XII. Course Descriptions
Microbiology
School of Environmental Sciences
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Department of Pathobiology
| MICR*2030 Microbial Growth S,F,W (2-3) [0.50] |
| This course covers the environmental factors and physiological processes of microbial growth. The transport of nutrients,
the metabolic availability of energy, metabolic patterns, and versatility in diverse microorganisms. Laboratory exercises
will focus on the techniques of: microscopy, isolation and enumeration, measurement of growth. Department of Molecular and
Cellular Biology. (Last offering - Fall 2011)
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
4.00 credits including (BIOL*1040 or BIOL*1090)
|
| MICR*2420 Introduction to Microbiology S,F,W (3-2) [0.50] |
| This course will introduce students to the diversity of microorganisms, including, bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and the impact
of microbes on everyday life. The interactions of microorganisms with the biotic and abiotic worlds will be discussed. Topics
will include the roles of microorganisms in host-pathogen interactions in disease, the beneficial aspects of microorganisms
in bioremediation and food production, and their application in biotechnology.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
4.00 credits including (1 of BIOL*1040, BIOL*1070, BIOL*1080, BIOL*1090, CHEM*1040)
|
| Restriction(s): |
MICR*1020, MICR*2020 This is a Priority Access course. Enrolment may be restricted to particular programs, specializations or semester levels
during certain periods. Please see the departmental website for more information.
|
| MICR*2430 Microbiology Methods I F,W (1-3) [0.50] |
| This course uses a hands-on approach to investigate microbial growth and factors that impact growth and the interactions of
microbes with biotic and abiotic environments. This course will explore the ecological diversity of microorganisms of selected
environments. Students will develop a wide range of microbiology-related laboratory skills. (First offering - Winter 12)
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
MICR*2420 |
| Equate(s): |
MICR*2030 |
| Restriction(s): |
This is a Priority Access course. Enrolment may be restricted to particular programs, specializations or semester levels during
certain periods. Please see the departmental website for more information.
|
| MICR*3120 Systematic Bacteriology F (2-3) [0.50] |
| Classification, nomenclature, and identification of bacteria. Methods and approaches for the isolation and identification
of bacteria are considered in the laboratory. The characteristics of some groups of common bacteria and the contributions
of molecular systematics to bacterial classification are discussed. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. (Last offering
- Fall 2011)
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
MICR*2030 |
| MICR*3220 Plant Microbiology F (3-0) [0.50] |
| In this course the interaction between plants and microorganisms will be studied. Topics include molecular plant-microbe interactions,
plant defenses, bacterial ice nucleation, interaction among plant microbes, root nodulation, mycorrhizae, wood decay, and
decomposition of plant litter. School of Environmental Sciences
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOL*1040 or (BIOL*1070, BIOL*1090)
|
| MICR*3230 Immunology F (3-0) [0.50] |
| This course provides an introduction to the immune response of the vertebrate host, the cells and tissues of the lymphoid
system, humoral and cell-mediated immunity, the concept of immunity to diseases and current techniques in immunology. Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Department of Pathobiology.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
(BIOL*1040 or BIOL*1090), BIOC*2580 |
| MICR*3270 Microbial Cell Biology W (3-0) [0.50] |
| This course describes the diversity in form and function in microorganisms. The structures of critical cellular components
will be considered from the perspective of the cellular requirements for survival in different environments. The underlying
macromolecular assembly systems will be considered in the context of their integration into cell division and the bacterial
cell cycle, as well as their exploitation as targets for antibiotics and other therapeutic approaches. Department of Molecular
and Cellular Biology. (Last offering - Winter 2012)
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
(BIOL*2210 or MCB*2210), (MBG*2020 or MBG*2040), MICR*2030 |
| Co-requisite(s): |
BIOC*3560 |
| Restriction(s): |
MICR*4270 |
| MICR*3330 World of Viruses F (3-0) [0.50] |
| Viruses infecting many organisms will be covered in the context of their global impact on disease and history, beneficial
uses of viruses, and their role in advances of molecular theory. A fundamental virology background will be achieved by understanding
the diversity of viruses, their replication strategies and their interactions with the host in disease. The relevance of viruses
in society will be highlighted by discussion of historical accounts and contemporary news articles. Department of Molecular
and Cellular
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
(MCB*2210, MBG*2020) or MCB*2050 |
| MICR*3420 Microbial Diversity F (3-0) [0.50] |
| The cycling of elements (carbon, nitrogen, sulphur) within ecosystems involves the contributions of diverse microorganisms.
