The undergraduate departmental courses are designed to provide comprehensive training and the skills required for working with microorganisms, as well as a broad understanding of all aspects of microbial life.
MICR 2123: Introduction to Microbiology
General principles of the biology of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, protozoa and archea.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1114 And CHEM 1215 Or 1314
offered every semester
MICR 2132: Introduction to Micro Laboratory (L)
Sterile technique, microscopy, identification of microorganisms, microbial metabolism, microbial genetics and environmental microbiology. Molecular and culture techniques.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123 or concurrent enrollment
offered every semester
MICR 3033: Cell and Molecular Biology
The cell concept and cell morphology, cell macromolecules, organelles, enzymes, energetics, movement of water and materials across membranes, influence of external environment, cellular synthesis, growth and maintenance, control and integration of function, replication, differentiation, origin, and evolution of cells.Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123 and 2132 or BOT 1404 or ZOOL 1604 & CHEM 1225 or CHEM 1515 or equivalent
offered Fall and Spring semesters
MICR 3103: Microbes: Friends or Foes
Explores the impact of microorganisms on human life, the environment, and world history. This course is designed for non-science majors.
No Prerequisites
Rarely offered
MICR 3143: Medical Mycology (L)
Examination of fungi as animal pathogens; laboratory techniques used in the identification of human and animal pathogens, and differentiation from common contaminants.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123, 2132
offered Spring, odd years
MICR 3154: Food Microbiology (L)
Relationship of microorganisms to food manufacture and preservation, to food spoilage and microbial food poisoning and to various aspects of primary food production. (Same course as FDSC 3154).
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123, 2132 and CHEM 3015 or 3053
offered Fall semester
MICR 3223: Advanced Microbiology
Subcellular structure and function of microorganisms. Synthesis, translocation, and metabolism of cellular macromolecular constituents. Substrate transport and metabolism.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123, 2132; Co-requisite(s): CHEM 3015 or CHEM 3053
offered Fall and Spring semester
MICR 3253: Immunology
Vertebrate host's ability to defend itself against foreign intrusion. Chemistry and biology of the acquired immune response.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123 and MICR 2132 and MICR 3033 or BIOC 3653 or BIOC 3713
offered Spring semester
MICR 4000: Honors in Microbiology
1-4 credits, max 4 Consent of departmental honors committee Supervised study and research in microbiology
MICR 4001: Professional Transitions in Microbioogy and Cell and Molecular Biology
Understanding major areas and employment activities in microbiology, cell biology and molecular biology fields. Evaluating and understanding scientific and professional literature, and making the transition from undergraduate education to postgraduate education or employment.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123 or MICR 2132.
offered every semester
MICR 4003: Brewing Microbiology
Brewing Microbiology is about the science behind beer brewing. Students will learn about the microbiology of yeast (including growth, metabolism, aseptic technique and contamination), biology of grain, biochemistry of malted barley, chemistry of water, preservative nature of hops, and the human physiology of taste and smell. There are no prerequisites for this course, although high school or freshman level biology and chemistry is helpful.
No Prerequisites
offered Fall semester and occasionally Spring semester
MICR 4012: Molecular Microbiology Laboratory I (L)
Emphasis on good laboratory practices in microbiology and molecular biology; isolation and enumeration of microorganisms; physiological, biochemical, and molecular characterization of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Must be taken in conjunction with 4112 the following semester. No credit for students with credit in 5012.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 3223, 4233
offered Fall semester
MICR 4013: Microbial Physiology and Ecology
Fundamentals of microbial physiology, ecology and genetics of microbial populations under various redox conditions. Basics of genomics and proteomics. Microbial origin and evolution. Microbial diversity and function. Population interactions, competition and ecosystem stability. Metabolic activities in natural and managed systems. Modern molecular tools in microbe identification and evolutionary phylogeny. May not be used for degree credit with MICR 5013.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123 and CHEM 3015 or CHEM 3053. Co-requisite: MICR 3223
rarely offered
MICR 4023: Microbiomes in Human Health and the Environment
This course covers the changing landscape in the molecular diversity of microbial communities, their interactions with biotic and abiotic entities, and how changes in microbiomes impact the health of living organisms and the environment. The main topics of this course include: microbes and microbial interactions; genomes and metagenomes; microbiome structure and function (alpha and beta diversity, phylogenetic trees); human microbiomes (gut, skin, oral) and their role in health; the microbiomes of soil, water and sediments; and the role of microbiomes in ecosystem function. Environmental microbiome effects on the human microbiome.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123, MICR 2132, and MICR 3033. May not be used for degree credit with MICRO 5023.
offered every semester
MICR 4052: Pathogenic Microbiology Lab
An overview of pathogenic bacteria and the identification of unknown bacterial pathogens.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123, 2132, Co-requisite(s): MICR 3223
offered Fall semester
MICR 4053: Pathogenic Microbiology
Survey of pathogenic bacteria and the diseases they cause as they relate to humans and animals. Morphology, physiology, and pathogenic mechanisms of specific bacterial pathogens. No credit for students with credit in 5053.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123, 2132 Co-requisites(s): MICR 3223
offered Spring semester
MICR 4112: Molecular Microbiology Laboratory II (L)
Continuation of 4012. Molecular characterization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms utilizing nucleic acids, proteins, cell fractionation, cytology, and antigen-antibody reactions. No credit for students with credit in 5112.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 4012
offered Spring semester
MICR 4117: Clinical Microbiology (L)
The theory and laboratory study of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, fungi, and parasites. Includes isolation, identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and medical significance.
