Biology of microbes that cause plant diseases. The ecology, genetics, physiology, taxonomy, and mechanisms of parasitism, pathogenicity and virulence of bacteria (and other prokaryotes), fungi (and oomycetes), nematodes, and viruses that cause plant diseases. Prepares graduate students for advanced courses in plant pathology, host-parasite interactions, and provides a knowledge base for students in other disciplines involved with plant pathogens or who seek to broaden their knowledge of microbes.

Prerequisite: PP 315, or PP 318, or an introductory course in microbiology

Typically offered in Fall only

Microorganisms of importance in foods and their metabolic activities. Source of microbial contamination during food production, processing and storage. Microbial spoilage; foods as vectors of human pathogens. Physical and chemical destruction of microorganisms in foods and the kinetics involved. Conversions of raw foods by microorganisms into food products. Microbiological standards for regulatory and trade purposes. Credit will not be given for both FS/MB 405 and FS/MB 505.

Prerequisite: MB 351

Typically offered in Spring only

Laboratory experience to complement FS/MB 405. Skills in detecting and quantitating microorganisms and their toxins in foods. Application of colony and direct microscopic counts, most probable numbers, enzyme immunoassays, nucleic acid probes and computer modeling are used to understand the numbers and types of microorganisms or microbial end products in foods. Laboratory safety and oral and written reports are emphasized.

Prerequisite: MB 351 and Corequisite: FS 405 or FS 505

Typically offered in Spring only

This is a half-semester course. Basic microbial cell culture theory and practice: cell physiology, mass balances, and metabolic control as seen in a dynamic bioreactor process to be scalable, consistent, and robust. The lab portion of the course provides students with hands-on experience in culture techniques using bioreactors. Students who have completed MB(BEC) 520 may not take BEC (MB) 420 for credit.

Prerequisite: MB 352 OR Corequisite of BEC(MB) 320

Typically offered in Fall only

Soil as a medium for microbial growth, the relation of microbes to important mineral transformations in soil, the importance of biological equilibrium and significance of soil microbes to environmental quality.

Prerequisite: MB 351, CH 220

Focuses on basic principles of bacterial pathogenesis, including mechanisms utilized by these microbes to attach/adhere, internalize or invade, and disseminate through their animal hosts. Bacterial strategies to subvert hos defenses and persist within their animal hosts defense mechanisms, and virulence gene regulation will also be discussed. Students cannot get credit for both MB 435 and MB 535. Graduate status required for MB 535.

Prerequisite: MB 411, Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

Overview of industrial microbiology focusing on current biotechnology methods (bacteria, yeast, fungi) employing rDNA, optimization of heterologous gene expression, microbial metabolic pathway engineering, metabolomics, protein engineering and recombinant antibodies. Genetic and pathway engineering strategies for developing new microbes to screen for new therapeutic compounds or overproduce: primary metabolites, antibiotics, biotherapeutic proteins, industrially useful enzymes, medical diagnostics, recombinant vaccines, biopolymers. Utilization of biofilms, methods to immobilize biocatalysts, and microbial kinetics are also covered. Field trip to local biotechnology company. Students cannot receive credit for both 455 and 555.

Prerequisite: Undergraduate microbiology, genetics, and biochemistry course: MB351, BCH 351, and GN 311

Typically offered in Spring only

A survey of the fungal kingdom in context of phyla and classes. Systematics, ecology, biology and utilization. Illustrative material, cultural techniques in laboratories. Collection and paper required.

Prerequisite: BS 125 or BS 181 and 183 or BO 200 or PP 315 or PP 318

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate odd years

Microbial symbioses affect all life on earth. A recent surge of research has identified the critical role of microbial symbionts in maintaining host health and well-being, for example by mediating the breakdown of food for host nutrition, priming the immune system and directly fighting off pathogenic bacteria, and triggering key physiological outcomes associated with behavior and development. This course explores core topics in the study of microbial symbioses, including partner recognition and communication, adaptations to host association, the role of symbiosis in genome evolution and ecology, and the effects of microbial symbiosis on host health. Lectures and discussions will draw heavily from the primary literature in the field of microbiome/symbiosis research, focusing on the most recent discoveries, key methodological advancements, and on diverse associations ranging from marine symbioses to the human microbiome.

Prerequisite: MB 351 General Microbiology

Typically offered in Fall only

Project-based course directly working with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Students work in teams on a company-specific project. Projects range from developing business or marketing plans for new products; writing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants or white papers; creating procedures, protocols, and/or process improvements for a company-specific process; and studying intellectual property issues. Written and oral communication skills as well as teamwork, flexibility, and ambiguity management are emphasized. Restricted to MBT students.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Microbiomes are increasingly recognized for their important roles in ecosystem services ranging from human health to soil biogeochemical cycling. Studying these complex communities relies on DNA sequencing, which often generates large, sparse datasets. Students will be introduced to conceptual and practical aspects of how to analyze microbiome data, and will apply both bioinformatics and statistical approaches. Topics include identifying microbial sequence variants, exploratory analysis of microbial community diversity and structure, applying hypothesis testing to complex microbiome data, and reproducible research.

Typically offered in Spring only

MB 589 is a graduate-level course required for the MMB Program in the final semester. In this course, students integrate skills and knowledge acquired through the MB 585 industry practicum experience to identify an unmet need and to evaluate the feasibility of a novel product or service generated through their own ideation process. They develop a comprehensive, customer-validated business model and create an investor pitch for both the solution and the company that will provide the solution.

