All courses are listed below. For specific information regarding the required courses and applicable electives for each program, please visit that program’s dedicated program page.
The course will prepare students with connections into a variety of Microbiology careers including industry, entrepreneurial ventures, government labs, NGOs, health professions, and academia through guest speakers sharing about their career paths.
Credits: 1
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
Introduction to the basic bioinformatic tools used in computational biology for life science research. The course will use web-based resources that analyze gene and protein sequences as pertinent data examples.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
This course is designed for graduate or advanced undergraduate students desiring a higher level survey course in molecular biology that is beyond an introductory course. Lectures and discussions will emphasize modern molecular, biochemical, and genetic approaches to solving problems of current interest in molecular biology.
Credits: 3
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
1. Study the microbial structure and function with regards to their role in pathogenesis and infection. 2. Mechanism of microbial pathogenesis: virulence factors, pathology, transmission, etc. 3. Selected diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans are discussed 4. The role of immune system in defending the host against infectious diseases and what happens when it breaks down will be examined. Topics discussed include: innate and acquired immunity, the role of cytokines, hypersensitivity, Immunodeficiency, autoimmune diseases, vaccines and the role of immune-therapeutics 5. General therapeutic principles and mechanisms of bacterial resistance to anti-microbial drugs will be covered. The discussion regarding anti-microbial agents will include: class, mode of action of anti-microbial agents. The relationship between structure and function and its role in rise of antibiotic-resistant strains will be discussed.
Credits: 4
Semester: Spring
This course is for beginning graduate and honor students in Microbiology and related disciplines. The course teaches basic information on families of viruses from humans, plants, insects, animals, and bacteria. Lectures cover the basic information of the medical, clinical, diagnostic, biotechnological, and molecular aspects of these viruses.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
This course follows GMS 6121 Infectious diseases and provides a more detailed molecular analysis of human pathogenic viruses. Replication mechanisms, molecular pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, immune evasion strategies, development of antivirals and vaccines, and the relationship between viral evolution and emerging viruses are taught using representative viruses from different viral families.
Credits: 2
Semesters: Spring
Survey of advanced topics and current scientific literature related to human host-pathogen interactions and microbial pathogenesis, focusing on emerging bacterial and viral pathogens as agents of human disease, biosecurity, molecular identification methods, spread of multi-drug resistance among bacterial pathogens, drug discovery, and alternative treatment research.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
Basic biology and pathogenesis of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Select representative organisms of each pathogen group and their diseases will be covered in detail. This course is coordinated with GMS 7192 Journal Colloquy for the fall, followed by three credits of GMS 6108 Bacterial Physiology, Antibiotics and Genetics and three credits of GMS 6131 Advanced Virology in the spring.
Credits: 3
Semesters: Fall, Summer
The principal goals of this blog-based Journal Club are to: (a) enhance graduate students’ understanding of the current state of knowledge regarding host-microbe interactions; and (b) provide experience in reviewing and critiquing research articles. Each week a different student will lead the discussion by writing a blog that critically evaluates peer-reviewed science articles for subsequent group discussion threads that reinforces the principles of various research approaches and analytical methods. This course will also help students to develop their scientific inquiry and written skill sets.
Credits: 1
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
Primary research papers correlated with the material being covered in GMS 6121 Infectious Diseases will be assigned for reading, analysis, and discussion in a bulletin board-type format. This class may be repeated in the spring and the summer.
