Microbiology 350 [1 cr.]
Introductory Laboratory in Medical Microbiology . Lab Course in College Biol. and Chem. Course Director: Dr. My-Hang Huynh. An introduction to the techniques and principles of the isolation, cultivation, identification and properties of microorganisms relevant to human health and disease. (This course should be accompanied or preceded by one of the following: Micro. 301 or equiv.) This class is offered in Fall and Winter term.
Microbiology 405 [3 cr.]
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases --- This course focus and scope is mainly geared to students interested in continuing onto post-graduate education in the areas of public health, medicine, biomedical research or other health-related areas. This lecture-based course covers topics on the biology of microbial cells, medical immunology, pathogenic virology and pathogenic bacteriology, and develops concepts on the types of interaction between host and pathogen that contribute to infectious diseases. Lectures will draw from both classic and newly emerging infectious diseases. Course Directors: Yasmina Laouar (fall semester) and Maria Sandkvist (winter semester). 
Syllabus for fall 2023.
Microbiology 415 [3 cr.]
Virology . Biol 162, and either Biol 311, Chem 451, MCDB 427, or permission of instructor is required. Course Director: Dr. Katherine Spindler. Viral pathogens are responsible for a significant number of human diseases ranging from the common cold to chicken pox to HIV/AIDS. This upper level undergraduate course will cover the history and discovery of viruses. We will review viral structure, replications and pathogenesis. This course will introduce students to bacteriophages as well as plant and animal viruses. We will introduce the similarities and differences between RNA and DNA viruses as well as explore the mechanisms responsible for viral entry into cells, viral protein expression, viral assembly and viral replication. We will discuss acute, persistent and latent infections. Students will learn about important viral diseases in humans and animals and will learn how viral infection can contribute to malignancy. In addition, the interactions between the host immune response and the viral virulence mechanisms will be discussed. Course grade will be based on both exams and a student project. Overall, students will gain a fundamental understanding of viral structure, biology, pathogenesis and control. This course is cross-listed as INTMED 415. Winter term.
Microbiology 440 [3 cr.]
Immunology . Biol 207, and either Biol 311, Chem 451, MCDB 427, or permission of instructor is required. Course Director: Dr. Tom Moore. This upper level undergraduate course will provide a broad overview of the rapidly advancing field of modern immunology in both the basic and clinical sciences. Topics to be covered include: Cells and Organs of the Immune System, Generation of T-Cell and B-Cell Responses, Immune Effector Mechanisms (including cellular and antibody-mediated responses), and The Immune System in Health and Disease (including AIDS and other immunodeficiencies, immune responses to infectious diseases, vaccines, transplantation and cancer immunology and autoimmunity). Lectures will emphasize experimental and clinical observations to highlight key concepts. Course will utilize lecture and textbook based learning complemented with web-based online resources directly linked to textbook, including chapter-by-chapter study guides, animations and molecular visualization of key concepts, and clinical case studies. Upon completion of this course, students will possess a solid understanding of immunological principles and concepts as they are applied to a growing cross-section of both the basic and clinical sciences. This course is cross-listed as INTMED 440. Winter term.
Microbiology 450 [3 cr.]
Global Impact of Microbes. Course Director: Associate Professor Oveta Fuller, Ph.D. This course is made up of lectures, discussion and projects. Students will explore impacts of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites.
The overall objective is that participants gain appreciation of the multiple factors that influence transmission, control and outcomes from encounters with microbes in different global sites. Course participants will better understand biological mechanisms of prevalent microbial pathogens and biomedical controls or prevention.
This course is ideal for those interested in infectious diseases, medicine, health, policy or related areas.
Microbiology 460 [3 cr.]
Eukaryotic Microbiology . Biol 207, and either Biol 311, Chem 451, MCDB 427, or permission of instructor is required. Course Director: Dr. Tom Moore. This upper level undergraduate course will cover the biology of eukaryotic microbes and the competitive environments in which they live. Eukaryotic microbes include fungi, protozoa, and helminths (worms). They are found in the soil, water (pond and tap), and even in our gastrointestinal tract. Fungi are critical for the nutritional cycle of life and act as the major composting organisms in the soil. They also are responsible for the production of bread, beer, wine, and "natural flavors" used by the food industry. A common feature of all eukaryotic microbes is that they have all developed strategies to outcompete other microbes (prokaryotes and eukaryotes) and survive in the environment and in hosts (animals, plants, insects). We will cover these biochemical and biological strategies, which include antibiotics, phase changes, and evasion of host defenses. Eukaryotic microbes are also a significant cause of disease in humans (e. g. malaria, AIDS-associated infections, allergies and chronic infections) and plants (e. g. dutch elm disease, potato blight, corn smut) and we will also highlight the mechanisms by which hosts defend themselves against these microbes. Overall, the student will gain an understanding of the impact of these organisms on the environment and on everyday life. This course is cross-listed as INTMED 460. Fall term only.
