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 University of Calgary Calendar 2023-2024 COURSES OF INSTRUCTION Course Descriptions C Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology CMMB
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology CMMB
CMMB 343 403 411 413 421 431 443 451 461 505 507 519 523 527 528 530 531 543 545 549 561 563 565 567 637
 

For more information about these courses see the Department of Biological Sciences: science.ucalgary.ca/biological-sciences.
 
Senior Courses
 
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343       Microbiology
An introductory study of prokaryotes, viruses and immunology with emphasis on systematics, ecology, physiology, molecular biology and roles in pathogenesis of the major groups of prokaryotes.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 351; and Biology 311 or Medical Science 341.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 403       Developmental Biology of Animals
Study of the mechanism of cellular differentiation with emphasis on intra- and intercellular processes.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-1T)
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 341 or 393; and Biology 311 or Medical Science 341; and Biology 331 or Medical Science 351.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411       Molecular Genetics
Molecular biology and gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Topics include: DNA topology, genome structure, chromatin structure, DNA replication, DNA repair and recombination, mechanisms of transcription and gene expression, post-transcriptional RNA processing, translation.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biology 311 or Medical Science 341; and Biology 331 or Medical Science 351; and Biochemistry 341 or 393.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 413       Human Genetics
The principles of genetics as applied to human and medical genetics. Mendelian and multifactorial inheritance of normal and abnormal traits, pedigree analysis, segregation, linkage and gene mapping. Cytogenetics and developmental genetics. Population genetics including inbreeding and evolution in humans. Genetic predisposition to disease.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biology 311 or Medical Science 341.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 421       Virology
Comprehensive overview of virus structure and replication; molecular events involved in virus infection and replication including genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology of bacterial, plant and animal viruses. Areas of persistent viruses, viral immunology, cancer and AIDS will be covered.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-2T)
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 393 and Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343; and Biology 311 or Medical Science 341; and Biology 331 or Medical Science 351.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 431       Bacterial Pathogens
An introduction to microbes that cause infections (in humans, other animals and plants.) Topics include: the relationship between pathogen and host, ability of pathogens to colonize, reproduce and cause disease, the role of antibiotics and vaccines in treatment and prevention of infection, antibiotic resistance in bacteria, environmental control of virulence factor production.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 443       Microbial Physiology
The focus is structure and function of prokaryotic cells. Topics include cell envelope structure, cell division, transport and secretion, signal transduction, differentiation and development, bacterial growth and energetics, and the diversity of metabolic pathways in Bacteria and Archaea. The laboratory introduces analytical techniques commonly used in bacterial physiology, and some useful biochemical assays.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343; and Biochemistry 341 or 393.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 451       Molecular Analysis of Biological Systems
Practical experience in the laboratory with recombinant DNA techniques, mutagenesis, and protein production and characterization. Topics may include bioinformatics, DNA amplification and gene cloning and expression strategies, stressing the properties of nucleic acids and proteins relevant to these techniques.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-6)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411 and admission to the Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology major or to the Biological Sciences Honours program.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 451 and either Biochemistry 401 or 413 will not be allowed.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 461       Functional Genomics and Molecular Networks
Introduction to high-throughput methods for global functional and network analysis of genes and proteins. Topics include microarrays, chromatin immunoprecipitation, synthetic genetic array analysis, next-generation sequencing and network topology.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biology 331.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 505       Advanced Developmental Biology of Animals
In-depth analyses of the current literature in developmental biology. Emphasis will be on the co-ordinated regulation of gene expression during development.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 403.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 507       Directed Research in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology

Directed training in field/laboratory methods and research.

507.01 Directed Research in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology I
507.02 Directed Research in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology II
507.95 Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology Honours Thesis