*REPEATABLE COURSE
Credits: 1
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
Increase knowledge, appreciation and use of genomics pertaining to the breadth of microbial diversity across a wide variety of organisms and habitats using methods that do not require culturing of the myriad of inhabitants. Students will use tools, practice analysis and interpretation of genomic data sets to analyze different microbiomes.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
Astrobiology examines the origin, evolution, and future of life in our solar system. Topics will include: planet and star formation, biosphere formation, evolutionary processes biogeochemistry, microbial adaptation to extreme environments, planetary habitability, and microbiology on the International Space Station.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
MCB 6424 Probiotics is an upper division course on probiotics. This course will cover the use of microorganisms to promote a health status in the animal and human host. This course will provide a conceptual background in microbiology and immunology for the use of microorganisms for the prevention or treatment of animal and human diseases.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
Increasingly, researchers and healthcare providers are mining the genome to uncover the basis of disease susceptibility and treatment. Genome-based strategies are used for the detection, treatment, and prevention of many diseases. This course will discuss the field of genomics, how genome sequence data is obtained and analyzed, and most importantly, what can be learned from an individual’s genome. The course will address cutting-edge research in epigenetics, pharmacogenomics, molecular diagnostics, and the microbiome. The course will also include timely topics such as GMO’s, stem cells, genetic testing and genome editing. This course will reinforce fundamental concepts in molecular biology and genetics.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
This course will introduce the concept of synthetic biology, which is loosely defined as the construction and reconstruction of biological systems, and its practical applications in research and industry. Advanced molecular biology tools for DNA assembly, the construction of biological pathways and circuits, genome editing and strategies for transcriptional control will be examined in the course.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
This course is an introduction to the diversity of Bacteria and Archaea. Discussions will provide a conceptual and historical framework for understanding their 1) origin and evolution 2) morphological, metabolic, and molecular characteristics 3) genetic and physiological diversity 4) importance in human/animal/plant health and 5) roles in elemental cycling.
Credits: 3
Semester: Summer C
This course explores the structure and physiology of bacterial cells. The principles of energy and biosynthetic metabolism will be examined in aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms. Several current research topics in microbiology will also be covered including quorum sensing, proteases, chaperones, and microbes in extreme environments. Topics in microbial biotechnology will be discussed, such as improvements in the production of renewable fuels and chemicals and bioremediation.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
This course will discuss the synthesis and manipulation of DNA and the principles of gene expression at the molecular level in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The topics covered will include an introduction to the concepts of DNA replication, repair and packaging of the genome into chromosomes. In preparation for this course, you should understand basic college-level introductory biology and it is recommended to have at least one other more specialized biology course, such as Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Genetics or Biochemistry.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring/Summer C
An overview of gene and immunotherapy with emphasis on translational applications, including fundamental understanding of the principles and mechanisms of gene and immunotherapy, specifically molecular biology of gene therapy and basic immunology and immunotherapy. Preclinical and clinical applications of both will be discussed.
Credits: 2
Semester: Spring
Comprehensive course in basic immunology designed for graduate students. Emphasis will be placed on fundamental aspects of immunology and its application to real-world immunological research and concerns. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a solid immunological information foundation suitable for future educational endeavors in the areas of biomedical research or human/veterinary clinical applications. In addition, students will have a fundamental understanding of basic immunological experimental design.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
Ideally, students will take GMS 6121 before they take GMS 6108, especially if they have a limited background in Microbiology. However, students who wish to take GMS 6108 BEFORE they complete GMS 6121 can watch four introductory bacteriology lectures in order to get caught up. Students can complete both courses regardless of the order in which they register.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
The overall goal of this class is to enhance student learning in the field of microbiology and to network students with professionals within the scientific community. To this end, the course will take an innovative approach to student learning through interactive group projects. The students will prepare projects that will undergo a scientific review by their class peers and faculty instructors.
Credits: 2
Semester: Summer C
This course covers content related to antimicrobial resistance: the origins of antimicrobial resistance, dissemination, mechanisms, therapeutics, and impact on healthcare, agriculture, and the environment. This course mainly concentrates on resistance in bacteria, but will also discuss other organisms, including viruses, parasites, fungi, and cancer.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
Environmental Microbiology provides an overview of microorganisms in the environment, including occurrence, abundance and distribution. Current research methodologies to decipher microbial processes and activities, marine microbial ecology, microbial interactions with the environment and practices of applied environmental microbiology will also be examined.
