Program Description
The Department of Veterinary and Microbiological
Sciences offers graduate study leading to the M.S. degree in Microbiology
and the Ph.D. degree in Molecular Pathogenesis.
Faculty in the department offer expertise in pathogenic microbiology, virology, immunology, epidemiology, microbial genetics, bacterial physiology and food microbiology. The Master's in Microbiology emphasizes research methodology and laboratory techniques. The Ph.D. in Molecular Pathogenesis is a comprehensive program that integrates microbial genetics, mechanisms of pathogen-host interaction and cellular immunology to better understand the molecular basis of disease. Graduate students have access to state-of-the-art technology including automated DNA sequencing facilities, microarray capabilities and flow cytometry. NDSU's Biotechnology Institute includes a cell biology center and electron microscopy laboratory.
Departmental faculty members also participate in the Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genomics, Natural Resource Management and Food Safety graduate programs.
Admissions Requirements
- A relevant bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a strong academic record in the sciences.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Letters of Reference
One year of general biology with laboratory
and one course in genetics are required.
At least one course is required in Cellular
biology or
Cellular physiology
Animal physiology
Bacterial physiology
Microbiology and immunology recommended.
One year of general chemistry with laboratory
and two sequential terms of organic chemistry with a laboratory
course are required.
Biochemistry is required.
Two sequential terms of physics with a
laboratory course are required.
Applications should be submitted directly to The Graduate School prior to August 15 for the following spring semester, and prior to February 15 for the following fall semester, in which the student plans to begin.
Official transcripts (transcripts having an appropriate seal or
stamp) of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must
be received by The Graduate School before the application is complete.
When a transcript is submitted in advance of completion of undergraduate
or graduate studies, an updated transcript showing all course
credits and grades must be provided prior to initial registration
at North Dakota State University.
Three letters of recommendation are required before action is
taken on any application. Personal reference report forms are
available from The Graduate School. The Graduate Record Examination
(GRE) scores for the General Test are required prior to evaluation
of applications by the Department of Veterinary and Microbiological
Sciences.
All international students must demonstrate proficiency in English. NDSU requires a minimum TOEFL score of 525 (Paper-based), 197 (Computer-based), or 71 (Internet-based); or a minimum IELTS score of 5.5.
Students who do not meet all requirements for admission or have
deficiencies in prerequisite course work, but show potential for
successful graduate study, may be admitted under a conditional
status. However, evidence must be provided showing that the applicant's
potential is not adequately reflected by his/her record. After
meeting the specified standards of performance by the department,
the student, in consultation with the major adviser, may request
a change to full graduate standing. The student may not earn more
than 12 semester credits of graduate credit in the conditional
status. The request for change must be submitted to the Dean of
The Graduate School by the major adviser and approved by the department
chair.
Further Graduate School admission information and on-line application information are available at http://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/index.shtml
Financial Assistance
The student must first apply to The Graduate
School and be accepted in full or conditional status before he/she
is eligible for an assistantship. Research and teaching assistantships
are contingent upon availability
of funds and are awarded competitively. Applicants are considered
on the basis of scholarship, potential to undertake advanced study
and research, and financial need.
