Course Descriptions

403-3 Medical Microbiology Lecture (Same as MICR 403). A survey of the more common bacterial, mycotic and viral infections of humans with particular emphasis on the distinctive properties, pathogenic mechanisms, epidemiology, immunology, diagnosis and control of disease-causing microorganisms. Three hours lecture. Prerequisite: MICR 301; or consent of instructor.

405-3 Clinical Microbiology (Same as MICR 405). This course will be offered in Springfield. A comprehensive course for health science professionals covering the biology, virulence mechanisms and identification of infectious agents important in human disease and host-defense mechanisms. Clinical applications are emphasized. Three hours lecture. Prerequisite: MICR 301; or consent of instructor.

421-3 Biotechnology (Same as MICR 421). Topics covered will include the genetic basis of the revolution in biotechnology, medical applications including genetic screening and therapeutic agents, industrial biotechnology and fermentation, and agricultural applications. Three hours lecture. Prerequisite: MICR 302; or consent of instructor.

423-3 Geomicrobiology (Same as MICR 423 and GEOL 423). This course will focus on the role that microorganisms play in fundamental geological processes. Topics will include an outline of the present understanding of microbial involvement of weathering of rocks, formation and transformation of soils and sediments, and genesis and degradation of minerals. Elemental cycles will also be covered with emphasis on the interrelationships between the various geochemical cycles and the microbial trophic groups involved. Prerequisite: MICR 301 and Chemistry 210 and 21l. Recommended: GEOL 220, 221 or 222.

425-3 Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms Lecture (Same as MICR 425). Chemical composition, cellular structure and metabolism of microorganisms. Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry; or consent of instructor.

451-6 (3,3) Biochemistry (Same as BCHM 451 and CHEM 451). 451 a, 451 b-1, 451 b-2.
(a) Chemistry and function of amino acids, proteins, and enzymes; enzyme kinetics; membranes; chemistry, function, and metabolism of carbohydrates; citric acid cycle; electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation. (b) Chemistry, function, and metabolism of lipids; nitrogen metabolism; metabolic regulation; nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis; molecular biology. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: organic chemistry and biological sciences; or consent of instructor.

453-3 Immunology Lecture (Same as MICR 453). Natural and acquired immunity. Antigens, antibodies, and antigen-antibody reactions in vitro and in vivo. Three hours lecture. Prerequisite: 403; or consent of instructor.

455-2 Medical Immunology (Same as MICR 455). This course will be offered in Springfield.
A survey of the components of the immune system and how they interact with each other to produce responses that are important in the control or mediation of human disease. Two hours lecture. Prerequisite: MICR 301; or consent of instructor.

456-3 Biophysical Chemistry (Same as BCHM 456 and CHEM 456). A one semester course in physical biochemistry intended for biochemists, biophysicists and molecular biologists. Emphasis will be on solution thermodynamics and kinetics applied to biological systems. Computer usage will be an integral part of the course using programming for the purposes of simulations, graphics, problem solving, and data reduction and error analysis. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: calculus and 451a; or consent of instructor.

460-3 Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses Lecture (Same as MICR 460). Genetic mechanisms, mutation, transformation, recombination, transduction, lysogeny, phenotypic mixing and reactivation phenomena. Three hours lecture. Prerequisites: MICR 301 and MICR 302; or consent of instructor.

470-3 Prokaryotic Diversity (Same as MICR 470). A consideration of the major groups of prokaryotes with special emphasis on their comparative physiology and biochemistry. Prerequisite: MICR 301; or consent of instructor.

480-4 Molecular Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory (Same as MICR 480). Genetic and biochemical analyses of microorganisms using a variety of techniques in molecular biology, molecular genetics and biotechnology. Six hours laboratory per week plus two hours of supervised unstructured laboratory work in most weeks. Prerequisites: MICR 302 and one (or concurrent enrollment in one) of the following: 421, 425, or 460.

481-4 Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology Laboratory (Same as MICR 481). Enrichment and isolation of medically relevant prokaryotes from natural samples, diagnostic methods for the identification of pathogenic bacteria, and infection and the nature of the immune response. Six hours laboratory per week plus two hours unstructured, supervised laboratory work in most weeks. Prerequisites: MICR 301 and MICR 302 and two (or concurrent enrollment in two) of the following: 403, 453, 470.

502-3 Introduction to Research. An introductory research course. Students rotate through at least three research laboratories. Lecture and laboratory hours to be arranged. Students can not get credit for both 502 and 504. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry graduate program.

504-3 Research Methods. Problem definition, experimental design and research methods in specific areas of molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology. Lecture and laboratory hours to be arranged. Students can not get credit for both 502 and 504. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry graduate program.

505-1 Special Topics. Discussion of current research in specific areas of molecular biology, microbiology and biochemistry. One hour of group discussion per week. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

510-3 Functions of Public Health System. This course will be offered in Springfield. This course is an introduction to the concepts and practices of public health at the community, state, and national levels. The course addresses the philosophy, purpose, history, organization, functions, activities and impact of public health practice. The course also addresses a number of important health issues and problems facing the public health system. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of public health laboratory in public health practice. Discussion questions and case studies are integrated into the course, serving to stimulate student participation in gaining in-depth knowledge about real world public health issues and practice. Prerequisite: Bachelors degree in microbiology or other biology, chemistry or physical science.

515-1 to 6 (1 to 6 per semester) Master's Degree Research. Individualized laboratory research and training. Graded credit for Master's Degree only. Maximum 6 credit hours. Prerequisites: admission to master's program in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, and Biochemistry and consent of instructor.

