Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified.

542 Immunology Laboratory
This laboratory course is designed to help students become familiar with and proficient in the performance of principles and protocols in cellular immunology, immunochemistry and clinical serology. This will be accomplished over the course of the semester by exploring the protein chemistry of antibodies, including antibody isolation using salt precipitation, ion exchange, and molecular sieving column chromatographhy, spectrophotometry, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), western blotting, immunoprecipitation, enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence staining. The student will also perform classic serological assays including the complement fixation test, passive hemagglutination and immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony technique). Anatomy of the lymphatic system will be explored using a mouse model. Specifically, the student will perform mouse dissection, lymph node examination, and isolation of lymphocytes from the mouse spleen and thymus. Finally, the student will be exposed to cellular immunology, including mammalian histology, identification and enumeration of mouse and human leukocytes, normal and diseased lymphoid tissue, and two-color flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations.  Prerequisite or corequisite:  course in immunology e.g., MICROBIO 320 or ANIMLSCI 472.  

552 Pathogenic Bacteriology
Laboratory procedures in clinical and diagnostic bacteriology including: i) culture and physiological characteristics of the pathogenic bacteria; ii) recommended procedures for the cultivation of both the common and rare pathogens isolated from clinical material; iii) conventional and rapid biochemical methods for detection and identification of medically important bacteria; iv) serological procedures on microorganisms of prime medical concern; and v) prescribed tests for the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics and antimetabolites.

560 Microbial Diversity
Exploration and interpretation of the diversity of microbial life. The role in nature of various groups of microbes; their physiology and ecology. Metabolism and energy conservation in chemoheterotrophic and chemolithotrophic bacteria and archaea. Anoxygenic and oxygenic photosynthesis. Microbial behaviors, symbiotic associations, and communities. Emphasis on anaerobes. Prerequisite:  MICROBIO 310 or consent of instructor; a course in biochemistry is desirable.

562 Environmental Biotechnology
Environmental Biotechnology is a laboratory course supported by lectures and demonstrations. This advanced course is designed to introduce graduate level students to traditional and molecular methods strategically applied to problems related to microbial biotechnology and environmental microbiology. Course topics cover a wide range of subjects from the diversity of microbial life to biodegradation. Seven general areas are emphasized: (1) Statistical sampling and chemical and physical site characterization, (2) biomass determination and cell counts, (3) enrichment techniques, (4) microbial activity measurements, (5) single cell detection in situ, (6) sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis followed by probe design, and (7) other modern techniques of environmental microbiology.

565 Laboratory in Molecular Genetics
Methodology and principles of modern molecular genetics. Microbial genetics combining classical techniques with bacteriophages and bacteria with modern PCR and recombinant DNA experiments. Introduction to genomic and structural analysis using computer methods. Gene expression in insect tissue culture cells using the baculovirus gene expression system.  Designed to help students learn techniques and analyze results. Prerequisite:  MICROBIO 330 or equivalent or consent of instructor.  Credits, 4

570 Virology
Molecular biology of viruses and viral genetic systems; viral disease processes. Emphasis on polio virus, influenza, herpes viruses, the DNA tumor viruses, retroviruses (including HIV), and hepadna viruses. Prerequisite: background in cell biology, genetics, or biochemistry.  Prerequisite:  MICROBIO 310; background in cell biology, genetics, or biochemistry recommended.  Credits, 3

585 Concepts in Molecular Genetics
Fundamental and advanced topics in the molecular genetics of micro-organisms covered through lecture and discussion of the literature. Topics vary depending on the instructor. Prerequisites: basic coursework in biochemistry and genetics.

590L Parasitology Lab
Hands-on experience in parasitological studies. Students analyze live and prepared samples of selected parasites, and the insect vectors that transmit disease. Experimental sessions involve completing parasite life cycles, inhibiting parasite growth using various drugs, and the genetic technique called RNA interference. Corequisite: MICROBIO 590S or consent of instructor. 

590S Parasitology
Classical and modern parasitology concentrating on protozoan and worm parasites of major medical/veterinary importance. Topics include basic principles of parasitology, life cycles, epidemiology, host-parasite interactions, drug treatments and vector control programs, along with information on the basic biology, biochemistry, and genetics of selected parasites.  Prerequisites:  introductory course in biology; BIOCHEM 285, MICROBIO 310.

