enrolled in MAE 9999 may make formal presentations of their work.



Credits: 0 to 1

MAE 8897 - Graduate Teaching Instruction

MAE 8999 - Master’s Thesis Research, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Formal documentation of faculty supervision of thesis research. Each full-time, resident Master of Science student in mechanical and aerospace engineering is required to register for this course for the number of credits equal to the difference between his or her regular course load (not counting the one-credit MAE 7510 seminar) and 12.



Credits: 1 to 12

MAE 9897 - Graduate Teaching Instruction

MAE 9999 - Dissertation Research, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Formal documentation of faculty supervision of dissertation research. Each full-time resident doctoral student in mechanical and aerospace engineering is required to register for this course for the number of credits equal to the difference between his or her regular course load (not counting the one-credit MAE 8591 seminar) and 12.



Credits: 1 to 12

MED 6513 - Exploratory I

This exploratory course covers social issues in medicine. Students will recognize and analyze the interrelationships between socio-cultural environments and the occurrence, prevention and treatment of disease. Students will also identify and nurture values that characterize a professional and humanistic practice of medicine and an ethic of service.



Credits: 0

MED 6601 - Cell and Tissue Structure

Cell and Tissue Structure is integrated with Physiology into a year-long course that provides a correlated structure/function approach to cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.



Credits: 0

MED 6602 - Gross Anatomy

The structure and function of the body. This is the basic biological course in which students learn the morphological setting upon which clinical knowledge and experience are built. In this course, anatomy is approached from gross structural and embryological perspectives.



Credits: 0

MED 6605 - Medical and Molecular Genetics

An overview of the basic and clinical aspects of the rapidly changing field of human genetics. The course begins with the building blocks of inheritance: DNA structure, replication, transcription, and translation. Included is the area of human cytogenetics and a number of important clinical cytogenetic abnormalities.



Credits: 0

MED 6606 - Biochemistry

This course establishes a perspective regarding the breadth of the discipline of biochemistry, while starting to recognize the importance of molecular biochemical detail.



Credits: 0

MED 6608 - Neuroscience

Emphasis is on the structure and function of the central nervous system. Neural disease is discussed to provide a context for understanding normal neural function and to illustrate the reasoning process that uses an understanding of functional neuroanatomy to localize neural dysfunction.



Credits: 0

MED 6610 - Physiology

An integrated study of the histology and physiology of the major organ systems of the human body, including the autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular system, urinary system, respiratory system, digestive system, endocrine system, and reproductive systems.



Credits: 0

MED 6615 - Practice of Medicine I

The understanding of the patient’s humanity and how interaction and treatment affect patients and their family and community. Provides a format for actively learning the fundamental attitudes, skills, and knowledge required of a physician.



Credits: 0

MED 6616 - Introduction to Human Behavior

MED 6710 - Molecular & Cellular Medicine

MCM initiates an integrative approach to clinical medicine that includes a guide to investigating cellular and societal dimensions of disease, foundational elements of human behavior, the doctor/patient relationship, decision sciences, and principles of biochemistry, genetics, histology, physiology, anatomy, immunology, general pathology, general pharmacology, and epidemiology.



Credits: 0

MED 7530 - Exploratory II

MED 7618 - Medical Microbiology

An identification of the most likely causative agents of disease and how to appreciate differential diagnoses of infectious diseases based on symptoms, epidemiology, and laboratory tests.



Credits: 0

MED 7620 - Introduction to Psychiatric Medicine

MED 7622 - Pathology

The study of pathology beginning at the cellular and molecular level, examining the ways in which cells may be injured, adapt to injury, or die.



Credits: 0

MED 7625 - Practice of Medicine II

An expansion of the student’s knowledge base to include clinical information, differential diagnoses, pathophysiology, and treatment. Develops problem-solving abilities and establishes the practices of study and evaluation for use throughout a professional career.



Credits: 0

MED 7630 - Pharmacology

The basic mechanisms of action of the major drug classes, the fundamentals of their therapeutic use, and the major representative drugs of each class.



Credits: 0

MED 7632 - Epidemiology

A combination of the basic clinical sciences of biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, health services research, and informatics, aiming to provide a better understanding of the relationships among biologic discoveries, patient characteristics, treatment options, systems, and outcomes.



Credits: 0

MED 7718 - Clinical Performance Development I

CPD runs concurrently with and is integrated into MCM and Organ Systems. CPD consists primarily of clinical case studies which students solve in small group tutorials led by physicians. Students work one-to-one with physicians to develop their skills in taking medical histories and conducting physical exams with patients, standardized patients and in simulations.



Credits: 0

MED 7719 - Clinical Performance Development II

CPD runs concurrently with and is integrated into MCM and Organ Systems. CPD consists primarily of clinical case studies which students solve in small group tutorials led by physicians. Students work one-to-one with physicians to develop their skills in taking medical histories and conducting physical exams with patients, standardized patients and in simulations.