Requisite: MMB Program with successful completion of three semesters of MB 585 and in good academic standing

Typically offered in Spring only

Informal group discussion of prepared topics assigned by instructor.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.

Typically offered in Fall only

The study of special problems and selected topics of current interest in microbiology and related fields.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Selection of a subject by each student on which to do research and write a technical report on the results. The individual may choose a subject pertaining to his or her particular interest in any area of study in microbiology.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

Directed research of microbiology graduate students in departmental laboratories prior to selecting thesis research topic. Selection of a minimum of three laboratories for research experience lasting 3 to 5 weeks. Acquisition of research methods relevant to each laboratory. Microbiology graduate students only.

Typically offered in Fall only

Essential elements of structure, delivery, and data visualization in scientific research presentations. Hands-on training in scientific communication across microbiology research fields and evaluation of student seminars based on ongoing or proposed microbiology research projects. Coverage of cutting-edge microbiology research topics as determined by instructor. Microbiology graduate students only.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

Typically offered in Fall only

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Faculty mentoring in didactic and methodological aspects of teaching, including instructional technology as well as design and grading of assessment instruments. Provision of individual performance evaluations to encourage enhancement of teaching skills. Microbiology graduate students only.

Prerequisite: Microbiology Graduate student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain half-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc. Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

For students in non thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Thesis research.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their theses.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

An integrative perspective on bacterial physiology and metabolism through analysis of metabolic regulatory functions.

Prerequisite: MB 351 and either BCH 351 or 451

Typically offered in Fall only

This course will introduce students to nonparametric and model-based methods for making inferences on population processes (i.e., mutation, migration, drift, recombination, and selection). The goal is to provide a conceptual overview of these methods in lectures and hands-on training on how to analyze and interpret sample data sets in guided computer lab sessions. The course will leverage the tools and resources implemented in the DeCIFR toolkit (https://decifr.cifr.ncsu.edu/). DeCIFR is a comprehensive suite of biodiversity informatics pipelines and visualization tools to discover, evaluate, and describe taxa at multiple spatial and phylogenetic scales. Students will apply these tools to estimate population parameters in different organisms with a focus on eukaryotic microbes, viruses, and bacteria.

Prerequisite: PP 707 or GN 703 or ST 501

Typically offered in Fall only

Introduction to principles of virology including: classification and nomenclature, epidemiology, structure, genome replication, gene expression strategies and cellular infection cycle. Major groups of viruses including those with DNA genomes and positive-sense or negative-sense RNA genomes.

Prerequisite: BCH 451 or GN 411 or MB 351

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate odd years

Fermentation bioprocessing and characteristics, function and ecology of responsible microorganisms. Fermentative activities, growth responses and culture interactions related to metabolism, physiology and genetics of lactic acid bacteria and selected yeasts and molds. Current developments in starter culture technology and genetics; application to food and industrial fermentations.

Prerequisite: BCH 451, MB 351

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate years

Introduction to mechanisms of immunity in man and animals. Emphasis on interactions between cells of the immune system in production of immune responses and the molecules in control of these interactions.

Prerequisite: BCH 451, GN 411, MB 351

Typically offered in Spring only

Structure and function in microbial genetics, with emphasis on microbial genome organization, stable maintenance and evolution. DNA mutation and repair pathways, transcriptional and translational regulation, DNA replication and recombination and characterization of recombinant DNA molecules. Applications of genetic and genomic analysis methods to microbial processes, including strain construction, genome manipulation, and enhancement of gene expression.

Prerequisite: BCH 451 or GN 311

Typically offered in Spring only

Introduction to taxonomy, morphology, reproduction and ecological importance of organisms which may be included in the algae. Attention to local freshwater flow and physiology of selected species in relation to algal blooms, water quality and nutrient loading in aquatic habitats.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

In depth study of the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms of immunity, including antigen processing and presentation, T cell development, initiation of the immune response, effector mechanisms, and immunological memory. The course is designed for advanced graduate students who wish to focus on the current concepts in immunology.

Prerequisite: MB (IMM) 751

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate odd years

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

The study of special problems and selected topics of current interest in microbiology and related fields.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Selection of a subject by each student on which to do research and write a technical report on the results. The individual may choose a subject pertaining to his or her particular interest in any area of study in microbiology.

Typically offered in Summer only

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

Directed research of microbiology graduate students in departmental laboratories prior to selecting thesis research topic. Selection of a minimum of three laboratories for research experience lasting 3 to 5 weeks. Acquisition of research methods relevant to each laboratory. Microbiology graduate students only.

Typically offered in Fall only

Essential elements of structure, delivery, and data visualization in scientific research presentations. Hands-on training in scientific communication across microbiology research fields and evaluation of student seminars based on ongoing or proposed microbiology research projects. Coverage of cutting-edge microbiology research topics as determined by instructor. Microbiology graduate students only.

R: Graduate Standing

Typically offered in Fall only

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Faculty mentoring in didactic and methodological aspects of teaching, including instructional technology as well as design and grading of assessment instruments. Provision of individual performance evaluations to encourage enhancement of teaching skills. Microbiology graduate students only.

Prerequisite: Microbiology Graduate student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Dissertation research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Summer only

For students who have completed all credit hour, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination, and residency requirements for the doctoral degree, and are writing and defending their dissertations.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer