Graduate Program

Our Department offers a graduate program in Veterinary Microbiology with these options:

MS in Veterinary Microbiology
MS (non-thesis) in Veterinary Microbiology
PhD in Veterinary Microbiology

VMPM Graduate Manual – Nov 2024

A minimum of 30 credits is required for the MS degree and 72 for the PhD degree (the MS degree is not a prerequisite for the PhD program). Students usually require two years to complete the MS program and at least three years for the PhD program.

Faculty members in other ISU departments and at three local USDA facilities participate in the graduate education and research programs of VMPM. And VMPM faculty have integral roles in teaching and extending research opportunities to graduate students pursuing interdepartmental majors.

VMPM Graduate Courses

V MPM 5010: Basic Principles of Microbiology

Cr. 3. Offered Fall, Dr. Gayle Brown, Instructor in charge Prereq: Admittance into the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (one-year, non-thesis) or permission of the instructor.
The general principles of bacteriology, immunology and virology will be discussed. The structure and function of bacteria and viruses, the mechanisms of pathogenesis, and the host response to infectious agents will be reviewed. Vaccines, their failures, and new developments in vaccine development will be explored.

V MPM 5020: Microbial Genetics and Genomics

(Cross-listed with MICRO). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Alternate Falls offered even-numbered years. Microbiology is teaching department Prereq: MICRO 3020, BIOL 3130
The fundamental concepts of bacterial and bacteriophage genetics including mutagenesis, mechanisms of vertical and horizontal genetic information transfer and gene regulation are covered, along with genetic and genomic-based approaches to study these and other cellular processes of microorganisms. Review and discussion of research literature to examine experimental design, methodology, and interpretation of both historical and contemporary relevance to microbial genetics and genomics.

V MPM 5170: Gut Microbiome: Implications for Health and Diseases

(Cross-listed with AN S, FS HN, MICRO). Cr. 3.
Food Science and Human Nutrition is teaching department Prereq: 2-3 credits in microbiology and/or immunology.
Explore current research on gut microbiome including modern tools used to study the gut microbiome. Examine the linkages between gut microbiome and health status, diseases, and manipulation of gut microbiome to improve health.

V MPM 5200: Principles of Immunology (3-0)

Cr. 3. offered Fall, Dr. Jodi McGill, Instructor in Charge
Prereq: MICRO 3100 or V MPM 7386, 3 credits in biochemistry
Nature of the immune system and its role in health and disease. Credit for either V MPM 5200 or 5750, but not both may be applied toward graduation.

V MPM 5250: Intestinal Microbiology – currently not offered

(Cross-listed with MICRO). Cr. 3.
Alternate Springs, offered even-numbered years. Prereq: MICRO 3020, BIOL 3130
Overview of commensal microbiota in the health and well-being of vertebrates. Topics include diversity of intestinal structure, microbial diversity/function, innate immune development, community interactions and metabolic diseases associated with alterations of the intestinal microbiome.

V MPM 5280: Principles of Epidemiology and Population Health

(Dual-listed with V MPM 4280). (Cross-listed with VDPAM). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Spring Epidemiology of disease in populations. Disease causality, observational study design and approaches to epidemiologic investigations. This course is available on campus and by distance.

V MPM 540: Livestock Immunogenetics

(Cross-listed with AN S, MICRO). (2-0) Cr. 2.
Alternate Springs, offered odd-numbered years.
VDPAM is Teaching Department Prereq: AN S 5610 or MICRO 5750 or V MPM 5200 Basic concepts and contemporary topics in genetic regulation of livestock immune response and disease resistance.

V MPM 5420: Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques

(Cross-listed with B M S, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NREM, NUTRS, VDPAM). Cr. 1.
Repeatable. offered all semesters and summer Teaching Department: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMBS)
Sessions in basic molecular biology techniques and related procedures. Offered on a satisfactory fail basis only.

V MPM 5420A: Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: DNA Techniques

(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NREM, NUTRS, VDPAM). Cr. 1.
Teaching Department: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMBS) Repeatable. Fall & Spring
Includes genetic engineering procedures, sequencing, PCR, and genotyping. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

V MPM 5420C: Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: Cell Techniques

(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NREM, NUTRS, VDPAM). Cr. 1.
Teaching Department: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMBS) Repeatable. F.S.
Includes: immunophenotyping, ELISA, flow cytometry, microscopic techniques, image analysis, confocal, multi-photon and laser capture microdissection. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

V MPM 5420D: Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: Plant Transformation

(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NREM, NUTRS, VDPAM). Cr. 1.
Teaching Department: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMBS) Repeatable. S.
Includes: Agrobacterium and particle gun-mediated transformation of tobacco, Arabidopsis, and maize, and analysis of tranformants. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