Course Hours: 3 units; (0-8)
Prerequisite(s): 54 units and consent of the Department.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 519       Advanced Cell Biology
In-depth analysis of current literature in cell biology. Topics include subcellular organization and dynamics, cell signalling and differentiation, protein and RNA trafficking, and other aspects of eukaryotic cell biology.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biology 311 and 331; and 3 units from Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411, Biochemistry 401 or 443.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 523       DNA Genomes and RNA Function
An examination of information storage and gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Biochemical mechanisms of gene expression and regulation in bacteria. Genome sequencing projects and a survey of genome structure and content across domains of life. Topics in eukaryotic gene expression. The diverse roles played by RNA, from information molecules to structural scaffolds to ribozymes.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 527       Immunology
Comprehensive overview of the immune system and how immune responses are generated and regulated in the context of infectious diseases. Topics include both fundamental cellular and molecular immunology. Dysregulated responses, such as autoimmunity, immunodeficiencies, transplants, and allergies will also be covered.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Biology 311, 331, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343; and 3 units from Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411, Biochemistry 431 or 443.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 528       Research Project in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology
Research project under the co/supervision of faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences. Original and independent thought, practical research, and written and oral reports presented on completion of this course.
Course Hours: 6 units; (0-8)
Prerequisite(s): 72 units and consent of the Department.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 530       Honours Research Project in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology
Research project under the co/supervision of faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences. Original and independent thought, practical research, and written and oral reports presented on completion of this course. Open only to Honours Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology students or Honours Biological Sciences students.
Course Hours: 6 units; (0-8)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 451 and completion of at least 72 units and consent of the Department.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 531       Topics in Cellular Interactions
An exploration of selected topics concerning cell-cell interactions and the interactions of cells with their environment during development, differentiation and disease (cancer). Multidisciplinary approaches will be presented, using discussions of seminal research and critical analysis of current literature. Potential topics include cell junctions, cell signaling, cytoskeletal organization, stroma, extracellular matrix remodelling and stem cells and cancer stem cells.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biology 311 and 331; and 3 units from Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411, Biochemistry 443 or 431.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 543       Environmental Microbiology
Focuses on understanding the interactions of micro-organisms with their environment. Roles of micro-organisms in nutrient cycling, biological control, and biodegradation will be discussed. The use of molecular approaches to identify and characterize microbial communities, and to understand the precise nature of microbial interactions with abiotic and biotic environments will be emphasized. Special topics will include plant-microbe and animal-microbe symbiosis, extreme environments and biotechnological applications of environmental microbiology.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 545       Petroleum Microbiology
Microorganisms can contribute to a more sustainable energy future. Their impact and roles in the fossil fuel industry will be reviewed. Topics will include oilfield souring, biocorrosion, biodegradation, enhanced recovery, upgrading, and bioremediation of contaminated sites.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 549       Microbial Genetics and Genomics
The genetics and genomics of prokaryotes. Topics will include recombination, mechanisms of genetic exchange, analysis of genes and genomes, and genome evolution. Selected current topics in bacterial genetics will also be covered.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 561       Cancer Biology
Advances in methodology and in theoretical concepts have permitted continuing breakthroughs in our understanding of the organismal, cellular and molecular biology of cancer cells, and in the development of novel strategies for cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. These advances will be presented in a comprehensive overview of cancer including issues of demographics and incidence, causation and detection, origins and progression and therapeutic approaches. Emphasis will be placed on the cell and molecular biology of cancer and on the interaction of the cancer cell with the host organism.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 341 or 393; and Biology 311 or Medical Science 341; and Biology 331 or Medical Science 351; and Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411 or Medical Science 408.
Also known as: (Medical Science 561)
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 563       Microbial Diversity
An overview of microbial diversity, the evolutionary mechanisms that give rise to it, and the methods used to study it. Topics may include: microbial systematics; characterizing the last universal common ancestor of life; estimating global microbial diversity; “unculturable” microbes and molecular DNA-based methods used to study them in nature; modern cultivation techniques; comparative genomics of microbial species; environmental metagenomics; microbial biogeography and speciation and gene flow in microbial communities.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343.
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 565       Advanced Topics in Microbial Pathogenesis and the Microbiome
Provides a fuller understanding of bacterial diseases using a systems approach and illustrating key paradigms via the consideration of specific pathogens. Topics include: strategies for bacteria surviving host immune responses, bacterial invasion strategies, opportunistic infections, disease Pathogenesis, and antibiotic resistance, challenges of dealing with emerging infections. Lectures, small group interactive sessions, specified readings.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 431.
Also known as: (Medical Science 565)
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Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 567       Advanced Topics in Immunology
New and emerging themes in immunology, with an emphasis on disease processes such as inflammation in the gut, kidney and lung. Topics include: innate immunity, the inflammasome, sterile inflammation, process and mechanism of immune cell recruitment in different tissues, T cell biology, B cell biology, regulatory immune cells, mucosal immunity, airways responses to virus, mechanisms of food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease. Lectures, small group interactive sessions, specified readings.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 527 or Medical Science 321.
Also known as: (Medical Science 567)
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Graduate Course
 
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 637       Advanced Topics in Molecular Microbiology
Techniques and discussion of recent literature in molecular microbiology. Topics covered will vary from year-to-year, but could include bioinformatics, genomics, mutagenesis, advanced microscopy techniques, proteomics, vectors and cloning techniques, gene expression, and over-expression of proteins, as they relate to the study of prokaryotic systems. Course content will be tailored to the interests of the graduate students enrolled in the class in a given year.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
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