Microbiology & Immunology Master's Program

Fall Semester

MIIM-7210 Research Methods (2 credits). This course provides students with an introduction and broad overview to the basic biochemical, molecular and immunological techniques that are commonly used in biomedical research. Topics covered include: cell culture techniques, basic microscopy, recombinant DNA technology and protein analysis methods, amongst others. The theory behind the various techniques, practical applications, and the general procedures for carrying them out will be described. Hands on sessions be included. After taking the course students will have a good fundamental background in molecular methods as they are applied to biomedical research and be familiar with the terminology of molecular biology, thus giving students a better access to the scientific literature. You will gain an understanding of the various methods and their applications and will be better able to evaluate the merits of scientific papers by knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the various techniques used in biomedical research. Students pursuing a career in bench research will be better able to decide which methods to use in which situations and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the techniques.

For most sessions, students will be responsible for preparing with assigned reading before coming to class. Reading material will be provided to the students at the latest one week before the session. Grading will be on notebook keeping, attendance and participation in class.  Course Director: Drs. Shannon Righi and Jacob Bitoun.

MIIM-7720 Medical Mycology (3 credits). This course consists of a basic introduction to medical mycology and a comprehensive study of the fungi (yeasts and molds) and mycoses (fungal diseases) likely to be encountered in clinical settings by a physician, medical mycologist, or medical technologist. Attention will be distributed as equally as possible between emphasis on the biology of the fungal pathogen and on its disease. Course Director: Dr. Cindy Morris.

MIIM-7050 Thesis Research Design (2 credits). This course is for students in the Master's Program in Microbiology who have chosen the thesis track for completion of their degree. The thesis track involves writing a review style paper on a topic of the student’s choice. It does not involve bench research.

This course will guide students through the writing process in relation to the field of biomedical science. Topics to be covered include:

• Defining the scope of the thesis
• Structuring an outline
• Collecting, interpreting and critically analyzing literature
• Scientific writing skills
• Reference management
• Document formatting

Throughout the semester, students will be required to develop their own thesis research topics, review relevant research and scholarship, and complete their thesis outline with guidance from departmental faculty. Course Director: Dr. Louise Lawson

MIIM-7310-01 and -02 Research 1-2 credits (listed as 1 or 2 cr). Students will work in a laboratory in agreement with the respective PI to learn how different methods are used to carry out research in Microbiology and Immunology. Students will need to do identify the Lab and PI on their own, using the online descriptions of the research performed in the individual labs (e.g. lab websites, descriptions provided through department websites etc). The program director will then advise on fit and feasibility. At the end of the semester, students will write a 2 to 3 –page summary describing what they learned and the methods they used. Grade will be Pass/Fail. Course Director: Dr. James McLachlan.

MIIM-9970 Master's Thesis (1 credit) Course Director: Dr. Louise Lawson

GBCH-7500 Human Medical Cellular Biochemistry (5 credits) The objectives and content of the Human Medical Cellular Biochemistry course are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of cellular structure and function, and the manner by which cellular processes are normally integrated and regulated. The course stresses both the normal cellular function, and why disease states occur if normal cellular processes are disrupted. Course Director: Dr. David Franklin.

GPSO-6010 Medical Physiology (6 credits). Course Director:  Dr. Ming Li.
 

Spring Semester

MIIM-7750 Medical Parasitology (3 credits). The first part of this class will briefly introduce basic concepts and terminology to discuss parasites, vectors, and the (human) host and their relationship to each other. We will then explore a number of important diseases and the diverse set of helminths and protozoa causing them. We will highlight critical aspects of the biology of parasitism and parasitic disease as we go along. The lectures aim to span the entire field ranging from the molecular biology of the parasite to the implementation of control programs in the field. Course Director: Dr. Cindy Morris.

MIIM-7220 Advanced Research Methods/Data Mining (4 credits). This course addresses the process of experimental design and current experimental methodologies in biology. The goal of this course is to introduce graduate students to the principles of current research methods, both in theory and in practice. Additionally, it will introduce methods for data mining, analysis and presentation. The course will be a mixture of lectures, discussion of research papers and hands-on sessions using the techniques and instruments discussed during the respective sessions. Most sessions will also involve practical application of computer tools using experimental data sets. Course Directors: Drs. Jacob Bitoun and Kislay Parvatiyar.

