:: Microbiology Course Descriptions ::
100 Level Courses
MICROBIO 160 Biology of Cancer & Aids (Fall and Spring)
Not for credit toward major. How cancer and AIDS begin and progress. The roles
of individual cells, the immune system, mutations and viruses. How various
physical and subtle factors influence one's chances of getting cancer. How
to not get AIDS. The principles of vaccine development and why AIDS presents
special difficulties. Established and new medical treatments for cancer and
AIDS. What cancer and AIDS can teach us about health, healing, disease, living,
and dying. (Gen.Ed. BS). (Fall and Spring). 3 credits.
100 200-300 400-500 600-800 Top
200-300 Level Courses
MICROBIO 255 Introduction to Medical Microbiology (Fall
and Spring)
Not for majors. With lab. Basic concepts of microbiology with emphasis on
microbial pathogenesis and immunity. Medically important microorganisms
including bacteria, fungi, viruses, rickettsia, protozoa, and the diseases
which they produce. Laboratory exercises develop fundamental skills in aseptic
technique, microscopy, pure culture study, and the isolation and identification
of pathogenic microorganisms. (Gen.Ed. BS). 4 credits.
Prerequisites: KIN 297C (formerly EXERSCI 205), KIN 297A (formerly EXERSCI 304).
MICROBIO 310 General Microbiology (Fall and Spring)
Overview of the microbial world including a survey of the structure, functioning,
and diversity of microorganisms. Introduction to the fundamental concepts
of microbial physiology, ecology, genetics, and pathogenesis. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: CHEM 261 or concurrent enrollment.
MICROBIO 312 Microbiology Laboratory (Fall and Spring)
Microbiological laboratory procedures including sterile technique, microscopy,
enrichment and isolation, and preservation. Extensive experience in the cultivation
of microorganisms. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: MICROBIO 310 or concurrent enrollment.
MICROBIO 320 Infectious Disease and Defense (Fall) (Formerly
Micbio 397) Course
web site
The mechanisms by which microorganisms, including bacteria, protozoa, fungi,
and viruses, infect animals and plants and cause disease, and the mechanisms
of host defense against infectious microbes. Emerging and reemerging infectious
diseases of plants and animals and development of resistance to antimicrobial
chemicals. 3 credits.
Prerequisites: BIOLOGY 100, 101 and MICROBIO 310.
MICROBIO 330 Microbial Genetics (Spring)
Basic concepts of microbial genetics, and genomics. Both classic and modern
experimental approaches to studies of fundamental genetic processes. 3
credits.
Prerequisites: MICROBIO 310 or BIOLOGY 100 and 101 or consent of instructor.
MICROBIO 360 Writing in Microbiology (Fall)
Satisfies the Junior Year Writing requirement. Students develop their writing
skills while completing a series of short assignments. Each participant will
identify a biological topic of their choice to research and write about during
the semester. 3 credits.
Prerequisites: ENGL WP 112 and MICROBIO 310.
MICROBIO 396 Independent Study (Fall and Spring)
Individual study of a selected problem for qualified students. By arrangement
with individual faculty members. 1- 6 credits.
100 200-300 400-500 600-800 Top
400-500 Level Courses
MICROBIO 480 Microbial Physiology (Spring)
Experimental approaches used to define essential aspects of bacterial growth,
including energy metabolism, biosynthesis of macromolecule precursors and
their assembly into macromolecules, and the integration of these processes
by various regulatory mechanisms. Emphasis on the isolation and characterization
of mutants blocked in key cell functions. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: MICROBIO 310.
MICROBIO 498 Senior Honors (Fall and Spring)
Senior research, thesis option. By arrangement with department and/or Honors
Office. 4 credits.
MICROBIO 499 Senior Honors (Fall and Spring)
Continuation of 498. Thesis mandatory. By arrangement with department and/or
Honors Office. 1-5 credits.
MICROBIO 542 Immunology Laboratory (Spring)
Laboratory procedures in cellular immunology and immunochemistry. Lab procedures
explore protein chemistry of antibodies, including antibody isolation using
salt precipitation, ion exchange and molecular sieving column chromatography,
spectrophotometry, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), western
blotting, immunoprecipitation, Immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony technique) and
enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and Immunofluorescence staining. Anatomy
of the lymphatic system, mouse dissection and isolation of lymphocytes from
spleen and thymus; cellular immunology, including histology of leukocytes
(mouse and human), normal and diseased lymphoid tissue, and two-color flow
cytometric analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations. 3 credits.