Prerequisite(s): Concurrent internship in affiliated hospital and all degree requirements for BS in microbiology except 30 hours clinical laboratory science
MICR 4123: Virology
Virus-host interactions, including structure-function of animal, plant and bacterial viruses. Discussion of the molecular biology of virus infection and development. No credit for students with credit in 5123.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 3033 or BIOC 3653; BIOL 3023; Co-requisite(s): MICR 3223
offered Fall semester
MICR 4125: Clinical Chemistry I (L)
The theory and laboratory methodology of analytical biochemistry, clinical microscopy, routine and special procedures, and medical significance.
Prerequisite(s): Concurrent internship in affiliated hospital and all degree requirements for BS in microbiology except for 30 hours clinical laboratory science
MICR 4163: Foundations of Cellular Life
This class will provide an in-depth introduction into fundamental principles that apply to any microorganism and will provide an intellectual framework to understand all cells. The fundamentals discussed will be illustrated through a combination of classical and recent scientific breakthroughs. It will provide a solid, deep foundation for a successful academic career in microbiology
Prerequisite(s): MICR 3033 or permission from instructor.
offered Fall semester
MICR 4203: Bioinformatics
Fundamental concepts of biological sequence information and inferential techniques to assign structure, function, and evolutionary relationship among genes and proteins. No prior programming necessary, but familiarity with computers assumed. No credit for students with credit in 5203.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 3033 or BIOC 3653 or equivalent
offered Fall semester
MICR 4233: Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
Advanced topics in cell and molecular biology including regulatory mechanisms of gene expression, protein function, cell structure and organization, cell division, and development. No credit for students with credit in 5233.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 3033
offered Spring semester
MICR 4236: Clinical Hematology (L)
Systematized study of diseases, cell maturation and function, principles of hemostasis; methodology used in routine and special hematology studies; and correlation of hematological findings with physiological conditions.
Prerequisite(s): Concurrent internship in affiliated hospital and all degree requirements for BS in microbiology except for 30 hours of clinical laboratory science
MICR 4246: Clinical Immunology (L)
Immunologic responses and procedures used in serological determinations; immunohematology, fundamentals of antigen-antibody reactions, blood groups and types, compatibility testing, blood components, and the lab methods used as they relate to the medical significance of immunology and infectious diseases.
Prerequisite(s): Concurrent internship in affiliated hospital and all degree requirements for BS in microbiology except for 30 hours clinical laboratory science
MICR 4253: Concepts in Medical Genetics
Application of genetic principles in the study of human diseases, including the inheritance, molecular mechanisms, detection, characterization, and discovery of human genes. No credit for students with credit in 5253.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3023
offered Fall semester
MICR 4263: Microbial Genetics: from Genes to Genomes (L)
Integration of genetics and genomics principles, the basic processes of gene transmission, molecular biology of gene expression and evolutionary genetics by gaining social and historical context in which genetics are developed. Focus on the dramatic change in our understanding of human genetics and the role such information has in our view of disability and disease. No credit for students with credit in 5263.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 4012, 4112, 4233
offered Spring even years
{MICR 4323: Biological Energy Transduction}
Bioenergetic reactions and mechanisms involved in energy production in plants, animals and microbial systems. No credit for students with credit in 5323.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 3033 or BIOC 3653
offered Spring semester
MICR 4325: Clinical Chemistry II (L)
The theory and laboratory methodology of analytical biochemistry, instrumentation, lab mathematics, routine and special procedures and medical significance.
Prerequisite(s): Concurrent internship in affiliated hospital and all degree requirements for BS in microbiology except for 30 hours clinical laboratory science
MICR 4351: Topics in Clinical Laboratory Science
Principles and practices of the medical laboratory including basic management, quality assurance, education methodology, computer applications, laboratory safety, and special projects in selected areas.
Prerequisite(s): Concurrent internship in affiliated hospital and all degree requirements for BS in microbiology except for 30 hours clinical laboratory science
MICR 4423: Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance
Topics will include structure and synthesis of membrane and cell wall components (including lipids, peptidoglycan and membrane proteins), mechanisms of transport across the cell wall, roles components of the cell wall play in the survival of the cell (and in the case of pathogens, the ability to cause disease), and antimicrobial agents that affect the cell wall and the mechanisms used to eliminate these agents from the cell. No credit for students with credit in 5423.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123, 2132, and 3223
offered Fall semester
MICR 4543: Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics
Basic approaches and strategies for microbial genome analysis, and hands-on training on the subject. May not be used for degree credit with MICR 5543.
Prerequisite(s): MICR 2123; MICR 3033 or MICR 3223 or equivalents.
offered Spring semester, even years