Ph.D. in Molecular Pathogenesis:
The Ph.D. in Molecular Pathogenesis encompasses
the study of molecular pathogenesis of infectious and non-infectious
diseases with an emphasis on animal diseases of agricultural importance,
zoonotic diseases and public health . The comprehensive Doctoral degree in Molecular Pathogenesis integrates the study of microbial genetics, mechanisms of pathogen-host interaction, and cellular immunology to better understand the molecular basis of disease. Doctoral candidates in Molecular Pathogenesis focus on research and utilize the expertise of one or more departmental faculty members. Course work is designed to be relevant to future careers in academia, industry , and government.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements are in agreement with NDSU Graduate
School requirements. The student and major adviser will prepare
a plan of study by the end of the first year in residence. The
Graduate School requires the plan of study for the Ph.D. degree
to include no less than 90
semester, graduate credits. Of these, no less than 27 credits must be in courses other than seminar or research credits, and must include 15 credits at the 700-789 level. An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher must be maintained. The plan of study must include the following minimum number of credits in core subjects:
Bioc 701 Comprehensive Biochemistry
I 4
Bioc 702 Comprehensive Biochemistry II 4
Bioc 719 Molecular Biology of Gene Expression and Regulation 3
Biol 720 Advanced Cell Biology 3
Micr 680 Bacterial Physiology 3
Micr 682 Bacterial Genetics and Phage 3
Micr 781 Advanced Bacterial Physiology 3
Micr 783 Advanced Bacterial Genetics and Phage 3
PlSc 631 Intermediate Genetics 3
Bioc 673 Methods of Biochemical
Research 3
Bioc 674 Methods of Recombinant DNA Technology 3
Micr 645 Animal Cell Culture Techniques 2
Micr 661 Pathogenic Microbiology Lab 2
Micr 671 Immunology and Serology Laboratory 2
Micr 782 Molecular Microbiological Techniques 3
Micr 653 Food Microbiology 3
Micr 660 Pathogenic Microbiology 3
Micr/Safe 664 Etiology of Foodborne Illness 3
Micr 665 Fundamentals of Animal Disease 3
Micr 670 Basic Immunology 3
Micr/Safe 674 Epidemiology 3
Micr 675 Animal Virology 3
Micr/Safe 750 Advanced Topics in Epidemiology 3
Micr/Safe/CFS 752 Advanced Food Microbiology 3
Micr 762 Advanced Pathogenic Bacteriology 3
Micr 770 Immunology of Chronic Infections 3
Micr 775 Molecular Virology 3
Micr 785 Pathobiology 3
* Additional courses may be offered.
The core courses must be completed before the student takes the
oral or written preliminary examination, whereas elective classes can be
completed any time prior to the defense of the written dissertation.
Each student will present one seminar each academic year throughout
the program.
Examinations
Both a written and an oral, comprehensive, preliminary examination
must be successfully completed to admit the student of candidacy for the Doctoral degree. These examinations should be taken no later than the end of the third year in residence.
The written examination will consist of an approved, non-thesis research proposal written by the student in the format of a National
Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, or USDA postdoctoral
fellowship proposal. Questions on the oral exam will be based upon the written proposal and upon graduate course work. After successful completion of the
comprehensive written and oral preliminary examinations, the student will
be formally admitted to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy
degree.
Dissertation Research
In addition to the defense of the written
dissertation in the final oral examination, the candidate will
present a final public seminar based on the dissertation research. At least one academic semester, and preferably two semesters,
shall elapse between the preliminary examinations and the oral
defense of the research-based dissertation.
M.S. in Microbiology:
A Master's degree in Microbiology at NDSU emphasizes research methodology and laboratory techniques. Student research and academic programs are individually tailored to meet the needs and interests of each student. Graduates are prepared for positions in research or commercial laboratories or for further graduate study.
Students shall select a major adviser by the end of the first semester in residence. By the end of the first year in residence, the student and major adviser will select a supervisory committee. Students are encouraged to visit with each faculty member and spend time in each laboratory to acquaint themselves with the department's research programs.
Degree Requirements:
The Master's program requires 24 months of full-time
study, completing a minimum of 30 semester credits with an overall
GPA of 3.0 or better. Students with inadequate undergraduate training
in microbiology will be required to complete undergraduate courses
in microbiology in addition to the required minimum 30 semester
credits.
The M.S. degree in microbiology requires a research-based thesis, a public seminar of the thesis research,
and a final oral defense of the thesis. The supervisory committee administers the oral thesis examination.
Courses Offered
- Micr 645 Animal Cell Culture
Techniques 2
- Methods of animal cell culture propagation
and uses for cell culture systems
Micr 652 Microbial Ecology 3- Influence of natural environments on
microbial growth. Environmental selection and microbial succession
of different species, population interactions, and environmental
modification via microbial metabolism. Prereq: Micr 350, 350L.
- Micr/CFS 653 Food Microbiology 3
- Study of the nature, physiology, and interactions of microorganisms in foods. Introduction to foodborne diseases, effects of food processing on the microflora of foods, principles of food preservation, food spoilage, and foods produced by microorganisms. Prereq: MICR 202L or 350L.
- Micr/CFS 654 Bioprocessing 3
- The use of microorganisms and enzymes for processing agricultural materials into industrial products including foods, bio-fuels, and antimicrobials. Prereq: MICR 202L and Chem 260, equivalent, or graduate standing.