590W Science Writing and Reviewing
Focus on writing and reviewing scientific manuscripts and grant proposals. Students write a short research paper based on sample data and formatted for a specific journal, review a paper prepared by a faculty member, and review a grant proposal prepared by a faculty member and discuss the review in a mock study section. Students work in small groups to stimulate collaborative thinking. Credits, 2

597B Microbial Biotechnology
Agricultural and industrial uses of microorganisms and efforts to genetically modify microorganisms for specific purposes. Topics include: history and development, microbial products, microbial biomass as a protein source, bioremediation, N2 fixation, Agrobacterium and the manipulation of plant genes, detection and monitoring of genetically engineered microorganisms, government regulation and social implications.  MICROBIO 310 or consent of instructor.  Course in genetics desirable. Credit, 1

597E Environmental Microbiology
How microorganisms interact with each other and with their environment. Microbial distribution and activities in natural systems, and their importance to ecosystem function and environmental quality. Extreme habitats; habitat-specific forces; microbial activity; microbial transformations and their impact on different environments; species diversity, detection, and control of microorganisms; and associations with higher organisms. Each basic principle followed by applied and environmental case studies. Modern techniques of environmental microbiology. Graduate students write an independent research proposal.  Prerequisite:  MICROBIO 310.

660 Genomics and Bioinformatics
Society will realize greater benefits from the genomic revolution when we can effectively synthesize a comprehensive understanding of a biological organism’s physiology and health using genomic data.   This course introduces fundamental concepts and tools in genomics and bioinformatics to provide students with a foundation for doing innovative research.  The course emphasizes the strong interdependence of genomics and bioinformatics. Genomics produces large scale data sets that require bioinformatic methods for data storage, manipulation and analysis.  Neither could produce meaningful results without the other, yet they are traditionally placed in separate disciplines.   By teaching both approaches together, this course will give students the ability to formulate genome-related hypotheses  and provide the practical skills for solving the closely interlinked experimental-analytical problems that genomics approaches involve.   There are no prerequistes, but a fundamental understanding in molecular biology and biochemistry is highly recommended.  Credits, 4

680 Microbial Physiology
Main aspects of microbial growth, energy and biosynthesis pathways, metabolic regulation and integration of pathways into a coherent system. Emphasis on physiological diversity, global control systems governing the adaptation of microorganisms to different environmental conditions, and emerging methodologies. Prerequisite: general background in microbiology and biochemistry.

696 Independent Study
Research under direction of a faculty member. Credit, 1-8

697D Special Topics: Acid Mine Drainage
Critical reviews and discussions of the current literature dealing with biogeochemistry of acid mine drainage (AMD). Establishes a broad understanding of the current literature and the basics of the biogeochemistry of AMD, and the biogeochemical processes related to AMD production and attenuation. AMD studied as a model for the interaction of microbial, geological, and hydrochemical systems. Credit, 1

697S Systems Biology
Systems Biology has been heralded as the Biology of the 21st Century. Come discover why. This primary literature-based course will cover seminal and exciting new papers that combine theoretical, computational and experimental results into explanatory and predictive models of biological systems.  Credit, 1

699 Master’s Thesis
Credit, 1-9.

791A Departmental Seminar
Reports and discussion of pertinent literature and research. Required of all microbiology graduate majors each semester in residence. Credit, 1

796 Independent Study
Research under direction of a faculty member. Credit, 1-7

797B Microbial Aspects of Biogeochemistry
Studies the active subsurface biosphere in sedimentary basins, to advance understanding of: 1) the forms of metabolic processes employed by such populations, and limits on the activity of subsurface microbial communities; 2) the origin, survival, and dormancy of slowly-growing subsurface microorganisms far removed from earth surface influences; 3) the geochemical, mineralogical, and molecular signatures that subsurface organisms may imprint on rocks and sediments; and 4) the impact that active modern populations may have on overprinting of paleoenvironmental signatures preserved in ancient sediments and rocks. Credit, 1

797E Microbial Ecology Journal Club
Presentations and discussions of important research papers from the current literature. Emphasis on either new strategies to address fundamental issues in microbial ecology or on hypothesis-based microbial ecology research. All participants should expect to lead a discussion. Presentations start with postdoctoral and senior graduate students. Credit, 1

797J Immunology Journal Club
This well organized journal club entails critical review of the scientific literature deemed beneficial and relevant to both students and immunology faculty. Students make one presentation of a journal article from a reputable immunology-related journal with the advice and final approval from an immunology faculty member. Topics include molecular immunology, programmed cell death, virus immunology, infection and defense, cellular immunology and receptor-mediated signaling. Credit, 1

797P Molecular Mechanisms in Pathogenesis
Explores through current primary literature some of the complex processes used by microbial pathogens to establish themselves in a host and to gain nutrients, subsequently causing host cell damage and disease, and to evade the host’s defense. Includes discussion of the modern molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry tools to study these processes. Credit, 1

899 Doctoral Dissertation
Credit, 1-9.