We have a rich curriculum that includes two levels of Medical Microbiology and Immunology. We offer coursework designed specifically for students planning for careers in healthcare professions. We have developed separate coursework geared toward those going into scientific research. Each of these pathways includes recitations and laboratories that are geared specifically to the career development of the student. We also offer independent study in research which can be arranged individually with members of our faculty. The department hosts seminar courses that are focused on a big idea or challenging issue. These are designed to engage students with questions of high significance in the fields of microbiology and immunology. We are actively increasing online learning components in our existing courses. We are also busy developing new online courses in which students have the opportunity to study with people from around the country.
Microbiology And Immunology (MIC)
Microbiology And Immunology
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences138 Farber Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3000
Chair
The Learning Environment
About Our Facilities
Our leading-edge teaching resources bolster your microbiology and immunology education and help you make the most of your training. Multiple small-group learning laboratories are equipped to provide students with a mastery of aseptic technique, prophylaxis, and proper methods for the safe manipulation and maintenance of microorganisms. The laboratories are stocked to instruct on fundamental laboratory methodology to including the use of differential media, metabolic/enzymatic testing, and practical applied familiarity with research procedure and the associated critical and investigative thinking skills in bacteriology, virology, mycology and immunology.
About Our Faculty
We have an internationally recognized faculty with expertise in a broad range of topics in microbiology and immunology.
Faculty List Directory
Please visit the Department of Microbiology and Immunology website for additional information about our faculty.
MIC Courses
- MIC 198SEM UB Seminar Seminar
The one credit UB Seminar is focused on a big idea or challenging issue to engage students with questions of significance in a field of study and, ultimately, to connect their studies with issues of consequence in the wider world. Essential to the UB Curriculum, the Seminar helps transition to UB through an early connection to UB faculty and the undergraduate experience at a comprehensive, research university. This course is equivalent to any 198 offered in any subject. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade of F or R may not be able to repeat the course during the fall or spring semester.
Credits: 1
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Other Requisites: Students who have already successfully completed the UB seminar course may not repeat this course. If you have any questions regarding enrollment for this course, please contact your academic advisor.
- MIC 199SEM UB Seminar Seminar
The three credit UB Seminar is focused on a big idea or challenging issue to engage students with questions of significance in a field of study and, ultimately, to connect their studies with issues of consequence in the wider world. Essential to the UB Curriculum, the Seminar helps students with common learning outcomes focused on fundamental expectations for critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and oral communication, and learning at a university, all within topic focused subject matter. The Seminars provide students with an early connection to UB faculty and the undergraduate experience at a comprehensive, research university. This course is equivalent to any 199 offered in any subject. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade of F or R may not be able to repeat the course during the fall or spring semester.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Other Requisites: Students who have already successfully completed the first year seminar course may not repeat this course. If you have any questions regarding enrollment for this course, please contact your academic advisor.
- MIC 201LEC Microbes: We Can't Live With Them or Without Them Lecture
This course will examine important issues in human health and disease, applying microbiology and immunology to situations and events in everyday life and in society at large. Participants will delve into what are 'good' bacteria vs. 'bad' bacteria and what causes 'good' bacteria to go 'bad'. Lecture topics will cover relevant issues of today such as Ebola, Zika Virus, anthrax, bioterrorism, the microbiome in human bodies and the environment, over-usage of antibiotics, and others. These lecture topics may change and adapt to include current events.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Summer
- MIC 301LLB Microbiology for Allied Health Professionals Lecture
MIC 301 is a one-semester introduction to microbiology with a focus on biomedical aspects and human health appropriate for students in fields of allied health such as nursing, pharmacy, exercise and social science as well as psychology. Lecture topics in the first half include Microbial metabolism and growth, classification and diagnostics, sterilization and antimicrobial agents, interaction between pathogens and the host`s immune system and our developing understanding of the human microbiome. In the second part of the course, important disease causing microorganisms from the three major areas, prokaryotic bacteria, eukaryotic parasites/fungi, and viruses, will be discussed. In the laboratory components, basic techniques for diagnostics, cultivation, and control of microbial growth are introduced in hands-on sessions, case studies/recitations, and online interactive modules.
Credits: 4
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- MIC 401LAB Biomedical Microbiology Lab Laboratory
In Biomedical Microbiology Lab, students will learn to: Demonstrate practical skills in fundamental microbiological techniques. Demonstrate mastery of aseptic technique, prophylaxis, and the proper methods relating to the safe manipulation and maintenance of microorganisms. Gain basic knowledge in fundamental laboratory methodology to include the use of differential media, metabolic/enzymatic testing, and associated reagents. Obtain hands-on familiarity with research procedure and associated critical and investigative thinking skills. There is a fee associated with this class.
Credits: 1
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: BIO 200 and CHE 101
Corequisites: MIC 401LEC
- MIC 401LEC Biomedical Microbiology Lecture
Biomedical Microbiology is an upper level course that is designed specifically for students who are interested in microbiology and immunology in the context of research in the life sciences. The course is team taught by experts allowing for the presentation of cutting edge scientific research in their fields. The course provides in depth instruction in the three families of disease causing microorganisms: bacteria (prokaryotes), viruses, and parasites/fungi (eukaryotes) as well as immunology and host-pathogen interactions. Topics also include microbial physiology, current research techniques, drug development and delivery, antimicrobial agents, emerging/reemerging pathogens, and vaccine development. Offered SPRING only.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: CHE 101 and (BIO 200 or 201)
Corequisites: MIC 401LAB or PHM major
- MIC 406LEC Composition and Function of the Human Microbiome Lecture
This is a course for graduate students in the biomedical and related sciences to provide an introduction to the human microbiome. The goal is for the students to understand the methodologies used to study the microbiome, as well as details of the significance of this community of organisms that share our body space and contribute to health and disease. Metagenomic sequencing methods bioinformatic analytic procedures, composition of the microbiome at various body sites will be discussed. Functions of the microbiome in health and the role of the microbiome at diseased in various body sites will be described. Modification of the microbiome and contribution of the microbiome personalized medicine will be discussed.
Credits: 2
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
- MIC 412LEC Fundamentals of Immunology Lecture
Explore the intriguing defense system that protects humans by destroying deadly microbes while keeping the body's healthy cells and tissues safe from harm. Rapid advances in the field of immunology have led to developments as far reaching as dramatically increased life span and overall health in HIV/AIDS patients and exciting novel therapies to combat cancer. Learn the fundamentals of immunology and become conversant in the language of the field in this interactive online course.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Winter
- MIC 499TUT Independent Study Tutorial
Available by arrangement with one or more faculty members. Involves participation in a research project that provides limited laboratory experience in some aspect of microbiology or immunology.
Credits: 1 - 8
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring