GPLS 710 MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS

The aim of this course is to provide a groundwork in basic principles of bacterial pathogenesis and to illustrate some of the current research topics and methodologies used in this field. It is assumed that students will already be somewhat familiar with fundamentals of bacterial structure and metabolism. The first part of the course covers basic concepts, while the second part examines selected specific organisms and topics in further detail. Classes consist of a mixture of lecture material and discussion of research papers, with the idea of familiarizing students with the basic facts and ideas of a particular subject and exploring methods of study and research questions on that topic. It is expected that students will read the assigned research papers before class and will participate in class discussions of the material. There are two exams covering the material discussed in classes, the first just before spring break and the second towards the end of the semester. Following the second exam, students make presentations based on assigned reading and research topics.