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Graduate Courses in Microbiology

MBI 502 Geomicrobiology (3)

Focuses on mutual interactions between microbial and geological processes. Topics include: role of microorganisms on mineral weathering rates, microbe mediated ore deposit formation, microbe enhanced oil recovery, life in extreme environments, search for bio-signatures in geological records and meteorites and implications for life on Mars, microbial ecology in ocean floor hydrothermal vents. Cross-listed with GLG 402/502. Prerequisite: Any 100-level, 3 credit hour GLG course; CHM 137 or 141, 144; or permission of instructor.

MBI 505 Pathogenic Microbiology (4)

Pathogenic microorganisms, their identification, and mechanisms by which they cause disease. Prerequisite: MBI 202. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

MBI 514 Immunology Principles (3)

Lectures covering molecules, cells, tissues, and organs of the immune system. Primary emphasis on the mechanisms involved in immune responses. Prerequisite: MBI 202 (or permission of instructor) and CHM 242 or 332; recommended: MBI 365, ZOO 203, or ZOO 443.

MBI 515 Immunology Principles and Practice (4)

Covers the same content as MBI 514, but adds laboratory exercises and demonstrations illustrating a variety of immunologic phenomena, techniques, and applications. Credit not given for both MBI 414/514 and MBI 415/515. Prerequisite: MBI 202 (or permission of instructor) and CHM 242 or 332; recommended: MBI 365, ZOO 203, or ZOO 443. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

MBI 524 Biological Instrumentation (1)

Theory and application of modern biological instrumentation and techniques. Basic and advanced skills including use, maintenance and calibration of biological instruments. Prerequisites: BOT/MBI/ZOO 115 or BOT/MBI/ZOO 116 or BOT 191 or MBI 201 or MBI 202 or ZOO 113 or ZOO 114 or equivalent, CHM 141 and CHM 142 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with BOT/CHM/ZOO. Offered fall semester of even years.

MBI 525 Microbial Physiology (4)

Biochemical activities of microorganisms as revealed by their cellular physiology. Prerequisite: MBI 202 and CHM 242 or 332. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

MBI 535 Medical Mycology (3)

Characteristics of fungi associated with disease. Includes discussion of epidemiology, pathology, and diagnosis of mycotic diseases. Laboratory focuses on identification and biochemical activities of pathogenic fungi. Prerequisite: MBI 405/505 or BOT 421/521 or permission of instructor. 2 Lec. 1 Lab.

MBI 545 Microbial Genetics (3)

Genetic changes that occur in bacteria and bacterial viruses and resulting changes in their biochemical and physiological activities. Prerequisite: MBI 425.

MBI 555 Applied and Industrial Microbiology (2)

Problems associated with use and control of microorganisms in products and procedures of commercial importance. Prerequisite: MBI 425.

MBI 564 MBI 464/564 Human Viruses (3)

A study of the physical and chemical characteristics of viruses, virus replication mechanisms, disease causation and host response, and tumor induction. Prerequisite: MBI 201, 202, or equivalent.

MBI 565 Microbial and Molecular Genetics Laboratory (2)

Laboratory methodology associated with experimental aspects of microbial genetics and recombinant DNA technique. Prerequisite: BOT 342 or ZOO 342, or MBI 445/545 or permission of instructor.

MBI 566 Bioinformatics Computing Skills (3)

Programming in Perl and MatLab. Use of BLAST, BioPerl, BioPHP, and MatLab Bioinformatics Toolbox. Emphasis placed on biological database design, implementation, management, and analysis. Cross-listed with BOT 466/566 and CSA 466/566 and ZOO 466/566. Prerequisite: Programming course and BOT 116, or BOT 342, or permission of instructor.

MBI 575 Microbial Ecology (3)

A general survey of the role of microorganisms in the biosphere. Emphasis will be placed upon the early evolution of life, abiotic factors controlling the distribution and abundance of microorganisms, biotic interactions and biogeochemical cycling. Applied ecology, including drinking and wastewater treatment, bioremediation, and fermentations, will also be covered. Prerequisites: MBI 202, CHM 142 and CHM 242 or permission of instructor.

MBI 585 Bioinformatics Principles (3)

Concepts and basic computational techniques for mainstream bioinformatics problems. Emphasis placed on transforming biological problems into computable ones and seeking solutions. Cross-listed with BOT 485/585 and ZOO 485/585. Prerequisite: BOT/MBI/ZOO 116 or MBI 201 or BOT/ZOO 342 or CHM332 or CHM433 or permission of instructor.

