120 Biochemistry, 420 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-2914; www.bact.wisc.edu
Professors Chambliss (chair), Donohue, Downs, Escalante-Semerena, Filutowicz, Gourse, Jeffries, Johnson, Kaspar, Landick, Mansfield, McClain, Pariza, Roberts, Schaefer (Animal Science), Splitter (Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences), Welch (Medical Microbiology and Immunology), Wong; Associate Professors Barclay, Forest, Goodrich-Blair, Hammel, Weimer, Yu; Assistant Professors Currie, Thomas, Wassarman; Instructors Kurtz, Lindquist, Paustian, Roll
Contact Katy France, Student Services Coordinator, 262-2975, kfrance@bact.wisc.edu, for information about the undergraduate program, declaring the microbiology major, career opportunities, and advisor assignments. NOTE: At the time of printing, the Department of Bacteriology is in the process of revising the undergraduate curriculum. Please check the Web site at www.bact.wisc.edu, or contact Katy France, for the most current curriculum information.
Microorganisms are the oldest life forms on earth and impact our lives and the well being of the planet in innumerable ways. The field of microbiology has become even more prominent in recent years because of increased concerns about bioterrorism, infectious disease, and environmental manipulation. The major offered by the Department of Bacteriology provides training in broad aspects of microbiology with emphasis on 21st-century laboratory skills.
Core courses focus on the diversity, genetics, biochemistry, and physiology of microorganisms. A variety of elective courses provide the opportunity to study environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, food microbiology, host-parasitic interactions, microbial pathogenesis, immunology, virology, and microbial biotechnology. Instructional laboratory courses provide hands-on experience with modern techniques and equipment. Students have many opportunities for independent research projects in faculty laboratories.
The bachelor's degree provides a strong background in the biological sciences for stu-dents planning to enter medical, dental, veterinary or other professional schools, as well as those planning graduate studies in any branch of microbiology or other biological sciences such as molecular or cell biology.
Students who end their training with a bachelor's degree are well prepared for a wide variety of career opportunities, including laboratory positions in pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms and in university and government laboratories. They also work as specialists in industrial quality testing and control, and as regulatory workers in government agencies and public health laboratories. Exposure to the scientific process and training in microbiology itself allow graduates to enter fields as diverse as business, technical service, sales, or technical writing.
The department offers an undergraduate major for students in both the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Letters and Science (L&S). Students completing the microbiology major in CALS are certified for a Bachelor of Science-Natural Sciences degree. The basic requirements include one year of general biology and Genetics 466 or Biocore 301/303/323 plus two biocore lab courses; one semester of calculus; one semester of statistics; two years of chemistry, including organic and one year of physics.
Students majoring in microbiology complete a minimum of 22 credits, including the core courses—Microbio 303, 304, 370, 526, 527, 550, and 551. The remaining 6 credits can be taken in a variety of electives; up to 3 credits may be fulfilled by specified non-microbiology courses. Contact the department for a complete list of electives.
In addition to training in instructional laboratories, microbiology majors are encouraged to complete at least two semesters of independent research as part of the learning experience. Students should consult with an advisor to learn of research opportunities.
Note: Beginning fall 2007 bacteriology courses will be listed under the subject heading Microbiology in the Timetable.
100 The Microbial World. Irr.; 3 cr (B-E). Roles of microorganisms and viruses in nature, health, agriculture, pollution control and ecology. Principles of disease production, epidemiology and body defense mechanisms. Biotechnology and the genetic engineering revolution. Primarily for non-science majors; not accepted for degree credit in Bacteriology. P: Open to Fr. No degree credit for both Bact 100 & 101 or 303.
101 General Microbiology. I, II, SS; 3 cr (B-E). Survey of microorganisms and their activities; emphasis on structure, function, ecology, nutrition, physiology, genetics. Survey of applied microbiology—medical, agricultural, food and industrial microbiology. Intended to satisfy any curriculum which requires introductory level microbiology. See 102 if laboratory is desired. P: Chem 103 or 108 or 109 or 115. Stdts may not rec cr for both Bact 101&303. Stdts with 1 sem organic chem who will continue in biol or phys sci take 303. Open to Fr.
102 General Microbiology Laboratory. I, II, SS; 2 cr (B-E). Covers techniques and procedures used in general microbiology, including cultivation, enumeration, aseptic techniques, physiology and selected applications. P: Bact 101 or con reg (preferred). Stdts may not receive credit for both Bact 102 & 304. Open to Fr.
289 Honors Independent Study. I, II, SS; 1-2 cr (I). P: Enrolled in the Cals Honors Prgm & So or Jr st. Inter-Ag 288.
299 Independent Study. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (I). P: Open to Fr, So or Jr st & written cons inst.
