MICRB - Microbiology

Offered By:
Faculty of Science

Below are the courses available from the MICRB code. Select a course to view the available classes, additional class notes, and class times.

★ 3 (fi 6)(EITHER, 3-0-4)

This course will focus on the structure and physiology of free-living and pathogenic bacteria. The diversity of their metabolic activities, the interaction of microbes with their environment, symbiotic relationships and cell-to-cell communication are major topics. Lectures and laboratory exercises are coordinated to explore topics in basic microbiology, environmental microbiology, molecular microbiology, and the production of economically or medically important products through microbial biotechnology. Prerequisites: BIOL 107 and CHEM 164 or 261. SCI 100 may be used in lieu of BIOL 107 and CHEM 261.

★ 3 (fi 6)(FIRST, 3-0-0)

The structure, growth, and metabolic pathways used by bacteria, archaea, and unicellular eukaryotes. Emphasis is placed on the comparative biochemical aspects of microbial life. Prerequisites: MICRB 265 and BIOCH 200 or 205. Credit cannot be obtained for both MICRB 311 and 511.

★ 3 (fi 6)(FIRST, 3-0-0)

Microbial production of commercially important metabolites, drugs, food grade enzymes and platform chemicals; use and modification of microbes for industrial-scale processes including biofuel production; bioprospecting for novel activities; strain improvement and synthetic biology; fundamentals of fermenter operation. Prerequisite: MICRB 265.

★ 3 (fi 6)(SECOND, 3-0-0)

Factors that affect prokaryotic gene expression at the levels of replication, transcription, post-transcriptional and post-translational control. Topics will include mobile genetic elements and their effect on chromosome structure and gene expression; alternate sigma factors; protein modification and degradation; RNA structure, processing and decay; and DNA modification and rearrangement in gene control. Prerequisites: GENET 270, MICRB 265 and BIOCH 203/205 or BIOCH 200. Note: MICRB 316 and 516 cannot both be taken for credit.

★ 3 (fi 6)(SECOND, 3-0-0)

A broad range of topics in microbial ecology are covered including aquatic and terrestrial habitats, the influence of health and disease on the human microbiome, symbiosis and pathogenesis in environmental systems, and the application of ecological theory to microbial populations and communities. Prerequisite: MICRB 265. Pre- or corequisite: BIOL 208, or consent of instructor.

★ 3 (fi 6)(SECOND, 0-1S-6)

Laboratory experiments use culture and molecular-based methods for isolating, identifying, enumerating and characterizing microbes and their communities from aquatic and terrestrial environments. Bioassays for industrially and environmentally important microbial products and ecological processes will be studied. Prerequisite: MICRB 265 and consent of instructor. MICRB 320 recommended. Credit may not be obtained for both MICRB 392 and 492. Offered in alternate years.

★ 3 (fi 6)(SECOND, 3-0-0)

This advanced microbiology course will cover selected topics of life in extreme environments, with particular emphasis on diversity, evolutionary and physiological adaptations, methodology for studying extreme environments, the effective limits of life, implications for biogeochemical cycling, and astrobiology. Examples of adaptation to specific environments will be the focus of student projects. Oral presentations required. Prerequisites: BIOL 322 or any 300 level MICRB course or consent of instructor. Note: MICRB 423 and 523 cannot both be taken for credit.

Starting: 2024-09-01 MICRB 423 - Extreme Microbiology

★ 3 (fi 6)(SECOND, 3-0-0)

This advanced microbiology course will cover selected topics of life in extreme environments, with particular emphasis on diversity, evolutionary and physiological adaptations, methodology for studying extreme environments, the effective limits of life, implications for biogeochemical cycling, and astrobiology. Examples of adaptation to specific environments will be the focus of student projects. Oral presentations required. Prerequisites: BIOL 322 or any 300 level MICRB course or consent of Department. Note: MICRB 423 and 523 cannot both be taken for credit.

★ 3 (fi 6)(FIRST, 3-0-0)

Interactions between microorganisms and the environment. Topics include methods of sampling various environments, methods for monitoring microbial activities, petroleum microbiology, bioremediation, survival of airborne microorganisms, microbial metabolism of selected pollutants. Prerequisite: MICRB 265, corequisite: a 300-level Biological Sciences course or consent of Instructor. Note: Credit can be received in only one of MICRB 391, 491 and 591.

★ 3 (fi 6)(FIRST, 3-0-0)

The structure, growth, and metabolic pathways used by bacteria, archaea, and unicellular eukaryotes. Lectures are the same as MICRB 311, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Credit cannot be obtained for both MICRB 311 and 511.

★ 3 (fi 6)(SECOND, 3-0-0)

Critical reading and discussion of scientific literature. Students will present scientific articles for group discussion and will also prepare a major literature review in their field of study. Topics covered will vary from year to year. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

★ 3 (fi 6)(SECOND, 3-0-0)

Lecture course on molecular mechanisms relating to gene expression of prokaryotes based on the current literature. In addition, students will prepare an analytical literature review on a chosen topic relating to this field. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Credit cannot be obtained for both MICRB 316 and 516.

★ 3 (fi 6)(SECOND, 3-0-0)

This advanced microbiology course will cover selected topics of life in extreme environments, with particular emphasis on diversity, evolutionary and physiological adaptations, methodology for studying extreme environments, the effective limits of life, implications for biogeochemical cycling, and astrobiology. Examples of adaptation to specific environments will be the focus of student projects. Oral presentations required. Lectures are the same as for MICRB 423, but with an additional assignment and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies. Prerequisites: consent of instructor. MICRB 423 and 523 cannot both be taken for credit.

★ 3 (fi 6)(FIRST, 3-0-0)

Interactions between microorganisms and their environment. Topics include methods of sampling various environments, methods for monitoring microbial activities, petroleum microbiology, bioremediation, survival of airborne microorganisms, microbial metabolism of selected pollutants. Lectures and exams are the same as MICRB 491, but preparation of a major term paper and an oral presentation are required. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Credit cannot be obtained for both MICRB 491 and 591.

★ 3 (fi 6)(EITHER, 0-3S-0)

Intended for all Microbiology and Biotechnology graduate students, except those in their second year who should register for MICRB 607. Credit may be obtained more than once.

★ 3 (fi 6)(EITHER, 0-3S-0)

Graded seminar course intended for second-year graduate students.