Microbiology (Micro)

www.micro.iastate.edu/index

James S. Dickson, Chair of Department  
University Professors: Glatz  
Professors: Atherly, Harris, Hill, Loynachan, Pometto  
Professors (Emeritus): Durand, Kraft, Pattee, Quinn, Williams  
Associate Professors: Andrews, Bazylinski, Bonning, Cunnick, Dickson, Dispirito, Phillips  
Associate Professors (Collaborators): Moorman  
Assistant Professors: Beattie, Halverson  
Assistant Professors (Adjunct): Boury  
Assistant Professors (Collaborators): Parkin, Quinlisk, Stanton, Wesley

Undergraduate Study

The department offers undergraduate study for the bachelor of science degree with a major in microbiology. For the curriculum in microbiology, see Agriculture, Curricula. In this department, principal emphasis is placed on understanding microorganisms and their interrelationships with other organisms in nature, the application of microbiology in medicine, agriculture and industry, and the study of fundamental life processes as exemplified by microorganisms. The department of microbiology also participates in an interdepartmental undergraduate minor in emerging infectious diseases (see the department of entomology for details). Some fields of microbiology, especially advanced research, may require further training. Undergraduate work in the department is designed to provide sound preparation for graduate study, training for bachelors-level employment, and admission to professional programs such as medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry.

Graduates of the Department of Microbiology are able to recognize and appreciate the diversity and complexity of microbial life represented by procaryotes, eucaryotes, and viruses. In addition to understanding fundamental principles of microbial growth, physiology, genetics, biochemistry, and ecology, the program emphasizes the impact that the microbial world has on human, animal and plant health, as well as on industry and biotechnology. Graduates are able to design and implement experimental approaches to address specific questions. In addition, graduates are able to communicate scientifically, using a variety of media.

Graduate microbiologists find career opportunities in a wide variety of areas: in hospital and clinical laboratories; in federal, state, and local government agencies; in research and development; in dairy and food processing; in the pharmaceutical and fermentation industries.

Undergraduate programs for the major in microbiology usually include the following basic courses: 302, 310, 320, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, and 446. Aspects of these courses emphasize communication skills, environmental issues, problem solving, and laboratory techniques. Courses in the following areas are required as supporting work: biology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, mathematics and physics.

Preveterinary preparation may be accomplished through the curriculum major in this department (see College of Veterinary Medicine, Admission Requirements).

Students majoring in microbiology are eligible to apply for the Cooperative Education Program with the Agricultural Research Service. If selected, the student will obtain full-time, paid, work experience at either the National Animal Disease Center, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, or the Soil Tilth Laboratory in Ames. Other internship opportunities also are available.

The department offers a minor in microbiology which may be earned by accumulating a minimum of 15 credits from the departmental offerings.

Majors in microbiology must take courses in written communication (Engl 104, 105), one course in oral communication (Sp Cm 212), and must meet the College of Agriculture English proficiency requirement of C or better in these courses. Students must also meet the College of Agriculture requirements for credit in courses in ethics, and the university diversity and multicultural requirements.

Graduate Study

The department offers the degrees master of science and doctor of philosophy, and a doctoral minor to students majoring in other departments. A non-thesis master’s option is available for the major in microbiology.

Graduates in the Microbiology program have a strong broad-based general knowledge of microbiology as well as advanced knowledge in a specific aspect of microbiology. Those students completing a thesis have the technical research, critical thinking, problem solving, and computer skills to design, implement, and conduct research experimentation using a variety of modern molecular tools and equipment. They are able to communicate research results effectively with scientific peer groups in both oral and written formats.

Prerequisite to graduate study is completion of coursework in general microbiology, biology, biochemistry, mathematical sciences, and physics.

The department also participates in the interdepartmental majors and programs in genetics, immunobiology, MCDB (molecular, cellular, and developmental biology), neuroscience, technology and social change, toxicology, and water resources (see Index).