V MPM 5420E: Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: Proteomics

(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NREM, NUTRS, VDPAM). Cr. 1.
Teaching Department: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMBS) Repeatable. Fall
Includes: two-dimensional electrophoresis, laser scanning, mass spectrometry, and database searching. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

V MPM 5420F: Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: Metabolomics

(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NREM, NUTRS, VDPAM). Cr. 1.
Teaching Department: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMBS) Repeatable. Fall
Includes: metabolomics and the techniques involved in metabolite profiling. For non-chemistry majoring students who are seeking analytical aspects into their biological research projects. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

V MPM 5420G: Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques: Genomic

V MPM 5750: Immunology (3-0)

Cr. 3. Spring
Animal Science is Teaching Department Prereq: MICRO 3100
An examination of humoral and cellular immune function as well as the interaction of the cells and factors of the immune system that result in health and disease. MICRO 4750L optional. Credit for either Micro 4750 or V MPM 5200, but not both, may be applied to graduation.

V MPM 5860: Medical Bacteriology

(Cross-listed with MICRO). (4-0) Cr. 4. Fall Prereq: Permission of instructor, Fall
Bacteria associated with diseases of vertebrates, including virulence factors and interaction of host responses.

V MPM 5860L: Medical Bacteriology Laboratory (0-6)

Cr. 2. Fall Prereq: credit or enrollment in V MPM 5860 or V MPM 6250
Procedures used in isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria, including molecular and genetic techniques used in research.

V MPM 5870: Animal Virology (4-0)

Cr. 4. Prereq: Permission of instructor Principles of animal virology. Biology of viruses associated with diseases of veterinary importance, including mechanisms of pathogenesis.

V MPM 5900: Special Topics

Cr. 1-5. Repeatable. F.S.SS.
Prereq: Permission of instructor V MPM 5990: Creative Component Cr. arr. Prereq: Non-thesis M.S. Option only
A written report based on laboratory research, library reading, or topics related to the student’s area of specialization and approved by the student’s advisory committee. Courses for graduate students: V MPM 6040: Seminar (1-0) Cr. 1. Repeatable. Fall Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

V MPM 6080: Molecular Virology

(Cross-listed with MICRO, PL P). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alternate Fall, offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: BBMB 4050 or GDCB 5110 Advanced study of virus host-cell interactions.
Molecular mechanisms of viral replication and pathogenesis.

V MPM 6150: Molecular Immunology

(Cross-listed with BBMB, MICRO). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alternate Fall, offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: BBMB 4050 or BBMB 5060 and BBMB 5070
Current topics in molecular aspects of immunology: T and B cell receptors; major histocompatibility complex; antibody structure; immunosuppressive drugs and viruses; and intracellular signaling pathways leading to expression of genes that control and activate immune function.

V MPM 6250: Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis

(Cross-listed with MICRO). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alternate Spring, offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: Credit in Biochemistry and Microbiology.
Review of current concepts in specific areas of microbial pathogenesis including the genetic basis for bacterial disease, genetic regulation and control of virulence factors and their mechanisms of action, and host-pathogen interactions at the cellular and molecular levels. The application of microbial genetics to understanding pathogenesis will be included.

V MPM 6290: Advanced Topics in Cellular Immunology (2-0)

Cr. 2. Alternate Spring, offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: V MPM 5200 or V MPM 5750 Current topics and literature in cellular immunology.
Topics include thymocyte development and selection, T cell interactions with antigen presenting cells, and lymphocyte effector functions.

V MPM 6600: Pathogenesis of Persistent Infections

(Cross-listed with V PTH). (2-0) Cr. 2. Alternate Spring, offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Study of current knowledge related to host pathogen interactions during persistent and chronic infections by bacteria, viruses and parasites.

V MPM 6900: Current Topics

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor Colloquia or advanced study of specific topics in a specialized field.

V MPM 6900A: Current Topics: Immunology

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S.SS.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Colloquia or advanced study of specific topics in a specialized field.

V MPM 6900B: Current Topics: Infectious Diseases

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S.SS.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Colloquia or advanced study of specific topics in a specialized field.

V MPM 6980: Seminar in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

(Cross-listed with BBMB, GDCB, MCDB, MICRO). (2-0)
Cr. 1-2. Repeatable. S.
Student and faculty presentations. V MPM 6990: Research Cr. arr. Repeatable.

Majors within Interdepartmental Graduate Programs

MS and PhD degrees in Interdepartmental Graduate Programs:

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology (BCB)
Genetics
Microbiology
Immunobiology
Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology (MCDB)
Preventive Medicine (thesis and non-thesis MS in preventive medicine; PhD in Vet.Micro. with specialization in Preventive Medicine)

Research Areas

A broad range of basic and applied research is represented by the faculty who participate in our graduate programs. These include: immunomodulation, vaccine development, infectious diseases, microbiology, microbial genetics, microbial pathogenesis, molecular virology, diagnostics, epidemiology, food microbiology, and food safety.