Curriculum
MI Track Course Requirements and Descriptions
Courses Required for the Ph.D. Degree.
Students enrolled in the MI Track must take all of the following courses in the semesters indicated. Exemption from a required course is rarely given, and must be approved by both COGS and the course director. In addition, each student is expected to attend one research seminar per week.
INTD 5000, Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences (10 credits, Fall semester, first year)
This course covers the fundamentals of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and organismal and systems biology. The course is designed for first year graduate students matriculating into the integrated, multidisciplinary graduate program.
MICR 5003, Core Concepts in Microbiology & Immunology (4 credits, Spring semester, first year)
This course provides students with an integrated view of the microbial world and the mammalian immune response. Students receive the foundation necessary for understanding core concepts and experimental approaches in pathogenic microbiology, virology, parasitology, mycology and immunology through directed readings, didactic instruction, and interactive discussion. A special emphasis will be placed on integrating knowledge from each discipline using specific examples to illustrate important concepts in host-pathogen interactions.
MICR 5029, Building Scientific Thinking Skills (2 credits, Spring semester, first year).
This course provides the opportunity for graduate students to develop critical thinking skills necessary for reading scientific literature, developing/critiquing scientific ideas and grant proposals and effectively communicating one’s own scientific ideas with peers. The course is delivered in three stages. First, students read articles in the areas of Microbiology and Immunology and then give 50 minute oral reports to the class that review the subjects of the articles; following presentations, fellow students and faculty are encouraged to provide critiques and ask questions. Second, students develop mini-proposals on chosen topics that are critiqued by fellow students and faculty members. Finally, each student orally defends his/ her written proposal, including the fielding of questions from fellow students and faculty members. This course is designed to have a long lasting impact on the general development of critical scientific skills, as well as to prepare the student for their upcoming Qualifying Exams.
MICR 5030, Journal Clubs (0.5 credits, Spring and Fall semesters each year)
Beginning in a student’s second academic year, attendance at least 10 meetings of a COGS-approved journal club is required. In addition, in order to receive a “Satisfactory (S)”, the student is expected to present a paper to the group at one of those meetings. The journal club does not have to be affiliated with the MI Track (i.e., other eligible journal clubs can substitute) as long as a student obtains prior approval from MI COGS. In order to receive credit at the end of each semester, each student is required to submit a list of journal club meetings attended (verified by the course instructor/ journal club organizers). This requirement continues until the student reaches his or her thesis defense.
MICR 5090, Acquiring Presentation Skills (1 credit, Fall/Spring semesters each year after first year).
This course is designed to prepare a student for giving a scientific lecture or seminar. Each student is coached by a faculty member on effective public speaking and on the critical analysis of scientific data. Students present one lecture per academic year and enroll in this course once each year. Students, even if they are not enrolled in this course, are required to attend all seminars given by other students.
INTD 6002, Ethics in Scientific Research (0.5 credits, Spring semester, first year)
Round table discussions of current issues in scientific ethics.
MICR 6097, Research (Credit to be arranged)
Independent, original research under the direction of Supervising Professor. It is required that a student meet every six month with his/her supervising or dissertation committee to discuss research progress.
MICR 7099, Dissertation (Credit to be arranged)
Prerequisite: COGS and GFC Approval of Dissertation Research Committee composition and Dissertation Research Proposal. Completion of independent, original research under the direction of Supervising Professor. Registration for a least two semesters is required for Ph.D. candidates.
Elective Courses
Students enrolled in the Microbiology & Immunology Ph.D. program must take at least one of the following advanced courses, usually in their second or third year. Not all courses are available in all semesters. Additional elective courses may also be taken with the approval of the student's Supervising Professor and the Chair of COGS.
MICR 6022, Advanced Microbial Physiology (2 credits)
Prerequisite: Microbial Physiology and consent of instructor. Current concepts and experimental studies in microbial structure-function relationships and regulatory mechanisms.
MICR 6024, Advanced Microbial Genetics (2 credits)
Prerequisites: Molecular Biology or consent of instructor. In depth study of selected areas of microbial genetics through the presentation and discussion of current literature.
MICR 6043, Advanced Topics in Virology (2 credits)
Prerequisites: Introduction to Virology, Biochemistry and consent of instructor. In-depth study of selected molecular topics from the current literature in virology.
MICR 6052, Advanced Immunobiology (2 credits)
Prerequisites: Introduction to Immunology or consent of instructor. An in-depth study of the immune system and how it is regulated. Presentation and discussion of current literature in these areas.
Special Topic courses
The following courses are available for Ph.D. students when unusual academic circumstances or need exists.
MICR 5011, Medical Microbiology (5 semester hours)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. This course is designed primarily for medical students; graduate credit will be permitted only under unusual circumstances. Broad coverage of human immunology, virology, bacteriology, mycology, and parasitology with emphasis upon problems likely to be encountered in medical practice.
MICR 5091, Special Topics in Microbiology & Immunology (Credit to be arranged)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Students will be given an opportunity to gain in-depth understanding of selected topics in Microbiology & Immunology through a combination of library research and discussion with faculty.
MICR 5092, Special Problems in Microbiology & Immunology (Credit to be arranged)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Course provides an opportunity for the student to engage in a special research project or to develop proficiency in the use of certain laboratory methods.
MICR 6071, Supervised Teaching (Credit to be arranged)
Prerequisite: Consent of Chair of Department. Teaching, usually in the Medical and Dental Microbiology & Immunology Labs, under the close supervision of instructors.
Modular microbiology & immunology courses
Students outside of the Microbiology & Immunology track may elect to enroll in one of the following courses which are individual modules of MICR 5003, Core Concepts in Microbiology & Immunology.
MICR 5025, Eukaryotic Pathogens (1 credit)
This course will provide students with a basic comprehensive understanding of parasitology and mycology. The first part of this course will focus on virulence mechanisms and the host immune response with respect to a variety of parasites that cause major human diseases. The second part of this course will cover several important areas of medical mycology including molecular biology, diagnostic/epidemiology, mating/phenotypic switching, morphology, pathogenesis and antifungal therapies.
MICR 5026, Pathogenic Microbiology (1 credit)
This is an introductory course in microbial pathogenesis focusing on bacterial pathogens that are important in human disease. Students will receive a foundation in the basic concepts and experimental approaches that are crucial for understanding the discipline through directed reading and didactic instruction. Specific concepts, strategies, and mechanisms used by human bacterial pathogens to cause disease will be illustrated.
MICR 5027, Immunology (1 credit)
This course will focus on fundamental concepts in immunology with emphasis on experimental strategies for elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying immune responses. Lecture topics will illustrate important concepts in innate immunity, cytokine signaling, antigen recognitions and presentation, the genetics of immune receptors and the major histocompatibility complex, immunity to infection, and immunopathology (e.g. hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, etc.).
MICR 5028, Virology (1 credit)
This course focuses on the molecular and cellular biology of animal viruses, and their interactions with host cells. Many of the viruses to be covered in this course are medically significant or have provided critical information that has expanded our understanding of cell biology, immunology, development, and differentiation.
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