MBI 595 Bacterial Cell Biology (3)

Focuses on the biology of bacteria at the cellular level, including regulation of cell shape, cell division, motility, development and differentiation, and interactions with other cells, including life in a biofilm and in association with symbionts. Prerequisite: MBI 202.

MBI 605 Advanced Molecular Biology (3)

In-depth study of genome organization, rearrangement, replication and expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and their viruses, with an emphasis on regulatory mechanisms. Cross-listed with BOT 605 and ZOO 605. Prerequisite: graduate status, one course in molecular genetics, biochemistry or cell biology, and permission of instructor.

MBI 606 Advanced Cell Biology (3)

An advanced level study of the molecular basis of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure/function relationships. Cross-listed with BOT 606 and ZOO 606. Prerequisite: graduate status, one course in molecular genetics, biochemistry or cell biology, and permission of instructor.

MBI 615 Papers, Proposals and Presentations: Communicating Science (2)

Will acquaint students with the principles and practice of scientific writing for the biological sciences (grant proposals and papers), graphic presentation of data, poster and slide preparation and oral presentations. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

MBI 630 Microbiology for Teachers (4)

A survey of the diversity of microorganisms in nature, their unique metabolic properties, their usefulness in recombinant DNA technology, gene engineering and industrial microbiiology, their involvement in selected disease processes, including AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, cancer and immune responses. Summer only. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

MBI 640 Infectious Disease Microbiology for Teachers (3)

Discussion of infectious diseases, the microorganisms that cause them and the hosts that they affect, with emphasis on pathogenesis, host responses, epidemiology and social impact. Summer only.

MBI 640.L Infectious Disease Microbiology Laboratory for Teachers (1)

This course introduces high school and junior high school biology teachers to laboratory approaches used by microbiologists for understanding infectious diseases and the pathogens that cause them. It fosters firsthand understanding of the research basis for, and the investigative nature of, clinical microbiology, and will assist in development of insight into how microorganisms cause infectious diseases. Summer only.

MBI 650 Seminar in Molecular Biology (1)

Discussion of current literature in molecular biology. Cross-listed with BOT 650, CHM 650 and ZOO 650. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

MBI 666 Molecular Biology of Microorganisms (3)

Organization and expression of genetic information in microbial organisms. Aspects of bacterial and lower eucaryotic systems as well as of plasmid, transposon, and viral entities pertinent to those hosts. Prerequisite: CHM 241, 242 and BOT 242, ZOO 242 or MBI 445.

MBI 671 Population and Community Ecology (4)

Principles and applications of population and community ecology: population dynamics, direct and indirect species interactions, food webs, and species diversity. Prerequisites: At least one course in general ecology. Cross-listed with BOT 671 and ZOO 671. A course in calculus is recommended.

MBI 672 Ecosystem and Global Ecology (4)

Structure, dynamics and management of ecosystems and the biosphere, including food web interactions, nutrient cycling, ecosystem functioning, and biogeochemical cycles at local, regional and global scales. Cross-listed with BOT 672 and ZOO 672. Prerequisites: At least one course in general ecology and general chemistry.

MBI 688 Biological Science Education (3)

Designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be an effective biology teacher at the college level. Students will be introduced to modern teaching techniques, peer evaluation as a means of teacher development, and reflective practice. Each student will develop a teaching philosophy statement as part of the course. Prerequisite(s): Graduate status in a biology department or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with BOT 688.

MBI 689 Pedagogy in Microbiology for Graduate Students (1)

Introduction of new graduate students to the role of the graduate teaching assistant. Summer only.

MBI 690 Graduate Seminar (1; maximum 8)

Discussions of current research and literature by graduate students and faculty.

MBI 700 Research for Master's Thesis (1-10; minimum 6; maximum 12)

MBI 710 Graduate Research Problems (1-10; maximum 16)

Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of instructor.

MBI 750 Advanced Topics in Microbiology (1-3; maximum 36)

Study of special topics from current research in the following areas:

1. Pathogenic Microbiology
2. Immunology
3. Microbial Physiology
4. Medical Mycology
5. Microbial and Molecular Genetics
6. Microbial Ecology
7. Instrumentation
8. Virology
9. Bacterial Cell Biology

Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of instructor.

MBI 790 Research in Microbiology

Pre-candidacy.

MBI 850 Research for Doctoral Dissertation (1-16; minimum 16, maximum 60 depending on department requirements)