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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, 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: FitzGerald Building, 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)

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; MPL 375Y, 376H

Fourth Year: Three full-course equivalents from: BOT 436H; MGB 430H; MPL 422Y, 424H, 434H, 436H, 440H, 444H, 445H, 450H. (One of these course equivalents must be a laboratory course, i.e. MPL 422Y or (MGB 430H, MPL 450H)
NOTES:
1. Students may take MPL 422Y in either the summer or winter session.
2. Students who wish to graduate after Third Year should follow the Major program in Human Biology.
3. Students with a strong interest in Environmental Microbiology should consult the course calendar for Scarborough Campus.