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Advanced Courses in Microbiology

MBI 201 General Microbiology I (4) MPT

Consideration of fundamental aspects of structure, metabolism, genetics, and behavior of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. Laboratory stresses basic techniques and procedures common to all phases of science at professional level. Corequisite: CHM 142. Recommended: BOT/MBI/ZOO 116 or MBI 121, and either CHM 231 or CHM 241. 3 Lec. 1 Lab. CAS-D/LAB.

MBI 207 Scientific Writing (1)

This one credit hour seminar/discussion course will provide the opportunity for students to develop a research proposal and/or develop a manuscript for publication and/or a poster presentation. The overall goal of this course is to help students learn to write effectively in the field of cell, molecular and structural biology. Writing exercises will take the form of assignments that require the student to develop successive sections of the research proposal or other writing project until it is complete. Students will learn to (a) identify the attributes of a well written proposal, paper or poster, (b) search and cite appropriate, relevant literature (c) develop an awareness of plagiarism and ethics in science writing, (d) understand the role of constructive, critical feedback and editing and revising their writing. Cross-listed with BOT/CHM/ZOO.

MBI 223 Bacteriophage Biology (1)

The first of a two-course series. Introduces first-year biology students to science using a unique hands-on approach. Students will collect environmental samples to isolate viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages) for further analysis. Students will be introduced to basic microbiology techniques as well as methods used for bacteriophage analysis, DNA isolation and purification and automated sequencing using high-throughput state-of-the-art methods and technology. Restricted to first-year students. Credit for A.B. and B.S. degrees in Microbiology requires both MBI 223 and MBI 224. Corequisite: MBI 121 or BMZ 115

MBI 224 Bacteriophage Genomics (1)

The second of a two-course series. Continues from MBI 223 (Bacteriophage Biology). First-year biology students will perform hands-on analysis of the genome of a virus that infects bacteria (bacteriophage). Students will be introduced to principles of DNA structure, genome organization, and basic principles of bioinformatics, and will apply this knowledge toward the annotation of a complete bacteriophage genome using current computational methods. Restricted to first-year students. Credit for A.B. and B.S. degrees in Microbiology requires both MBI 223 and MBI 224. Prerequisite: MBI 223. Corequisite: MBI 116.

MBI 256 Programming in Life Sciences (3)

Introduction to programming for majors in the life sciences. The ability to write programs to perform tasks related to the organization and analysis of biological data has become a highly-valued skill for researchers in the life sciences, allowing wet-lab researchers to quickly process and sort through large amounts of data to find information relative to their own work. This course serves as an introduction to programming designed specifically for life science majors, targeting the specific skills and techniques commonly needed and explaining the fundamental methods of working with biological data while centering programming assignments around topics of interest to those studying the life sciences. Topics covered include basic programming techniques, representation and manipulation of genomic and protein sequence data, and the automated interface with BLAST and the NCBI GenBank database. Cross-listed with BOT/CSE/ZOO.

MBI 275 Principles of Environmental Science (3)

Introduction to the principles and methodologies of environmental science. Topics include contamination of earth systems and pollution mitigation; use, abuse and conservation of natural resources; land use, conservation and preservation, planning and management and the value of biodiversity and wilderness. Emphasis is on the multidisciplinary nature of environmental problems and their solutions. Prerequisites: At least one course from each of the following three categories is either pre- or co-requisite: 1) BOT/MBI/ZOO 115 or BOT 191 or ZOO 113; 2) CHM 111 or CHM 142/5; and 3) GLG 111/115 or 121/115 or 141/115 or GEO 121. Cross-listed with BOT/CHM/GEO/GLG/ZOO.

MBI 277/377/477 Independent Study (1-4; maximum 8)

Research experience in the laboratory of a professor. Special attention given to the scientific method, literature searches, experimental design, and laboratory instrumentation and techniques. Prerequisite: MBI 201. (MPC 477C is a Miami Plan Capstone with concurrent enrollment in MBI 490.)

MBI 333 Field Ecology (2)

Experience in collection, analysis, and interpretation of ecological data. Cross-listed with BOT/ZOO 333. Prerequisite: BOT/ZOO 209. 1 Lec. 1 Lab. CAS-D/LAB.

MBI 340 Summer Internship (1-12)

Laboratory research experience. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

MBI 361 Epidemiology (3) MPT

Consideration of the epidemic nature, etiology, and characteristics of infectious and organic diseases, and methods used to analyze their control within the framework of environmental and population variables. Prerequisite: two hours of microbiology or biological science or permission of instructor.

MBI 365 Molecular and Cell Biology (3) MPT

Cellular and molecular mechanisms utilized by bacteria, bacterial viruses, eukaryotes and animal viruses in converting genetic information into functional macromolecules, transporting them, using them to receive signals that induce cellular effects, and controlling the cell cycle. Prerequisites: BOT/MBI/ZOO 116 and MBI 201. Corequisite: CHM 231 or 241.

MBI 402/502 Geomicrobiology (3)

Focuses on mutual interactions between microbial and geological processes. Topics include: role of microorganisms on mineral weathering rates, microbial mediated ore deposit formation, microbe enhanced oil recovery, life in extreme environments, search for bio-signatures in geological records and meteorites and implications for life on Mars, microbial ecology in ocean floor hydrothermal vents. Prerequisite: any 100-level, 3 credit hour GLG course; CHM 141R or 141, 144; or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with GLG.