Each graduate student must demonstrate proficiency in English composition within two semesters in residence.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 310, 374, 406, 419, 420, 421, and 485.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students

Micro 110. Orientation in Microbiology
(1-0) Cr. R. F. Orientation to the discipline of microbiology, the curriculum in microbiology, and educational research opportunities within the department. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

Micro 201. General Microbiology
(2-0) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: One semester of college-level biology. Selected topics in microbiology with emphasis on the relationship of microorganisms to human and animal health, agricultural technology, and the environment. With written petition, students who obtain a grade of B or better may substitute 201 for 302 in advanced courses.

Micro 201L. Introductory Microbiology Laboratory
(0-2) Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 201 or 302.

Micro 302. Biology of Microorganisms
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Biol 201, credit or enrollment in Biol 202; 1 semester of chemistry. Basic cell biology, physiology, metabolism, genetics and ecology of microorganisms, with an emphasis on procaryotes and viruses, as well as the roles of microorganisms in the environment, disease, agriculture, and industry.

Micro 310. Fundamentals of Microbial Infection and Immunity
(4-0) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: 302. Study of pathogenic microbes, mechanisms of disease, and host resistance. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Micro 311. Introduction to Parasitology (Same as Zool 311.)
See Zoology.

Micro 320. Fundamentals of Microbial Physiology and Genetics
(4-0) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: 302, Biol 301, credit or enrollment in Chem 332. Introductory course in microbial physiology and genetics with emphasis on the structure, function, and assembly of bacterial cell components, metabolism, regulation of gene expression, genetic adaptation, and growth.

Micro 341. Bacterial Cultivation Techniques
(0-6) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 302. Techniques for the cultivation of bacteria in solid and liquid media and under diverse environmental conditions, including aerobic and anaerobic conditions; culture preservation techniques; and technique for determining culture purity.

Micro 342. Techniques for the Visualization and Fractionation of Bacterial Cells
(0-6) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 302. Light microscopy techniques, including phase, dark-field, and fluorescence microscopy; determinative and cytological light microscopy; spectroscopy; and cell collection, purification and fractionation.

Micro 343. Techniques for Studying Bacterial Growth
(0-6) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 302. Techniques for enriching and isolating bacteria, for measuring bacterial growth, and for examining physicochemical factors affecting bacterial growth.

Micro 344. Electrophoretic Techniques
(0-6) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: 302, 341, 342. Electrophoretic techniques for the study of proteins and nucleic acids.

Micro 345. Techniques in Microbial Systematics
(0-6) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 302. Techniques for the identification and classification of microorganisms based on phenotypic, genotypic, and phylogenetic relatedness.

Micro 374. Insects and Our Health (Same as Ent 374.)
See Entomology. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Micro 402. Microbial Genetics (Dual-listed with 502.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 320. Focus on the review and discussion of original research literature to examine in-depth the design, methodology, and interpretation of experiments of both historical and contemporary relevance to microbial genetics.

Micro 404. Microbial Physiology (Dual-listed with 504.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 320. Topics in microbial physiology, including structure and function of cell components, bioenergetics, diversity, life in extreme environments growth, adaptation and regulation.

Micro 406. Principles of Mycology (Same as Bot 406.)
See Botany. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Micro 407. Microbiological Safety of Foods of Animal Origins (Dual-listed with 507, same as FS HN 407.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 420. Examination of the various factors in the production of foods of animal origin, from animal production through processing, distribution and final consumption which contribute to the overall microbiological safety of the food. The two modules of this course will be 1) the procedures and processes which can affect the overall microbiological safety of the food, and 2) the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system.

Micro 408. Virology (Dual-listed with 508.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 310. The biology of animal, plant and insect viruses.

