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Introduction

Microbiology is a branch of the biological sciences which is concerned with the study of micro-organisms.

Micro-organisms are the simplest of living things, permitting ready study of life processes at their most fundamental level. For example, the study of micro-organisms has led to many important discoveries concerning the complexities, universality, and mechanism of expression of the genetic code; the transfer of genetic information between species and modulation of the gene pool; the mechanism of antigen-antibody reactions and cellular immunity; the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents; the structure, function, and biogenesis of membranes; the process of molecular and cellular differentiation.

In recent years, attention has turned to the use of naturally-occurring and genetically-manipulated organisms for the production of vaccines, antimicrobial agents and diagnostic probes, for the conversion of waste products to utilizable sources of food and energy, and for the management of the ecological balance of nature.

Microbiology has played an important role in the conquest of many infectious diseases and continues to be important in the control of diseases due to newly emerging and re-emerging pathogens. With modern techniques, it is now possible to study microbe/host interactions at the molecular level and thereby develop strategies for prevention and treatment of specific diseases.

Micro-organisms and the specialized techniques for their study are used not only in microbiology but also in related fields such as biochemistry, immunology, pathobiology, pharmacology, genetics, nutrition and ecology. Microbiologists may have careers in universities, colleges or other centres of learning and research as well as in hospitals, industry and government laboratories.

Undergraduate Secretary:

Professor M. Brown, Medical Sciences Building (978-5853)

Enquiries:

Medical Sciences Building, Room 4388 (978-8359)

E-mail address:

medgen.micro@utoronto.ca

MICROBIOLOGY PROGRAM

MICROBIOLOGY (Hon.B.Sc.)
Enrolment in this program is limited and selection is based on performance in First year required courses. Apply via the Web from early April to mid-May. At later times, contact the Undergraduate Secretary.

Specialist program:
(14 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)
Note: Students entering the second year in September, 2000, will complete the program as follows:

First Year:
BIO 150Y; CHM 137Y/151Y; MAT 135Y/137Y; PHY 110Y/138Y/140Y (PHY 138Y recommended)

Second Year:
BIO 250Y, 260H; CHM 222Y, 240Y

Third Year:
BCH 310H; IMM 334Y; JLM 349H; MBY 375Y, 376H

Fourth Year:
Three full-course equivalents from: LMP 436H; MBY 422Y, 428H, 434H, 440H, 444H, 445H, 450H, 480H; MGB 430H. (One of these course equivalents must be a laboratory course, i.e. MBY 422Y or (MBY 450H, MGB 430H)
Note: Students entering first year in September, 2000 will complete the program as follows:

First Year:
BIO 150Y; CHM (138H, 139H)/151Y; MAT 135Y/137Y; PHY 110Y/138Y/140Y (PHY 138Y recommended)

Second Year:
BCH 210H; BIO 250Y, 260H; CHM 220H, 247H

Third Year:
IMM 335Y; JLM 349H; MBY 375Y, 376H

Fourth Year:
Four full-course equivalents from the lists below:
1. Three to four full-course equivalents must be taken from: LMP 436H; MBY 422Y, 428H, 434H, 440H, 444H, 445H, 450H, 480H;
MGB 430H. (One of these course equivalents must be a laboratory course, i.e. MBY 422Y or (MBY 450H, MGB 430H)
2. Up to one full-course equivalent may be taken from: ANA 304Y, 401H; BCH 421H, 422H, 423H, 424H, 429H, 430H; BOT 404H, 405H, 452Y; IMM 430H; JBI 428H; JZM 357H, 358H; LMP 402H, 403H; MGB 420H, 425H, 451H, 452H, 460H, 470H
NOTES:
1. Students may take MBY 422Y in either the summer or winter session.
2. Students with a strong interest in Environmental Microbiology should consult the course calendar for Scarborough Campus.
3. Students may take BCH 242Y/321Y, MGB 311Y in place of BCH 210H/310H, JLM 349H. Students in the Microbiology program must obtain permission form the Microbiology Undergraduate Secretary in order to enrol in BCH 242Y/321Y and MGB 311Y.