Microbiology Program
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of life that is too small to see without a microscope. Bacteria, archaea, viruses, and unicellular eukaryotes occupy every conceivable habitat; from arctic ice to hydrothermal vents, from gastrointestinal tracts to deep rock formations, from pristine lakes to polluted bogs.
Microbiology spans all of biology and provides the foundation for molecular biology and biotechnology. Microorganisms are the cause of many human diseases. A Microbiology program is a popular choice for students with interests in molecular biology, drug discovery, medicine, or biotechnology.
In the table below we have put together suggested options that will give you an excellent foundation for a career in microbiology.
Pathogenesis
Overview
The goal of molecular pathogenesis research is to identify the molecular mechanisms by which bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms cause infectious diseases, and to understand the mechanisms by which hosts respond to these infections.
Suggested Courses
The following example of elective choices would give an excellent foundation in this area (MICR - Bacterial Pathogenesis):
1st yr electives:
EPHE 141 Introductory Human Anatomy
BIOL 190B General Biology II
MATH 100 & 101
2nd yr electives:
BIOL 248 Topics in Organismal Biology
BIOL 215 Principals of Ecology
3rd yr electives:
BIOL 365 Animal Physiology
MEDS 301 Introduction to Pharmacology
4th yr electives:
BIOL 438 Ecology of Prokaryotes
BIOL 439 Molecular Epidemiology
BIOC 401 Gene Expression in Eukaryotes
BIOC 403 Signal Transduction
BIOC 408 Epigenetic Regulation of Chromatin
MICR 400 Level
Links of Interest
Public Health Agency of Canada - Canadian Field Epidemiology Program
The Epidemiology of HIV in Canada
Bioinformatics
Overview
Bioinformatics is the use of math and statistical tools in molecular biology; because of the size of data sets, it also involves computer science.
Suggested Courses
If you have an interest in this area, some courses that you will find useful as potential electives in your MICR - Bioinformatics degree include:
1st yr electives:
CSC 110 Fundamentals of Programming
BIOL 190B General Biology II
MATH 100 & 101
2nd yr electives:
CSC 115 Fundamentals of Programming II
BIOL 215 Principals of Ecology
3rd yr electives:
BIOL 329 Biology of the Vertebrates of BC
BIOL 330 Study Design and Data Analysis
4th yr electives:
CSC 242 Computers in Science
MATH 200 Calculus of Several Variables
STAT 256 Statistics for Life Science 2
BIOL 355 Evolution
BIOL 435 Molecular Evolution
BIOL 436 Human Molecular Genetics
Links of Interest
Environmental
Overview
The physiology and ecology of microorganisms is such that they affect every aspect of our lives. Environmental microbiology is a term often used to refer to how we use the microbes to help us deal with problems we have created, but they are also the original recyclers and genetic engineers.
Microorganisms play a key role in biogeochemical recycling:
- bioremediation
- industrial processes
- waste water and sewage treatment
- methane fermentation
Suggested Courses
The following example of elective choices would give an excellent foundation in this area (MICR - Environmental Microbiology):
1st yr electives:
EOS 110 Oceans and Atmosphere
BIOL 190B General Biology II
MATH 100 & 101
2nd yr electives:
ES 200 Introduction to Environmental Studies
BIOL 215 Principals of Ecology
3rd yr electives:
ES 341 Ecological Restoration
EOS 311 Biological Oceanography
4th yr electives:
BIOC 403 Signal Transduction
BIOL 438 Ecology of Prokaryotes
BIOL 446 Advanced Aquatic Ecology
ES 382 Environmental Topics: Topics in Ecological Restoration
ES 348 Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
MICR 400 Level
Links of interest
Environmental microbiology (Wikipedia)
Synthetic biology
Overview
Synthetic biology is a new field that blends molecular biology and engineering with the objective of creating biological functions not found in nature. Understanding of genetic control and the biology of microorganisms is being combined with improvements in synthesis of DNA to enable the design and construction of microorganisms with new features. Synthetic biology plays a major role in developing a new generation of biofuels and biological catalysts.
Suggested Courses
The following examples of elective choices would give an excellent foundation in synthetic biology:
1st yr electives:
BIOC 102 Biochemistry and Human Health
BIOL 190B General Biology II
2nd yr electives:
CSC 115 Fundamentals of Programming II
STAT 256 Statistics for Life Science II
3rd yr electives:
BIOL 355 Evolution
BIOL 311 Biological Oceanography
4th yr electives:
BIOC 401 Gene Expression in Eukaryotes
BIOC 404 Proteins
BIOL 435 Molecular Evolution
CHEM 337 Bio-organic Chemistry