Field of Microbiology Graduate Curriculum

 

Students matriculating into the Graduate Field of Microbiology are requested to complete the following courses during their first 5 semesters of residence:

 

            BIOBM 6330, Biosynthesis of Macromolecules (Fall, 2 cr.);

            BIOMI 6901-6905, Prokaryotic Biology (Fall/Spring, 5 modules, 1 cr. per module);

            BIOMI 7970, Scientific Communication Skills (2 semesters, 1 cr. per semester);

                                    BIOMI 7980, Graduate Research Seminar in Microbiology (all semesters, 1 cr. per semester);

                                    BIOMI 7910, Advanced Topics in Microbiology (Fall/Spring, 1 cr. per semester) is encouraged;

                                    BIOMI 7990, Microbiology Seminar Series (Fall/Spring, 0 credits) is required each semester.

 

Students with exceptional backgrounds or specializations may be exempted from selected requirements upon approval of their special committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

All graduate students with a minor in Microbiology will complete at least 3 credits of BIOMI 6901-6905.

 

The Courses

 

BIOBM 6330   Biosynthesis of Macromolecules (2 cr.)                    Fall      Roberts and Wilson

Synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins, and regulation of gene expression.

 

BIOMI 6901-6905  Prokaryotic Biology.    Fall /Spring - 4 weeks/8 lectures 1 credit/section offered T/Th  (time to be arranged). Students may complete these courses at their convenience during their first five semesters in residence (prior to the A-exam).  Most are encouraged to take at least three modules during their first year.

 

6901 - Microbial Structure & Function                                        Fall      Shapleigh

Discussion of those macromolecules and assemblages of macromolecules that together define the structure of the prokaryotic cell. This will include external structures, such as cell wall, flagella, pili and peptidoglycan and internal structures such as specialized vesicles and other large complexes.

 

6902 - Environmental Microbiology                                             Fall      Madsen

A core course of concepts, methods, and current literature that reveals the multidisciplinary nature of environmental microbiology and its relationship to prokaryotic biology. The crucial roles that microorganisms play in catalyzing biogeochemical reactions throughout the biosphere will be discussed.

 

6903 - Microbial Physiology/Diversity                                          Fall      Zinder

An overview of prokaryotic physiological diversity. The major energy producing pathways of bacteria, and their phylogenetic distributions among both Bacteria and Archaea, are reviewed. Topics include fermentation, respiration, photosynthesis, and pathways of carbon and nitrogen fixation.

 

6904 - Microbial Genetics                                                              Spring Helmann

Reviews the fundamental concepts of microbial genetics including mutations and their analysis, plasmids, conjugation, transformation, transduction, transposition, recombination, repair and mutagenesis.

 

6905 - Microbial Pathogenesis                                                       Spring Winans

An introduction to the fundamental concepts of bacterial pathogenesis including the normal flora, pathogen entry and colonization, the production and regulation of toxins, horizontal transfer of pathogenesis determinants, and the roles of both specific and non-specific host defenses. Examples will include bacterial pathogens of both animals and plants.

 

BIOMI 7910  Advanced Topics in Microbiology.  Fall and Spring. Staff. (1 credit). Reading and presentation by graduate students of current literature in selected areas of modern microbiology. Prerequisite: graduate standing in Microbiology or a related discipline, or permission of the instructor. 

 

BIOMI 7970 Scientific Communication Skills.  Fall and Spring. (F 2:30-3:30 pm, Staff).  1 credit each semester. S-U grades only.  Taken by students in the Graduate Field of Microbiology during their first two semesters, a third semester is optional.  The ability to communicate effectively is essential for success as a scientist.  The primary goal of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to develop self-confidence and refine their formal oral presentation skills.  Students will be asked to present topical seminars that will be critically evaluated by the instructor.  Feedback for improving the presentation and peer evaluations will be emphasized.

 

BIOMI 7980 Graduate Research seminar in Microbiology.  Fall and Spring. (F 1:25-2:15 pm, Staff) 1 credit each semester. Required of all graduate students in the Field of Microbiology. S-U grades only. All graduate students in the Field of Microbiology are required to register for and attend BioMI 7980 and are required to present a seminar concerning their research at least once each year starting their second year.

 

BIOMI 7990 Microbiology Seminar.  Fall and Spring. (Th 4:00-5:00 pm, Staff). Required of all graduate students in the Graduate Field of Microbiology every semester and open to all who are interested.