Credits: 0

MED 7720 - Clinical Performance Development III

CPD runs concurrently with and is integrated into MCM and Organ Systems. CPD consists primarily of clinical case studies which students solve in small group tutorials led by physicians. Students work one-to-one with physicians to develop their skills in taking medical histories and conducting physical exams with patients, standardized patients and in simulations.



Credits: 0

MED 7729 - Integrated Organ Systems I

IOS consists of Microbes: The Essentials and a series of eight integrated organ systems: Musculoskeletal; Mind, Brain and Behavior; Gastrointestinal; Cardiovascular; Pulmonary; Renal; Endocrine/Reproductive, and Hematology connecting core science (e.g., anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology) with clinical knowledge and skills ranging from physical examination to addressing cultural and social issues, including public health policy.



Credits: 0

MED 7730 - Integrated Organ Systems II

IOS consists of Microbes: The Essentials and a series of eight integrated organ systems: Musculoskeletal; Mind, Brain and Behavior; Gastrointestinal; Cardiovascular; Pulmonary; Renal; Endocrine/Reproductive, and Hematology connecting core science (e.g., anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology) with clinical knowledge and skills ranging from physical examination to addressing cultural and social issues, including public health policy.



Credits: 0

MED 8642 - Medicine

As active members of the health care delivery teams in inpatient and outpatient venues, students will have appropriately supervised responsibilities for their patients. Students will obtain clinical histories, perform physical examinations, and provide initial and ongoing documention on their patients.



Credits: 0

MED 8645 - Geriatric Medicine Clerkship

Students will be paired with a primary geriatric physician mentor and be responsible for a panel of patients at a skilled nursing facility. Students will work with a variety of geriatric health professionals as part of the interdisciplinary care team.



Credits: 0

MED 8646 - Obstetrics and Gynecology

The OB/GYN clerkship encompasses primary care women’s health, normal labor and obstetric complications, benign and malignant gynecologic conditions, and basic surgical technique.



Credits: 0

MED 8648 - Pediatrics

Exposure to pediatric inpatients, ambulatory pediatric patients, children with developmental problems and/or chronic diseases such as nutritional problems, babies in the newborn nursery, acutely ill children, and one or more pediatric subspecialty outpatient clinics.



Credits: 0

MED 8650 - Surgery

The surgery clerkship will provide medical students with an exposure to common surgical problems ahd the basic clinical decision-making skills in this patient population applicable to their future practice. The curriculum will be taught by a combination of didactic and clinical teaching.



Credits: 0

MED 8651 - Peri-Operative and Acute Care Medicine Clerkship

Focus will be placed on peri-operative medicine, pharmacology and physiology, crisis management, and cardiac resuscitation, as well as essential clinical skills including airway management, wound care, ECG and radiograph interpretation and intravenous access.



Credits: 0

MED 8652 - Psychiatry

The fundamentals of psychiatric assessment and the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illness, including the common medical and neurological disorders that relate to the practice of psychiatry.



Credits: 0

MED 8656 - Family Medicine

The clinical skills, knowledge, problem-solving skills, and professional attitudes necessary to assess and care for patients in the family practice setting.



Credits: 0

MED 8657 - Emergency Medicine Clerkship

The clerkship introduces basic skills and important concepts of acute and emergency care. Students perform histories, physical exams, selection and interpretation of diagnostic tests, and write-ups of undifferentiated patients learning the diagnostic approach to acute medical and surgical presentations. Students learn the decision-making process and admission criteria involved in triaging patients and coordination of heathcare system interfaces.



Credits: 3

MED 8658 - Peri-Operative Medicine Clerkship

The clerkship emphasizes patient safety and quality care and important concepts within the environment of the operating rooms, pre-operative and post-operative setting. Interactive group didactic sessions augment individual rotations, incorporating basic science principles with clinical practice; including interprofessional education. The clerkship focuses on skills and tasks related to: pre- and post-operative evaluation.



Credits: 2

MED 8660 - Clinical Connections

MED 8671 - Clinical Electives

MED 8672 - Neurology

Develops knowledge in fundamental neurological concepts. Builds competence in pertinent history-taking and examination skills to support recognition and initial management of neurological problems and emergencies. Based in small groups, students are expected to demonstrate self-directed learning.



Credits: 0

MED 8673 - Clinical Medicine

MED 8674 - Geo Med Summer Program

MED 8675 - Summer Research

MED 8676 - Summer Primary Care Preceptorship

MED 8677 - Introduction to Generalist Medicine

MED 8678 - MSTP Summer Program

MED 8679 - Pre-Clinical Remediation

MED 8680 - MD/MBA Summer Program

MED 8698 - Research

MED 8699 - Special Studies

MED 9664 - Selectives Program I

MED 9665 - Selectives Program II

MED 9669 - Electives Program I

There are 13 rotations between the end of the core clerkships and graduation. Students must earn 28 elective credits, in addition to a 4-credit Advanced Clinical Elective (ACE), and DxRx: Health Care Policy (1 week) and Basic Science for Careers (3 weeks).



