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Microbiology and Immunology Curriculum

The curriculum consists of a combination of course work, mentored and independent research. During the first two years of graduate study, students complete a set of required courses designed to give students a broad foundation in the fields of microbiology and immunology. In addition to the required coursework students can tailor part of their remaining curriculum to their interests and needs.

Required courses

MICRO 701. Foundational Concepts in Microbiology and Immunology. The fundamentals of microbial physiology, genetics and immunology are presented with important bacterial, viral, parasitic and mycotic infections discussed from the standpoint of etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and laboratory diagnosis. Participation in laboratory exercises and small group sessions is required. (12 6 credit hours; 6-6)

CMB 704. Fundamental Biochemistry. The course presents a broad survey of biochemistry that is suitable for students whose major area of study is outside the discipline. Topics include the chemistry of amino acids and proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids; enzymology; metabolism and metabolic regulation; membrane structure and function; oxidative phosphorylation; hormonal control mechanisms; molecular biology and protein synthesis. (6 credit hours)

ID 709. Responsible Conduct in Research. An interactive lecture course designed to provide an understanding of ethics in scientific research and the basic skills important for both oral and written scientific communication. (1 credit hour)

MICRO 702. Molecular and Cellular Virology. The students will learn fundamentals of viral replication and pathogenesis with emphasis on pertinent aspects of molecular biology. (3 credit hours)

MICRO 703. Seminar in Microbiology & Immunology. Graduate students will prepare, present and attend weekly seminars. (1 credit hour)

MICRO 704. Research in Microbiology & Immunology. Students participate in an on-going research project under the direction of a graduate faculty member. (1-9 credit hours)

MICRO 707. Microbiology & Immunology Lab Rotation. This course is designed to acquaint the student with ongoing research and research methodologies within the department. To accomplish this, the student will actively take part in ongoing research projects in two or three laboratories during the semester. (3 credit hours)

MICRO 708. Preparation for Instruction in Microbiology. The student will participate in the preparation of microbiological cultures and assist faculty in the teaching of the medical microbiology laboratory course. (3 credit hours)

MICRO 725. Bacterial Structure and Function. A study of bacterial physiology, anatomy and regulatory mechanisms. (3 credit hours)

MICRO 733. Experimental Immunochemistry & Immunobiology. Theoretical and experimental applications of immunochemistry and immunobiology with major emphasis on in vivo and in vitro techniques used in investigating various aspects of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. (3 credit hours)

MICRO 750. Research Proposal in Microbiology & Immunology. An advanced course in which doctoral students prepare and defend a research grant proposal focused on their dissertation research. (3 credit hours)

MICRO 798. Dissertation and Dissertation Research. Students perform research under the direction of a graduate faculty member. (1-9 credit hours)

ID 714. Professional Skills. A course designed for early to late graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to acquire skills needed to be successful in a scientific work environment, with special emphasis on oral and written communication skills, grantsmanship, career choices, laboratory management, and academic teaching skills. (3 credit hours)

Elective coursework

ID 710. Research Tools in Molecular Biology. A course designed to introduce students to contemporary methods in molecular biology including cloning, mutagenesis, transgenic animals, genomics, proteomics, and gene expression. (3 credit hours)

ID 713. Bioinformatics & Genomics. This multidisciplinary and interdepartmental course is designed to provide students in the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, and other related programs at UMMC, with sound training and knowledge in the use and application of bioinformatics tools and genomics recourses to analysis, visualization and interpretation of high-throughput "omics", genotype, proteomics, sequence, methylation and other biological data on cancer and other complex human diseases. (3 credit hours)

ID 715. Teaching in Higher Education. A course designed to provide practical and theoretical foundations for teaching in higher education. The course will offer experiences to explore and develop skills that promote learning as well as apply strategies for effective course design and assessment. The intended audience is graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. (3 credit hours)

ID 716. Teaching Practicum. The practicum enables student teachers to acquire beginning competencies for teaching in higher education in a classroom setting. Practicum/Internship (1-9 credit hours)

ID 721. Molecular Oncology. The course will provide an in depth presentation of cancer biology topics including initiation, progression, metastasis, genetic instability, DNA damage response, cell cycle control, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, cancer immunology, and therapeutic approaches. (4 credit hours)

ID 740. Statistical Methods in Research 1. This course is an introduction to basic statistical methods for research and is designed to enable students to develop their data analysis and interpretation skills. Students will learn about experimental design, estimation, and hypothesis testing, and how to apply statistical techniques such as point and interval estimation, tests of statistical significance, correlation, linear and non-linear regression, ANOVA, and longitudinal data (repeated measures) analysis. The emphasis will be on applied rather than theoretical statistics, and on understanding and interpreting the results of statistical analyses. Data sets will be analyzed using the statistical package STATA. This is a "hands-on" class – in the computer lab. data sets will be analyzed under the supervision of instructors." (3 credit hours)

ID 741. Statistical Methods in Research II. A continuation of Statistical Methods in Research I, this course introduces the student to more complicated methods than those discussed in the first course. Datasets will be analyzed using the statistical package STATA throughout the course sequence. (3 credit hours)

ID 767.  Fundamental Histology and Cell Biology. An integrated, system-based study of the microscopic structure and function of the human body. An introduction to histology and cell biology as it relates to medical science. (2 credit hours)