Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate Program Course Descriptions

  MMG001

  First Year Colloquium

  Fall

  Coordinator:   Douglas Johnson

Colloquium is designed to enhance faculty-student interactions in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and to inform first-year majors about the educational and research opportunities in MMG. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites.   (1 credits)
   

  MMG065

  Microbiology and Pathogenesis

  Fall

  Coordinator:   David Pederson

  Lab Coordinator:   Brenda Tessmann

Overview of microbiology, emphasizing the relationships between the structure, metabolism, and genetics of microorganisms and their roles in nature and in pathogenesis. Prerequisite(s): Those w/ BCOR 11 & 12 take MMG 101; one semester chemistry; Sophomore Standing Nursing, Dental Hygiene majors only. Labs begin first day of classes; Micro & Lab manual fee; Contact dept; Bring lab coat.   (4 credits)
   

  MMG101

  Microbiology and Infectious Disease

  Fall

  Coordinator:   Douglas Johnson

  Lab Coordinator:   Brenda Tessmann

An introduction to the biology of microorganisms, encompassing their diversity, metabolism, pathogenesis, and ecology. Prerequisite(s): One semester of chemistry and biology, or equivalent, or Instructor’s permission.   (4 credits)
   

  MMG104

  Introduction to Recombinant DNA Technology

  Spring

  Coordinator:   Stephanie Phelps
    Course Overview

Introduction to the basic principles and techniques used in Recombinant DNA technology. Prerequisite(s): BCOR 11/12, Microbiology or Molecular Genetics major/minor.   (2 credits)
   

  MMG195

  Special Topics

  Fall

  Coordinator:   Brenda Tessmann

Supervised investigations in microbiology or molecular genetics; such as
independent study or as a laboratory teaching assistant. Prerequisite(s): Instructor’s permission. Credit as arranged.   (0 credits)
   

  MMG196

  Special Topics

  Spring

  Coordinator:   Brenda Tessmann

Supervised investigations in microbiology or molecular genetics; such as
independent study or as a laboratory teaching assistant. Prerequisite(s): Instructor’s permission. Credit as arranged.   (0 credits)
   

  MMG197

  Undergraduate Research

  Fall

  Coordinator:   Douglas Johnson

Undergraduate students accommodated in individual research projects sponsored by department member. Arrangement with individual department member and Undergraduate Program Director approval. Credits negotiable. Prerequisite(s): Advisor’s permission
   

  MMG198

  Undergraduate Research

  Spring

  Coordinator:   Douglas Johnson

Undergraduate students accommodated in individual research projects sponsored by department member. Arrangement with individual department member and Undergraduate Program Director approval. Credits negotiable. Prerequisite(s): Advisor’s permission
   

  MMG201

  Molecular Cloning Lab

  Fall

  Coordinator:   Stephanie Phelps

Intensive advanced laboratory course in the fundamentals of recombinant DNA technology through the isolation and characterization of a unique gene. Prerequisite(s): MMG 104 or equivalent.   (3 credits)
   

  MMG203

  Mammalian Cell Culture in Molecular Biology

  Alternate Springs, odd years

  Coordinator:   Stephanie Phelps

The basic principles and techniques of mammalian cell culture, as well as cell and mammalian molecular genetics. Prerequisite(s): MMG 65 or MMG 101 or equivalent.   (4 credits)
   

  MMG205

  Biochemistry I

  Fall

  Coordinator:   Jose Santos Madalengoitia
    Martin Case

Survey course covering the chemistry, structure, metabolism, and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 142, 144.   (3 credits)
   

  MMG206

  Biochemistry II

  Spring and Summer

  Coordinator:   Christopher Francklyn
    Gregory Gilmartin

Survey course covering nucleic acids, protein synthesis, cellular and physiological control mechanisms. Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 205.   (3 credits)
   

  MMG207

  Biochemistry Laboratory

  Spring

  Coordinator:   William Scott Currier

Introduction to standard biochemical laboratory techniques. Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 205 or concurrent enrollment in Biochemistry 205.   (2 credits)
   

  MMG211

  Prokaryotic Molecular Geneticsin Molecular Biology

  Fall

  Coordinator:   Matthew Wargo

The organization, replication, and expression of genes in prokaryotes, focusing on the genetics of Escherichia coli and its viruses. Prerequisite(s): Introductory Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, and/or Cell Biology.   (3 credits)
   