Micro 419. Foodborne Hazards (Same as FS HN 419.)
See Food Science and Human Nutrition. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Micro 420. Food Microbiology (Same as FS HN 420, Tox 420.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 302. Effects of microbial growth in foods. Methods to control, detect, and enumerate microorganisms in food and water. Foodborne infections and intoxications. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Micro 421. Food Microbiology Laboratory (Same as FS HN 421.)
(1-6) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 201 or 302; 201L. Credit or enrollment in 420 (FS HN 420). Standard microbiological techniques employed in the food industry, including microscopic examination of foods, plate counts, other enmeration methods, indicator organisms of food quality and safety, foodborne pathogens, and molds. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Micro 425. Food Biotechnology (Dual-listed with 525; same as FS HN 425. )
See Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Micro 430. Procaryotic Diversity (Dual-listed with 530.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 302, 341-343. Survey of the diverse groups of procaryotes emphasizing important and distinguishing phylogenetic, morphological, ecological and metabolic features of member of those groups.

Micro 441. Techniques in Bacterial Genetics
(0-6) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 320. Techniques involved in the mutation and transfer of genes in bacteria.

Micro 442. Techniques for Studying Bacterial Metabolism
(0-6) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 320. Techniques for the analysis of bacterial cell metabolism based on chemical and physical analytical methods and measurements of enzyme activity, permeability, and transport.

Micro 443. Techniques for the Purification and Isolation of Proteins
(0-6) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 320. Techniques for the isolation and purification of soluble and membrane proteins.

Micro 444. Techniques in Molecular Biology
(0-6) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 320. Techniques for the isolation of DNA from bacteria; the purification, quantification, amplification and enzymatic manipulation of DNA; site-directed mutagenesis; and gene cloning, with an emphasis on cloning strategies.

Micro 445. Eukaryotic Cell Culture and Function
(0-6) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 310. Techniques in primary culture and tumor cell growth, measures of lymphocyte function, and flow cytometry.

Micro 446. Antibody Techniques for Studying Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells
(0-6) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 310. Animal immunization methods and serological techniques, including precipitation and agglutination reactions, enzyme-linked immosorbent assays, and immunodetection.

Micro 450. Undergraduate Seminar
Cr. 1 each time taken. F. Prereq: Sp Cm 212. Required of all undergraduate majors in microbiology. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Micro 475. Immunology (Dual-listed with 575.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 310. An examination of humoral and cellular immune function as well as the interaction of the cells and factors of the immune system that result in health and disease. Credit for either 475 or 520, but not both, may be applied to graduation.

Micro 477. Bacterial-Plant Interactions (Dual-listed with 577; same as Pl P 477.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: 3 credits in microbiology or plant pathology. Focuses on plant-associated bacteria in terms of their ecology, diversity, and the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in their interactions with plants; covers symbiotic nitrogen fixation, plant pathogenesis, plant growth promotion, and biological control.

Micro 485. Soil Microbial Ecology (Same as Agron 485.)
See Agronomy. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Micro 487. Aquatic and Wetland Microbial Ecology (Dual-listed with 587; same as Bot 487.)
See Botany.

Micro 490. Independent Study
Cr. 1 to 5. F.S.SS. Prereq: A minimum of 6 credit hours of 300-level or above coursework in microbiology, permission of instructor. A maximum of 6 credits of 490 may be used toward the total of 128 credits required for graduation.

                H. Honors

Micro 495. Internship
Cr. 1 to 2. F.S. Prereq: At least 6 credits of 300-level or above coursework in microbiology, approval of academic adviser. Participation in the Cooperative Extension Intern Program or an equivalent work experience. Written report of activities required. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, Open to Qualified Undergraduate Students

Micro 501. Advanced Microbiology
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. SS. Prereq: Biol 202, 6 credits of chemistry. Overview of microbiology and introduction to the literature. Topics include procaryote structure and function, physiology, genetics, virology and immunology. Credit for 302 or 501, but not both, may be applied toward graduation.

Micro 502. Microbial Genetics (Dual-listed with 402; same as MCDB 502, V MPM 502.)
(3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 320. Microbial and bacteriophage genetics; emphasis on mutagenesis, mechanisms of genetic exchange, genetic analysis of cellular mechanisms, and an introduction to genetic engineering.

Micro 504. Microbial Physiology (Dual-listed with 404; same as V MPM 504.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 320. Topics in microbial physiology, including structure and function of cell components, bioenergetics, diversity, life in extreme environments growth, adaptation and regulation.