Prerequisite or corequisite: course in immunology e.g., MICROBIO 320 or MICROBIO
540.
MICROBIO 550 Infection and Immunity (Fall)
Principles of host-parasite interactions; infections caused by pathogenic
bacteria; virulence factors, such as toxins and microbial structures; pathogenesis
and pathology of bacterial infections; non-specific factors in host resistance
and susceptibility to infectious disease; and immunology of microbial infection.
3 credits.
Prerequisite: MICROBIO 310.
MICROBIO 552 Pathogenic Bacteriology Laboratory (Fall)
Lab procedures in clinical and diagnostic bacteriology including: cultural
and physiological characteristics of pathogenic bacteria; cultivation of common
and rare pathogens isolated from clinical material; conventional and rapid
biochemical methods for detection/identification of medically important bacteria;
relevant serological procedures; prescribed tests for susceptibility of bacteria
to antibiotics and antimetabolites. Occasional work outside of scheduled class
time required. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: MICROBIO 312.
MICROBIO 560 Microbial Diversity
Exploration and interpretation of the diversity of microbial life. The role
in nature of various groups of bacteria: their physiology and ecology. Metabolism
and energy conservation in chemoheterotrophic and chemolithotrophic bacteria.
Anoxy-genic and oxygenic photosynthesis in prokaryotes. Bacterial motility
and chemotaxis. Emphasis on anaerobic bacteria. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: MICROBIO 310 or consent of instructor. A course in biochemistry
is desirable.
MICROBIO 562 Environmental Biotechnology
Microbial 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. Students
will go on an overnight fieldtrip on the first or second weekend following
the first lecture. 3 credits.
MICROBIO 565 Laboratory in Molecular Genetics (Fall)
Techniques in modern molecular genetics of bacteria, animals, plants, and
yeast. Includes: isolation of DNA/RNA; DNA cloning and sequencing; polymerase
chain reaction; Southern, Northern and Western blots; signal transduction
using reporter genes; tissue culture; recent advances in genomics and bioinformatics.
4 credits.
Prerequisites: BIOCHEM 285 and consent of instructor.
MICROBIO 570 Virology
Molecular biology of animal viruses and viral genetic systems; viral disease
processes. Concentrates on polio virus, influenza, herpes viruses, HIV, and
the DNA and RNA tumor viruses. Examines some aspects of animal cell molecular
biology. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: MICROBIO 310; Biochemistry or Genetics strongly recommended.
MICROBIO 585 Concepts in Molecular Genetics (Spring)
Fundamental and advanced concepts in bacterial gene regulation, with focus
on bacterial responses to environmental stress. Emphasis on experimental design,
and data interpretation and presentation. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: general background in biochemistry and genetics.
MICROBIO 590B Bioinformatics Lab (Spring)
This computer laboratory couse is designed to help students construct a working library of bioinformatic tools and resources. The flow of the course will move from traditional DNA and protein sequence analysis techniques to the opportunities afforded by large-scale genomic and gene expression data. During the laboratory students will become familiar with Unix-based operating systems, write computer programs to manipulate biological data and use relational databases. While there are no formal prerequisites, some level of familarity with molecular biology is recommended. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: This course may be taken concurrently with or independently of MICROBIO 690K.
MICROBIO 590S Parasitology (Spring)
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of both classical and modern parasitology concentrating on protozoan and worm parasites of major medical/veterinary importance. Topics covered will 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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites: Introductory course in biology; BIOCHEM 285, MICROBIO 310.
MICROBIO 590L Parasitology Lab (Spring)
This lab course is designed to give hands-on experience in parasitological studies. Students will analyze live and prepared samples of selected parasites, and the insect vectors that transmit disease. Experimental sessions involve completing parasite life cycles, and inhibiting parasite growth using various drugs, and a genetic technique called RNA interference. 3 credits.
Corequisites: MICROBIO 590S or consent of instructor.
Special Topics Courses
MICROBIO 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. 1-3 credits.
Prerequisite: MICROBIO 310 or consent of instructor. Course in genetics desirable.
MICROBIO 597E Environmental Microbiology (Fall)
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.
3 credits.
Prerequisite: MICROBIO 310.
100 200-300 400-500 600-800 Top
600-800 Level Courses
MICROBIO 680 Microbial Physiology (Fall)
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. 3 credits.
MICROBIO 690E Microbial Evolution and Ecology (Spring)
It has been said biology makes sense only in light of evolution. Equally true is the fact that evolution only makes sense in light of ecology. Theoretical and experimental issues confront the application of evolutionary and ecological principles to microbial populations and communities. This course will describe what is currently known about microbial ecology from the level of individuals to ecosystems as well as the issues that are still unresolved. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. 3 credits.
