Ph.D. in Molecular Pathogenesis

The Ph.D. in Molecular Pathogenesis encompasses the study of molecular pathogenesis of infectious diseases with an emphasis on animal diseases of agricultural importance. This program trains students in some of the fastest and most marketable areas of modern molecular biology: the study of pathogens and their associated diseases. Graduates of this program will have a strong background in research, utilizing one or more of the available areas of expertise in the department. The graduates will gain a solid grounding in course work in areas that will be highly relevant to future study in a modern, well-equipped laboratory. Students will also gain experience in their classroom instruction, to prepare them for academic careers and scientific presentations.

Degree requirements

These are in agreement with NDSU Graduate School requirements. The student and major adviser will prepare a plan of study by the end of the first year in residence. The Graduate School requires the plan of study for the Ph.D. degree to include not less than 90-semester graduate credits. Of this total, not less than 27 credits must be in courses other than seminar or research credits, and 15 of these credits must be at the 700-789 level. An overall GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained. The plan of study must include the following minimum number of credits in core subjects:

Molecular Studies (a minimum of 8 credits)*

Technique Courses (a minimum of 5 credits)*

Pathogenesis (a minimum of 9 credits)*

*  Additional courses may be offered.

The core courses must be completed before the student takes the oral preliminary examination, whereas elective classes can be completed any time prior to the defense of the written dissertation. Each student will present one seminar each academic year throughout the program.

Examinations

Both a written and an oral examination shall be taken no later than the end of the third year in residence. The written examination will consist of a number of questions on a major area of study, plus additional questions on a minor area of study. The oral examination will be based on a non-thesis research topic that will be submitted in the format of a National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, or USDA postdoctoral fellowship research proposal. After successful completion of the comprehensive written and oral examinations, the student will be formally admitted to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. At least one academic semester, and preferably two semesters, shall elapse between the preliminary examinations and the oral defense of the research-based dissertation.

Dissertation Research

In addition to the defense of the written dissertation in the final oral examination, the candidate will present a final public seminar based on the dissertation research.

M.S. in Microbiology

A strong emphasis is placed on research methodology and laboratory techniques, which prepare the graduate student for positions in research or commercial laboratories or for further graduate study. Student research and academic programs are tailored to individual needs and interests.

At the start of the first year, students will visit with each faculty member and spend time in each laboratory to acquaint themselves with the department’s research programs. The student selects a major adviser by the end of the first semester in residence.

Degree Requirements:
The program requires 24 months of full-time study, completing a minimum of 30 semester credits with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. Students with inadequate undergraduate training in microbiology will be required to successfully complete undergraduate courses in microbiology in addition to the required minimum 30 semester credits.

Each student must choose a major adviser by the end of the first semester in residence. By the end of the first year in residence, the student and major adviser will select a supervisory committee. The committee supervises the student and administers oral examinations.

The M.S. degree in microbiology requires a research-based thesis and a final oral defense of this thesis. All members of the graduate faculty are invited to the oral defense, although the student’s supervisory committee will privately assess the candidate’s performance.

Graduate Program Admission Requirements

A relevant Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a strong academic record in the sciences.

A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

The Graduate Record Examination General Test with a minimum score, on three parts, of 1600 for the PhD program and 1500 for the MS program.

Biology: One year of general biology with laboratory and one course in genetics are required. At least one course is required in Cellular biology or Cellular physiology Animal physiology Bacterial physiology

Microbiology and Immunology are recommended.

Chemistry: One year of general chemistry with laboratory and two sequential terms of organic chemistry with a laboratory course are required.

Biochemistry is required.

Physics: Two sequential terms of physics with a laboratory course are required. Applications should be submitted directly to the Graduate School before March 15 of the upcoming academic year.

Official transcripts (transcripts having an appropriate seal or stamp) of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must be received by the Graduate School before the application is complete. When a transcript is submitted in advance of completion of undergraduate or graduate studies, an updated transcript showing all course credits and grades must be provided prior to initial registration at North Dakota State University.

Three letters of recommendation are generally required before action is taken on any application.  Personal reference report forms are available from the Graduate School. The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores for the General Test are required prior to evaluation of applications by the Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences.

The TOEFL examination is required of foreign applicants.  A minimum score of 550 (paper test) or 213 (computer test) must be achieved.

Students who do not meet all requirements for admission or have deficiencies in prerequisite course work but show potential for successful graduate study may be admitted under a conditional status. However, evidence must be provided showing that the applicant’s potential is not adequately reflected by his/her record. After meeting the specified standards of performance by the department, the student, in consultation with the major adviser, may request a change to full graduate standing. The student may not earn more than 12 semester credits of graduate credit in the conditional status. The request for change must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School by the major adviser and approved by the department chair.

Financial Assistance

The student must first apply to the Graduate School and be accepted in full or conditional status before he/she is eligible for an assistantship. Research and teaching assistantships are available for graduate students. They are contingent on availability of funds and are awarded competitively. Applicants are considered on the basis of scholarship, potential to undertake advanced study and research, and financial needs.

Courses Offered

MICR 645 Animal Cell Culture Techniques 2 cr.

Methods of animal cell culture propagation and uses for cell culture systems

MICR 652 Microbial Ecology 3 cr.

Influence of natural environments on microbial growth. Environmental selection and microbial succession of different species, population interactions, and environmental modification via microbial metabolism. Prereq: MICR 350, 350L.

MICR/CFS 653 Food and Dairy Microbiology 3 cr.

Microbiology of preservation, manufacture, and spoilage of food and dairy products from a commercial and domestic viewpoint. Prereq:  BIOL 202L or 350L. Cross listed with F&N.

