Graduate co-ordinator - Cecil W. Forsberg (315 Chemistry and Microbiology, Ext. 3433/4478) (E-mail: cforsber@uoguelph.ca)
Graduate admissions Officer - Janet M. Wood (119 Chemistry and Microbiology, Ext. 3866) (E-mail: jwood@uoguelph.ca)
Graduate secretary - Carol V. Schlaht (117 Chemistry and Microbiology, Ext. 3815) (E-mail: cschlaht@micro.uoguelph.ca)
Anthony J. Clarke MSc, PhD Waterloo - Associate Professor
Peter Dobos BSc British Columbia, MSc, PhD Queen's - Professor
Cecil W. Forsberg BSA, MSc Saskatchewan, PhD McGill - Professor
L. Norman Gibbins BSc, PhD Birmingham - Professor
Peter J. Krell BSc, MSc Carleton, PhD Dalhousie - Professor
Joseph S.L. Lam BSc, PhD Calgary - Professor
Reggie Y.C. Lo BSc, PhD Alberta - Professor
Lucy M. Mutharia BSc, MSc Nairobi, PhD British Columbia - Assistant Professor
Rosalynn M.W. Stevenson BSc, PhD Manitoba - Associate Professor
Christopher Whitfield BSc Newcastle, PhD Edinburgh - Professor
Janet M. Wood BSc Victoria, PhD Edinburgh - Professor
Associated Graduate Faculty
Ronald J. Doyle BS Northeast Louisiana, MS Kentucky, PhD Louisville - University of Louisville
Susan F. Koval BSc Waterloo, MSc Western Ontario, PhD London - University of Western Ontario
William D. Paterson BSA, MSc Guelph, PhD Oregon - Paterson Aquatic Technologies
G. Dennis Sprott BSc (Agr), MSc Guelph, PhD McGill - National Research Council
- Physiology and Structure.
- Synthesis, assembly, and function of cell envelope components (Beveridge, Clarke, Forsberg, Mutharia, Whitfield).
- Molecular basis for antigenic diversity (Lam, Whitfield).
- Microbial ultrastructure (Beveridge).
- Microbial membrane function (Wood).
- Virology.
- Molecular biology of viruses and viral replication (Dobos, Krell)
- Pathogenesis.
- Molecular mechanisms in bacterial pathogenesis (Lam, Lo, Mutharia, Whitfield, Wood).
- Microbial pathogenesis of fish (Dobos, Mutharia, Stevenson).
- Microbial Biotechnology.
- Development of anti-microbial agents (Beveridge, Clarke, Whitfield).
- Metal interactions with cell walls; mineral development (Beveridge).
- Pathogenic mechanisms in bacterial disease; antigen diversity; vaccine development (Lam, Lo, Mutharia, Stevenson, Whitfield, Wood).
- Microbial enzyme technology (Clarke, Forsberg).
- Vaccine development (Beveridge, Krell, Lam, Lo, Mutharia, Stevenson, Whitfield).
The minimum requirement for admission to the MSc program is a baccalaureate in an honours science program, or the equivalent, from a recognized university or college. The applicant should have achieved an average standing of at least second class honours ('B' or 73%) during the last two undergraduate years.
Admission to the program is not restricted to those holding an honours baccalaureate degree in microbiology.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete at least the minimum university course credit requirements including the departmental seminar requirement.
The MSc thesis research project is intended to give the student training and experience in:
- a comprehensive library search on a specific topic related to the research;
- research techniques;
- the design of experiments in collaboration with the research adviser;
- the interpretation of data, and
- writing for scientific publication.
In the case of a student considering transfer from the MSc program to the PhD program, it is important that the research project be one which can be expanded in scope and challenge if the transfer is approved.
Admission to the PhD program normally requires at least honours ('B' or a 73% average), in a recognized baccalaureate program as well as a recognized MSc degree. Transfer from the MSc program to the PhD program will be considered for a student who has achieved excellent standing at the honours baccalaureate level, and who has demonstrated a superior performance and particular aptitude for research during the first three semesters of the MSc program. In exceptional cases, students with an 'A-', (or a minimum average of 80%) standing in a baccalaureate program and a demonstrated aptitude for research may be granted direct entry into the PhD program.
