Professors: Bradley (Graduate Director), Flower, Hill, Melvold (Chair), Nilles and Young

Program Description

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers graduate programs leading to the M.S., Ph.D., and Ph.D./M.D. degrees. Graduate study is available in a number of disciplines including cell biology, pathogenic microbiology, genetics, immunology, immunogenetics, autoimmunity, microbial physiology, molecular biology, and virology. The goals of the program are to provide scientific training and experience for careers in research and teaching in universities, clinical and research laboratories and in fields of related employment. Additional background is available in disciplines such as biochemistry, computer sciences, statistics and electron microscopy in other departments in the School of Medicine and the University.

Students rotate through each faculty member’s laboratory in their first semester of graduate study. Subsequent to this experience the student and his/her advisor are expected to choose a specific research program.

Core requirements for M.S. and Ph.D. degrees include courses in biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, statistics and graduate seminars. For both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, students are expected to carry out original research suitable for publication in a professional journal.

Master’s degree candidates are required to write a thesis and defend their research in a final oral examination. Doctoral candidates are required to successfully complete both a written and oral comprehensive examination as well as to write a dissertation and defend their research in a final oral examination.

Research Facilities

A new, modern science building and an adjacent bioinformation learning resources center which house the research laboratories, library and teaching facilities of the School of Medicine were constructed in 1994. These facilities provide a state-of-the-art environment for teaching and research. The Department of Microbiology and Immunology occupies the fourth floor of the research building. Other basic science departments in this facility include the Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics. Additional resources include the Department of Pathology, the Energy and Environmental Research Center, the USDA Human Nutrition Center and the Computer Center. The proximity of these departments and facilities provides the opportunity for cooperative and collaborative research and training in the basic sciences.

Financial Assistance

Graduate students are supported by University fellowships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships. The stipends are competitive, and normally provide support for the entire calendar year and include a waiver of tuition and fees. Applications for admission are accepted throughout the year. Applications for Fall Semester should be received no later than February 15 since the awarding of financial aid for the next academic year is decided in March and early April.

Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and good academic record in the sciences.
   
   
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
   
   
3. The Graduate Record Examination Test.
   
   
4. A course in Microbiology and a background in chemistry, preferably through organic chemistry, are recommended.

Student Group

The department enrolls 10-12 graduate students in its program. This departmental enrollment ensures a close association between a faculty advisor and student for personal guidance and research training yet provides an adequate number of students for individual and group interaction. Students have the opportunity to present and participate in journal clubs, general seminars, and research seminars. All graduate students are expected to participate in teaching during their tenure in the Department.

Degree Requirements

Master of Science

1. A minimum of 30 credit hours including research and thesis
   
2. A grade of at least B in BIMD 500.
   
3. Completion of BIMD 510, 513, 515 and 516.
   
4. Completion of MBio 513.
   
5. Completion of one credit each of MBio 507 and 511.
   
6. Completion of MBio 509.
   
7. Completion of two of the following (4 credits): MBio 501, 504, 508, 512 or 519.
   
8. An overall GPA of at least 3.0.
   
9. An acceptable thesis.
10. Minimum course requirements as follows:

Doctor of Philosophy

1. A minimum of 30 credit hours including research and dissertation.
   
   
2. A grade of at least B in BIMD 500.
   
   
3. Completion of BIMD 510, 513, 515 and 516.
   
   
4. Completion of MBio 513.
   
   
5. Completion of one credit each of MBio 507 and 511.
   
   
6. Completion of MBio 509.
   
   
7. Completion of four of the following (8 credits): MBio 501, 504, 508, 512 or 519.
   
   
8. An overall GPA of at least 3.0.
   
   
9. An acceptable dissertation.
   
   
10. Minimum Course requirements as follows:

Joint Ph.D.-M.D. Degree

See Program Requirements for Ph.D./M.D. Degree in the Degree Requirements section.

Courses

Courses marked with an asterisk(*) are offered in alternate years only.

BIMD 500. Cellular and Molecular Foundations of Biomedical Science. 6 credits. A series of lectures and discussion groups with emphasis on interrelated themes in basic biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology. Lectures will include current and emerging areas of research, while discussion will center on methods, techniques and expansion of lecture topics. Fall semester. Prerequisites: (a) a year of organic chemistry or (b) one semester of organic chemistry plus a course in either biochemistry or cell biology, or (c) permission of the course director.