Credits: 0

MED 9670 - Electives Program II

There are 13 rotations between the end of the core clerkships and graduation. Students must earn 28 elective credits, in addition to a 4-credit Advanced Clinical Elective (ACE), and DxRx: Health Care Policy (1 week) and Basic Science for Careers (3 weeks).



Credits: 0

MED 9680 - DxRx: Health Care Policy

This course provides an overview of the key health policy issues that will shape medical practice in the coming decades, including the financing and strucutre of health care delivery and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, CDC policies, FDA regulations. Its goal is to challenge students to critically analyze current policy, economic and legal issues and prepare them to be leaders in the on-going debates about health care reform.



Credits: 0

MED 9682 - Basic Science for Careers

The goals and objectives are: 1) Review basic science in the context of post-clerkship patient experience; 2) Relate relevant basic science to the individual student’s chosen discipline (future residency), focusing on the application of basic science principles used in the daily practice of the chosen discipline.



Credits: 0

MDST 7559 - New Course in Media Studies

MDST 7703 - Introduction to the Digital Liberal Arts

An historical, critical, and practical introduction to technologies and ideas that are shaping teaching, research, publication, and collaboration across the liberal arts curriculum. Topics include hypertext, remediation, graphesis, ontology, and cultural analytics. Students study specifc cases and technologies, develop technology-mediated projects in a collaborative settings, and keep an online journal of their reflections on the material.



Credits: 3

MDST 7705 - Code, Language, and Media

Introduction to the theory and practice of the database as media form in the context of the digital liberal arts. Students review critical literature about databases, study examples of their use in projects from a variety of disciplines, and engage in the actual design of a database application as a course project. Topics include cross-cultural modes of classification, data models, big data, visualization, and building web-based databases.



Credits: 3

MDST 8000 - Graduate Seminar in Media Studies

This is a core course that surveys key texts in Media Studies. THe course take a histroical approach to the development of the field, but also surveys the various developments in the social sciences, the humanities, and film studies relevant to the interdisciplinary study of media.



Credits: 3

MDST 8559 - New Course in Media Studies

MDST 8900 - Graduate Independent Study

A single semester of independent study under faculty supervision for MA or PhD students doing intensive research on a subject not covered in available courses. Requires approval by a Media Studies faculty member who has agreed to supervise a guided course of reading and research.



Credits: 3

MICR 6080 - Laboratory Workshop in Molecular and Cell Biology

This 6-day course will provide a short, intensive, hands-on introduction to essential techniques in molecular and cell biology. It will comprise a mixture of lectures and experimental work in the laboratory. Students will work individually or in small groups. By the end of the course the students will have expertise in microsocpy,PCR, performing ligations and transformations, blotting, and producing recombinant proteins.



Credits: 1

MICR 8000 - Seminars in Microbiology

Attendance required for all graduate students in microbiology. Topics of current research interest are presented each week by staff, students, or visiting scientists. One hour per week.



Credits: 0

MICR 8001 - Seminars in Microbiology

Attendance required for all graduate students in microbiology. Topics of current research interest are presented each week by staff, students, or visiting scientists. One hour per week.



Credits: 0

MICR 8005 - Continuing Colloquium in Microbiology

Critical analysis of current research areas in microbiology and related fields. Central topics will be covered seriatim by the staff. Students will present in rotation their analyses of pertinent scientific literature. Two conference hours per week.



Credits: 1

MICR 8006 - Continuing Colloquium in Microbiology

Critical analysis of current research areas in microbiology and related fields. Central topics will be covered seriatim by the staff. Students will present in rotation their analyses of pertinent scientific literature. Two conference hours per week.



Credits: 1

MICR 8010 - Gene Structure, Expression and Regulation

Studies the molecular biology of bacterial and eukaryotic cells, emphasizing the application of recombinant DNA for elucidation of gene structure, the mechanism of gene expression, and its regulation. Four lecture hours.



