CBMG -- Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics

The CBMG graduate program is being created by the merger of the Microbiology (MICB) and the Plant Biology (PBIO) graduate programs. All the CBMG graduate courses are listed below under their old numbers in the MICB and PBIO programs. These courses will be given new CBMG numbers in the near future.

MICB Courses ~ PBIO Courses

The following courses may involve the use of animals. Students who are concerned about the use of animals in teaching have the responsibility to contact the instructor, prior to course enrollment, to determine whether animals are to be used in the course, whether class exercises involving animals are optional or required and what alternatives, if any, are available.

MICB Courses

MICB 410 History of Microbiology (1) Prerequisite: MICB major. History and integration of the fundamental discoveries of the science. Modern aspects of abiogenesis, fermentation, and disease causation in relation to early theories.

MICB 416 Biology of Cancer (3) Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: ZOOL 211 and BIOL 222. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: MICB 416 or ZOOL 416. Formerly ZOOL 416. Causes and consequences of neoplastic transformations at the biochemical and cellular levels.

MICB 420 Epidemiology and Public Health (2) Prerequisite: MICB 200. History, characteristic features of epidemiology; the important responsibilities of public health; vital statistics.

MICB 440 Pathogenic Microbiology (4) Two hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: MICB 200. The role of bacteria and fungi in the diseases of humans with emphasis upon the differentiation and culture of microorganisms, types of disease, modes of disease transmission, prophylactic, therapeutic, and epidemiological aspects.

MICB 443 Drug Action and Design (3) Prerequisite: CHEM 243 or permission of department. 60 semester hours. Junior standing. Introductory pharamacology with an emphasis on "magic bullets", novel therapies, and drug design.

MICB 450 Principles of Immunology (3) Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 222 and MICB 200. Recommended: ZOOL 211. Junior or senior standing. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: MICB 450 or MICB 451 or ZOOL 455. The immune system in health and disease. Presentation and analysis of the cellular and molecular processes that comprise the immune system.

MICB 451 Immunology Lab (2) Six hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: MICB 200 and BIOL 222. Corequisite: MICB 450. Junior or senior standing. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: MICB 450 or MICB 451 or ZOOL 455. Current techniques for assessment of immune status and evaluation of the immune response, including monoclonal antibody production, Western blotting, cytokine assays, ELISA and flow cytometry.

MICB 453 Recombinant DNA Laboratory (3) Prerequisite: BIOL 222. An advanced course offering hands-on experience in performing recombinant DNA experiments. All current molecular biology techniques used for cloning prokaryotic genes, analyzing the gene products, and modifying the genes will be performed. Techniques include isolation of DNA, use of restriction enzymes; cloning procedures, PCR analysis and Southern hybridizations. Lecture material focuses on interpretation of results generated in the laboratory.

MICB 460 General Virology (3) Prerequisite: (BIOL 222 and completion of 60 credits) or permission of department. Discussion of the physical and chemical nature of viruses, virus cultivation and assay methods, virus replication, viral diseases with emphasis on the oncogenic viruses, viral genetics, and characteristics of the major virus groups.

MICB 470 Microbial Physiology (3) Prerequisite: MICB 200. Pre- or corequisite: BCHM 462. Microbial cellular and population growth. Fermentation metabolism, physiology of anaerobiosis, and energy conservation and transformation in bacterial membranes. Efficiency of energy utilization for growth. Membrane structure and transport. Bacterial chemotaxis. Regulation of bacterial chromosome replication, RNA and protein synthesis. Control of metabolic pathways.

MICB 480 Microbial Ecology (3) Prerequisites: MICB 200; and CHEM 243 or CHEM 245. Interaction of microorganisms with the environment, other microorganisms and with higher organisms. Roles of microorganisms in the biosphere. Microorganisms and current environmental problems.

MICB 485 Microbial Genetics (4) Two hours of lecture and six hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: MICB 200 and BIOL 222. Formerly MICB 380. A laboratory/lecture based course that covers the fundamentals of mutation, mobile genetic elements and transmission genetics of microbial organisms using both classical and molecular approaches.

MICB 674 Bacterial Metabolism (2) Prerequisite: MICB 470 or equivalent; and BCHM 462. Central pathways of bacterial energy and biosynthetic metabolism. Bacterial fermentations, diversity of aerobic metabolism, metabolic regulation, chemolithotrophic and phototrophic metabolism. Salvage pathways of purine and pyrimidine metabolism, and occasional current topics.

