Microbiology, Infection & Immunity

This track is broadly divided into the related sub-tracks of immunology, virology, and bacteriology. The foundational courses include two courses focused on each sub-track, denoted as:
1=Immunology
2=Virology
3=Bacteriology

Interested students can focus on one sub-track or mix and match from these sub-tracks depending on their specific area of research. Area directors or more senior MCB students can discuss these sub-tracks with interested students.

Foundational Course 1A: IMMUN 532 – Intersection of Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Disease

Examines the molecular and cellular basis of immune function. Topics include: hematopoiesis, innate immunity, antigen receptor structure, lymphocyte development, antigen presentation, effector T-cell functions, and immune-mediated diseases.
Prerequisite: Coursework in molecular genetics; intro to Immunology course; graduate standing in immunology; other graduate students with permission of instructor.
Offered WIN, 4.0 credits, weeks 1-10, every year. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

Foundational Course 1B: IMMUN 537 – Immunological Methods

Introduces whole animal, cellular, biochemical, and molecular techniques used in immunological research. Discusses strengths and limitations of each technique and emphasizes caveats in interpreting the resulting data.
Offered AUT, 1.5 credits, weeks 6-10, every year. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

Foundational Course 2A: MCB 532 – Human Pathogenic Viruses

Students will learn basic and advanced concepts in virology by focusing on major groups of human pathogenic viruses. The major emphasis will be on virus replication, evolution, and pathogenesis.
Offered AUT, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Not currently offered.

Foundational Course 2B: MICROM 540 – Virology

The molecular biology, transmission, and pathogenesis of human viruses will be explored. In addition to general principles of virology, lectures and paper discussions will focus on specific human pathogens including HIV, herpesviruses, ebolaviruses, alphaviruses, and adenoviruses, among others.
Offered AUT, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10, even years. Will be offered in AUT 2026.

Foundational Course 3A: MICROM 412/512 – Prokaryotic Diversity

MICROM 512 covers diverse aspects of metabolism, growth, behavior, and interspecies interactions that are specifically found in bacteria and archaea. The course integrates complex concepts from biochemistry, genetics, and ecology. There is a weekly discussion section covering primary research articles corresponding to the topics covered in lecture.
Will be offered in SPR 2027.

Foundational Course 3B: MICROM 553 – Molecular Mechanism in Bacterial Pathology

The processes bacterial pathogens employ to shape interactions with their hosts will be explored in molecular detail through selected examples in the literature.
Prerequisite: One year of undergraduate cellular and molecular biology. An introductory course in microbiology is recommended.
Offered SPR, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in SPR 2026. Will be offered in AUT of odd years in the future.

CONJ 539 – Modern Approaches to Vaccines

Covers selected topics based on recent publications in viral and bacterial vaccine research. Emphasizes understanding the latest advanced and issues in vaccine discovery, mechanisms of action, and special topics in viral vaccines.
Offered SPR, 1.5 credits, weeks 6-10, every year. Will be offered in SPR 2026.

CONJ 551 – Immunity

Provides an understanding of the central cellular and molecular players in the mammalian immune system at a level appropriate for the non-specializing graduate student. Selected topics include the molecular basis of B and T cell activation and effector functions and the mechanisms of innate immunity.
Offered SPR, 1.5 credits. Not currently offered

CONJ 557 – Microbial Evolution and Ecology

Selected topics in microbial evolution including evidence for early life on Earth, molecular mechanisms of bacterial and viral evolution, speciation, adaptive niche differentiation, bioinformatics tools to detect selection, and evolution of the virulence and pandemic spread.
Prerequisite: MICROM 412 or general biology background.
Offered SPR, 2.0 credits, Weeks 1-5, every year. Will be offered in SPR 2025

GLOBAL HEALTH 566 – Biochemistry and Genetics of Pathogens and Their Hosts

Provides a strong foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics for students interested in disease. Principles illustrated through examples focusing on pathogens, and infectious and non-infectious disease. Offered jointly with PABI0 551.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate-level coursework in molecular biology or biochemistry, or permission of instructor.
Offered AUT, 4.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Not currently offered.

IMMUN 441 – Introduction to Immunology

General properties of immune responses; cells and tissues of immune system; lymphocyte activation and specificity; effector mechanisms; immunity to microbes; immunodeficiency and AIDS; autoimmune diseases; transplantation.
Note: Students must obtain approval from the MCB Co-Directors for this 400-level class to count toward their 18 graded credits.
Prerequisite: BIOL 220
Offered AUT, 4.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Not currently offered.

IMMUN 538 – Immunological Based Diseases and Treatments

Addresses the mechanisms leading to the development of immunologically based diseases. In particular, covers immunological basis and treatment of infection, autoimmunity, and cancer.
Offered SPR, 2.0 credits. Will be offered in SPR 2026.