MIIM-7250 Vaccine Biology (3 credits). The worldwide eradication of smallpox is the best example of the success of vaccines as the most effective weapon to combat infectious diseases.  This course will discuss vaccines from their historical development to the state-of-the-art strategies being currently employed to create new vaccines or improve the ones current existing. We will focus on antigen discovery, immunological responses required for successful vaccination, and novel adjuvants and immunopotentiation strategies.  Specific topics will include methods to link innate and adaptive responses, virulence factors and their role in immunity, strategies used by pathogens to escape the host response, and new delivery systems and biotechnology approaches for the development of vaccines. Course Directors: Dr. Lisa Morici.

MIIM-7150 At the Interface - Dynamics of Immunologic and Microbial Interactions (3 credits). Microorganisms living in or on the body of a healthy human adult outnumber human cells by 10 to one. Mucosal surfaces operate through a complex and dynamic interplay between the host and microbiota with the outcomes of these interactions deciding an individual’s health or disease status. During the course of this class we will dissect topics focusing on this interface of the immune system and microbiota within mucosal tissue sites. Topics will include creation tolerance and commensal colonization, long-term consequences of acute bacterial infections, and development of chronic inflammatory diseases. By completion of the course, students will have explored immunologic-microbial interfaces through reading and extensive discussion of primary journal articles. Students will also select a relevant topic to prepare a short perspective or review style paper to be edited and refined through a classic peer-review process with fellow students and instructors. Rudimentary knowledge of immunology and microbiology is highly recommended. Course director: Dr. Jacob Bitoun

MIIM-7120 Advanced Virology (4 credits). The course includes lecture and discussion of fundamental and advanced topics in medically relevant virology. Topics will be taken from the current literature to allow incorporation of fundamental principles of virology into the current context of the field. Selected Tulane faculty with expertise in the field will lead the discussion. Course Directors: Dr. Lilia Melnik.

MIIM-9970 Master's Thesis (2 credits). Course Director: Dr. Louise Lawson.

MIIM-7065 Scientific Writing (2 credits). This course is for students in the Master of Science Program in Microbiology and Immunology who have chosen the thesis track for completion of their degree. This course will guide students through the scientific writing process, with a focus in the field of biomedical science. In doing so, students will be expected to critically analyze scientific literature in the fields of microbiology and immunology. Weekly sessions will focus on the scientific writing process, critical analysis of published literature, slide presentation preparation, and providing constructive feedback as a reviewer. Throughout the semester, students will be required to complete their thesis with guidance from departmental faculty. Course director: Dr. Louise Lawson.

MIIM-7320-01 and -02 Research (1-2 credit) (listed as 1-2 cr). Students will work in a laboratory in agreement with the respective PI to learn how different methods are used to carry out research in Microbiology and Immunology. Students will need to do identify the Lab and PI on their own, using the online descriptions of the research performed in the individual labs (e.g. lab websites, descriptions provided through department websites etc). The program director will then advise on fit and feasibility. At the end of the semester, students will write a 2 to 3 –page summary describing what they learned and the methods they used. Grade will be Pass/Fail. Course Director: Dr. James McLachlan.

MIIM-7100 Clinical Cases and Their Underlying Mechanisms (2 credits) Clinical case reports are a means of disseminating new knowledge gained from medical practitioners. In this course, we will discuss clinical cases relevant to immunology or microbiology and then dissect the underlying disease mechanisms discussed within the case. Class discussion will include guest lectures by clinicians that present clinical cases within their specialties. Topics will include acute infections, chronic infections, inflammatory diseases, cancer, etc. By completion of the course, students will be familiar with presenting clinical cases will have acquired knowledge on the underlying immunologic and/or microbial mechanisms on cases discussed. In small groups, students will also select and present a relevant case study to fellow students and instructor(s). Rudimentary knowledge of immunology and microbiology is highly recommended. Course Director: Drs. Janet McCombs and Kerstin Höner zu Bentrup.

GBCH-7520 Metabolic Biochemistry of Human Disease (5 credits). The objectives and content of the Metabolic Biochemistry of Human Disease course are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic pathways involving the four major metabolic compounds: carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides; and the manner by which metabolism is normally integrated and regulated. This course stresses both the normal metabolic function, and why disease states occur if normal metabolic processes are disrupted. Course Director: Dr. David Franklin.