MICROBIO 690K Bioinformatics (Fall)
This course is an introduction to the biological, computational and statistical
foundations necessary for bioinformatics-related research. Areas covered will
include; biological databases, DNA and protein sequence analysis, structure-based
analysis, expression analysis, and genetic mapping. This course is cross-listed
in Mathematics and Statistics, Microbiology and Computer Science. While there
are no formal prerequisites,
some level of familiarity with molecular biology, statistics, and/or computer
programming is recommended. 3 credits.
MICROBIO 696 Independent Study
Research project under direction of a faculty member. By arrangement. 1-6
credits.
MICROBIO 697D Special Topics: Acid Mine Drainage
This course covers a series of critical reviews and discussions of the
current literature dealing with the BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE
(AMD). The goals of this course are to establish a broad understanding of
the current literature and the basics of the biogeochemistry of AMD, and to
understand biogeochemical processes related to AMD production and attenuation.
Microbes are unique in that they both influence and are influenced by their
environment, giving them the ability to affect life at a global scale. We
will study AMD as a model for the interaction of microbial, geological and
hydrochemical systems. We will start with the reading of a professional research
proposal, and try to cover the basic techniques in Minilectures in the first
two weeks. Equipped with this background information we will discuss new AMD
related research publications. 1 credit.
MICROBIO 697S Systems Biology (Spring)
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. 1
credit.
MICROBIO 699 Master's Thesis
1-9 credits.
MICROBIO 791A Graduate Seminar
Reports and discussion of pertinent literature and research. Required of all
microbiology graduate majors each semester in residence. More
information. 1 credit.
MICROBIO 796 Independent study
Research project under direction of a faculty member. By arrangement. 1-8
credits.
MICROBIO 797B Microbial Aspects of Biogeochemistry (Fall)
The existence of active microbial populations in deeply buried sediments and sedimentary rocks has been documented in a wide variety of marine and terrestrial sites from around the world. The presence of such populations speaks to diverse biogeochemical topics such as controls on sediment and pore fluid geochemistry, long-term carbon cycling, formation and degradation of fossil fuel resources, life in extreme environments and evolution of the biosphere. This seminar brings together studies of 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. 1 credit.
MICROBIO 797E Microbial Ecology Journal Club (Fall)
The journal club will consist of presentations and discussions of important research papers from the current literature. A typical presentation will include a 10-15 minute introduction of the topic, followed by a review of major findings from one or a small number of recent papers. Emphasis will be on either new strategies and technologies used to address issues in microbial ecology of wide fundamental importance, or on hypothesis based microbial ecology research. Choice of subject material will be left to the presenters, but should have broad appeal (instructor approval). All participants should expect to lead a discussion. Early presentations will be made by postdoctoral and senior graduate students; junior students will be phased in later. 1 credit.
MICROBIO 797J Immunology Journal Club
Critical review of the scientific literature is an integral part of scientific
research and both students and faculty benefit greatly from the discussions
originating from these reviews. Immunology Journal Club meets Fridays
at 12:20 PM in Paige Labs, room 214. Typically one paper is presented by a
student at each meeting. Auditors are always welcome. Grading is pass/fail.
Registered students are expected to make one presentation and to attend all
meetings. Students presenting are expected to make their own selection from
the literature (see below), but are welcome to consult one of the immunology
faculty for advice. In most semesters, papers are presented from any area
of immunology. In some semesters, the faculty restricts the papers presented
to a specific topic. During recent years, such topics were programmed cell
death, virus immunology, and receptor-mediated signaling. Papers for
presentation are to be selected from the following top-ranking journals: Cell,
Immunity, Nature Immunology, Nature, Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal
of Virology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, or Science.
Papers from other journals can be presented with prior approval of a faculty
member. 1 credit.
MICROBIO 797P Molecular Mechanisms in Pathogenesis
Bacterial, protozoan, fungal, and viral pathogens have evolved a wide variety of mechanisms to establish themselves in the host and gain nutrients, subsequently causing host cell damage and disease. Other mechanisms of pathogenesis include host defense evasion. We will explore some of the complex processes used by microbial pathogens through current primary literature. A discussion of the modern molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry tools to study these processes will be incorporated. Understanding how microbes cause disease is often the first step toward the development of new therapeutic approaches. 1 credit.
MICROBIO 899 Doctoral Dissertation
1-9 credits.
100 200-300 400-500 600-800 Top
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