BIMD 510. Basic Biomedical Statistics. 2 credits. A series of lectures, demonstrations and exercises to provide students with the basic rationales for the use of statistics in the assessment of biomedical data and a selected set of the most common and useful statistical tests. Spring Semester.

BIMD 513. Seminars in Biomedical Science. 1 credit. A series of presentations on original research conducted by UND faculty members as well as extramural leaders in academic and industrial research in the biomedical sciences. Students will participate through assigned reading and writing exercises related to the presentations.

BIMD 515. Steps to Success in Graduate School. † 1 credit. A series of lectures and discussion sessions covering topics related to the development of skills and experience important for successful completion of graduate training and transition to post graduate training and employment. Students will examine a variety of issues including choosing an advisor and research topic, charting their course through graduate school, the importance of productivity, how to give a scientific presentation and write a scientific publication, applying for predoctoral grants, and planning for their careers.

BIMD 516. Responsible Conduct of Research. † 1 credit. A series of lectures and discussion sessions covering topics related to responsible conduct in research. Students will examine a variety of issues including introduction to ethical decision making, the experience of conflict, laboratory practices, data management, reporting of research, conflict of interest, and compliance. Examples and case studies will be drawn primarily from the biomedical sciences.

*501. Molecular Virology. 2 credits. Prerequisites: Microbiology and biochemistry and/or consent of instructor. Genetics and molecular biology of animal and bacterial viruses, with emphasis on viral-host interactions, viral replication, and viral gene expression.

*504. Microbial Physiology. 2 credits. Prerequisites: A basic course in microbiology and organic chemistry or biochemistry or consent of instructor. The course will investigate the physiology of the bacterial cell as it pertains to the processes carried out by the cell. Topics will include basic cell structure, motility, chemotaxis, uptake of nutrients, metabolism, gene regulation, evolution, cell division, differentiation, and pathogenesis. The integration of various cellular functions to sustain the living cell will be emphasized. The course will be based largely on current literature and will involve class discussions of assigned topics. In addition to gaining an understanding of the bacterial cell, students will learn to read primary literature critically and the principles involved in writing a scientific paper. Discussions will be based upon readings from the current literature.

507. Seminar in Microbiology. 1 credit. S/U grading only.

*508. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2 credits. Prerequisite: BIMD 500 or equivalent. A detailed study of pathogenic microorganisms and the mechanisms by which they cause tissue and cell injury.

509. Immunology. 3 credits. Prerequisite: BIMD 500 or equivalent. An introduction to the fundamentals of immunology including immunochemistry, humoral and cellular response, hypersensitivity, immunodeficiency, immunogenetics, tolerance and immunodiagnosis.

511. Microbiology & Immunology Literature. 1 credit. Prerequisite: Microbiology 302 or equivalent. A series of reports of current scientific literature in Microbiology and Immunology. S/U grading only.

*512. Microbial Genetics. 2 credits. Prerequisites: Basic courses in genetics and microbiology or biochemistry and/or consent of instructor. Genetic mechanisms in microorganisms, mutagenesis, fine structure of genetic material, genetic engineering. Selected Readings.

513. Research Tools. 2 credits. Orientation to research and laboratory safety. The theory and application of modern laboratory techniques include tissue culture, cell fractionation, enzyme assay, immunization procedures, bacterial growth curves, photomicrography, strain construction, genetic engineering, gel electrophoresis, enzyme immunoassay, and western blot techniques are presented. S/U grading only.

515. Advanced Topics. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Previous basic course in the area to be covered. A series of topics in microbiology and immunology presented on an episodic basis. The topics may vary, but are expected to include: (A) Immunology, (B) Infectious Diseases, and (C) Molecular Biology.

519. Advanced Immunology. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Microbiology 509, an equivalent course, and/or permission of instructor. An advanced discussion of the genesis and regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Selected readings.

590. Research in Microbiology. 2 to 6 credits. Hours arranged. Advanced problems in microbiology and related fields.

591. Special Problems in Microbiology. 1 to 6 credits. Short term research projects performed under the supervision of a department faculty member. Intended to provide interested capable students with a challenge and an opportunity to conduct scientific research in microbiology. Arranged by consultation with participating faculty members.