20211108

“Molecular Biophysics I (MBI)”

Molecular Biophycis I is the first of three courses, which together constitute the common core of the MBSB graduate program.  Here, the emphasis is on the structural foundation, especially that of proteins and nucleic acids.  Students will learn x-ray diffraction, NMR, EM/CryoEM, CD, and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as mass spectrometry. To get an idea how the class is working, we asked the following questions to the current teaching assistant of MBI, Mr. Tristin Schwartze, the fith-year student in the Prof. Hinck’s laboratory. We appreciate Tristin’s work.

Q1: What is your role as a TA in the MBI that is a small-size class compared to those in undergrads?

A1. While I mostly help with menial organization and communication tasks, I feel it is a privilege to be able to answer students’ more basic questions. I wouldn't be comfortable calling myself knowledgeable about much of anything, but I think it's important to understand the fundamentals, so doing my small part to help younger students overcome those initial knowledge barriers is quite rewarding.

Q2: This is a class you attended previously. Did you have new findings in MBI this time by working as a TA?

Q3: What is a fun part in the MBI?

 

You can find the Hinck’s lab web site and Tristin’s research interest site below.

https://www.hincklab.structbio.pitt.edu/

http://www.mbsb.pitt.edu/index.php/site-map/articles/85-students/274-tristin-schwartze

 

 

By MBSB