Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (2024)

MMG1010. First Year Colloquium. 1 Credit.

Colloquium is designed to enhance faculty-student interactions in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and to inform first-year majors about the educational and research opportunities in MMG. Instructor's permission for non- majors.

MMG1020. Unseen Wrlds:Microbes & You. 3 Credits.

Examination of current topics in Microbiology, such as antibiotic resistance, vaccinations, sexually transmitted diseases, and the human microbiome, focusing on the impact of microbes on human and animal health, the environment, agriculture, and modern culture around the world. Catamount Core: SU.

MMG1030. Methods in Microbial Ecology. 2 Credits.

A research methods laboratory course framed around identifying novel antibiotic-producing bacterial strains from local soil. Covers fundamental lab skills and practice reading and evaluating the work of other scientists. Students will create a research poster to present their findings.

MMG1650. Microbiology & Pathogenesis. 0 or 4 Credits.

Overview of microbiology, emphasizing the relationships between the structure, metabolism, and genetics of microorganisms and their roles in nature and in pathogenesis. Prerequisite: One semester chemistry. Not intended for students who have completed BIOL1400 and BIOL1450 or equivalent.

MMG1990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.

An approved area of study or project under the guidance of an MMG faculty member and the Academic advisor.

MMG1991. Internship. 1-3 Credits.

On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

MMG1993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.

A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

MMG1995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.

Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

MMG2010. Microbiol & Infectious Disease. 0 or 4 Credits.

An introduction to basic microbiology and microbes that cause infectious diseases, with a focus on microbial structure, function, metabolism, ecology, and pathogenesis. Prerequisites: BCOR1400, BIOL1400, or BCOR1425; CHEM1400. Pre/co-requisites: One semester of Biology and Chemistry.

MMG2040. Intro Molecular Genetics. 0 or 4 Credits.

Designed to present the science of molecular genetics combined with the laboratory practices of recombinant DNA technology (genetic engineering), gene editing, and bioinformatics. Prerequisite: MMG2010; Microbiology & Molecular Genetics major or minor. Pre/Co-requisites: BCOR1400 or BCOR1425; Microbiology & Molecular Genetics major or minor.

MMG2060. Intr Biomedical Research Meth. 3 Credits.

Introduces life science majors/minors to the scientific processes involved in biomedical research and to current research techniques and approaches, also introduces reading and interpreting primary literature articles, as well as discussing current topics regarding the ethical concerns of biomedical research. Prerequisite: MMG2010.

MMG2990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.

An approved area of study or project under the guidance of an MMG faculty member and the Academic advisor. Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Credits negotiable.

MMG2991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.

On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

MMG2993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.

A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

MMG2994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.

Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

MMG2995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.

Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Undergraduate Program Director approval. Offered at department discretion.

MMG3010. Applied Cell & Mol Bio Lab. 4 Credits.

A course based undergraduate research experience (CURE), covering the basic principles and techniques of mammalian cell culture and molecular biology tools to perform a student-designed CRISPRi experiment. The research culminates with working group presentations and the writing of individual research manuscripts. Lab work outside of class time is routinely necessary. Prerequisites: MMG2040 or BIOC3007 or Instructor permission.

MMG3050. Biochemistry I. 3 Credits.

Introduction to chemistry and structure of biological macromolecules; examination of mechanisms of chemical processes in biological systems, including enzyme catalysis, biosynthesis, regulation, and information transfer. Prerequisite: CHEM1550 or CHEM2585. Cross-listed with: BIOC3005.

MMG3060. Biochemistry II. 3 Credits.

Continuation of Biochemistry I. Biochemistry of nucleic acids; nucleic acid based processes, such as replication and transcription; cellular information transfer, genomics, and proteomics. Prerequisite: MMG3050. Cross-listed with: BIOC3006.

MMG3070. Biochemistry Lab. 3 Credits.

Introduction to biochemical tools, including spectrometry, chromatography, and electrophoresis; natural and recombinant enzyme isolation; assays of DNA-modifying enzymes; computer-based structure/function exercises. Prerequisite: BIOC3005 or MMG3050. Cross-listed with: BIOC3007.

MMG3110. Bacterial Genetics. 3 Credits.

Bacterial genetics and the biology of bacteria at an intermediate to advanced level. Specific topics include regulation of replication, transcription, translation, post-translation, mRNA stability, secretion, signaling, and motility. Prerequisites: MMG2010, MMG2040, BCOR2300.

