In order to graduate, students must complete the following:
- Required Courses – 20 credits (including 3 credits of module courses)
- Elective courses – 10 credits minimum at student’s discretion.
30 credits in total are needed to graduate
15 of the 30 credits need to be completed in Microbiology and Cell Science course with a MCB, PCB, or BSC prefix. These courses must be taken at some point in your education MCB4934/MCB6940 is intended to benefit students making career decisions and organizing their academic credentials to support these decisions. The class will be taught as a lecture/presentation and discussion/activity/hands-on course with emphasis on exploring a wide variety of career opportunities in academia, industry, and alternative professions for (micro)biology majors and related fields. Credits: 1 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: 2 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 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 protozoan 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 includes; 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 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 (One can count as required and one can count as elective if you take both) 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 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 Advanced Bacteriology and three credits of GMS 6131 Advanced Virology in the spring. Credits: 3 (One can count as required and one can count as elective if you take both) This course is an online forum where students will be required to present a primary literature paper of their choosing as a written blog where fellow students will comment and ask questions regarding the content. *REPEATABLE COURSE Credits: 1 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: 1Download Course Planning Document
Required Courses
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
Semester: Fall
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
Semester: Spring
Semester: Spring
IN ADDITION TO ABOVE – STUDENTS MUST CHOOSE ONE OF THESE COURSES
Semester: Fall
Semesters: Fall, Summer
ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE ONE JOURNAL COURSE
Semesters: Fall, Spring
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
Elective Courses
Download Course Planning Document
This course covers molecular genetics; transcription, translation, replication, gene regulation, RNA structure and function, chromosome structure and function, prokaryotic/eukaryotic (and human) molecular genetics, and evolution.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
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
Semester: Spring
Ethics in Genetics explores the history of eugenics and how those issues still inform some of the major issues in controversy during the contemporary period. Ethical issues in human subjects research on genetics as well as the clinical ethical issues are covered, as are informed consent and confidentiality in genetic testing that are distinctive to genetics.
Credits: 1
Semester: Fall
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
Department Module Courses
Students must complete at least 3 of these courses in order to graduate. Additional modules can be completed for elective credit. Please note this is more advanced curriculum.
Download Course Planning Document
Fall 2016 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.
This is a 4 week module course – starting date TBD
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.
This is a 4 week module course – starting date TBD
Credits: 1
This is a 4 week module course – starting date TBD
BSC 6459 REQUIRED to take this course
Spring 2016 Modules
This module will focus on two important themes in bacterial physiology and metabolism, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. It will allow students to gain knowledge in these areas and experience in preparing and delivering a formal scientific presentation.
LIVE WEB BROADCAST – ATTENDANCE REQUIRED
This is a 4 week module course – January 7, 2016 to February 2, 2016 (8 meetings)
Credits: 1
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.
This is a 4 week module course – February 9, 2016 to March 10, 2016
Credits: 1
Principles of host defense to microbial invasion in a context of cellular biology involving both plants and animals.
This is a 4 week module course – March 17, 2016 to April 12, 2016
PCB 5235 suggested co-req
Credits: 1
