Microbiology Course Catalog
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Students pursuing a major and/or a minor in this Department may receive unit credit for courses marked with the symbol ‘##’ as a general elective but may not apply the units toward the specific or elective requirements for any degree or option in this Department. Majors in this Department may, however, take, for general education purposes, interdisciplinary courses offered by this department. All other courses in this Department are open to majors and minors but by traditional grading only. Courses with an asterisk may be used in graduate programs.
Lower Division
101. ## Introduction to Human Disease (3) F,S
Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in a course that fulfills the A.1 GE requirement. Introduction to the study of human disease including moral/ethical and economic issues. (Lecture 3 hrs.)
200. General Microbiology for Health Professionals (4) F,S
Prerequisites: CHEM 100 or 111A or 202 and completion of GE Foundation requirements. General microbiology for those planning careers in nursing, health care and education, and foods and nutrition. Introduction to the microorganisms, including structure, function, metabolism, growth, genetics, diversity and applied aspects, with special emphasis on their roles in human health. Not open for majors in the biological sciences. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory 6 hrs.) Course fee may be required.
211. General Microbiology (5) F,S
Prerequisites: BIOL 211A with a grade of "C" or better, CHEM 111B. Introduction to the biology of the microorganisms, including structure, function, metabolism, growth, genetics, diversity, host-parasite relationships and applied aspects. (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory 6 hrs.) Course fee may be required. Traditional grading only.
Upper Division
300I. ## Human Immunology: In Self-Defense (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing; one laboratory course in a life science. Introductory psychology and a laboratory course in a physical science recommended. Introduction to the mechanisms and cells responsible for protecting the human body from disease. Normal functions of the immune system, diseases involving the immune system, and psychological, endocrine and age factors affecting the immune system will be included. Impact of immunology on organ transplantation, immunotherapy and biotechnology will be discussed. Not applicable for credit towards the major in Microbiology. Traditional grading only. (Lecture 3 hrs.)
320. Bacterial Pathogenesis (5) F,S
Prerequisites: MICR 211; CHEM 327 or 320A (may be taken concurrently). The first of a two-semester sequence (MICR 320/322) in medical microbiology designed for microbiology majors. Pathogenic bacteria of humans and animals; emphasis on bacterial ultrastructure, epidemiology, mechanisms of pathogenesis, host defense mechanisms, and antibiotic therapy; isolation and identification of microorganisms by morphological and cultural characteristics. Traditional grading only. (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory 6 hrs.) A course fee may be required.
322. Mycology/Parasitology (5) F,S
Prerequisites: BIOL 211B; MICR 320. The second of a two-semester sequence (MICR 320/322) in medical microbiology designed for microbiology majors. Survey of parasitic protozoa, helminths, and fungi of humans; emphasis on identification of fresh and preserved specimens, pathogenesis, host-parasite interactions, epidemiology, prevention, and control. Traditional grading only. (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory 6 hrs.) A course fee may be required.
323. Hematology (4) F
Prerequisites: MICR 211; BIOL 211B. Physiology and pathology of blood; preparation of blood for counts, hemoglobin determination, and related procedures. (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.) Course fee may be required.
MICR 325. Emerging Infectious Diseases (3)
Prerequisites: MICR 211 with a grade of “C” or better and consent of instructor. Explores changes in technology, infectious disease organisms and other factors contributing to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including immunodeficiency, antibiotic and insecticide abuses, climate change, travel and commerce, human demographic and behavioral changes, land use, and breakdown of public health. (Lecture 3 hrs.) 3 units @ C-2
MICR 355. Microbial Ecology (3) S
Prerequisites: MICR 211 or BIOL 211B with a grade of “C” or better. This course will explore the relationships of microorganisms to their environment. Emphasis placed on the ecological basis for the diversity of prokaryotic forms, metabolic functions and community interactions. Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 3 hrs.)
MICR 355L. Microbial Ecology Laboratory (1) S
Prerequisite or corequisite: MICR 355. This course is designed to give students a hands-on understanding of microbes in the environment. It will consist of field trips to sample microbes in different habitats as well as laboratory exercises to analyze those samples. Analytical techniques learned will include traditional enrichment culture methods and modern molecular biology methods for studying the diversity and community dynamics of microbes. Letter grade only (A-F). (Laboratory 3 hrs.) Course fee may be required.