This course will study the diversity of Bacteria and Archaea in selected ecosystems at an organismal level, investigate the
metabolic and enzymatic diversity in microbes that contribute to and thrive within these environments, and examine the methodologies
used to study the relationships and evolution of microorganisms within an ecosystem. (First offering - Fall 2012)
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOC*3560, (MBG*2020 or MBG*2040), MICR*2430 |
| Equate(s): |
MICR*3120 |
| MICR*3430 Microbiology Methods II W (1-3) [0.50] |
| This course will use a hands-on approach to investigate concepts and develop skills needed for the isolation, identification
and classification of microorganisms. Classical, molecular, and bioinformatic techniques will be used to isolate and identify
bacteria and viruses from natural environments. (First offering - Winter 2013)
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
MBG*3080, MICR*2430 |
| Co-requisite(s): |
MBG*3350 |
| Equate(s): |
MICR*3120 |
| MICR*4140 Soil Microbiology and Biotechnology F (3-0) [0.50] |
| In this course soil microorganisms will be studied with an emphasis on their diverse metabolic activities and biotechnological
uses of soil microorganisms. Current topics will include soil as an environment for microorganisms, cell division in soil,
starvation survival mechanisms, microbial evolution, soil microbial biodiversity, gene transfer, microbial gene expression
in soil, extraction and purification of microbial nucleic acids, metabolism of soil pollutants and metal-microbe interactions.
The use of molecular-based and fluorescent methods to study microorganisms in soil will also be presented. School of Environmental
Sciences.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOC*2580, [BIOL*1040 or (2 of BIOL*1070, BIOL*1080, BIOL*1090)]
|
| MICR*4180 Microbial Processes in Environmental Management F (3-0) [0.50] |
| In this course the metabolic basis of microbial processes fundamentally important in the management of agricultural, industrial
or municipal wastes are examined. Topics covered include relevant considerations in using microorganisms for pollution control,
factors that affect efficient microbial degradation in the environment, and major microbial enzyme systems/pathways for biodegradation
of persistent pollutants. Emphasis will be placed on the biochemistry, physiology, genetics and biotechnological applications
of pollutant-degrading microorganisms. School of Environmental Sciences.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOC*2580, [BIOL*1040 or (2 of BIOL*1070, BIOL*1080, BIOL*1090)]
|
| MICR*4280 Microbial Ecology W (3-0) [0.50] |
| This course is a study of natural microbial communities: their structure, function and the factors that impact them. The topics
include standard and new techniques that are being developed for analyzing microbial communities, current research on microbial
ecology of the ocean, the terrestrial and the human ecosystems, Gaia theory, astrobiology and the role of microbes in the
evolution of life on Earth. This course covers the metagenomic approach and how it impacts the current view of the diversity
of uncultured microbes in the biosphere, and the biochemical basis for extremophile survival and the application of this knowledge
on protein structure-function relationships and biotechnology. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
(MBG*2020 or MBG*2040), (MICR*2030 or MICR*2430), MBG*3350, (MICR*3120 or MICR*3420)
|
| MICR*4330 Molecular Virology W (2-3) [0.50] |
| This course will focus on molecular aspects of virus replication cycles and the diverse strategies used for replication of
select RNA and DNA viruses. Virus-host interactions including tumour virology and host antiviral responses such as interferon
and apoptosis will be discussed. Viral anti host-defence responses as well as recent advances in molecular virology and evolution
will be also be covered. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
MICR*3330, (MICR*2030 or MICR*2430 is recommended)
|
| MICR*4430 Medical Virology W (3-0) [0.50] |
| A study of the interactions of animal viruses and their hosts and of important diseases of humans caused by viruses in different
taxonomic groups. The emphasis is on aspects of pathogenesis, epidemiology, immune responses and control. Recent advances
in the application of molecular biology to the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines will be included. Department of
Pathobiology.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
MICR*3330 |
| MICR*4520 Microbial Cell Biology F (3-0) [0.50] |
| This course explores the structure-function relationships of macromolecular complexes and cellular ultrastructures involved
in fundamental microbial processes. The structures of macromolecular machines will be considered from the perspective of the
cellular requirements for survival in different environments, and will be discussed in the context of their integration into
cell division and the bacterial cell cycle, as well as their exploitation as targets for antibiotics and other therapeutic
approaches. (First offering - Fall 2012)
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOC*3560, MBG*3080 |
| Restriction(s): |
MICR*3270 |
| MICR*4530 Immunology II W (3-0) [0.50] |
| This course will focus on advanced aspects of the structure and function of the vertebrate immune system in health and disease.
Various topics including inflammation, hypersensitivity reactions, immune-mediated diseases such as allergy and autoimmunity,
immune response to infection, vaccine development, experimental systems, immunoinformatics and antibody engineering will be
discussed.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
MICR*3230 |
| Restriction(s): |
MICR*4230 |
