| Microbiology |
MICR 407 - Germs 101
Credits:
4.00
Expands on the increasing public awareness of the societal
and technological impact of the invisible microbial world
on our lives and on the planet. Students participate in
weekly extra-class activities, acting as life scientists by
using the scientific method of inquiry. One experience
focuses on bacteria that use sunlight to make a living,
another on using bacteria in genetic engineering. Students
come to view germs in diverse lights: microbes as
organisms, microbes as enemies, microbes as friends, and
microbes in the press. Especially useful for people with
microphobia. Not for Microbiology or Biology major credit.
MICR 444 - From Frankenstein to Dolly, and Beyond
Credits:
4.00
This course is an interdisciplinary introductory course
designed specifically for first year students. It seeks to
stimulate and support student inquiry and exploration of
social and ethical issues associated with scientific
research and advances, the value-laden questions that they
often precipitate, and their impact on individuals,
population groups, and society at large. (Also listed as
HMP 444.)
MICR 501 - Microbes in Human Disease
Credits:
4.00
Microorganisms have a profound effect on our everyday
lives. This effect can often be dramatic enough to capture
many of today's news headlines. Did you ever wonder why
people died from eating hamburgers contaminated with E.
coli? How do "flesh-eating bacteria" function? Will there
be an AIDS vaccine? Explores the answers to these and many
other fascinating questions by examining the role of
microorganisms in human disease. The fundamental structure,
metabolism, genetics, and ecology of clinically relevant
bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites and presented in
relationship to the human host and its immune system. The
foundation, incidence, and control of microbial diseases
are presented through case studies. Emphasizes active
learning in which students participate in classroom
discussions, experiments, and demonstrations. Laboratory
exercises designed to introduce techniques for the
identification of important pathogenic microorganisms and
disease diagnosis. Special fee. Lab.
MICR 501H - Honors/Microbes in Human Disease
Credits:
4.00
See description for MICR 501.
MICR 503 - General Microbiology
Credits:
5.00
Principles of microbiology; morphology, physiology,
genetics, culture, and classification of bacteria and
other microorganisms; and their relationships to
agriculture, environment, industry, sanitation, and
infectious diseases. Prereq: BIOL 411-412 or equivalent;
CHEM 403-404 or equivalent. Special fee. Lab.
MICR #504 - Brewing and Industrial Microbiology Applications
Credits:
4.00
Lectures and laboratories will address basic concepts of
microbiology, chemistry, and biochemistry related to the
brewing and food industries. The theoretical and practical
approach will serve as an integrative learning experience.
A hands-on course for students wishing to learn
microbiology industrial applications and for those working
in the field seeking to upgrade their sanitary microbiology
skills. Topics will include: bacterial cell wall
composition and Gram stain characteristics, the isolation,
enumeration, and identification of spoilage bacteria, yeast
fermentation and biochemistry, total and viable yeast
counts, wild yeast, media selection and preparation and the
role of Lactobacilli and Pediococci in beer and other
foods. Biochemical testing procedures and the HACCP food
safety system will also be emphasized. Prereq: MICR 503 or
permission of the instructor. Special fee.
MICR 600 - Field Experience
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
A supervised experience providing the opportunity to apply
academic experience in settings associated with future
professional employment and/or related graduate
opportunities. Must be approved by a faculty advisor
selected by the student. Prereq: permission. May be
repeated to a maximum of 8 credit hours. Only 4 credit
hours can be used toward the major. Cr/F.
MICR 600W - Field Experience
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
See description for MICR 600. Cr/F. Writing intensive.
MICR 602 - Pathogenic Microbiology
Credits:
5.00
Morphologic, cultural, biochemical, serologic,
epidemiologic, and pathogenic characteristics of
microorganisms causing human and animal diseases.
Discussion of clinical presentation in host and laboratory
diagnosis and treatment measures. Prereq: MICR 503. Lab.
Special fee.
MICR 603 - Bacteriology of Food
Credits:
4.00
Lectures and laboratories will address modern technical
concepts of the microbiology, physiology, and biochemistry
related to food sanitation. Theoretical and practical
approach serves as an integrative experience. Food
sanitation is a serious public health issue in the meat,
dairy, fish, and water industries. Benefits students
seeking employment in public health or sanitary
microbiology fields. Topics include food as a substrate for
microorganisms, causes of food spoilage, food borne disease
outbreaks, public health complications, isolation and
identification of food spoiling microorganisms, and
essentials for food safety and sanitation. Prereq: MICR 503
or equivalent. (Not offered every year.)
