Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified.

542 Immunology Laboratory
This laboratory course is designed to help students become familiar with and proficient in the performance of protocols in cellular immunology, immunochemistry and clinical serology. These experiments are designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of laboratory work in the field of immunology. The laboratory experience is designed to closely reflect that of a modern immunology lab, taking into consideration the limitations of time and available state-of-the-art equipment. Students will also have relevant lectures in these topic areas to assist in learning the principles governing each of these important protocols. This will be accomplished over the course of the semester by antibody isolation and purification using salt precipitation, ion exchange chromatography and dialysis. Purified IgG antibody molecules will be cleaved by specific enzymes in order to study the protein biochemistry of antibodies, and size exclusion or molecular sieving column chromatography will be used to isolate fragments for further analysis. Students will become proficient in the use of spectrophotometers, perform SDS-PAGE, Western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and immunofluorescence staining. The student will also perform comparative proteomics using immunology techniques as well as classic serological assays including the immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony technique) and blood typing. Anatomy of the lymphatic system will be explored using a mouse model. Specifically, student will perform mouse dissection, lymph node examination, and isolation of lymphocytes from the mouse spleen and thymus. In addition students will perform assays to determine protein concentration, and solidify their skills in light and fluorescence microscopy. Finally, the student will be exposed to cellular immunology, including differential leukocyte counts, mammalian histology and immunohistopathology, identification and enumeration of mouse and human leukocytes and Flow Cytometric analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations.  We will take a field trip to Baystate Medical Center to visit the transfusion medicine and immunology departments where students will get the opportunity to observe many of the protocols they learned in class in use within a clinical setting and have ample opportunity to interact with the director of transfusion medicine and a transfusion medicine education specialist. Students will be evaluated via quizzes, class participation, competence at the lab bench, demonstrated independence and critical thinking along with lab reports written in the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals format with an IMRAD structure, ready to be published. 

552 Pathogenic Bacteriology
Laboratory procedures in clinical and diagnostic bacteriology including: i) culture and physiological characteristics of the pathogenic bacteria; ii) recommended procedures for the cultivation of both the common and rare pathogens isolated from clinical material; iii) conventional and rapid biochemical methods for detection and identification of medically important bacteria; iv) serological procedures on microorganisms of prime medical concern; and v) prescribed tests for the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics and antimetabolites.

562 Environmental Biotechnology
Environmental Biotechnology is a laboratory course supported by lectures and demonstrations. This advanced course is designed to introduce graduate level students to traditional and molecular methods strategically applied to problems related to microbial biotechnology and environmental microbiology. Course topics cover a wide range of subjects from the diversity of microbial life to biodegradation. Seven general areas are emphasized: (1) Statistical sampling and chemical and physical site characterization, (2) biomass determination and cell counts, (3) enrichment techniques, (4) microbial activity measurements, (5) single cell detection in situ, (6) sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis followed by probe design, and (7) other modern techniques of environmental microbiology.

565 Laboratory in Molecular Genetics
Methodology and principles of modern molecular genetics. Microbial genetics combining classical techniques with bacteriophages and bacteria with modern PCR and recombinant DNA experiments. Introduction to genomic, structural analysis using computer methods and fluorescence microscopy in bacteria.  Designed to help students learn techniques and analyze results.  Credits, 4

570 Virology
Molecular biology of viruses and viral genetic systems; viral disease processes. Emphasis on polio virus, influenza, herpes viruses, the DNA tumor viruses, retroviruses (including HIV), and hepadna viruses. Prerequisite: background in cell biology, genetics, or biochemistry. This course is taught in Team Based Learning (TBL) format.

590L Parasitology Lab
Hands-on experience in parasitological studies. Students analyze live and prepared samples of selected parasites, and the insect vectors that transmit disease. Experimental sessions involve completing parasite life cycles, inhibiting parasite growth using various drugs, and the genetic technique called RNA interference. Corequisite: MICROBIO 590S or consent of instructor.

590S Parasitology
Classical and modern parasitology concentrating on protozoan and worm parasites of major medical/veterinary importance. Topics include basic principles of parasitology, life cycles, epidemiology, host-parasite interactions, drug treatments and vector control programs, along with information on the basic biology, biochemistry, and genetics of selected parasites.

