Texas A&M University Department of Biology Graduate Studies
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Texas A&M University
Department of Biology
Graduate Advising
TAMU 3258
College Station, TX 77843-3258

Graduate Program in MICROBIOLOGY

The Ph.D. program in Microbiology is designed to train students in laboratory science, to provide factual background necessary for research, and to develop the critical faculties with which to judge scientific findings. The Department of Biology offers the opportunities for research in classical and molecular genetics, biochemistry and physiology of microorganisms. Opportunities are available for students wishing to prepare for independent scientific research in medical, industrial and academic disciplines.

Microbiology Ph.D. students must demonstrate competence in their specific area of research and are expected to develop proficiency in four of the following broad areas: biochemistry/physiology, cell biology, genetics, immunology, applied microbiology and molecular biology. An M.S. student must demonstrate competence in at least three of the above six areas at the time of final examination.

Course Descriptions

610. Immunology. (3-0). Credit 3.
Overview of the field of immunology, emphasizing humoral and cellular immune mechanisms, immunoregulation, imunogenetics and the molecular biology of the immune response. Prerequise: basic biochemistry or approval of instructor.

614. Microbial Development. (3-0). Credit 3.
Cellular differentiation and morphogenesis as it occurs in bacteria and unicellular eucaryotes; molecular, cellular and genetic approaches to understanding microbial development presented through an examination of classical papers and today's research literature. Prerequisites: BICH 410 and 411 or GENE 431.

620. Mechanisms of Transcription Initiation. (3-0). Credit 3.
Molecular mechanisms of transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, with an emphasis on prokaryotic systems; scientific papers will provide the basis for class discussion. Prerequisite: graduate classification.

624. Fungal Genetics: (3-0). Credit 3.
Development of classical and modern genetic approaches in Fungi; genetic approaches to understanding basic biological processes including gene regulation, cell-cell interactions, and cellular organization.

630. Protozoology. (3-3). Credit 4.
Morphology, taxonomy, physiology, reproduction, phylogeny, ecology and life history of protozoa. Prerequisite: six hours of biology or approval of instructor.

681. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1.
Detailed reports on specific topics in field chosen. Students may register in up to but no more than three sections of this course.

685. Problems. Credit 1 to 6 each semester.
Limited investigations in fields other than those chosen for thesis or dissertation.

689. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.
Selected topics in an identified area of microbiology.

690. Theory of Research. (3-0). Credit 3.
Design of research experiments in microbiology and the evaluation of research results with the aid of examples taken from the current scientific literature. May be repeated for credit.

691. Research. Credit 1 or more each semester.
Research for thesis or dissertation.

Other related graduate courses offered by the Department of Biology that may be of interest to microbiology students include BIOL 602 Transmission Electron Microscopy, BIOL 617 Cell Biology, BOTN 608 Phycology and BIOL 689 Special Topics.


Last updated 06/08/2004