METX - Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology

An introduction to the sources, cycling, and impacts of toxicants in aquatic systems, including acid rain, ground water, fresh water rivers and lakes, estuaries, and the ocean. Emphasis is on the properties of toxic chemicals that influence their biogeochemical cycles and factors that influence their toxicity to aquatic organisms and humans.

Introduces the biology of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, and unicellular eukaryotes), with an emphasis on bacteria. Topics include microbial cell structure and function, physiology, metabolism, genetics, and diversity. Also considers the role of microbes in human health, the environment, biotechnology, and food production. Students cannot receive credit for both this course and METX 119.

Presents in-depth important principles of environmental toxicology related to the introduction, transport, and fate of toxicants in aquatic and terrestrial environments, including environmental chemistry and biogeochemical cycles as well as exposure pathways and uptake by organisms. Additional emphasis placed on susceptibility and effects of toxicants across organ systems, toxicokinetic and biomarkers of exposure, and effects at the ecosystem level. Students cannot receive credit for this course and METX 201.

Emphases of biochemical, cellular, and organ system basis of intoxication, including dose-response relationships, biotransformation of toxicants, biochemical mechanisms underlying toxicity, factors influencing toxic action, and biomarkers of exposure. Emphasizes effects of various classes of toxins, including heavy metals and persistent synthetic organics, with a focus on susceptible biochemical/cellular processes of the central nervous, immune, hepatic, and renal target organ systems. Designed for advanced undergraduates. Students cannot receive credit for this course and METX 202. (Formerly Cellular and Organismal Toxicology.)

Addresses challenges related to environmental health, their impact on the health of biological structures, and humans as active elements in the process of environmental degradation, and as passive elements as well. Students discuss events as case studies of environmental health that contributed to environmental protection, and disease control and prevention. Course involves collaborative endeavor in which students develop a group assignment throughout the 10 weeks of the course that is evaluated at the end of the course.

An introduction to the principles and practices of laboratory microbiology, with a substantial presentation of optical microscopy.

Introduces research safety principles and practices. Instructors and guest experts discuss research hazards and control measures. Students explore the safe use of research methods and materials via hands-on and outside exercises. Issues include compliance with hazardous waste and other environmental safety regulations.

A rigorous systems-based course in anatomy. Lectures provide an overview of functional anatomy at all levels from the systems to the tissues. Provides a mechanistic understanding of the structures of the body as a foundation for human-health oriented studies.

Dissection of a human cadaver under the direction of an anatomy instructor.

Complements lecture course 135. Emphasizes nomenclature and recognition; includes the embryology and histology of bones, muscles, and internal organs, and the interactions between the systems of the body.

Introduces students to the field of molecular biology and microbial genetics. Covers the following topics: molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription, translation, regulatory systems controlling replication, transcription, and translation; basic genetic principles with an emphasis on bacterial genetics; molecular biology and microbial genetics approaches used to understand the molecular mechanisms of interaction of microorganisms with their surroundings and other organisms; and experimental methods employing molecular biology and molecular genetics and biotechnology applications which have arisen from discoveries of bacterial mechanisms.

Lecture-based course for advanced undergraduates actively engaged in undergraduate research (e.g., independent study or senior thesis). Emphasizes basic lab skills, including laboratory safety and handling of laboratory equipment; experimental design; scientific record keeping; and literature searching, review, and management.

An individually supervised course, with emphasis on independent research culminating in a senior thesis.

An individually supervised course with emphasis on independent research culminating in a senior thesis.

Provides for individual programs of study (a) by means other than the usual supervision in person or (b) when the student is doing all or most of the coursework off campus. With permission of the department, two or three courses may be taken concurrently, or the course repeated for credit.

Provides for individual programs of study (a) by means other than the usual supervision in person or (b) when the student is doing all or most of the coursework off campus. With permission of the department, two or three courses may be taken concurrently, or the course repeated for credit.

Reading, discussion, written reports, and laboratory research on selected topics.

Reading, discussion, written reports, and laboratory research on selected topics.

Introduction to interdisciplinary, case-based approaches to problem-solving. Demonstrates how important, current problems in environmental and human health have been addressed and solved. Presents assigned problems that integrate the different organization levels (environmental, molecular/cellular, organismal/public health) inherent to environmental and human health. Students work in collaborative teams to analyze each problem and create a proposal for a research plan/solution. This course must be taken for a letter grade.

Presents a framework for scientific writing related to developing a thesis research proposal in a topical area of microbiology and/or environmental toxicology.

Presents in-depth important principles of environmental toxicology related to the introduction, transport, and fate of toxicants in aquatic and terrestrial environments including environmental chemistry and biogeochemical cycles as well as exposure pathways and uptake by organisms. Additional emphasis will be placed on the susceptibility and effects of toxicants across organ systems, toxicokinetics and biomarkers of exposure, and effects at the ecosystem level. Students cannot receive credit for this course and METX 101.

Emphasizes biochemical, cellular, and organ system basis of intoxication, including dose-response relationships, biotransformation of toxicants, biochemical mechanisms underlying toxicity, factors influencing toxic action, and biomarkers of exposure. Emphasizes effects of various classes of toxins, including heavy metals and persistent synthetic organics, with a focus on susceptible biochemical/cellular processes of the central nervous, immune, hepatic, and renal target organ systems. Students cannot receive credit for this course and METX 102 or BIOL 122.

