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Microbiology

Study in the Department of Microbiology is dedicated to the branch of biological sciences that deals with the smallest living things: bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses. It is coupled with immunology, the study of the response of higher organisms to foreign substances.

Microbiology and immunology are at the forefront of the modern biological revolution. Microbes are often the experimental subjects of choice for examining basic genetic and biological phenomena because of their small size, rapid growth rate, and relative simplicity. A significant portion of contemporary biochemical research employs microbiological and immunological methods.

Current research is making theoretical and practical advances concerning microbial species and viruses that infect animals, including man, plants, and other microbes; the use of comparative genomics, gene expression profiling, and recombinant DNA methods to analyze basic biological processes and generate valuable products; the nature and occurrence of microbial life in extreme or unusual environments; microbial synthesis and modification of antibiotics and other natural products; the role of microbes in stabilization of the biosphere by recycling and detoxifying waste products; the genetics and regulation of metabolic processes; and the genetics and regulation of the immune response, including characterization of mechanisms used by bacteria to signal one another and characterization of interactions between different types of immune cells and their targets.

The Department of Microbiology offers degree programs for undergraduates and for graduate students and administers the academic curriculum at both levels. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences grants undergraduate degrees in microbiology and oversees undergraduate academic policy relating to the student record. The Graduate College grants graduate degrees in microbiology.

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Microbiology offers a Bachelor of Science and a minor in microbiology.

Microbiology is an excellent major for undergraduate students who want a good general education with emphasis on an important and interesting branch of biological sciences. Graduates find employment opportunities in government, hospitals, public health laboratories, research laboratories, and industrial laboratories (food, dairy, chemical, pharmaceutical, and genetic engineering companies). Those who pursue advanced degrees have more advanced career opportunities in these same areas as well as in college and university teaching.

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science in microbiology requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 64 s.h. of work for the major (21 s.h. in microbiology and 43 s.h. in supporting course work). Students also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.

The required 21 sh. of microbiology must include at least 12 s.h. earned in University of Iowa courses numbered 061:147 Survey of Immunology and above, except 061:164 Nursing Microbiology; students may count 061:218 Microscopy for Biomedical Research toward the requirement but not 061:220 Advanced Microscopy Biomedical Research. No more than 2 s.h. of 061:161 Undergraduate Research in Microbiology (or 061:171 Honors Undergraduate Research in Microbiology for honors students) and no more than 2 s.h. of 061:163 Seminar: Microbiology may be counted toward the requirement. In order to take microbiology courses more advanced than 061:157 General Microbiology, students must earn a grade of C or higher in 061:157 General Microbiology and must have the instructor's consent. The supporting science and mathematics course work required for the major may not be taken pass/nonpass.

Students must include 061:163 Seminar: Microbiology (2 s.h.) in the required 21 s.h. of microbiology; they must take the course for credit once during their last two semesters before graduation, but they are encouraged to take it for 0 s.h. during other semesters, once they have completed 061:157 General Microbiology.

In addition to the required 21 s.h. of microbiology, the major requires supporting course work as follows.

One of these:

In addition, the following courses may be recommended for some students.

Four-Year Graduation Plan

The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the University's Four-Year Graduation Plan. (Courses in the major are those required to complete the major; they may be offered by departments other than the major department.)

Before the third semester begins: 002:010 Principles of Biology I; 004:011 Principles of Chemistry I, and 004:012 Principles of Chemistry II; an approved calculus class; and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: 002:011 Principles of Biology II; 004:121 Organic Chemistry I, 004:122 Organic Chemistry II, and 004:141 Organic Chemistry Laboratory; 061:157 General Microbiology; and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: five more courses in the major and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: another 10-12 s.h. of course work

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining required General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Honors

Microbiology majors who are members of the University of Iowa Honors Program may enroll in the honors program in microbiology. Membership in the University Honors Program requires that students maintain a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33. Microbiology honors students also must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 3.33 in microbiology courses. The program requires 25 s.h. of course work in microbiology, including 6 s.h. in 061:171 Honors Undergraduate Research in Microbiology, which introduces students to experimental research. At the end of the research, students present written and oral reports. Students who successfully complete these requirements receive the B.S. with honors.

Minor

The minor in microbiology requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in microbiology courses, including 12 s.h. in advanced courses taken at The University of Iowa. For the minor, courses numbered 061:147 Survey of Immunology and above, except 061:164 Nursing Microbiology, are considered advanced. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. Students may count a maximum of 2 s.h. earned in 061:161 Undergraduate Research in Microbiology or 061:171 Honors Undergraduate Research in Microbiology, and 2 s.h. earned in 061:163 Seminar: Microbiology, toward the minor. They also may count 061:218 Microscopy for Biomedical Research, but not 061:220 Advanced Microscopy Biomedical Research.

Graduate Programs

The Department of Microbiology offers a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in microbiology. Graduate study in the department is designed to help students become highly qualified in microbiology research and teaching. Admitted graduate students usually pursue the Ph.D.

Graduate study is offered in six subdisciplines: pathogenic bacteriology, microbial genetics, immunology, microbial physiology, animal virology, and bioinformatics. Several areas involve interdisciplinary training both within and outside the department, so students gain broad experience during their course of study. Students also may pursue interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs in genetics, immunology, and molecular and cellular biology.

During their first year, students rotate in three laboratories of their choice and are advised by the Graduate Student Advisory Committee. At the end of the first year, they choose a research supervisor who chairs their advisory committee. The committee provides intellectual and research guidance for the student's training.

The Department of Microbiology cooperates with other University of Iowa departments to give students ample access to diverse course offerings, seminars, and research programs. For example, microbiology students may participate in courses and seminars in immunology, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, biocatalysis/biotechnology, and electron microscopy.

All students admitted to advanced degree programs are expected to assist in departmental teaching.

Master of Science

The Master of Science in microbiology requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit. M.S. students are required to earn a minimum of 12 s.h. in microbiology courses chosen from three of the department's six subdisciplines. They may substitute a course they have already taken (at The University of Iowa or elsewhere) for a course requirement, with the M.S. advisory committee's approval. Additional course requirements depend on students' interests and the advice of the examining committee.

Students must write a thesis based on their own research and defend it satisfactorily in an oral examination. No more than 9 s.h. of credit for thesis research may be counted toward the 30 s.h. required for the Master of Science.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in microbiology requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Ph.D. students are required to earn a minimum of 15 s.h. of credit in graduate-level microbiology courses. They may substitute a course they have already taken (at The University of Iowa or elsewhere) for a course requirement, with the Ph.D. advisory committee's approval.

Students must pass a comprehensive examination before their sixth semester in the program and write a thesis based on their own research. The thesis must be defended satisfactorily in an oral examination.

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog. They should have a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00 and must have completed courses in biology, chemistry (inorganic and organic), mathematics including calculus, and physics. Those admitted with deficiencies must complete the relevant course work during their first year of graduate study. Admission is determined through a review and formal vote by the faculty. Preference is given to students applying for the Ph.D. program.

Facilities

The Department of Microbiology is situated on the University of Iowa health sciences campus, where it shares the Bowen Science Building with the Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Pharmacology. Laboratory space and modern equipment are available for teaching and research.