Micr 660 Pathogenic Microbiology (CCN) 3- Study of the microorganisms that cause
disease and of disease processes. Prereq:
Micr
202 or Micr
350.
Micr 660L Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory (CCN) 2- Isolation and identification of pathogenic
microorganisms. Prereq: Micr 350L.
- Safe/Micr 664 Etiology of Foodborne Illness 3
- Study of the etiology, prevention, pathogenesis, and disease manifestations of foodborne illnesses, including those caused by pathogens, allergens, toxins, and contaminants; detection of the etiologic agents and their entrance into the food chain. Prereq: MICR 202, 202L or equivalent; or permission of instructor.
Micr 665 Fundamentals of Animal Disease 3- Basic principles of disease processes
and prevention. Comparative review emphasizing infectious related
diseases in production and companion species. Regulation and
oversight of animal health and welfare. Prereq: Vets 135, Biol 150,
Micr 202 or 350.
Micr 670 Basic Immunology 3- Functions and dysfunctions of the immune system in health and disease. Prereq: MICR 350.
Micr 671 Immunology and Serology Laboratory 2- Basic immunological and serological
procedures. Prereq: Micr 350.
Safe/Micr 674 Epidemiology 3- Study of the distribution and dynamics
of disease in populations. Prereq: Stat 330 or
permission of instructor.
Micr 675 Animal Virology 3- The biology of animal viruses with emphasis on virus replication and pathogenesis. Prereq: MICR 350.
Micr 680 Bacterial Physiology 3- Composition and function of eubacterial
and archaeobacterial cell structure. Nutrition and nutrient
transport in bacteria. Principles of energy-yielding carbohydrate
metabolism, bacterial fermentation, and respiration. Prereq:
Micr 350, 350L;
Coreq:
Bioc 460.
Micr 682 Bacterial Genetics and Phage 3- Principles of bacterial genetics and
phage-host relationships. Prereq: Micr 350;
Coreq:
Bioc 460.
Safe/Micr 750 Advanced Topics in Epidemiology 3- Distribution and dynamics of disease
in populations, and factors contributing to the costs of foodborne
illness and its prevention. Prereq: SAFE 474/674 or equivalent;
Micr 460 recommended.
Safe//Micr/CFS 752 Advanced Food Microbiology 3- State-of-the-art techniques in isolation,
detection, and characterization of food-borne pathogens. Prereq:
Micr 653 or 660L, or permission of instructor.
Micr/Safe 762 Advanced Pathogenic Bacteriology 3- Mechanisms by which bacteria cause infectious disease and host reactions to the disease. Prereq: MICR 460, equivalent, or instructor approval.
Micr 770 Immunology of Chronic Infections 3- A study of chronic infections, including
pathogens involved, mechanisms of host immunity, and economic
and social importance of these organisms. Prereq: Micr 470
/670
Micr 775 Molecular Virology 3- An in-depth study of current areas of research on human and animal viruses. The replication, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and control of viruses using contemporary molecular and cellular biology approaches will be examined. Prereq: MICR 460/660, 470/670, 475/675 or permission of the instructor.
Micr 781 Advanced Bacterial Physiology 3 - In-depth consideration of various topics
in bacterial physiology, such as autotrophy, bacterial growth
and growth yields, energy-yielding metabolism, and regulation
of catabolic pathways. Prereq: Micr 480/680.
Micr 782 Molecular Microbiological Techniques 3- Current molecular and immunologic strategies
and techniques used to study infectious disease processes. Prereq:
Bioc 460/461/474, Micr 471
Micr 783 Advanced Bacterial Genetics and Phage 3- Mechanisms of genetic rearrangement
and regulation in bacteria and phage.
Recombinant DNA.
Prereq: Micr 482/682.
Micr 785 Pathobiology 3- A study of organ system pathology with
attention to pathogenesis of disease and lesion development.
Infectious, neoplastic, degenerative, and heritable diseases
will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on animal disease.
Prereq: Micr 460/660.
-
- Micr 790 Seminar 1
Micr 791 Special Topics 1-5
Micr 793 Individual Study/Tutorial 1-5
Micr 794 Practicum/Internship 1-8
Micr 696/796 Special Topics 1-5
Micr 797 Master's Paper 1-10
Micr 798 Master's Thesis 1-10
Micr 799 Doctoral Dissertation 1-15
