Microbiology Courses for the Miami Plan

Foundation Courses

• MBI 111 Microorganisms and Human Disease (3) MPF
  • Introduces microorganisms and the human diseases they cause, with particular emphasis on the impact of these relationships on the development of human societies - past, present, and future. Does not count as credit toward an A.B. or B.S. in microbiology. IVA.
• MBI 115 Biological Concepts: Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, and Diversity (4) MPF, MPT
  • Integrated study of microbes, plants, and animals, emphasizing biological diversity and interdependence of life and the environment. Cross-listed with BIO. 3 Lec. 1 Lab. IVA, LAB. CASD/LAB.
• MBI 116 Biological Concepts: Structure, Function, Cellular and Molecular Biology (4) MPF, MPT
  • Biological principles common to microbes, plants, and animals, including interactions between organism and the environment. Cross-listed with BIO. 3 Lec. 1 Lab. IVA, LAB. CAS-D/LAB.
• MBI 121 The Microbial World (3) MPF
  • Introduces basic concepts in the study of microorganisms - bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Topics include microbial structure and function, metabolism, genetics and the immune system. Special emphasis is placed on the impact of microorganisms on medicine, agriculture, food production, biotechnology, and the environment. IVA.
• MBI 123 Experimenting with Microbes (1) MPF
  • A series of laboratory exercises and demonstrations emphasizing general techniques of isolation, characterization, and cultivation of selected microorganisms. Corequisite: MBI 111, 121, or 131 with permission of instructor. IVA, LAB CAS-D/LAB.
• MBI 131 Community Health Perspectives (3) MPF
  • Discussion of community health primarily from the perspective of leading causes of disease and death in the U.S. Exploration of the impact of environment, behavior, and disease, including prevention and treatment strategies, on human health, public resources, and quality of life for society. Does not count as credit toward an A.B. or B.S. in microbiology. IVA.
• MBI 143 Parasitology and Mycology Labs (1) MPF
  • Combined lecture and laboratory introduction to hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, and medical microbiology. Field trip including laboratory exercises at Miami University-affiliated hospital laboratories. Does not count as credit toward an A.B. or B.S. in microbiology. CAS-D/LAB.
• MBI 161 Elementary Medical Microbiology (4) MPF, MPT
  • Elementary microbiology for students interested in a single unit devoted to understanding characteristics and activities of microorganisms and their relation to health and disease. Taught in Hamilton and Middletown only. IVA, LAB. CASD/ LAB.

Thematic Sequences

Note: any course with an * is also a Foundation course in the Liberal Education Program.

Molecular Genetics

Goals and objectives

To provide the student with an understanding of the basic microbiology principles that have provided the foundation for the development of the science of molecular genetics. The student will learn how the application of molecular genetics has had a significant impact on health, bioremediation, and agriculture (to name only a few examples).

Courses included in this sequence

• Year 1: MBI/BIO 116* (Biological Concepts: Structure, Function, Cellular and Molecular Biology)
• Year 2: MBI 201 (General Microbiology I)
• Year 3: MBI 365 (Molecular Biology)

Description of sequence

The Molecular Genetics Thematic Sequence begins with a Foundation course, MBI/BIO 116 (Biological Concepts), which is an introduction to the study of structure, function, cellular and molecular biology in microbes, plants and animals. The course focuses on the historical foundation of basic biological principles, and provides an overview of practical applications of principles of molecular biology in genetic engineering and biotechnology. In the second course in the sequence, MBI 201 (General Microbiology I), the student explores the structure, metabolism and genetics of microorganisms in greater detail. MBI 365 (Molecular Biology) will complete the thematic sequence by incorporating the major concepts that underlie our understanding of the genetic information systems of both simple and complex organisms. An in-depth understanding of molecular genetics is achieved through the emphasis on the molecular mechanisms utilized by bacteria and viruses in converting genetic information into functional macromolecules.

Biomedical Science

Goals and objectives

Through exposure to principles and examples of diseases caused by microbial infection, students will come to understand the role of microorganisms in development of disease in the human host. Next, students will study the host, in depth, at the genetic or cell and tissue level. Finally, the sequence concludes with an overview of both infectious and non-infectious diseases in populations. This sequence will foster students' understanding of the effects of diseases on human communities and provide a perspective that will help students evaluate health dilemmas and develop strategies to solve them.

Courses included in this sequence

• Year 1: MBI 161* (Elementary Medical Microbiology)
• Year 2: BIO 232 (Human Heredity) or BIO 325 (Pathophysiology)
• Year 3: MBI 361 (Epidemiology)

Description of sequence

The Biomedical Science Thematic Sequence provides students with an in-depth view of human disease from multiple perspectives. It begins with a Foundation course (MBI 161) that provides principles and examples of infectious diseases and their effect on human communities. The next level of courses expands the students' viewpoint to include the biology of the human host from a genetic (BIO 232) or physiological (BIO 325) perspective. This step aids students in understanding the basic function of humans, building their understanding of medical applications that are currently developing in these areas. At the final level of the sequence (MBI 361), concepts developed in the earlier courses are integrated during synthesis of a holistic model of disease and its impact on human communities. Human health dilemmas will be considered throughout the sequence, and strategies to deal with them will be generated and discussed.