520-2 Advanced Microbial Physiology and Control Mechanisms. The physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of microbial regulatory mechanisms. Topics include transport phenomena, catabolite and nitrogen repression, the stringent response, and autoregulatory phenomena. Two lectures per week. Prerequisite: 425; or 451a and b; or consent of instructor.

528-1 to 3 Special Readings in Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry. Supervised readings for qualified graduate students. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

530-3 Advanced Cellular Biology. This course will be offered in Springfield. An advanced course based on current literature concerning the cellular biology of eukaryotes. Both students and faculty will make presentations followed by discussion. Topics will include: the cellular and subcellular structure and function of the lower eukaryotes, the biochemistry and biophysics of eukaryotic membrane systems and the higher subcellular functions of mammalian cells. Prerequisites: 400-level course in genetics and in biochemistry; or consent of instructor.

531-3 Molecular and Cellular Biology. Lecture course in molecular and cellular biological techniques used in the study of organisms; structures and processes involved in genome organization; packaging and replication of DNA; transcription and RNA processing; recombination and transposition of DNA; gene regulation with emphasis on developmental processes; signal transduction; structure and function of cellular components; cell-cell interaction; etc. Prerequisite: 451b; or consent of instructor; 460 recommended.

532-3 Methods of Structural Biology. Lecture course in molecular computer graphics, macromolecular structure prediction, molecular dynamics, applications of NMR and X-ray methods to structural determinations of biological macromolecules; spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, Raman, fluorescence, and circular dichroism methods. Prerequisite: 456; or consent of instructor.

533-3 Advanced Biochemistry. Lecture course in control mechanisms of biochemical processes, enzyme kinetics, regulation and allostery, coupled systems and energy transduction, membranes, transport, etc. Prerequisite: 451a; or consent of instructor.

540-3 Basis of PH Laboratory Practice. This course will be offered in Springfield. The scientific basis of current laboratory practice of public health science in the areas of microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, environmental chemistry, biochemistry and instrumentation. (to accompany MBMB 541a,b) Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or physical science, 510; or consent of instructor.

541-18 (9,9) Public Health LaboratoryTraining. This course will be offered in Springfield. This course has a laboratory component of approximately 36 hours/week of training in a functioning public health laboratory. The content of the course provides in-depth experience in the scientific basis and use of analytical methods and standard operating procedures that are unique to public health laboratories. This course is designed to train individuals for entry into the practice of public health laboratory science at local, regional or national public health organizations. (a) This course will focus on the scientific basis and current laboratory practices of public health science in the areas of microbiology, immunology and molecular biology, (b) This course will focus on the scientific basis and current laboratory practice of public health science in the areas of environmental chemistry, biochemistry and their associated instrumentaion. (MBMB 540 must accompany this course.) Prerequisites: 510, (a) MICR 301 or equivalent, (b) 541a; BIOCHEM 350 or equiv.; or consent of instructor.

543-3 Host-Microbial Interactions. This course will be offered in Springfield. A lecture course that deals in depth with mechanisms of symbiosis and other interactions with respect to the biochemistry of microbe and host. Immunological aspects are discussed. Emphasis is placed on molecular mechanisms. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: 403; or 405; or consent of instructor.

551-3 Advanced Immunology. A lecture course that intensively considers the most recent developments in antibody structure, antigenic analysis, and antigen-antibody reactions. A special focus will be on the use of immunology as a research tool. Prerequisite: 453; or consent of instructor.

552-3 Cellular Immunology. This course will be offered in Springfield. A lecture-discussion course covering contemporary aspects of cellular immunology. The cellular nature of immune responses as well as current information on the regulation of such responses will be considered. Topics will include cellular components of an immune response; receptors, recognition and signals; cellular cooperation; immunoregulation; and tolerance and auto reactivity. Prerequisite: 453; or 455; or consent of instructor.

553-3 Advanced Medical Microbiology and Immunology. This course will be offered in Springfield. A lecture course providing an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of bacterial, viral and mycotic infections. Immune mechanisms involved in recovery, development of immunity and infection mediated immunopathology will be covered. Prerequisites: 403 and 453; or 405 and 455; or consent of the instructor.

560-3 Molecular Oncology. A lecture-discussion course in molecular and cellular biology of tumor pathogenesis. This lecture covers various aspects of current tumor biology. The in-depth discussion on recent articles will provide students with an oppurtunity to become familiar with front-line research in molecular oncology. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisites: 451a and b; or consent of instructor.

562-3 Molecular Genetics. A lecture and discussion course emphasizing current research and new techniques in replication, transcription, translation, genome organization, gene flow from a general systems viewpoint and regulation. Prerequisite: 460; or consent of instructor.

570-1 to 15 (1 to 6 per semester) Advanced Topics. Advanced topics in (a) Molecular Biology, (b) Biochemistry, (c) Microbiology, (d) Immunology, (e) Virology, (f) Structural Biology, (g) Biophysics, and (h) General Cell Biology. Selected topics of current scientific interest to the faculty and students. Specific topic to be covered in any semester will be announced. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

597-1 to 15 (1 per semester) Seminar and Professional Training. Departmental seminars, and other appropriate professional assignments. Graded S/U only. One hour required each semester in residence. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

598-1 to 66 (1 to 12 per semester) Research. Grades S/U only. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

599-1 to 6 (1 to 6 per semester) Thesis. Research for Master's degree thesis. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

600-1 to 36 (1 to 12 per semester) Dissertation. Research for Ph. D. degree dissertation. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

601-1 per semester Continuing Enrollment. For those graduate students who have not finished their degree programs and who are in the process of working on their dissertation, thesis, or research paper. The student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research, or the minimum thesis, or research hours before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S/U or DEF only.

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