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Academic Programs

Curriculum

Master’s students will be admitted into a coursework program (There is NO research component in this program).  After completion of the required coursework, students must successfully pass a comprehensive examination to fulfill the M.A. degree requirements.

Fall Year 1		Credit Hours
BMS 501	Cell Biology 1	4
BCH 503	Biochemical Principles	4
MIC 619	Microbiology and Immunology Seminar	1
Spring Year 1
MIC 512	Fundamentals of Immunology	4
MIC 620	Microbiology and Immunology Seminar	1
Elective(s)		variable
Fall Year 2
MIC 501	Graduate Microbiology	6
Elective(s)		variable
Spring Year 2
Elective(s)		variable
		30 Total Credit Hours
Summer Year 2
Comprehensive Examination
Suggested Elective Courses
MIC 607	DNA Replication and Repair	2
MIC 609	Current Topics in Immunology	2
MIC 611	Cytokines and Inflammation	2
MIC 613	Advanced Virology	2
MIC 619/620	Microbiology and Immunology Seminar	1
MIC 624	Bacterial Pathogenesis	2
MIC 626	Inflammation and Cancer	2
MIC 627	Molecular Parasitology	2
BCH 507	Protein Structure/Function	2
BCH 508	Gene Expression	2
BIO 510	Biophysical Aspects of Macromolecules	4

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Required Courses

First year

512 Fundamentals of Immunology (4 credits) LECTURES

Anatomy and function of the immune system, cell interactions, antibody formation, antigen-antibody reactions, cell-mediated immunity, biological effects of immunological reactions.

619-620 Microbiology Seminar (1 credit) SEMINAR

Advanced discussions on topics in bacteriology, virology, parasitology, and immunology. Students present papers on scientific material and participate in discussions.

Second Year

501 Graduate Microbiology (6 credits) LECTURES

Covers three major areas of microbiology: bacteriology, virology, and parasitology. The bacteriology component includes bacterial physiology and structure, bacterial metabolism, bacterial genetics and disease processes. The virology section of the course includes principles involved in the nature and biological activities of viruses, as well as virus-host interactions. This includes an in-depth consideration of the life cycle of selected viruses with representatives of the RNA and the DNA viruses. The parasitology section of the course emphasizes unique features of parasite gene expression, metabolism, and adherence and invasion properties. Representatives of both unicellular and multicellular parasites are considered.

Elective Courses

607 DNA Replication and Repair (2 credits) SEMINAR

DNA replication, repair and recombination. Some readings assigned in advanced textbooks; however, most readings and presentations will be from current literature.

609 Advanced Topics in Immunology (2 credits) SEMINAR

Classes are organized around recent, ground-breaking research papers including, but not limited to, vaccine development, transplantation, autoimmunity, neuroimmunology and immunopharmacology.

611 Cytokines and Inflammation (2 credits) SEMINAR 

Current scientific literature in the fields of cytokines and inflammation, with an emphasis on molecular aspects of signal transduction. Modern experimental models and techniques will be used. Students will also learn to perform critical analyses of scientific literature and to plan future strategies for experimentation based on published findings. Students will present lectures and write critical reviews of manuscript reprints.

613 Advanced Topics in Virology (2 credits) SEMINAR

Advanced discussions on topics in virology. Classes are organized around recent papers in the virological literature. Topics include HIV, hantavirus infection, prions, and the hepatitis viruses.

614 Advanced Dental Microbiology (1 credit) LECTURE
Current concepts of microbiological aspects of caries and pulpal infections, response of host to pulpal infection, and control of bacteria and bacterial infections.

624 Advanced Topics in Bacterial Pathogenesis (2 credits) SEMINAR

Presentation, review and discussion of current scientific articles relating to bacterial pathogenesis. New methodologies and state-of-the-art techniques will be introduced.

626 Inflammation and Cancer (2 credits) SEMINAR

627 Advanced Topics in Molecular Parasitology (2 credits) SEMINAR

Advanced discussions on topics in molecular parasitology. Classes are organized around current research in the literature.

