The primary scientific reasoning and laboratory methodology used in microbiology with an emphasis for students who plan to teach in some area of microbiology.

Microorganisms, with special emphasis on bacteria, their structure, function, diversity, and importance to man. Specifically for students who plan to teach in some area of microbiology.

Thesis writing under the direction of the major professor.

*Must be taken in semester of graduation.

Research while enrolled for a master's degree under the direction of faculty members.

Faculty-supervised independent or collaborative inquiry into fundamental and applied problems within a discipline that requires students to gather, analyze, and synthesize and interpret data. Students will write or produce a thesis or other professional capstone product, such as a report or portfolio that describes their systematic and in-depth inquiry.

Nontraditional Format:  This is a capstone course under the direct supervision of a faculty member. This course may be the culmination of the 4960R- 4980R sequence. Students will write a thesis or other professional capstone product, such as a report or portfolio, that describes their systematic and in-depth inquiry into an unknown, fundamental, or applied problem. The thesis or capstone product is written in close collaboration with the faculty member and must be approved by that faculty member and/or the department. The student will apply understanding of the discipline to identify or shape the research question and apply skills and techniques learned to complete the research project. The student will have gathered data, synthesized relevant literature and materials, analyzed, and interpreted data. The student will demonstrate in writing the contribution of their work to the discovery and interpretation of knowledge significant to their field of study. The student will have presented results in the form of a properly formatted, professionally rigorous thesis document or other appropriate professional capstone product and through the formal presentation of the thesis or product to faculty and peers during an approved event. The student will receive feedback from the faculty member on the overall execution of their thesis project, the written thesis, and their presentation.

Faculty-supervised independent or collaborative inquiry into fundamental and applied problems within a discipline that requires students to gather, analyze, and synthesize and interpret data and to present results in writing and other relevant communication formats.

Nontraditional Format:  These courses belong to a progressive research course sequence to promote a student's increasing skill development and depth of inquiry, as well as growing independent research capability. The courses require the close supervision of a faculty member as the student undertakes a systematic and in-depth inquiry into unknown, fundamental, and applied problems. In some cases, the student will work collaboratively as part of a research team. The student will have to apply understanding of the discipline to identify or shape research questions and apply skills and techniques learned to the research project. Students will gather data, synthesize relevant literature, analyze, and interpret data. The student will present results in writing or through participation in research-group or program meetings and meetings with their faculty mentor. The student will receive feedback from the faculty mentor on their research progress and written or oral presentation of results. A minimum of 45 hours of work per credit hour per semester is required.

Faculty-supervised independent or collaborative inquiry into fundamental and applied problems within a discipline that requires students to gather, analyze, and synthesize and interpret data and to present results in writing and other relevant communication formats.

Nontraditional Format:  These courses belong to a progressive research course sequence to promote a student's increasing skill development and depth of inquiry, as well as growing independent research capability. The courses require the close supervision of a faculty member as the student undertakes a systematic and in-depth inquiry into unknown, fundamental, and applied problems. In some cases, the student will work collaboratively as part of a research team. The student will have to apply understanding of the discipline to identify or shape research questions and apply skills and techniques learned to the research project. Students will gather data, synthesize relevant literature, analyze, and interpret data. The student will present results in writing or through participation in research-group or program meetings and meetings with their faculty mentor. The student will receive feedback from the faculty mentor on their research progress and written or oral presentation of results. A minimum of 45 hours of work per credit hour per semester is required.

Faculty-supervised independent or collaborative inquiry into fundamental and applied problems within a discipline that requires students to gather, analyze, and synthesize and interpret data and to present results in writing and other relevant communication formats.

Nontraditional Format:  This course belongs to a progressive research course sequence to promote a student's increasing skill development and depth of inquiry, as well as growing independent research capability. This course requires the close supervision of a faculty member as the student undertakes a systematic and in-depth inquiry into unknown, fundamental, and applied problems. In some cases, the student will work collaboratively as part of a research team. The student will have to apply understanding of the discipline to identify or shape research questions and apply skills and techniques learned to the research project. Students will gather data, synthesize relevant literature, analyze, and interpret data. The student will present results in writing or through participation in research-group or program meetings and meetings with their faculty mentor. The student will receive feedback from the faculty mentor on their research progress and written or oral presentation of results. A minimum of 45 hours of work per credit hour per semester is required.

Use of recent publications on molecular characterization and analysis of RNA viruses to give students insight on virus genome diversity and evolution.

Molecular genetics, physiology, and diversity of bacteria, as well as presentation of data in a poster or oral presentation format. Faculty who teach the course, together with additional faculty, will provide students with feedback on their presentations.