Course Descriptions

This course will cover introductory concepts of bacterial and viral pathogens and their interactions with their host. Humans live in constant contact with bacteria and viruses but few cause symptoms. Viral pathogens are distinct from the normal flora in that they cause diseases. Bacterial pathogens are sometimes distinct from the normal flora and sometimes depending on the host environment, normally commensal bacteria can become pathogenic. Bacteria often gain entry to normally sterile locations in the body, and viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and must exploit the host cell for all aspects of their life cycle.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): BMSC 200.3 and BMSC 210.3.
Note: Students can take no more than two of the three following courses for credit: BMIS 308.3, MCIM 308.3, and MCIM 309.3.

Molecular biology, the manipulation of organisms at the genetic level, has been essential for many of the key biological discoveries of the late 20thcentury and will drive the future of research and medicine for generations to come. This course will prepare students to view various techniques not as individual experiments, but as the steps and tools which can be linked together to make new discoveries and solve long standing problems of biology. An introduction to the underlying fundamental aspects of living systems: covering cell biology, genetics and the evolutionary processes which lead to complex, multi-cellular life forms.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BMSC 240.3; BMSC 210.3; and BMSC 220.3 or BIOL 226.3
Note: Students with credit for BIOC 311.3 or MCIM 391.3 may not take this course for credit

This is a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) course. Students will be provided with a collection of results and observations from suitable experimental systems provided by local faculty. In teams of up to four, students will be coached in developing a “next step” hypothesis and designing protocols to test their hypothesis. Once the experiment has been acceptably designed, each team will determine reagents required, prepare necessary reagents, set up equipment, carry out the experiment, analyze the results and prepare a formal journal-style report that describes the experimental purpose, the methods, the results and the conclusions.

Weekly hours: 2 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BMSC 210.3 and BMSC 240.3
Pre or Corequisite(s): BMIS 340.3
Note: BMSC 320.3, MCIM 326.3 or BIOC 300.3 recommended. Students will be required to successfully complete the online U of S Safety Resources “WHMIS 2015” and “Laboratory Safety” courses prior to initiating individual laboratory work. Some time will be available in the first week lab session. Students may be required to complete these courses outside of scheduled course time during week 1. Students with credit for MCIM 398.3 Team Based Experimental Microbiology may not take this course for credit.

Students in their final year of the Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology program are required to attend the seminar series sponsored by the Department.

Prerequisite(s): 9 credit units of BIOC, BMIS and/or MCIM courses
Note: BIOC 490.0 or MCIM 490.0 fulfill program requirements for this course.

A research project is selected in consultation with a faculty supervisor in whose laboratory the research will be carried out. Students will become familiar with the scientific literature and the laboratory techniques pertinent to the project. Experimental work will be undertaken and data compiled and analyzed. To complete the research project, a written report will be submitted and a short oral presentation will be given to the department.

Weekly hours: 8 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Honours program in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology.
Note: Permission of the department is required. Students with credit for BIOC 489.6 or MCIM 491.6 may not take this course for credit.

These courses are offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

All Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology graduate students must register annually for this course. This seminar series presents a wide range of topics from the life sciences and are held throughout the year. Students in the graduate program are required to attend these seminars, and may also be required to attend seminars in related fields given in other departments or institutions on campus.

Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.

Students writing a Ph.D. thesis must register for this course.