 

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Undergraduate courses in Microbiology/Immunology:

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology does not offer an undergraduate major (baccalaureate degree program), however, formal and tutorial courses in microbiology and immunology are available to undergraduate students.

For course descriptions in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology go to:
http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/academicprograms/mic.shtml

 

Undergraduate courses

MIC 301 Fundamentals of Microbiology, LECTURE/LAB,
Introduces principles of microbiology for students of biomedical sciences, biotechnology, medical technology, environmental engineering, and nursing degree programs. Examines the structure and biological functions of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Emphasizes the mechanisms by which microorganisms cause diseases in humans. Also includes an immunology unit that introduces the principles and uses of immunology in infectious disease diagnosis and treatment. The laboratory provides hands-on experience in techniques involved in isolation and characterization of microorganisms and includes recitations. Lab registration is chained to the lecture.

MIC 401 Microbiology (6 credits) LEC
Covers three major areas of microbiology: bacteriology, virology, and parasitology. The bacteriology component includes bacterial physiology and structure, bacterial metabolism, bacterial genetics and disease processes. The virology section of the course includes principles involved in the nature and biological activities of viruses, as well as virus-host interactions. This includes an in-depth consideration of the life cycle of selected viruses with representatives of the RNA and the DNA viruses. The parasitology section of the course emphasizes unique features of parasite gene expression, metabolism, and adherence and invasion properties. Representatives of both unicellular and multicellular parasites are considered.

MIC 412 Fundamentals of Immunology (4 credits) LECTURES (If not taken during first year)
Prerequisites: BCH 403 or BIO 205; MIC 301, permission of instructor
The first part of the course covers anatomy and function of the immune system, cell interactions, antibody structure and function, antigen-antibody reactions, cell-mediated immunity, and biological effects of immunological reactions. In the later half of this course we will discuss immune defense and immunopathology as it relates to allergy/hypersensitivity, inflammation, innate immunity, mucosal immunity, vaccines and tumor immunity. This is an introductory course and presented entirely as lectures. Students will be expected to read assigned chapters in textbooks and/or some recent publications in scientific journals prior to each lecture. Assignments, announcements and slides for lectures are provided on line.  An understanding of the principles of biochemistry, molecular and cell biology is necessary; students lacking this background may have difficulty with this course.

MIC 499 Independent Study (1-8 Credits) TUT
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Available by arrangement with one or more faculty members.  Involves participation in a research project that provides limited laboratory experience in some aspect of microbiology or immunology.

Special major in Microbiology
Undergraduate Biomedical Sciences Program
Undergraduate Catalog

Director Harshad Thacore, 138 Farber Hall, 716-829-2907

 

Medical Students

MIC 950 Microbiology Research. TUTORIAL

Faculty members from the Department also teach Microbiology and Immunology as part of the Medical School curriculum.

 

Dental students

MIC 502 Medical and Oral Microbiology. TUTORIAL

Faculty members from the Department also teach Microbiology and Immunology as part of the Dental School curriculum.

 

Pharmacy students

MIC 301 (PHM section). A Fundamentals of Microbiology, LECTURE/LAB,
Introduces principles of microbiology for students of biomedical sciences, biotechnology, medical technology, environmental engineering, and nursing degree programs. Examines the structure and biological functions of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Emphasizes the mechanisms by which microorganisms cause diseases in humans. Also includes an immunology unit that introduces the principles and uses of immunology in infectious disease diagnosis and treatment. The laboratory provides hands-on experience in techniques involved in isolation and characterization of microorganisms and includes recitations. Lab registration is chained to the lecture.

 

Nursing students

NUR 301 A Fundamentals of Microbiology, LECTURE
Introduces principles of microbiology for students of biomedical sciences, biotechnology, medical technology, environmental engineering, and nursing degree programs. Examines the structure and biological functions of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Emphasizes the mechanisms by which microorganisms cause diseases in humans. Also includes an immunology unit that introduces the principles and uses of immunology in infectious disease diagnosis and treatment.