590W Science Writing and Reviewing
Focus on writing and reviewing scientific manuscripts and grant proposals. Students write a short research paper based on sample data and formatted for a specific journal, review a paper prepared by a faculty member, and review a grant proposal prepared by a faculty member and discuss the review in a mock study section. Students work in small groups to stimulate collaborative thinking. Credits, 2

597B Archaea Journal Club
Examination of all aspects related to the third Domain of life, the Archaea.  New and recent papers on the physiology, ecology, biotechnological applications and evolution of archaea are discussed, as well as papers on the application of this information to biogeochemistry, early Earth history, and the search for life beyond Earth.  A basic understanding of microbiology is recommended. Credit, 1

597E Environmental Microbiology
How microorganisms interact with each other and with their environment. Microbial distribution and activities in natural systems, and their importance to ecosystem function and environmental quality. Extreme habitats; habitat-specific forces; microbial activity; microbial transformations and their impact on different environments; species diversity, detection, and control of microorganisms; and associations with higher organisms. Each basic principle followed by applied and environmental case studies. Modern techniques of environmental microbiology. Graduate students write an independent research proposal. 

680 Microbial Physiology
Main aspects of microbial growth, energy and biosynthesis pathways, metabolic regulation and integration of pathways into a coherent system. Emphasis on physiological diversity, global control systems governing the adaptation of microorganisms to different environmental conditions, and emerging methodologies. Prerequisite: general background in microbiology and biochemistry.

685 Concepts in Molecular Genetics
Fundamental and advanced topics in the molecular genetics of micro-organisms covered through lecture and discussion of the literature. Topics vary depending on the instructor. Prerequisites: basic coursework in biochemistry and genetics.

696 Independent Study
Research under direction of a faculty member. Credit, 1-8

697D Special Topics: Acid Mine Drainage
Critical reviews and discussions of the current literature dealing with biogeochemistry of acid mine drainage (AMD). Establishes a broad understanding of the current literature and the basics of the biogeochemistry of AMD, and the biogeochemical processes related to AMD production and attenuation. AMD studied as a model for the interaction of microbial, geological, and hydrochemical systems. Credit, 1

699 Master’s Thesis
Credit, 1-9.

791A Departmental Seminar
Reports and discussion of pertinent literature and research. Required of all microbiology graduate majors each semester in residence. Credit, 1

796 Independent Study
Research under direction of a faculty member. Credit, 1-8

797B Microbial Aspects of Biogeochemistry
Studies the active subsurface biosphere in sedimentary basins, to advance understanding of: 1) the forms of metabolic processes employed by such populations, and limits on the activity of subsurface microbial communities; 2) the origin, survival, and dormancy of slowly-growing subsurface microorganisms far removed from earth surface influences; 3) the geochemical, mineralogical, and molecular signatures that subsurface organisms may imprint on rocks and sediments; and 4) the impact that active modern populations may have on overprinting of paleoenvironmental signatures preserved in ancient sediments and rocks. Credit, 1

797E Microbial Ecology Journal Club
Fundamental questions in microbial ecology include: what are the drivers of community assembly? How do microbial functions scale? How does mass flow between species, and what factors regulate this? How can we predict or engineer community function? We will discuss microbial communities from a variety of natural and manufactured environments, with emphasis on new strategies to test hypothesis-driven microbial ecology research.  Credit, 1. 

797J Immunology Journal Club
This well-organized journal club entails critical review of the scientific literature deemed beneficial and relevant to both students and immunology faculty. Students make one presentation of a journal article from a reputable immunology-related journal with the advice and final approval from an immunology faculty member. Topics include molecular immunology, programmed cell death, virus immunology, infection and defense, cellular immunology and receptor-mediated signaling. Credit, 1

797P Molecular Mechanisms in Pathogenesis
Explores through current primary literature some of the complex processes used by microbial pathogens to establish themselves in a host and to gain nutrients, subsequently causing host cell damage and disease, and to evade the host’s defense. Includes discussion of the modern molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry tools to study these processes. Credit, 1

899 Doctoral Dissertation
Credit, 1-9.