MICR 660 Pathogenic Microbiology (CCN) 3 cr.

Study of the microorganisms that cause disease and of disease processes. Prereq: Biol 202 or Micro 350.

MICR  660L Pathogenic Microbiology  Laboratory (CCN). 2 cr.

Isolation and identification of pathogenic microorganisms. Prereq: Biol 202L or MICR 350L.

MICR 665 Fundamentals of Animal Disease 3 cr.

Basic principles of disease processes and prevention.  Comparative review emphasizing infectious and management related diseases in production and companion species. Regulation and oversight of animal health and welfare.  Prereq: VETS 135 or BIOL 202 or BIOL 150.

MICR 670 Basic Immunology 3 cr.

Principles of immunology, antigen-antibody reactions, and immune responses in the host. Prereq: MICR 350.

MICR 671 Immunology and Serology Laboratory 2 cr.

Basic immunological and serological procedures. Prereq: MICR 350.

SAFE/MICR 674 Epidemiology 3 cr.

                            Study of the distribution and dynamics of disease in populations. 

                            Prerequisites: STAT 330 and SAFE 470 or permission of instructor. 

MICR 675 Animal Virology 3 cr.

Basic presentation in laboratory culture and fundamentals of animal virology. Prereq: Biol 202L or MICR 350L.

MICR 680 Bacterial Physiology 3 cr.

Composition and function of eubacterial and archaeobacterial cell structure. Nutrition and nutrient transport in bacteria. Principles of energy-yielding carbohydrate metabolism, bacterial fermentation, and respiration. Prereq: MICR 350, 350L, Bioc 460.

MICR 682 Bacterial Genetics and Phage 3 cr.

Principles of bacterial genetics and phage-host relationships. Prereq: MICR 350, Bioc 460.

SAFE/MICR 750 Advanced Topics in Epidemiology 3 cr.

                            Distribution and cynamics of disease in populations, and factors

                            contibuting tot he costs of foodborne illness and its prevention.
                            Prerequisites: SAFE 474/674 or equivalent; MICR 460 recommended.

SAFE//MICR/CFS 752 Advanced Food Microbiology 3 cr.

State-of-the-art techniques in isolation, detection, and characterization of food-borne pathogens. Prerequisites: MICR 653 or 660L, SAFE 680 or permission of instructor.

MICR/SAFE 762 Advanced Pathogenic Bacteriology 3 cr.

Emphasis on theories of bacterial pathogenesis; detection and control of bacterial pathogens.

MICR 770 Immunology of Chronic Infections. 3 cr.

A study of chronic infections, including pathogens involved, mechanisms of host immunity, and economic and social importance of these organisms. Prerequisites: MICR 470 or equivalent.

MICR 775 Molecular Virology 3 cr.

Recent progress in understanding viral pathogenesis.

MICR 781 Advanced Bacterial Physiology 3 cr.

In-depth consideration of various topics in bacterial physiology such as autotrophy,    bacterial growth and growth yields, energy-yielding metabolism, and regulation of catabolic pathways. Prereq: MICR 480/680.

MICR 782 Molecular Microbiological Techniques 3 cr.

Current molecular and immunologic strategies and techniques used to study    infectious disease processes. Prerequisites:  BIOC 460/461/474 or equivalents; MICR 471 

MICR 783 Advanced Bacterial Genetics and Phage 3 cr.

Mechanisms of genetic rearrangement and regulation in bacteria and phage. Prerequisite: MICR 482/682.

MICR 785 Pathobiology 3 cr.

A study of organ systems pathology with attention to pathogenesis of disease and lesion development. Infectious, neoplastic, degenerative and heritable diseases will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on animal disease.

MICR 790 Seminar 1 cr.

MICR 791 Special Topics 1-5 cr.

MICR 793Individual Study/Tutorial 1-5 cr.

MICR 794 Practicum/Internship 1-8 cr.

MICR 696/796 Special Topics 1-5 cr.

MICR 798 Master’s Thesis 1-10 cr.

MICR 799 Doctoral Dissertation 1-15 cr.

Graduate Faculty and Areas of Specialization

Douglas A. Freeman, D.V.M., 1983, Ph.D., 1991, University of Idaho, Professor and Department Head. Improving reproductive efficiency through manipulation of the immune system. Animal health and welfare.

Eugene S. Berry, Ph.D. 1983, Northeastern University, Associate Professor. Animal virology, Molecular pathogenesis of ss(+) RNA viruses.

Neil W. Dyer, D.V.M., 1991, Iowa State University, Associate Professor. Studies with Bacillus anthracis, porcine pneumonia, new malignant catarrhal fever herpesvirus.

Penelope S. Gibbs, Ph.D., 2001, University of Georgia, Assistant Professor. Pathogenic potential, antibiotic resistance and epidemiology of bacteria.

Charlene E. Hall, Ph.D, 1995, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Assistant Professor. Food microbiology and toxicology.

Margaret Khaitsa, Ph.D., 1999 The Ohio State University, Assistant Professor. Epidemiology and analytical epidemiology techniques.

Catherine M. Logue, Ph.D., 1996, University of Ulster, Assistant Professor. Food safety, food microbiology and foodborne pathogens of human concern.

Lisa K. Nolan, D.V.M., 1988, Ph.D., 1992, University of Georgia, Professor. Virulence mechanisms of bacterial pathogens of production animals.

Michael Robinson, Ph.D., 1985, University of Nottingham, Associate Professor. Manipulation of the immune system by pathogenic organisms.