MICR *371. Microbial Genetics (2) F
Prerequisites: MICR 211. Detailed study of the genetic method in the analysis of biological processes in bacteria and their viruses and other microbes. Topics include gene structure, regulation, and function; isolation and analysis of mutations in haploid and diploid organisms; inference of wild type gene function from mutant phenotypes; modes of genetic exchange; regulation of host-pathogen interactions; developmental program of bacteriophages; manipulation and study of cloned genes; genomics. Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 2 hrs.)
MICR *372. Methods in Microbial Genetics (2) F
Prerequisites: MICR 211. Pre- or corequisite: MICR 371. Laboratory study of microbial genetics, using classical (non-molecular) and contemporary (molecular) approaches. Includes genetic engineering techniques; microbial genomics. Letter grade only (A-F). (Laboratory 6 hrs.) Course fee may be required.
MICR 415./515. Marine Microbiology (3) F, odd years
Prerequisites: MICR 355 or BIOL 353 with a grade of “C” or better. (Undergraduates enroll in MICR 415; graduates enroll in MICR 515.) Designed to familiarize microbiology and marine biology students with the role of microorganisms in the marine environment. Topics will include ecology, physiology, biogeochemistry and diversity of marine microbes. Laboratory/field component will emphasize examination and cultivation of local marine microbes. Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs., weekend field trip may be required.) Course fee may be required.
*429 Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 260; MICR 320, 322. Principles of epidemiology and their application to health; fundamentals of biomedical statistics; basic factors in classic epidemiological studies and the prevention and control of infectious diseases. (Lecture 3 hrs.)
*430. Immunology (3) F,S
Prerequisites: BIOL 340 and either CHEM 320B or 327. Microbiology majors must enroll concurrently in MICR 430L. Introduction to cellular and molecular components of the immune system and normal functions of these components. Physical, chemical, and biological properties of antigens and antibodies and the role of the immune system in immune deficiencies, tolerance, transplantation, tumors, autoimmunity, and hypersensitivities. (Lecture 3 hrs.) Not open to students with a “C” or better in MICR 330.
*430L. Immunology Laboratory (2) F,S
Prerequisite: BIOL 340. Pre- or co-requisite: MICR 430. Modern and classical techniques in cellular and molecular immunology. Experimental techniques have broader applications to other fields and include mammalian cell culture, antibody purification, SDS-PAGE, western blots, and assays of apoptosis, cell proliferation, cellular activation, and antibody-antigen interactions. Letter grade only (A-F). (Laboratory 6 hrs.) Course fee may be required.
432./532. Immunohematology (2)
Prerequisites: A final grade of “B” or better in MICR 323 and 430 or consent of instructor required. (Undergraduates register in MICR 432; graduate students register in MICR 532.) Physical and biochemical characteristics of human erythrocytes. Detailed study of isoantigens and isoantibodies associated with human red blood cells; their detection, mechanisms of cellular destruction and relationship to hematopoietic disease. (Lecture 2 hrs.) MICR 432 will be accepted toward fulfillment of the 6 units of upper division microbiology electives.
*452. Virology (3) F,S
Prerequisites: CHEM 441A, B and either MICR 320 or BIOL 340. Virology at a molecular level including virus replication and the molecular basis for viral pathogenesis; a survey of human and animal viral diseases. Current trends for prevention and treatment of viral diseases. (Lecture 3 hrs.)
*471. Bacterial Physiology (3) S
Prerequisites: MICR 320, CHEM 441A, consent of instructor. Cellular physiology at the molecular level as related to bacterial growth, reproduction, nutrition, metabolism and ecology. (Lecture 3 hrs.)
*473. Food and Industrial Microbiology (3) F
Prerequisites: MICR 200 OR 211; CHEM 441A OR 448. Role of microorganisms in food and other industrial processes; emphasis on bacteria, yeasts and molds. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.) Course fee may be required.
480./580. Seminars in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Microbiology (1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211A, B, with a grade of “C” or better, consent of instructor. (Undergraduates register in MICR 480; graduates register in MICR 580.) Weekly meetings at which professional biologists present the results of their research. Requires participation in the organization and critical evaluation of these presentations. May not be repeated for credit towards any single degree. (Seminar 1 hr.)
490./590. Special Topics in Microbiology (1-3)
Prerequisites: MICR 211 with grade of “C” or better, consent of instructor. (Undergraduates register in MICR 490; graduates register in MICR 590.) Topics from selected areas of microbiology. Course content will vary from section to section. Course may be repeated for a maximun if 6 units with different topics. Topics may be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Traditional grading only. (Lecture 1-3 hrs.)