Credits: 5

MICR 8013 - Molecular Genetics of Prokaryotes

Presents the mechanism and regulation of gene expression in bacteriophages and prokaryotic organisms. Emphasizes genetic analysis of complex processes, such as sensory transduction, cell division, and global regulatory circuits. Readings from the current literature supplemented with critical discussion of classic papers in the field.
Prerequisite: MICR 8010 or equivalent



Credits: 4

MICR 8040 - Fundamentals in Cancer Biology

This course examines the molecular basis of cancer and how environmental and hereditary factors cooperate to elicit the transformed phenotype and promote cancer progression. It is team taught by both basic scientists and clinical faculty, providing students with an introduction to clinical presentation, progression, and outcomes; genetic/cellular/tissue drivers of oncogenesis and metastasis; and therapeutic challenges for the treatment of cancer



Credits: 2

MICR 8042 - Advanced Topics in Cancer

This course will cover contemporary topics relevant to the detection and treatment of solid tumors and hematopoietic cancers. These include, but are not limited to, clinical trials, metabolism and cancer, cancer stem cells, cancer biomarkers, systems and networks in cancer. Students will attend organ-based tumor boards, which expose the students to the team-based approach for individualizing treatments that is practiced in the UVA Cancer Center.
Prerequisite: Fundamentals in Cancer Biology



Credits: 2

MICR 8044 - Cancer Signaling and Therapeutics

This course is a follow-up to Fundamentals in Cancer Biology. It examines hormonal regulation and signal transduction pathways in breast cancer and leukemia/lymphoma. Clinical and basic science faculty again team up to provide students with a comprehensive view of clinical aspects (early detection, diagnosis, epidemiology, prognosis, treatment, and prevention) and experimental strategies that reveal basic mechanisms underlying these diseases.
Prerequisite: Fundamentals in Cancer Biology



Credits: 2

MICR 8110 - Viruses and Their Uses as Tools and Model System

Viruses are important as tools for studying cellular processes, as well as for more translational approaches such as gene therapy. By studying viruses, fundamental principles of gene regulation and the immunology can also be learned. This module will focus on key principles of replication, viral vectors, virus/immune interactions and applications of viruses in 21th century biology.



Credits: 2

MICR 8112 - Advanced Topics in Virology

Prerequisite: MICR 8020: Viruses as Tools and Model Systems



Credits: 2

MICR 8200 - Building Blocks of the Immune System

This module will cover the different components of the adaptive and innate arms of the immune system with a focus on development and molecular pathways regulating these processes.
Prerequisite: Previous Immunology class or permission of the instructor



Credits: 2

MICR 8202 - Integration and Diversification of the Immune System

This module will cover how the diverse components of the immune system are integrated and how this integration influences further maturation and differentiation of elements of the immune system under physiological and patho-physiological conditions. This will include responses to different types of pathogens.
Prerequisite: Building Blocks of the Immune System



Credits: 2

MICR 8204 - Current Topics in Immunology

The module will cover in depth selected contemporary topics in molecular and cellular immunology. Sessions are discussion-based and facilitated by faculty. Students will learn how to critically evaluate primary literature and to clearly present scientific information.
Prerequisite: MICR 8200: Building Blocks of the Immune System and MICR 8203: Integration and Diversification of the Immune System or equivalent.permission.



Credits: 2

MICR 8341 - Biological Threats and Public Health

The course will cover the science and policies governing the study of select agents, and emerging infectious diseases. Topics will include, but are not limited to pathogen characteristics, regulatory requirements, recognition and detection of intentional and natural outbreaks, emergency preparedness and interfaces with public health.



Credits: 1

MICR 8380 - Practical Use of Statistics in Biomedical Research

This course will be of variable format including: lecture, student presentations, statistical program software use, and round-table discussions. Graduate students, typically in their second year of studies after beginning their thesis research, will learn practical use of statistical methods. Students will present ~8 statistical methods that will equip them in designing their experiments, evaluating experimental outcomes, and interpreting;
Prerequisite: Instructor permission



Credits: 2

MICR 8400 - Bacterial Genetics and Physiology

The class provides comprehensive study of bacterial genetics of DNA, RNA, protein, and molecular machinery synthesis and regulation. Special consideration will be given to bacterial-specific functions and systems and their roles as potential drug targets.



Credits: 2

MICR 8401 - Microbial Pathogenesis

The class provides a comprehensive study of pathogenic microbes and their unique and conserved mechanisms of virulence.
Prerequisite: MICR 8200: Building Blocks of the Immune System, MICR 8203: Integration and Diversification of the Immune System, and , MICR 8101: Bacterial Genetics and Physiology



Credits: 2

MICR 8402 - Microbial Pathogenesis Proposal Preparation

This course will discuss the grant process including applications for federal and foundation grants, proposal writing and submissions, and grant reviews. A research proposal (based loosely on guidelines for NIH postdoctoral fellowship grant application) on a selected topic in Microbial Pathogenesis will be developed by each student (or student teams).
Prerequisite: MICR 8401: Microbial Pathogenesis



Credits: 2

MICR 9995 - Research in Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases

Research in microbiological related disciplines, e.g. cancer, immunology, bacteriology, virology, infectious diseases, cell signaling, nuclear transport, host-pathogen interactions, gene expression, etc.



Credits: 1 to 12

MICR 9998 - Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research

MICR 9999 - Non-Topical Research