  MMG222

  Clinical Microbiology

  Alternate Springs, even years

  Coordinator:   Brenda Tessmann

  Lab Coordinator:   Brenda Tessmann

Comprehensive study of human pathogenic microorganisms and their disease states in humans, which includes pathogenic bacteriology, medical mycology, and virology. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in handling and identifying these pathogens. Prerequisite(s): MMG 65 or MMG 101 or equivalent.   (4 credits)
   

  MMG223

  Immunology

  Alternate Springs, odd years

    TBA

Analysis of the immune response with respect to structure and function of immunoglobulins and the T-cell receptor, tolerance, innate and adaptive immunity, the Major Histocompatibility Complex, hypersensitivity states, transplantation, cancer, and AIDS. Prerequisite(s): Instructor’s permission.   (3 credits)
   

  MMG225

  Eukaryotic Virology

  Alternate Falls, even years

  Coordinator:   Gregory Gilmartin
    Markus Thali

An in-depth analysis of eukaryotic virus-mammalian cell interactions emphasizing mechanisms by which viruses modulate gene expression in infected cells. Prerequisite(s): MMG 101 or 104 or equivalent.   (3 credits)
   

  MMG231

  Bioinformatics

  Alternate years, Spring

  Coordinator:   Neil Sarkar

Introduction to current topics in bioinformatics. Applications may include sequence alignment, dynamic programming, hidden Markov models, phylogenetics trees, microarray data analysis, genomics, and proteomics. Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission; STAT 151, CS 26, and MMG 104 desirable.   (3 credits)
   

  MMG240

  Introduction to Macromolecular Structure of Proteins and Nucleic Acids

  Alternate Springs, odd years

  Coordinator:   Sylvie Doublié
    Christopher Francklyn
    Stephen Everse

Introduction to structural biology and macromolecular structure with an emphasis on protein-protein and protein-nucleic acids interactions. Prerequisite(s): BCOR 11,12; Organic Chemistry; Junior status recommended; concurrent Physics.   (3 credits)
   

  MMG295

  Special Topics

  Fall

  Coordinator:   Brenda Tessmann

Supervised investigations in microbiology or molecular genetics; such as
independent study, internships or as a laboratory teaching assistant. Prerequisite(s): Instructor’s permission. Credit as arranged.   (0 credits)
   

  MMG296

  Special Topics

  Spring

  Coordinator:   Brenda Tessmann

Supervised investigations in microbiology or molecular genetics; such as
independent study, internships or as a laboratory teaching assistant. Prerequisite(s): Instructor’s permission. Credit as arranged.   (0 credits)
   

  MMG296

  Senior Seminar

  Spring

  Coordinator:   Douglas Johnson

The Senior Seminar course is designed to engage senior MMG majors in current issues in microbiology and molecular genetics. Students are required to research a current topic, write a review paper and give an oral presentation on this topic, develop and discuss future career plans, and conduct exit interviews with deparmental faculty.
  (1 credits)
   

  MMG297

  Advanced Undergraduate Research

  Fall

  Coordinator:   Douglas Johnson

Undergraduate students are involved in advanced individual research projects sponsored by department member. Arrangement with individual department member and Undergraduate Program Director approval. Prerequisite(s): Pre/co-requisites: MMG 197/198 or Director/Advisor’s permission Credits: variable.
   

  MMG298

  Advanced Undergraduate Research

  Spring

  Coordinator:   Douglas Johnson

Undergraduate students are involved in advanced individual research projects sponsored by department member. Arrangement with individual department member and Undergraduate Program Director approval. Prerequisite(s): Pre/co-requisites: MMG 197/198 or Director/Advisor’s permission. Credits: variable.
   

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  • What our students have to say...

    The MMG department is run by the most dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff I've encountered and the program itself is fantastic. Interesting and challenging courses are offered every semester, among them excellent opportunities to do hands-on laboratory work in cloning and DNA technology. I never imagined how immersive this program could be, or how fun it would be. I managed to make some great friends while learning and participating in settings that would have been available nowhere else. The MMG department opened some unexpected doors and provided some unique opportunities. I was invited to be a teaching assistant for a molecular cloning course in my senior year which was the most rewarding class experience I had in four years. As if that weren't enough I got to work as a research assistant on a chronicle of the Centers for Disease Control. And now I've been offered the chance to obtain a one-year master's degree in business administration before hopefully moving into pharmaceuticals or biotechnology.

    JP (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2007