MMG3200. Environmental Microbiology. 3 Credits.

The activities of microorganisms, primarily bacteria, in air, soil, and water. Prerequisites: CHEM2580 or equivalent with Instructor permission.

MMG3210. Advanced Medical Microbiology. 3 Credits.

Addresses the clinical importance of infectious diseases with emphasis on the appropriate collection, handling and identification of clinically relevant bacteria. Disease states, modes of transmission, prevention and antibiotic susceptibility testing will also be discussed. Prerequisites: MMG2010 or equivalent or Instructor permission.

MMG3220. Adv Medical Microbiology w/lab. 0 or 4 Credits.

Comprehensive study of human pathogenic bacteria and their disease states in humans. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in handling and identifying these pathogens. Prerequisites: MMG2010; or Instructor permission.

MMG3230. Immunology. 3 Credits.

Analysis of the immune response with respect to structure and function of immunoglobulins and the T-cell receptor, tolerance, innate and adaptive immunity, the Major Histocompatibility Complex, hypersensitivity states, transplantation, cancer, and AIDS. Prerequisite: MMG2010, BCOR2500, or MMG2990.

MMG3250. Eukaryotic Virology. 3 Credits.

An in-depth analysis of eukaryotic virus-mammalian cell interactions emphasizing mechanisms by which viruses modulate gene expression in infected cells. Prerequisites: MMG2010 and BCOR2500 or equivalents.

MMG3270. Cancer Genetics. 3 Credits.

Examination of genetic mechanisms that either protect us from cancer or increase our vulnerability to cancer. Also discusses genetic methods that are being used to discover genes that influence cancer risk or may prove useful in diagnostics or cancer therapy. Prerequisites: BCOR2300 and BCOR2500 or the equivalent.

MMG3300. Adv St Emerg Infec Dis. 3 Credits.

Presents an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the emergence, and re-emergence, of infectious diseases in a rapidly changing global environment. Historical, cultural, environmental and biological perspectives are incorporated into the analysis of emerging bacterial, viral and protozoal pathogens. Prerequisites: MMG2010, BCOR2500. Catamount Core: D2, SU.

MMG3310. Survey Bioinformatic Databases. 3 Credits.

Provides a broad overview of bioinformatics as applied to biomedical research. Topics include data mining, DNA sequence alignment, genetic variation, study design for high-throughput sequencing (HTS), and transcriptomics. Emphasizes a direct, hands-on experience and interacting with software, as opposed to creating software. Prerequisite: MMG2040 or BCOR2300; Instructor permission. Catamount Core: QR.

MMG3320. Advanced Bioinformatics. 3 Credits.

Provides advanced training in bioinformatics tools and techniques. Particular emphasis is given to programs associated with sequence analysis, comparative genomics, structural biology, and computational biology. Other topics such as data integration, biological data interpretation, R and UNIX-scripting, multi-omics, and systems biology will be covered. Emphasizes a direct, hands-on experience. Prerequisites: MMG3310. Catamount Core: QR.

MMG3330. Genetics and Genomics. 3 Credits.

Integrated entry into both genome science and modern genetic analysis. Students will develop skills needed to access, organize and interpret emerging genomic information. Prerequisites: Biological or computational sciences major; minimum Junior standing. Pre/Co-requisites: MMG2010, BCOR2500.

MMG3350. Bioterrorism. 3 Credits.

Covers the microbiological, epidemiological, social and political aspects of bioterrorism. Also examines potential strategies for bioweapon preparedness and response, with a specific focus on ethical and social issues. Prerequisites: MMG2010.

MMG3990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.

Supervised investigations in microbiology or molecular genetics. Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Credit as arranged.

MMG3991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.

On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

MMG3993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.

A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

MMG3994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.

Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

MMG3995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.

Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Undergraduate Program Director approval. Pre/co-requisite: MMG2995 or Advisor Permission. Offered at department discretion.

MMG4899. Senior Seminar. 1 Credit.

Required capstone course for Microbiology and Molecular Genetics majors; involves written and oral presentations by Seniors on current topics in microbiology/molecular genetics. Prerequisites: MMG2010, MMG2040.

MMG4990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.

An approved area of study or project under the guidance of an MMG faculty member and the Academic advisor. Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Credits negotiable.