303 Procaryotic Microbiology. I, II, SS; 3 cr (B-I). Basic biology of procaryotic microorganisms, including structure, function, physiology genetics and ecology of bacteria. If a laboratory is desired, concurrent registration in Bact 304 is recommended. P: Prev crse in botany, zool, Biocore or gen biol; 1 sem org chem or con reg.No degree cr for both Bact 101 & 303. Required of Bact majors, recommended for biol sci majors.
304 Procaryotic Microbiology Laboratory. I, II, SS; 2 cr (B-I). Introduction to modern laboratory techniques used to study the distribution and properties of microorganisms. This is the companion lab to Bacteriology 303. Degree credits cannot be earned in both Bacteriology 102 and 304. P: Bact 303 or con reg. No degree cr for both Bact 102 & 304. Required of Bact majors & recommended for bio-sci majors.
324 Food Microbiology Laboratory. (Crosslisted with Food Sci) I; 2 cr (B-I). Lab exercises dealing with food preservation, spoilage, and food poisoning. Isolation, identification and quantification of specific microbes occurring in foods, and food fermentations by bacteria and yeast. P: Bact 102 or 304; Bact/Food Sci 325 or con reg.
325 Food Microbiology. (Crosslisted with Food Sci) I; 3 cr (B-I). Principles of food preservation, epidemiology of foodborne illness, agents of foodborne illness, food fermentations and biotechnology. P: Bact 101 or 303 or MM&I 301 or cons inst.
330 Host-Parasite Interactions. II; 3 cr (B-I). Interrelationships between bacterial and viral parasites and their host cells or tissues. Stresses microbial strategies and mechanisms of colonization, invasion, pathogenesis and resistance to host defenses. P: Bact 101 & 102; or Bact 303 & 304; or equiv.
370 Bacterial Genetics. I, II; 2 cr (B-I). An undergraduate-level course in modern bacterial genetics with emphasis on the uses of bacteria and their phages in basic and applied genetics research. P: Bact 303; Bact 304 or con reg.
375 Special Topics. Irr.; 1-4 cr (I). Subjects of current interest to undergrads. P: Variable prerequisites depending on topic.
399 Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education. I, II, SS; 1-8 cr (I). P: So or Jr or Sr st & cons suprvsg inst, advisor, & intrshp prog coordinator.
425 Environmental Microbiology. (Crosslisted with Soil Sci) II; 3 cr (I). Microbial interactions in soils, water, extreme environments and biofilms. Modern methods for studying microbial ecology. Role of microbes in nutrient cycles and biogeochemistry. Use of microbes for mitigating manmade environmental problems of industrial, agricultural, and domestic origin. P: Bact 303, Chem 341 or 343.
505 Rumen Microbiology. (Crosslisted with An Sci, Dy Sci) Alt yrs.; II; 2 cr (D). Analysis of rumen ecosystem in terms of kinds of microbes, their activities and requirements and their interactions in a dynamic system. Emphasis on physiological and biochemical perspectives. P: Biochem 501 and con reg in Bact 550 or equiv; or cons inst.
523 Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry. (Crosslisted with Soil Sci) II; 3 cr (P-I). Transformations of nutrients and contaminants in soils and groundwater by microorganisms: emphasis on enzymatic mechanisms and metabolic pathways. Approaches for analyzing microbial populations and activities including molecular techniques. Applications of microbial activities for bioremediation of contaminated soils and groundwater. P: Chem 104; Bact 303 or Bot 375 or Biochem 501, or cons inst.
525 Comparative Ecology of Microorganisms and Macroorganisms. (Crosslisted with Pl Path) Even yrs.; II; 3 cr (B-I). Principles of ecology with emphasis on contrasts and similarities between microorganisms and macroorganisms. Topics include the ecology of individuality, genetic variation, resource acquisition and allocation, size, growth and growth form, the environment, and community processes. P: Bact 303 & 304.
526 Physiology of Microorganisms. I; 3 cr (B-A). Biochemistry of microbial processes. Bact 527 is the accompanying lab. P: Bact 303, 370 & either Biochem 501 or Bmolchem 603.
527 Physiology of Microorganisms Laboratory. I; 2 cr (B-A). Biochemistry and genetics of microbial processes with an emphasis on learning advanced laboratory techniques. This is the companion laboratory to Bact 526. Required for bacteriology majors. Priority given to bacteriology seniors. P: Bact 304, 370, Biochem 501 or Bmolchem 603, con reg in Bact 526.
528 Immunology. (Crosslisted with Ahabs, MM&I) I; 3 cr (I). Development and functions of immune response in animals; a comprehensive study of experimental humoral and cellular immunity. P: Two sem chem and one sem zoology or gen biology.
531 Undergraduate Seminar. II; 1 cr (B-A). Current topics in microbiology and undergraduate research presentations. Enrollment limited to Bacteriology majors. P: Bact 101 or 303 or equiv. Jr or Sr st in Bact.
545 Topics in Biotechnology. (Crosslisted with Oncology) II; 1 cr (I). Seminars on current topics in agricultural, medical, and industrial biotechnology such as: microbiological production of food, drink, biopharmaceuticals; production methods, genetic engineering (vectors, recombination cloning), continuous fermentation; bioconversion processes and production of chemicals from biomass; plant biotechnology; transgenic animals. P: Biochem 501 and Genetics 466 or equiv.
550 Physiological Diversity of Procaryotes. II; 2 cr (B-A). Biochemical, molecular genetic, and physiological analyses of major groups of procaryotes occupying distinct ecological niches. P: Bact 370 & 526.
551 Physiological Diversity of Procaryotes Laboratory. II; 2 cr (b-B-A). P: Bact 304, 526, 527 & con reg in Bact 550. Priority to bacteriology seniors. Required of bact majors.
607 Advanced Microbial Genetics. (Crosslisted with Genetics) I; 3 cr (B-I). Molecular genetic methods and related aspects of prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic biology, as well as critical analysis of the scientific literature. Approximately two-thirds of the course will focus on prokaryotes and one-third on lower eukaryotic microbes. P: Genetics 466 or equiv, Biochem 501 or equiv, & Grad st or cons inst.
612 Prokaryotic Molecular Biology. (Crosslisted with Genetics, Biochem) I; 3 cr (B-D). Molecular basis of bacterial physiology and genetics with emphasis on molecular mechanisms; topics include nucleic acid-protein interactions, transcription, translation, replication, recombination, regulation of gene expression. P: Bact 370 or equiv & Biochem 501 or equiv, or cons inst.
622 Plant-Bacterial Interactions. (Crosslisted with Pl Path) Even yrs.; I; 2-3 cr (B-A). Physiology, genetics, taxonomy, and ecology of bacterial pathogens, epiphytes, and symbionts of plants. P: A course in advanced bacteriology; Genetics 466 or equiv; Biochem 501 or equiv; or cons inst.
632 Industrial Microbiology/Biotechnology. Even yrs.; II; 2 cr (B-I). Application of modern techniques of genetics and physiology to the large-scale production of microbial products; industrial strain improvement; scale-up of microbial processes; survey of industrial processes using microorganisms. P: Bact 526 & Biochem 501 or equiv.
640 General Virology-Multiplication of Viruses. (Crosslisted with Oncology, Pl Path) I; 3 cr (B-D). Bacterial and animal viruses, their structure, multiplication, and genetics. P: Intro crses in bact, biochem & genetics.
650 Advanced Microbiology of Foodborne Pathogens. (Crosslisted with Food Sci) II; 3 cr (B-A). Infectious and toxigenic agents of foodborne disease: detection, identification, and control methods; ecology and survival strategies of pathogens in foods; virulence mechanisms of foodborne pathogens. P: Bact/Food Sci 325 or cons inst.
655 Biology and Genetics of Filamentous Fungi. (Crosslisted with Pl Path, Botany, Genetics, MM&I) Odd yrs.; II; 3-4 cr (A). Fungal genetics, genomics, and physiology using plant pathogenic fungi and the genetic models Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa as model systems to explore the current knowledge of fungal genetics and plant/fungal interactions. P: Cons inst; Pl Path 300 & 332 recommended; Genetics 466 or equiv; general microbiol crse.
668 Microbiology at Atomic Resolution. (Crosslisted with Bmolchem) II; 3 cr (B-D). Three-dimensional protein structures form the basis for discussions of high resolution microbiology; how particular problems are solved with given protein architectures and chemistries and how themes of protein structure are modified and recycled. P: Biochem (e.g. Biochem 501), molecular biol (e.g. Bact 526 or 612) required, one semester of physical chem preferred.
670 Trends in Food Safety: Epidemiology, Physiology and Control. (Crosslisted with Food Sci) I; Odd yrs.; 2 cr. Current trends in food safety: emerging pathogens; impact of new generation foods on ecology and physiology of pathogens; new technologies in control and detection/typing. P: Bact/Food Sci 325; Food Sci/Bact 650 or cons inst.
681 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 2-3 cr (A). Individual lab research for majors for an honors degree in bacteriology (L&S students must take 3 cr per sem). P: Hon prog candidacy.
682 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 2-4 cr (A). Continuation of 681. P: Honors program candidacy & Bact 681.
691 Senior Thesis. I, II, SS; 2 cr (B-A). .
692 Senior Thesis. I, II, SS; 2 cr (B-A). .
699 Special Problems. I, II, SS; 1-4 cr (A). P: Sr or Grad st & cons inst.