Credits: 3
Semesters: Fall
This course explores soils as a habitat for microorganisms, the taxonomy and biology of soil microorganisms and the fundamentals of the microbial ecology of nutrient cycles, symbiotic associations and bioremediation.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
Critical presentation and synthesis of recent original articles in the microbiological literature. Specifically, this course will help students prepare and generate their literature review for the final MS program assessment.
Introductory Courses (Intro Track students only)
Structure, nutrition and growth of microorganisms; characterization of representative microorganisms and viruses; metabolic properties and introduction to microbial genetics, immunology and pathogenesis of microorganisms.
Credits: 3
GMS 5905 is a graduate-level course that surveys the structure, function, and metabolism of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. It introduces concepts in cell structure, replication and growth, and metabolic regulation.
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry (CHM 2210 and 2211, CHM 2215 and 2216, or their equivalents at other universities) or consent of course coordinator. In certain cases, with permission, CHM 2211 or CHM 2216 may be taken concurrently.
Department Module Courses
These additional modules, which cover a more advanced curriculum and last 4-8 weeks, can be completed for elective credit.
Download this Course Planning Document.
Fall Modules
Principles of energy and biosynthetic metabolism will be examined in aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms. Current biotechnology which incorporates these principles will also be discussed.
Course dates: late August through early October
Credits: 1
This course covers synthesis, processing, transport, and translation of RNA in micro-organisms and eukaryotes. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression will be the main topic; however, a review of the feneral mechanisms of eukaryotic gene activation and respression will also be covered.
Course dates: early October through mid-December
Credits: 1
Spring Modules
Course dates: mid-March through late April
Structure, nutrition and growth of microorganisms; characterization of representative microorganisms and viruses; metabolic properties and introduction to microbial genetics, immunology and pathogenesis of microorganisms.
Credits: 1
Semesters: Spring
Course dates: first eight weeks of spring semester
Credits: 2
Prerequisite: BSC 6459 with a grade of A or A-
Specific topics about cell structure and function published in recent journal articles and reviews with microbiological interest will be considered in a comparative discussion of animal and plant systems.
Course objectives:
- To develop an understanding of current advances and approaches in the study of the cell biology of eukaryotes.
- To gain insight on differences between plants and animals pertaining particularly to their susceptibility or capacity to resist microbial pathogens.
Instructors: Peter Kima and Zhonglin Mou
Course dates: early February through early March
Credits: 1
Principles of host defense to microbial invasion in a context of cellular biology involving both plants and animals.
Credits: 1
Course dates: mid-March through late April
Master of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science with a concentration in Medical Microbiology and Biochemistry
Students must take at least 3 credits in the final fall/spring semester (or 2 credits in the final summer semester) to graduate.
- 30 overall credits are required – Download the list of degree requirements
- Only courses completed with a grade of C or higher can be counted towards the degree
- Students must maintain both a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 major GPA to graduate
- A lower GPA will result in academic probation
- 15 of the 30 credits must be completed in major courses with a MCB, PCB, or BSC prefix
- Students must take at least three credits in the graduation semester (two credits if graduating in the summer semester)
- Satisfactorily complete MCB 7922 – Final Literature Review in the graduation semester
- We will not accept transfer credits from other programs/institutions, so all 30 credits must be completed through our required or elective coursework.
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Microbiology
Students must take at least 3 credits in the final fall/spring semester to graduate.
- 13 credits are required to complete the certificate.
- Only courses completed with a grade of C or higher can be counted towards the certificate.
- You must maintain both a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 major GPA in order to graduate.
Microbiome and Health Online Graduate Certificate
Students must take at least 3 credits in the final fall/spring semester to graduate.
- 12 credits are required to complete the certificate.
- Only courses completed with a grade of C or higher can be counted towards the certificate.
- You must maintain both a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 major GPA in order to graduate.
Students looking for more information on graduation, click here.