Presents in-depth cellular and molecular principles of environmental toxicology. These include modes of action and cellular and molecular targets of toxicants, as well as mechanisms of cellular and molecular responses to toxicants and their detoxification. State-of-the-art biological methodologies and approaches to identify and study cellular targets of toxicants. Designed to provide students with a broad and deep understanding of the biological aspects of toxicology at both cellular and molecular levels, and the skills to approach emerging challenges in the field.

Provides fundamental training of graduate students in the scientific method; experimental design; ethics in science; grant proposal and scientific writing; and data presentation and scientific speaking. Students are evaluated on class participation, performance, and a written NIH/NSF-style research proposal. (Formerly Scientific Skills, Ethics, and Writing.)

Focuses on aspects of bacterial molecular biology. Covers four main areas: (1) metabolism-catabolism, anabolism, building-block precursors; (2) transcription/signal transduction; (3) replication/plasmid biology/division; (4) translation/protein processing/secretion/cell structure. Strong focus on experimental techniques and approaches used in molecular biology, and on model bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.

Focuses on the molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis with specific emphasis on gene expression, regulation, and ecology and evolution.

Critical review of scientific literature covering genetic and physiological mechanisms conferring resistance to antibiotics and their spread in the population. Format based on structured discussion of selected topics and original research proposal.

Provides an overview of the mammalian innate immune response and the role of inflammation in disease. Also, presents how both environmental stressors and microbial pathogens impact inflammation.

Focuses on several aspects of prokaryotic molecular biology. Covers transcriptional regulation, translational regulation, DNA replication and segregation, protein secretion, transport of small molecules, control of metabolism, stress response, bacterial differentiation, signal transduction, biofilm formation, and motility. Strong focus on experimental techniques and approaches used in prokaryotic molecular biology. Focus on model bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.Students cannot receive credit for this course and METX 140.

Introduces multiple forms of scientific presentation and communication to graduate students. Students learn to craft and deliver multiple types of written and visual communications, including formal and informal modes, on a topic developed as part of the class.

Continuation of METX 245A. Students develop and refine a capstone in-depth report in a written form and as an oral presentation.

How microbes interact with their environments. Topics include anaerobic metabolism; biotransformation of toxic metals and organic pollutants; geomicrobiology; life in extreme environments; water quality. Advanced undergraduates with extensive background in microbiology and biology may enroll with permission of instructor.

Selected topics in environmental toxicology. Topics vary from year to year.

Seminar and discussion focusing on mechanism of microbial transformation of metals. Participants present results from their research projects in a seminar format. Relevant journal articles presented and discussed.

Research seminar focusing on the mechanisms underlying host resistance or susceptibility to infectious diseases, and virulence strategies utilized by bacterial pathogens. Participants are required to present results from their own research and relevant journal articles.

Seminar and discussion on the mechanisms of toxicity in DNA alkylating agents. Participants present results from their research, and relevant journal articles are discussed.

Intensive seminar focusing on mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis of the ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Participants are required to present results from their own research and relevant journal articles.

Research seminar focusing on how beneficial and harmful bacterial species living in the human intestine compete with one another for nutrients in food, and how our immune systems influence the outcomes of these competitions. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of relationships between organisms. Discussion will include genetic, biochemical, bioinformatic, and immunological methods for advancing knowledge about the impacts of microbes on host health. Participants are required to present results from their own research, analyze current literature, and develop future aims for their studies. All lab members of the Patnode Lab are required to take this course.

Intensive research seminar focusing on the effects of exposure to environmental agents and multigenerational epigenetic inheritance of disease. Participants are required to present results from their own research and relevant journal articles.

Intensive research seminar on the concepts, theory, and techniques in deriving physiologically based pharmacokinetic models of toxin exposure, metabolism, and efficacy of therapeutic treatment in mammalian models of human metal toxicity.

Focuses on the interplay between the human gut bacterial pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and the innate immune system of the host. Participants are required to present the goals, results, and conclusions from their own research. Participation in the general discussion during others' presentations is also required.

Intensive seminar series focusing on the most current work on genes and the processes that regulate biofilm development dynamics as well as on the recent developments on visualization of biofilms. Presentation and discussion based.

Graduate level seminar focusing on the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause disease. Specific topics include basic concepts of virulence and virulence factors, virulence factor regulation, toxins, and interactions of pathogens with mammalian cells and organs. Discussions focus on several key pathogens, including Helicobacter pylori, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhimuruim, and Listeria monocytogenes.

Special topics offered from time to time by faculty, visiting professors, or staff members.

Approaches different techniques of biological monitoring and the exposure and effect of biomarkers related to occupational and environmental exposure to chemicals. Available methods for risk assessment and identification of protective exposure limits also considered.

Weekly seminars by academic and research faculty on their areas of special interest. Students write weekly abstracts on articles covered by the seminars. This course can be taken for Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory credit only.

Independent study for graduate students who have not yet settled on a research area for the thesis. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Independent study for graduate students who have not yet settled on a research area for the thesis. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Independent study for graduate students who have not yet settled on a research area for the thesis. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.