Course Information
MICROIMM 2500A/B - Biology of Infection and Immunity
The biology of the human immune system and microbial pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Host-pathogen relationships and mechanisms used by microbes to cause disease will be emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): Either Biology 1001A or Biology 1201A; and one of Biology 1002B, Biology 1202B, Integrated Science 1001X.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
MICROIMM 3200B - Virology
Virology elucidates the complexities of viruses, informing strategies for disease prevention, vaccine development, and therapeutic interventions, playing a pivotal role in advancing public health and medical research. Lectures will focus on the understanding of viral genomes, structures, and replication and students will participate in a collaborative inquiry-based term project.
Antirequisite(s): the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A; Biology 2581B; Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B.
Pre-or Corequisite(s): It is recommended that Biochemistry 3381A be taken concurrently or previously.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
COURSE SYLLABUS
MICROIMM 3300B - Immunology
Elementary concepts of innate and adaptive immunity, structure and function of the immune system, antigens and antibodies, genetic basis of the immune response, humoral and cellular immunity, immunological tolerance, organ and tissue transplantation, allergy and autoimmune disease.
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A; Biology 2581A/B; Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 lecture/tutorial hour, 0.5 course.
MICROIMM 3400A - Bacteriology
Bacteriology, essential for understanding diseases, guiding medical interventions, and advancing biotechnology, critically influences human health and environmental sustainability. Lectures will focus on bacterial cell structure and function; bacterial culture, growth, development, and division; bacterial genetics and information flow; bacterial metabolism and diversity; and roles of bacteria in the environment.
Antirequisite(s): the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A.
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A, Biology 2581A/B and Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B.
Pre-or Corequisite(s): It is recommended, but not required, that Biochemistry 3381A be taken previously.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
MICROIMM 3500B - Biological and Social Determinants of Infectious Disease
A trans-disciplinary approach to examine the introduction, spread and ecological impact of infectious diseases; the underlying biological and social determinants of infectious diseases with an emphasis on the effects of environment and socio-economic status; lessons learned from global pandemics; treatment/prevention of infectious diseases and challenges with implementation in under-resourced communities.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
MICROIMM 3610F - Microbiology Laboratory
Laboratory techniques used in the broad discipline of microbiology, including bacteriology and virology. Laboratory exercises include the staining, biochemical characteristics and identification of live bacteria, plus genetic techniques used to study microorganisms. This course runs parallel to, and applies basic principles acquired in, Microbiology and Immunology 3400A.
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A with a mark of at least 65%; Biology 2581A/B; Chemistry 2213A and Chemistry 2223B with marks of at least 60% in each; Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B with a mark of at least 60%.
Pre-or Corequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3400A or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A. It is recommended, but not required, that Biochemistry 3381A be taken previously or concurrently.
Extra Information: 1 lecture/tutorial hour, 3 laboratory hours, 0.5 course.
MICROIMM 3620G - Immunology Laboratory
This course will familiarize students with a variety of practical techniques used in immunology research and diagnostic laboratories. The course applies basic principles acquired in Microbiology and Immunology 3300B.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3610F with a mark of at least 60%.
Pre-or Corequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3300B.
Extra Information: 1 lecture/tutorial hour, 3 laboratory hours, 0.5 course
MICROIMM 4100A - Bacterial Pathogenesis
A course offering an integrated view of bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms. Topics focus mainly on medically important bacterial pathogens, with an emphasis on how they cause disease and the host’s immune defense mechanisms to these infectious microbes.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3400A or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A, with a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
MICROIMM 4200B - Molecular Virology
Molecular mechanisms involved in viral replication and host pathogen relationships. This course focuses on animal and human viruses and their host-pathogen relationships including immune evasion strategies, mechanisms of host restriction, evolutionary relationships, disease pathogenesis and therapeutic applications of viral vectors.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3200B or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A, with a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 tutorial hours, 0.5 course.
MICROIMM 4310A - Inflammation and Immunology
With recent technological advances, our understanding of the immune underpinnings of inflammatory and immunological diseases continues to evolve. In this course, students will explore modern perspectives that challenge existing paradigms of inflammatory diseases.
Antirequisite(s): the former Microbiology and Immunology 4300A.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3300B with a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
MICROIMM 4400B - Microbial Applications
Microbes are all around us and, whereas some cause disease, the vast majority are innocuous and often utilized to benefit humankind. This course highlights essential roles of microorganisms in food production, biotechnology, and human health.
Prerequisite(s): (one of Microbiology and Immunology 3400A or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A) and Microbiology and Immunology 3610F, with marks of at least 70% in each.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 lab/tutorial hours, 0.5 course.
MICROIMM 4750G - Bioinformatics of Infectious Disease
An overview of concepts and applications of techniques in bioinformatics for the study and clinical/public health management of infectious diseases. Students are introduced to the basic analysis of conventional and next-generation sequence data, principles of maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, reconstructing epidemic and evolutionary histories, detecting adaptation, and molecular epidemiology.
Antirequisite(s): Medical Bioinformatics 4750F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Biology 2581A/B; Biology 2290F/G; and either Biology 2244A/B or Statistical Sciences 2244A/B.
Pre-or Corequisite(s): Biochemistry 3383F/G if Biology 2290F/G has not been taken; Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B is recommended.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory hours.
MICROIMM 4970E - Research Project and Seminar
The major laboratory course for students in Honours Specialization modules offered by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Includes an independent research project supervised by a faculty member; lectures on laboratory safety, biosafety, use of animals in research, scientific integrity; scientific communication (two seminars and a written report).
Antirequisite(s): Biochemistry 4483E, Anatomy and Cell Biology 4480E.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3610F and Microbiology and Immunology 3620G with a mark in each of at least 70%. Enrolment is limited, and is available only to students in Year 4 of the Honours Specializations in Microbiology and Immunology, Microbiology and Immunology with Pathology and Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity. Students in the Honours Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity require only one of the following half courses with a mark of at least 70% as the prerequisite: Biochemistry 3380G, Microbiology and Immunology 3610F or Microbiology and Immunology 3620G (or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3600G).
Extra Information: 15 hours per week, 1.5 course.