MICB 688 Special Topics (1-4) Prerequisite: twenty credits in microbiology. Presentation and discussion of fundamental problems and special subjects in the field of microbiology.

MICB 701 Teaching Microbiology (1) For LFSC graduate students only. Introduction to instructional methods and strategies, University and College policies, and campus resources for new LFSC graduate teaching assistants.

MICB 750 Advanced Immunology (2) Second semester. Antigens, antibodies, and their interactions. Research fundamentals in immunology and immunochemistry.

MICB 760 Virology and Tissue Culture (2) Prerequisite: MICB 440 or equivalent. Second semester. Physical, chemical and biological properties of viruses; viral replication; major virus groups.

MICB 780 Genetics of Microorganisms (2) Prerequisite: BCHM 461; and BCHM 462 or equivalent. First semester. An introduction to genetic principles and methodology applicable to microorganisms.

MICB 788 Seminar (1) First semester.

MICB 789 Seminar (1) Second semester.

MICB 799 Master's Thesis Research (1-6)

MICB 899 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-8)

PBIO Courses

 PBIO 405 Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology (3) Prerequisite: BIOL 222. Junior standing. Formerly BOTN 414. The basic principles of genetic analysis and molecular biology of gene structure, expression, and manipulation.

 PBIO 410 Plant Biochemistry (3) Prerequisites: PBIO 420; and CHEM 233. Formerly BOTN 484. Biochemical processes characteristic of plants, including photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation and biosynthesis of plant macromolecules.

 PBIO 415 Plant Biotechnology (2) Prerequisites: {PBIO 405 or ZOOL 213 or MICB 380 or ANSC 201 or HORT 274} and PBIO 420. Formerly BOTN 483. Theoretical and applied consideration of current technology for crop improvement, including manipulation of whole plants, tissues, and genes.

 PBIO 420 Plant Physiology (4) Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and CHEM 103. Formerly BOTN 441. A survey of the general physiological activities of plants.

 PBIO 425 Plant Structure (4) Two hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 105. Formerly BOTN 416. A survey of the basic structural features of vascular plants, including subcellular organelles, cells, tissues, and organs. Emphasis on structural phenomena as they relate to physiological processes of agricultural importance.

 PBIO 430 Principles of Microscopy (2) Prerequisite: PBIO 400 or ZOOL 411 or equivalent. Formerly BOTN 456. An introduction to optical principles that underlie light and electron microscopic image formation. Brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, differential interference contrast, fluorescence and polarized light microscopy. Comparison of light and electron microscopy. The application of these techniques to problems in biological research.

 PBIO 440 Plant Ecology (3) Prerequisite: BIOL 106. Formerly BOTN 462. The dynamics of populations as affected by environmental factors with special emphasis on the structure and composition of natural plant communities, both terrestial and aquatic.

 PBIO 441 Plant Ecology Laboratory (2) Three hours of laboratory per week. Pre- or corequisite: PBIO 440 or equivalent. Formerly BOTN 464. Two or three field trips per semester. The application of field and experimental methods to the qualitative and quantitative study of vegetation and ecosystems.

 PBIO 445 Evolutionary Biology of Plants (3) Prerequisites: BIOL 106 and BIOL 222. Formerly BOTN 411. Evolution in plant populations. The pace, pattern, and mechanisms of evolution will be discussed within a genetic and ecological framework. Some emphasis will be placed on processes that are unique to the evolution of plants.

 PBIO 450 Advanced Plant Taxonomy (3) Two hours of lecture and one hour of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: PBIO 200; and PBIO 250, or equivalent. Formerly BOTN 405. A review of the history and principles of plant taxonomy with emphasis on monographic and floristic research. A detailed laboratory review of the families of flowering plants.

 PBIO 455 Ecology of Marsh and Dune Vegetation (2) Prerequisite: BIOL 105. Formerly BOTN 463. An examination of the biology of higher plants in dune and marsh ecosystems.

 PBIO 460 Mycology (4) Two hours of lecture and six hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 105. Formerly BOTN 426. An introductory course in the biology, morphology and taxonomy of the fungi.

 PBIO 470 Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi of Plants (4) Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: PBIO 365 or permission of department. Formerly BOTN 424. A survey of the diagnostic properties and biology of plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

 PBIO 485 Medicinal and Poisonous Plants (2) Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and CHEM 104. Formerly BOTN 403. A study of plants important to humans that have medicinal or poisonous properties. Emphasis on plant source, plant description, the active agent and its beneficial or detrimental physiological action and effects.

PBIO 689 Advanced Topics in Plant Biology (1-4) Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable four times if content differs. Formerly BOTN 689. Lectures, experimental courses and other special instructions in various subjects in plant biology.

PBIO 698 Seminar in Plant Biology (1) Prerequisite: permission of department. Formerly BOTN 698. Discussion of special topics and current literature in all phases of botany.

PBIO 699 Special Problems in Plant Biology (1-3) Formerly BOTN 699. Credit according to time scheduled and organization of course. Maximum credit towards an advanced degree for the individual student at the discretion of the student's advisor. This course emphasizes research on a specialized advanced topic and may consist primarily of experimental procedures under the direction of visiting lecturers or resident faculty.

PBIO 705 Molecular Genetics of Plants (2) Prerequisites: {PBIO 405; and PBIO 420; and PBIO 410} or equivalent. Formerly BOTN 686. Current status of research on the structure, expression, and in vitro manipulation of plant nuclear genes and on the molecular genetics of plant organelles.

PBIO 710 Plant Membrance Physiology (2) Prerequisites: PBIO 420; and PBIO 410 or equivalent. Formerly BOTN 684. Biochemical and biophysical approaches to plant membrane structure and function.

PBIO 715 Advanced Plant Physiology Laboratory (2) One lecture and one four-hour laboratory period a week. Prerequisite: PBIO 420. Formerly BOTN 685. Biochemical and biophysical approaches to the study of the physiological processes of plants.

PBIO 725 Growth and Development (2) Prerequisite: PBIO 420. Formerly BOTN 645. Physiology of plant hormones, control of morphogenesis and regulation of biosynthesis, photomorphogenesis and photoperiodism.

PBIO 727 Methods in Plant Tissue Culture (2) One lecture and one two-hour laboratory period a week. Prerequisite: permission of both department and instructor. Formerly BOTN 620. A methodology and techniques course designed to give the student background and experience in plant tissue culture.

PBIO 730 Techniques in Microscopy (4) Two hours of lecture and six hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Recommended: PBIO 400. Formerly BOTN 656. Preparation of biological materials for observation with the light microscope.

PBIO 740 Plant Population Biology (3) Prerequisite: PBIO 445 or permission of instructor. Formerly BOTN 687. An examination of current theoretical and empirical research covering topics such as demography, reproductive strategy, clonality, seed banks, interspecific competition and plant-herbivore interactions.

PBIO 745 Plant Ecological Genetics (3) Prerequisites: BIOL 222 and PBIO 445 or ZOOL 440 or permission of instructor. Formerly BOTN 653. Plant ecological genetics is focused on the processes responsible for evolution in plant populations. Covers the basic principle of population genetics, then quickly shifts towards understanding how allele frequencies can change in an ecological context. Emphasis is placed on the role of drift and selection in evolution, and particular attention is placed on plant mating system evolution.

PBIO 755 Physiological Plant Ecology (2) Prerequisite: PBIO 440 or equivalent. Formerly BOTN 662. Environmental effects on plant ecophysiology. Microclimatology, leaf energy balance, plant responses to temperature and radiation, physiological adaptations, water relations and plant gas exchange.

PBIO 760 Plant Nematology (4) Two lectures and two laboratory periods a week. Prerequisite: PBIO 365 or permission of both department and instructor. Formerly BOTN 636. The study of plant-parasitic nematodes, their morphology, anatomy, taxonomy, genetics, physiology, ecology, host-parasite relations and control. Emphasis on recent advances.

PBIO 765 Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Pathogenesis (2) Prerequisite: BCHM 461. Formerly BOTN 640. Evaluation of current evidence on the role in plant disease development of various molecules produced by hosts and parasites. Examination of the molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity and plant disease resistance.

PBIO 770 Epidemiology and Management of Plant Disease (3) Prerequisite: PBIO 365 or equivalent. Formerly BOTN 631. Population phenomena of plant pathogens and their application to disease management.

PBIO 780 Plant Virology (2) Prerequisite: permission of both department and instructor. Formerly BOTN 632. Biological, biochemical, and biophysical aspects of viruses and viral diseases of plants.

PBIO 781 Plant Virology Laboratory (2) Pre- or corequisite: PBIO 780 and permission of both department and instructor. Recommended: PBIO 365. Formerly BOTN 634. Two laboratories per week on the application and techniques for studying the biological and molecular aspects of plant viruses.

PBIO 799 Master's Thesis Research (1-6) Formerly BOTN 799.

PBIO 899 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-8) Formerly BOTN 899.