Graduate Courses

More course information 

Current Class Schedule information (rooms and times) 

500 Level

V MPM 501 - Basic Principles of Microbiology

The general principles of bacteriology, immunology and virology will be discussed. The structure and function of bacteria and viruses, the mechanisms of pathogenesis, and the host response to infectious agents will be reviewed. Vaccines, their failures, and new developments in vaccine development will be explored.

  • (3-1) Cr. 3
  • Semester Offered: Fall
  • Instructor in Charge: Dr. Gayle Brown
  • Prerequisite: permission of instructor

V MPM 502 - Microbial Genetics (Same as Micro 502)

Microbial and bacteriophage genetics; emphasis on mutagenesis, mechanisms of genetic exchange, genetic analysis of cellular mechanisms, and an introduction to genetic engineering.

  • (3-0) Cr. 3
  • Semester Offered: Alt Fall, offered 2022
  • Instructor in Charge: 
  • Prerequisite: Micro 302, Biol 313

V MPM 520 - Medical Immunology I

Nature of the immune system and its role in health and disease. Credit for either V MPM 520 or 575, but not both, may be applied toward graduation.

  • (3-0) Cr. 3
  • Semester Offered: Fall
  • Instructor in Charge: Dr. Jodi McGill
  • Prerequisite: Micro 310 or VMPM 386,3 credits in Biochemistry

V MPM 528 - Principles in Epidemiology (Same as VDPAM 528)

Epidemiology and ecology of disease in populations. Disease causality and epidemiologic investigation. Issues in disease prevention, control, and eradication.

  • (3-0) Cr. 3
  • Semester Offered: Spring
  • Instructor in Charge: Dr. Gustavo De-Sousa-E-Silva
  • Prerequisite: none
  • Dual-listed with VMPM 428, Cross-listed with VDPAM

V MPM 540 - Livestock Immunogenetics (Same as An S 540)

Basic concepts and contemporary topics in genetic regulation of livestock immune response and disease resistance.

  • (2-0) Cr. 2
  • Semester Offered: Alt. Spring, offered 2025
  • Instructor in Charge: Dr. Susan Lamont
  • Prerequisite: AnSci 561 or MICRO 575 or V MPM 520
  • Cross-listed with AN S, MICRO

V MPM 542 - Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques

Workshops in basic molecular biology techniques and related procedures.

  • (1-0) Cr. 1.
  • Semester offered: DNA Techniques (all); Protein Techniques; Cell Techniques; Plant Transformation; Proteomics; Metabolomics; Genomics
  • Instructor in Charge: Variable
  • Prerequisite: Graduate classification
  • Cross-listed with B M S, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NREM, NUTRS, VDPAM

V MPM 575/475 - Immunology

Humoral and cellular immune functions. Interactions between cells and factors of the immune system that result in health and disease. Credit for either 575 or 520, but not both, may be applied toward graduation.

  • (3-0) Cr. 3
  • Semester Offered: Spring
  • Instructor in Charge: Dr. Joan Cunnick
  • Prerequisite: Micro 310

V MPM 586 - Medical Bacteriology

Bacteria associated with diseases of vertebrates, including virulence factors and interaction of host responses.

  • (4-0) Cr. 4.
  • Semester Offered: Fall
  • Instructor in Charge: Dr. Bryan Bellaire
  • Prerequisites: Micro 310, credit or enrollment in VMPM 586 or 625
  • Cross-listed with MICRO

V MPM 587 - Animal Virology

The biology of animal viruses and pathogenic mechanisms in viral diseases.

  • (4-0) Cr. 4
  • Semester Offered: Spring
  • Instructor in Charge: Dr. Brett Sponseller
  • Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor

V MPM 590 - Special Topics

  • Credit arranged, repeatable
  • Semester offered: Fall, Spring and Summer
  • Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor

V MPM 599 - Creative Component

A written report based on laboratory research, library reading, or topics related to the student's area of specialization and approved by the student's advisory committee.

  • Credit arranged
  • Prerequisite: Non-thesis M.S. Option only

600 Level

V MPM 604 - Seminar

This course serves as the VMPM departmental seminar. All VMPM students are required to complete the seminar once each year. Satisfactory-fail only.

  • (1-0) Cr. 1, repeatable
  • Semester Offered: Fall
  • Instructor in charge: Drs. Brad Blitvich and Jodi McGill
  • Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only

V MPM 608 - Molecular Virology (Same as Pl P 608)

Advanced study of virus host-cell interactions. Molecular mechanisms of viral replication and pathogenesis.

  • (3-0) Cr. 3
  • Semester Offered: Alt. Fall, offered 2024.
  • Instructor in charge: Drs. Cathy Miller
  • Prerequisite: BBMB 405 or GDBC 511
  • Cross-listed with MICRO, PL P

V MPM 615 - Molecular Immunology (Same as BBMB 615)

Current topics in molecular aspects of immunology: T and B cell receptors; major histocompatibility complex; antibody structure; immunosuppressive drugs and viruses; intracellular signaling pathoways leading to expression of genes that control and activate immune function.

  • (3-0) Cr. 3.
  • Alt. Fall, offered 2023
  • Instructor in charge: Dr. Amy Andreotti
  • Prerequisite: BBMB 405 or BBMB 502
  • Cross-listed with BBMB, MICRO

V MPM 625 - Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis (Same as Micro 625)

Advanced study on virulence mechanisms of bacteria and current knowledge of research on host defenses in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections.

  • (4-0) Cr. 4
  • Semester Offered: Alt. Spring, offered 2025
  • Instructor in charge: Dr. Bryan Bellaire
  • Prerequisite: Credit in Biochemistry and Microbiology
  • Cross-listed with MICRO

V MPM 629 - Advanced Topics in Cellular Immunology

Current concepts of the role of native and acquired immunity in health and disease.

  • (2-0) Cr. 2
  • Semester Offered: Alt. Spring, offered 2024
  • Instructor in charge: Dr. Michael Wannemuehler
  • Prerequisite: VMPM 520 or 575

V MPM 660 - Pathogenesis of Persistent Infections

Study of current knowledge related to host pathogen interactions during persistent and chronic infections by b bacteria., viruses and parasites.

  • (2-0) Cr. 2
  • Semester offered: Alt. Spring
  • Instructor: Dr. Douglas Jones
  • Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
  • Cross-listed with V PTH

V MPM 690 - Current Topics

Colloquia or advanced study of specific topics in a specialized field: A. Immunology or B. Infectious Diseases

  • Cr. 1-3, repeatable
  • Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer
  • Instructor in charge: varies
  • Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor

V MPM 698 - Seminar in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (Same as MCDB 698)

Student and faculty presentations.

  • (2-0) Cr. 1-2, repeatable
  • Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
  • Instructor in charge: varies
  • Prerequisite: none
  • Cross-listed with BBMB, GDCB, MCDB, MICRO

V MPM 699 - Research

  • Cr. arranged, repeatable