MICR 604 - Bacteriology of Food Lab
Credits:
1.00
This lab addresses modern technical concepts of the
microbiology, physiology, and biochemistry related to food
sanitation. Special fee.
Co-requisites:
MICR 603
MICR 651 - Biotechnology Experience/Biomanufacturing
Credits:
4.00
Course begins by introducing students to the proteins and
companies of biotechnology and to current good
manufacturing practices. For remainder of course, students
use cell culture of bacteria, mammalian and yeast cells to
produce human proteins using the tools and manufacturing
standards, operating procedures of biotechnology, including
upstream and downstream processing of proteins, and quality
control of protein production. (Also offered as ANSC 651.)
MICR 655 - Biotechnology Experience/Research
Credits:
4.00
One of two courses that provide students with state-of-the
art tools of biotechnology and an opportunity to master
skills and acquire the knowledge needed to work effectively
in a biotechnology lab within the industry. Research
protocols used in this course illustrate aspects of the
"central dogma" of molecular biology. Prereq: BIOL 411,
412, and MICR 503. (Also listed as ANSC 655.)
MICR 702 - Infectious Disease and Health
Credits:
5.00
Principles underlying the nature of infectious agents; the
diseases they cause; pathogenic strategies; response of
the host; intracellular parasitism; epidemiology; control
measures including vaccines and chemotherapy; action of
antimicrobial chemotherapeutic agents; pharmacokinetics and
drug metabolism. Ethical issues in infectious disease
covered. Well-established pathogens and newer, emerging
human and animal disease agents covered. Prereq: MICR 602;
permission. (Not offered every year.)
MICR 704 - Genetics of Prokaryotic Microbes
Credits:
4.00
Study of the maintenance, exchange, and expression of
genetic material in bacteria and their viruses. Combines a
historical overview on the important role microbial
genetics played in the development of modern molecular
biology with a contemporary perspective on the methods used
to understand the function of genes. Particular emphasis is
placed on current experimental applications to basic
science, biomedical research, and biotechnology. (Also
listed as GEN 704.) Prereq: MICR 503, BCHM 658. Special fee.
MICR 705 - Immunology
Credits:
5.00
Introduces the major cellular and molecular components of
the immune system; examines their development and
production, their interactions with each other and with
other systems in the body, and their regulation; explores
their role in beneficial and harmful immune responses in
humans and animals. Prereq: MICR 503. Special fee. Lab.
MICR 706 - Virology
Credits:
3.00
Principles of animal and selected plant and bacterial
virology in relation to infection and disease. Emphasizes
the molecular biology of viruses, viral replication,
isolation, propagation, assay, pathogenesis, diagnosis,
detection, epidemiology, and control. Prereq: MICR 503.
Co-requisites:
MICR 707 - Marine Microbiology
Credits:
5.00
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the
physiological activities of microorganisms that influence
the state of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, iron, manganese,
phosphorous, hydrogen, oxygen, and other elements in the
sea and its sediments. Provides an understanding of the
interrelationships between marine microorganisms and their
surroundings by integrating microbiological phenomena with
known aspects of physical, chemical, and biological
oceanography. Introduces students to the primary scientific
literature in marine microbiology, teaches each student how
to think provocatively and concertedly, and convey those
thoughts clearly and concisely in both oral and written
form. Prereq: MICR 503. Writing intensive.
MICR 708 - Virology Lab
Credits:
2.00
Principles and practices of animal, selected plants, and
bacterial virological methods for the propagation,
detection and enumeration of viruses. Prereq: MICR 503.
Coreq: MICR 706. Special fee.
Co-requisites:
MICR 706
MICR #710 - Electron Microscopy and Microbial Cytology/Electron Microscopy Lab
Credits:
5.00
Ultrastructure of eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and viruses.
Role of bacterial appendages, cell membranes and cell
walls, cytoplasmic inclusions, cell division and
sporulation and virus ultrastructure. Preparative electron
microscopy techniques for biological material described in
detail. Practical applications of electron microscopy
instrumentation together with theory of electron optics,
and instrument function discussed. Lab. Prereq: MICR 503;
permission. (Not offered every year.)
