Course Descriptions
Graduate Courses in Microbiology
The following is a listing of Graduate Courses in Microbiology offered by the Section of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology. Graduate Microbiology courses are also listed in the Course Schedule for Spring 2002.
Please note that not all courses are taught each semester or summer session, therefore students should consult the Course Schedule to determine which courses and topics will be offered. The Course Schedule may also reflect changes that have been made to the courses listed here.
BIO 197 Seminar in Microbiology
One lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Required of all microbiology majors.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.
BIO 182, 282, 382 Advanced Study and Research
For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one class hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and graduate adviser.
BIO 290K Scanning Electron Microscopy: Theory and Practice
Theory of scanning electron microscopy and basic principles of instrument design; basic procedures in specimen preparation; hands-on experience. Two lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week for six weeks. Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 290K, Botany 297, Microbiology 297.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and graduate adviser.
BIO 396 Membranes and Walls of Bacteria
Structure, biosynthesis, and function of bacterial envelopes and walls, including associated optional components.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, a general microbiology course, and a biochemistry course.
BIO 397J Advanced Genetics
Intended mainly for first- and second-year graduate students. Selected related topics of current interest with an emphasis on molecular developmental genetics, and any needed review of classical genetics. Designed to help the student to read the literature critically, deliver a good seminar, and participate in thoughtful discussion. May not be counted toward the doctoral degree in microbiology.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor, and a course in genetics.
BIO 390P Techniques in Molecular Genetics
Laboratory training in modern molecular genetics, with emphasis on the manipulation of bacterial plasmid DNA as a model system. DNA purification, gene mapping and cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing. One lecture hour and seven laboratory hours a week for one semester. Microbiology 368 and 382L may not both be counted.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Microbiology 366 or the equivalent.
BIO 392 Problems in Host-Parasite Biology
May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in microbiology.
BIO 391K Cellular Immunology
Cell-associated immune responses, with emphasis on transplantation, immunity, tumor immunology, delayed hypersensitivity, and acquired cellular resistance.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and Microbiology 360 and 160K, or consent of instructor.
BIO 391M Tumor Biology
Natural history and causal mechanisms of cancer; viral and chemical carcinogens. Microbiology 342 and 389M may not both be counted.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and Microbiology 360, or 330 and 130K, or consent of instructor.
BIO 393 Problems in Molecular Genetics
May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in microbiology. Additional prerequisites vary with the topic and are given in the Course Schedule.
BIO 394 Problems in Microbial Physiology
May be repeated for credit when the topics vary (see the Course Schedule).
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in microbiology.
BIO 391P Advanced Virology
Replication of and transformation by DNA and RNA animal viruses.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Microbiology 330 or consent of instructor.
BIO 395F Genetics
Same as Chemistry 395F and Molecular Biology 395F. Basic principles of Medelian and molecular genetics, and an exploration of the genetic toolbox using examples of analytic methods and modern manipulations. Focus on the genetic analysis of model organisms. Use of genetic tools in dissecting complex biological pathways, developmental processes, and regulatory systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. An introductory course in genetics, such as Biology 325, is strongly recommended.
BIO 395G Biochemistry
Same as Chemistry 395G and Molecular Biology 395G. Detailed consideration of the structure and function of proteins, with discussion of enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, the biochemistry of energy production, and the metabolism and lipids and nucleotides. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. A one-year undergraduate sequence in biochemistry, such as Chemistry 339K and 339L, is strongly recommended.
BIO 395H Cell Biology
Same as Chemistry 395H and Molecular Biology 395H. Detailed consideration of mechanisms of growth control, cell regulation, mitosis, cell signaling, protein targeting, and the integration of these processes in various cellular processes. Three lecture hours a week for one semester Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and Biology 395F and 395G, or consent of instructor.
BIO 395J Molecular Biology
Same as Chemistry 395J and Molecular Biology 395J. Detailed consideration of prokaryotic and eukaryotic mechanisms of DNA replication and transcription; post-transcriptional processing of transcription products; and mechanism and regulation of the translation of messenger RNAs. Three lecture hours a week for one semester Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Biology 395F and Biology 395G (or 695C) or consent of instructor.
BIO 398R Master's Report
Preparation of a report to fulfill the requirement for the master's degree under the report option. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in microbiology and consent of the graduate adviser.
BIO 398T Supervised Teaching in Microbiology
Teaching under close supervision of course instructors for two semesters; weekly laboratory instruction of undergraduates in microbiology and/or general biology, group meetings with the instructor, individual consultations, and reports throughout the teaching period.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
BIO 399R Dissertation
Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.
BIO 399W Dissertation
Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Prerequisite: Microbiology 399R
BIO 490M Electron Microscopy I: Theory and Practice
Same as Botany 480R. An introduction to electron optics; emphasis on basic operation and maintenance of transmission microscope; theory and practice of basic preparative techniques. Two lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
BIO 698A Thesis
The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for two semesters. Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Prerequisite: graduate standing in microbiology and consent of the graduate adviser.
BIO 698B Thesis
The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for two semesters. Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Prerequisite: Microbiology 698A.
BIO 699R Dissertation
Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.
BIO 699W Dissertation
Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Prerequisite: Microbiology 699R
BIO 890G Applied Public Health and Medical Microbiology
One semester (or one summer session) of full-time training in the Texas State Department of Health Laboratories, with rotation in the divisions medical microbiology, mycology, parasitology, virology, sanitary bacteriology, and biologics. Assigned reading and lectures by the Department of Health Laboratories staff and the Department of Microbiology faculty.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and courses in immunology, public health bacteriology, and virology.
BIO 999R Dissertation
Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.
BIO 999W Dissertation
Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Prerequisite: Microbiology 999R