Micro 507. Microbiological Safety of Foods of Animal Origins (Dual-listed with 407; same as FS HN 507.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 420. Examination of the various factors in the production of foods of animal origin, from animal production through processing, distribution and final consumption which contribute to the overall microbiological safety of the food. The two modules of this course will be 1) the procedures and processes which can affect the overall microbiological safety of the food, and 2) the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system.

Micro 508. Virology (Dual-listed with 408.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 310. The biology of animal, plant, and insect viruses.

Micro 509. Plant Virology (Same as Pl P 509.)
See Plant Pathology.

Micro 525. Food Biotechnology (Dual-listed with 425; same as FS HN 525.)
See Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Micro 530. Procaryotic Diversity (Dual-listed with 430.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 302, 341-343. Survey of the diverse groups of procaryotes emphasizing important and distinguishing phylogenetic, morphological, ecological and metabolic features of members of those groups.

Micro 540. Livestock Immunogenetics (Same as An S 540.)
See Animal Science.

Micro 575. Immunology (Dual-listed with 475; same as V MPM 575.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 310. Humoral and cellular immune functions. Interactions between cells and factors of the immune system that result in health and disease. Credit for either 575 or 520, but not both, may be applied toward graduation.

Micro 577. Bacterial-Plant Interactions (Dual-listed with 477; same as Pl P 577.)
(3-1) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: 3 credits in microbiology or plant pathology. Focuses on plant-associated bacteria in terms of their ecology, diversity, and the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in their interactions with plants; covers cymbiotic nitrogen fixation, plant pathogenesis, plant growth and biological control.

Micro 585. Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry (Same as Agron 585.)
See Agronomy.

Micro 586. Medical Bacteriology (Same as V MPM 586)
(4-0) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: 310. Bacteria associated with diseases of vertebrates, including virulence factors and interaction of host responses.

Micro 587. Aquatic and Wetland Microbial Ecology (Dual-listed with 487; same as Bot 587.)
See Botany.

Micro 590. Special Topics
Cr. 1 to 5 each time elected. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

Micro 599. Creative Component
Cr. arr. Prereq: Nonthesis M.S. Option only. A written report based on laboratory research, library reading, or topics related to the student’s area of specialization and approved by the student’s advisory committee.

Courses for Graduate Students

Micro 604. Seminar
(1-0) Cr. 1 each time taken. F.S. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Micro 615. Molecular Immunology (Same as BBMB 615.)
See Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology.

Micro 625. Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis (Same as V MPM 625.)
See Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine.

Micro 626. Advanced Food Microbiology (Same as FS HN 626.)
See Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Micro 641. General Mycology (Same as Bot 641.)
See Botany.

Micro 642. General Mycology (Same as Bot 642.)
See Botany.

Micro 679. Light Microscopy (Same as Bot 679.)
See Botany.

Micro 680. Scanning Electron Microscopy (Same as Bot 680.)
See Botany.

Micro 681. Transmission Electron Microscopy (Same as Bot 681.)
See Botany.

Micro 685. Advanced Soil Biochemistry (Same as Agron 685.)
See Agronomy.

Micro 690. Current Topics
Cr. 1 to 3 each time elected. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Colloquia or advanced study of specific topics in a specialized field.

                A. Microbiology

                B. Immunology

                C. Infectious Diseases

Micro 698. Seminar in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (Same as MCDB 698.)
See Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.  

Micro 699. Research.

Courses offered at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL), Ocean Springs, Mississippi

The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory is affiliated with the University of Southern Mississippi. Iowa State students may register for the following University of Southern Mississippi/GCRL courses and transfer them to their ISU degree programs. Written permission of the ISU coordinator for the GCRL, 201 Bessey, is required for this arrangement. Inquire at 201 Bessey for further information.

MAR 409. Marine Microbiology. 
Cr. 3. SS. Offered for undergraduate credit through a cooperative arrangement with Iowa State University. Prereq: 8 semester credits in microbiology. A general course designed to introduce the microbiology and advanced biology student to the role of microorganisms in the overall ecology of the oceans and estuaries.