Co-requisites:
MICR 711 - Genomics and Bioinformatics
Credits:
4.00
The methods, applications, and implications of
genomics--the analysis of whole genomes. Microbial, plant
and animal genomics are addressed, as well as medical,
ethical and legal implications. The lab provides exposure
and experience of a range of bioinformatics approaches--the
computer applications used in genome analysis. Prereq: BIOL
604. (Also offered as BCHM 711 and GEN 711.) Lab.
MICR 713 - Microbial Ecology and Evolution
Credits:
4.00
Functional roles of microorganisms, their population
dynamics and interactions, and their mechanisms of
evolutionary change in natural communities, laboratory
experiments, and simple mathematical models. Special
emphasis on the tempo and mode of prokaryotic adaptation,
the evolution of virulence, and the origin of new
pathogens. Prereq: MICR 503.
MICR 714 - Public Health and Waterborne Diseases
Credits:
4.00
Course has three sections: 1) government, 2) disease and
epidemiology, and 3) sources of anthropogenic (of human
origin) microbial pollution, control and disinfection. The
overall theme of the class is to understand how and why
waterborne (virus, protozoal, and bacterial) and some
food-borne diseases are still prevalent within our society.
The class usually goes on at least two field trips, to a
wastewater plant and a drinking water plant; at times
students may be asked to go to town meetings or public
hearings concerning water and pollution. In lab, students
do experiments and then analyze their data and share it
with the rest of the class by posting it on the class Web
site. Prereq: MICR 503. Special fee.
MICR 717 - Microbial Physiology
Credits:
5.00
Fundamental physiological and metabolic processes of
archaea, bacteria and fungi with a strong emphasis on
prokaryotes. Literature-based course. Topics include
regulation of and coordination of microbial metabolism,
bacterial cell cycle, global control of gene expresssion,
diversity of energy metabolism, and microbial cell
differentiation. Prereq: MICR 503, BCHM 658 or 751; or
permission. Special fee. Lab. Writing intensive.
MICR 718 - Ethics and Issues in Microbiology
Credits:
4.00
Advances being made in the biological sciences impact the
need for scientific integrity. From guiding students in
the laboratory to scientific record keeping, from
authorship and peer review to potential conflicts of
interest, from use of animals and humans in research to
genetic technology, scientists need to understand the
ethical issues that underlie their work. These and related
issues are presented and discussed in a format that
encourages both an appreciation of established guidelines
and an opportunity to critically examine them. Writing
intensive.
MICR #720 - Microbes in the Marine Environment
Credits:
2.00
An introduction to concepts in marine microbiology, with
emphasis on the microbial diversity in the ocean.
Laboratory exercises include field sampling, classic
microbial culture culture techniques, and molecular methods
to identify members within different microbial communities.
This course is only taught in the summer at Shoals Marine
Lab. Prereq: one year college biology. Special fee.
MICR 751 - Cell Culture
Credits:
5.00
Theory and principles fundamental to the culture of cells
in vitro. Introduces techniques of preparation and
maintenance of animal, plant, insect, and fish cell
cultures. Application of cell culture to contemporary
research in biological sciences. Prereq: MICR 503;
permission. (Also offered as ANSC 751 and PBIO 751. No
credit if credit received for MICR 751 of ANSCI 746.)
Special fee. Lab.
MICR #766 - Plant-Microbe Interactions
Credits:
3.00
Physical, chemical, genetic and molecular methods utilized
by plant pathogens in interactions with plants, as well as
plant defense mechanisms. Major groups of plant pathogens
(bacteria, fungi, and viruses) are discussed, as well as
beneficial plant-microbe symbioses. (Also offered as PBIO
766.)
MICR 790 - Laboratory Teaching Experience
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
Students assist Graduate Teaching Assistants in preparing,
presenting, and executing Microbiology laboratory.
MICR 795 - Problems
Credits:
1.00 to 8.00
Special projects in microbiology. Research topics in
immunology; virology; microbial genetics; pathogenics;
microbial ecology; microbial physiology; marine
microbiology; detection of pathogens in shellfish.
MICR 795W - Problems
Credits:
1.00 to 8.00
See description for MICR 795. Writing intensive.