MBI 405/505 Medical Bacteriology (4)

Pathogenic bacteria, their identification, and mechanisms by which they cause disease. Prerequisites: MBI 201, and either MBI 365 or BOT/ZOO 203. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

MBI 414/514 Immunology Principles (3)

Lectures covering molecules, cells, tissues, and organs of the immune system. Primary emphasis on the mechanisms involved in immune responses. Prerequisites: MBI 365 or BOT/ZOO 203, and CHM 242 or 332.

MBI 415/515 Immunology Principles and Practice (4)

Covers the same lecture content as MBI 414/514, but adds laboratory exercises and demonstrations illustrating a variety of immunologic phenomena, techniques, and applications. Credit not given for both MBI 414/514 and MBI 415/515. Prerequisites: MBI 365 or BOT/ZOO 203, and CHM 242 or 332. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

MBI 424/524 Experimental Techniques in Structural and Functional Genomics (4)

Theory and application of modern biological instrumentation and techniques. Basic and advanced skills including use, maintenance and calibration of biological instruments. Prerequisites: BOT/MBI/ZOO 115 or BOT/MBI/ZOO 116 or BOT 191 or MBI 201 or MBI 202 or ZOO 113 or ZOO 114 or equivalent, CHM 141 and CHM 142 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with BOT/CHM/ZOO. Offered fall semester of even years.

MBI 425/525 Microbial Physiology (4)

Biochemical activities of microorganisms as revealed by their cellular physiology. Prerequisites: MBI 201 and either CHM 242 or 332. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

MBI 435/535 Medical Mycology (3)

Characteristics of fungi associated with disease. Includes discussion of epidemiology, pathology, and diagnosis of mycotic diseases. Laboratory focuses on identification and biochemical activities of pathogenic fungi. Prerequisite: BOT/MBI/ZOO 116 or MBI 201 or permission of instructor. 2 Lec. 1 Lab.

MBI 440 Research Problems (2; maximum 4)

Library research. Open to senior majors. Prerequisite: 20 hours of microbiology and permission of instructor. (MPC 440C is a Miami Plan Capstone with concurrent enrollment in MBI 490)

MBI 445/545 Microbial Genetics (3)

Genetic changes that occur in bacteria and bacterial viruses and resulting changes in their biochemical and physiological activities. Prerequisite: MBI 365.

MBI 464/564 Human Viruses (3)

Study of the physical and chemical characteristics of viruses, virus replication mechanisms, disease causation and host response, and tumor induction. Prerequisite: MBI 365, or BOT/ZOO 203 and BOT/ZOO 342, or equivalent.

MBI 465/565 Microbial and Molecular Genetics Laboratory (2)

Laboratory methodology associated with experimental aspects of microbial genetics and recombinant DNA techniques. Prerequisite: BOT/ZOO 342 or MBI 445/545 or permission of instructor.

MBI 466/566 Bioinformatics Computing Skills (3)

Programming in Perl. Use of BLAST and BioPerl Bioinformatics Toolbox. Emphasis placed on biological database design, implementation, management, and analysis. Prerequisites: programming course and BOT/MBI/ZOO 116, or BOT/ZOO 342, or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with BOT/CSE/ZOO.

MBI 475/575 Microbial Ecology: Exploration of the Diverse Roles of Microorganisms in Earth's Ecology (4)

Integrative examination of the evolution of life, distribution and abundance of microorganisms, and biogeochemical cycles leading to the discovery of principles used for societal applications such as water quality management and bioremediation. Laboratory introduces research tools used in the study of microbial ecology. Prerequisites: MBI 201 and either CHM 231 or 242, or permission of instructor. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

MBI 480 Departmental Honors (1-3; maximum 6)

Departmental honors may be taken for a minimum of one semester hour and a maximum of six semester hours in two semesters of student's senior year. (MPC 480C is a Miami Plan Capstone in conjunction with MBI 490)

MBI 485/585 Bioinformatics Principles (3)

Concepts and basic computational techniques for mainstream bioinformatics problems. Emphasis placed on transforming biological problems into computable ones and seeking solutions. Cross-listed with BOT/CSE/ZOO. Prerequisite: BOT/MBI/ZOO 116 or MBI 201 or BOT/ZOO 342 or CHM 332 or CHM 433 or permission of instructor.

MBI 487, 488, 489 Clinical Laboratory Science Practicum (8, 12, 12) MPC

Off-campus, structured sequence of laboratory and lecture rotations through clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, microbiology, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics laboratories. Structured lecture criteria accompany the corresponding laboratory rotations.

MBI 490 Undergraduate Seminar (1; maximum 4)

Discussion by undergraduate majors and staff of current topics in selected areas. Prerequisite: 20 hours of microbiology. (MPC 490 is a Miami Plan Capstone in conjunction with MBI 440C or MBI 477C or MBI 480C)

MBI 495/595 Bacterial Cellular and Developmental Biology (3)

Focuses on the biology of bacteria at the cellular level, including regulation of cell shape, cell division, motility, development and differentiation, and interactions with other cells, including life in a biofilm and in association with symbionts. Prerequisites: MBI 201 or BOT/ZOO 203 or permission of instructor.