Degree Requirements
Course requirements are specified by the student's advisory committee and include the seminar.
The qualifying examination should be completed no later than the end of the third semester for students entering after completing the MSc degrees and the fifth semester for students entering directly after completing a baccalaureate degree. For students transferring from the MSc to the PhD degree, the examination will be completed before the end of the semester following that in which the transfer was approved.
The PhD research project is intended to give the student further, more intensive experience than that of an MSc program. In addition, the student must develop the ability to generate innovative research ideas and implement them through carefully designed experiments. The student is expected to develop and demonstrate a high degree of scholarship and expertise in the chosen specialty, and to exert critical judgement. The research must also yield results which, in the opinion of the examination committee, warrant publication in reputable scientific journals appropriate to the area of specialization.
The Department of Microbiology participates in the master of science in aquaculture program. Professor Stevenson is a member of the Aquaculture Interdepartmental Group. Her research and teaching expertise includes aspects of aquaculture; she may serve as adviser for MSc (Aquaculture) students. Please consult the Aquaculture listing for a detailed description of the MSc (Aquaculture) interdepartmental program.
Biophysics MSc/PhD Program
The Department of Microbiology participates in the MSc/PhD programs in biophysics. Professors Beveridge, Whitfield and Wood are members of the Biophysics Interdepartmental Group. These faculty members' research and teaching expertise includes aspects of biophysics; they may serve as advisers for MSc and PhD students in biophysics. Please consult the Biophysics listing for a detailed description of the graduate programs offered by the Biophysics Interdepartmental Group.
- 6506040 Advanced Microbial Physiology (0.5) W
- A study of molecular structure-function relationships fundamental to the survival and growth of bacteria. Topics for study will be selected from the literature on bacterial cytology, bioenergetics, metabolism, enzymology and adaptation.
- 6506070 Bacterial Structures and Virulence (0.5) F
- A study of the roles of bacterial surface structures (LPS, capsules, flagella, fimbriae, outer membrane proteins) in the virulence of bacteria. (Jointly offered by the Departments of Microbiology and Pathobiology.)
- 6506500 Microbial Genetics (0.5) W
- A study of recent research developments on the mechanisms of regulation of gene expression, DNA metabolism and genome analysis of microorganisms. (Offered in even- numbered years.)
Virology
- 6506130 Molecular Biology of Viruses (0.5) W
- Replication strategies of virus genomes including prototypes of different animal, plant and (some) bacterial virus families; mechanism and control of viral gene expression; tumor virology; genetically engineered virus vaccines.
Pathogenesis
- 6506500 Microbial Genetics (0.5) W
- A study of recent research developments on the mechanisms of regulation of gene expression, DNA metabolism and genome analysis of microorganisms. (Offered in even- numbered years.)
- 6506070 Bacterial Structures and Virulence (See above) (0.5) F
General
- 6506250 Monoclonal Antibodies and Antibody Engineering (0.5) F
- A lecture and laboratory course. The theory and process of producing monoclonal antibodies by plasmacytoma cell fusion and the theories of contemporary technology in engineering antibodies in vitro.
- 6506950 Selected Topics in Microbiology (0.5)
- This course, offered on an irregular basis, provides opportunities for graduate students to study special topics of mutual interest under the guidance of graduate faculty members with pertinent expertise. Proposed course descriptions are considered by the Department of Microbiology on an ad hoc basis.
- 6506540 Introductory Seminar (0.25) S, F, W
- A literature review of a selected area of microbiological research concluding with a written research proposal, and a seminar on the information which is presented within the first two semesters of the program. The course is required for MSc students, but is optional for PhD students who have taken an equivalent course.
- 6506590 Advanced Seminar (0.25) F, W
- Public seminars on current microbiological or allied research topics. MSc students give one seminar while Ph.D. students give two seminars. The topics must be on subjects other than the student's area of research.