490L./590L. Special Topics Laboratory in Microbiology (1-2)
Prerequisites: MICR 211 with grade of “C” or better, consent of instructor. (Undergraduates register in MICR 490L; graduates register in MICR 590L.) Topics from selected areas of microbiology. Course content will vary from section to section. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 units with different topics. Topics may be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Traditional grading only. (Laboratory 3 or 6 hrs.) A course fee may be required.
495. Instruction in Laboratory Teaching (1-2) F,S
Prerequisites: Consent of lecture instructor, a “B” or better in the course in which the student elects to do MICR 495 (another course with laboratory may be substituted with consent of instructor), and an overall GPA of at least 2.75. Individual instruction in the organization and techniques of teaching a microbiology laboratory. May be repeated for a letter grade and degree credit to a maximum of two units for any single degree or option. Any units beyond the two taken for a letter grade in BIOL 495 or MICR 495 or any combination of the two will be taken credit/no credit. (Conference 1 hr., laboratory 3 hrs. per unit.) Same course as BIOL 495. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 2 units.
496. Undergraduate Directed Research (1-3) F,S
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and consent of appropriate undergraduate advisor. Research in a specific topic in biological sciences approved and directed by a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences. May be repeated for a letter grade and degree credit to a maximum of three units for any single degree or option. Units beyond the three taken for a letter grade in BIOL 496 or MICR 496, or any combination of the two, will be taken credit/no credit. Same course as BIOL 496. Not available to graduate students. (Conference 1 hr., laboratory 3 hrs. per unit.)
Graduate Division
MICR 515./415. Marine Microbiology (3) F, odd years
Prerequisites: MICR 355 or BIOL 353 with a grade of “C” or better. (Undergraduates enroll in MICR 415; graduates enroll in MICR 515.) Designed to familiarize microbiology and marine biology students with the role of microorganisms in the marine environment. Topics will include ecology, physiology, biogeochemistry and diversity of marine microbes. Laboratory/field component will emphasize examination and cultivation of local marine microbes. Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs., weekend field trip may be required.) Course fee may be required.
532./432. Immunohematology (2)
Prerequisites: A final grade of “B” or better in MICR 323 and 430 or consent of instructor required. (Undergraduates register in MICR 432; graduate students register in MICR 532.) Physical and biochemical characteristics of human erythrocytes. Detailed study of isoantigens and isoantibodies associated with human red blood cells; their detection, mechanisms of cellular destruction and relationship to hematopoietic disease. (Lecture 2 hrs.) MICR 432 will be accepted toward fulfillment of the 6 units of upper division microbiology electives.
580./480. Seminars in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Microbiology (1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211A,B, with a grade of “C” or better, consent of instructor. (Undergraduates register in MICR 480; graduates register in MICR 580.) Weekly meetings at which professional biologists present the results of their research. Requires participation in the organization and critical evaluation of these presentations. May not be repeated for credit towards any single degree. (Seminar 1 hr.)
590./490. Special Topics in Microbiology (1-3)
Prerequisites: MICR 211 with grade of “C” or better, consent of instructor. (Undergraduates register in MICR 490; graduates register in MICR 590.) Topics from selected areas of microbiology. Course content will vary from section to section. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 units with different topics. Topics may be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Traditional grading only. (Lecture 1-3 hrs.)
590L./490L. Special Topics Laboratory in Microbiology (1-2)
Prerequisites: MICR 211 with grade of “C” or better, consent of instructor. (Undergraduates register in MICR 490L; graduates register in MICR 590L.) Topics from selected areas of microbiology. Course content will vary from section to section. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 units with different topics. Topics may be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Traditional grading only. (Laboratory 3 or 6 hrs.) A course fee may be required.
661. Seminar in Microbiology (2)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor. Critical evaluation of the literature in this field, including oral and/or written presentation of critiques. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 4 units with different topics. (Seminar 2 hours) Letter grade only (A-F)
697. Directed Research (1-3) F,S
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Research on a specific topic to be approved and directed by a faculty member in the biological sciences. A written report will be required. May be repeated for a letter grade and degree credit to a maximum of three units. Any units beyond the three taken for a letter grade in BIOL 697 or MICR 697 or any combination of the two must be taken credit/no credit.
698. Thesis (1-6) F,S
Prerequisites: Advancement to Candidacy for the Master of Science in Microbiology, consent of the chair of the thesis committee and the departmental graduate advisor. Planning, preparation, writing, defense, oral presentation, and completion of a research thesis in the biological sciences.
