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| Admissions - Programs - Registration - Events - Staff - NYMC Home |
MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY PROGRAM
Program Director: Dr. Raj. Tiwari
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers a vigorous multi-disciplinary training environment leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Our programs focus on the comprehensive study of bacteriology, virology, and immunology with emphasis on mechanisms of human disease caused by pathogens at the cellular and molecular level.
Graduates with a Master’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology are prepared for research, technical, and supervisory positions in scientific laboratories in academia, industry, government, and the health care field. Within the Master’s program, emphasis may be placed on bacteriology, virology or immunology. Doctoral candidates are prepared to engage in advanced research for the prevention and cure of infectious diseases, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Active collaborations with clinical researchers is encouraged through interactions with the Division of Infectious Diseases, Oncology, and the Brander Cancer Research Institute.
The following areas are available for thesis research: bacterial genetics; influenza virus antigens; HIV infection; pathogenesis of infectious disease; monoclonal antibody production; molecular biology of neoplastic disease; oncogenes and growth factors; anti-idiotype therapy of autoimmune and neoplastic diseases; immunological and biological therapy of disease; and cellular immunology.
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology does not specify prerequisite undergraduate courses, but a background in chemistry (qualitative and quantitative analysis, physical, and organic), physics, mathematics (including calculus), and botany or zoology is desirable.
Master of Science Program
Specific Program Requirements (Hegis Code 0411)
Plan A: A minimum of 30 course credits, including a one-credit Master’s Literature Review, is required. Degree candidates must complete at least 9 credits from the “core” curriculum (MICRO 2000 - 2999), as well as the other specified required courses. A maximum of 6 credits from “Techniques” courses (MICRO 9100 - 9190) may be used to fulfill elective credit requirements. Other elective credits may be earned from advanced Microbiology and Immunology courses (MICRO 3000 - 7999) or, with the approval of the program director, courses in other disciplines. “Core” credits earned beyond the 9-credit minimum may also be applied towards the elective credit requirement.
| Required Courses | |
| General Biochemistry I or II (BIOC 1010 or 1020) | 4 credits |
| General Microbiology (MICRO 1010) | 4 credits |
| Master’s Literature Review (MICRO 9750) | 1 credit |
Core Courses |
(minimum of 9 credits) |
| Basic Immunology (MICRO 2010) | 2 credits |
| Advanced Immunology (MICRO 2020) | 2 credits |
| Virology (MICRO 2110) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Genetics (MICRO 2120) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Pathogenicity (MICRO 2140) | 2 credits |
| Molecular Biology (MICRO 2210) | 3 credits |
| Molecular Biology & Immunology of Tumor Cells (MICRO 2310) | 2 credits |
Electives |
|
| Techniques Courses (MICRO 9100 - 9190) | up to 6 credits |
| Didactic Courses | 6 - 12 credits |
TOTAL |
30 credits |
Plan B: A minimum of 30 credits is required, including a one-credit Master’s Thesis. Degree candidates must complete at least 9 credits from the “core” curriculum (MICRO 2000 - 2999), as well as the other specified required courses. A maximum of 6 credits from “Techniques” courses (MICRO 9110 - 9190) may be used to fulfill elective credit requirements. In addition, up to 5 credits for Master’s Thesis Research (MICRO 9800) may be used towards the 30-credit requirement. Other elective credits may be earned from advanced Microbiology and Immunology courses (MICRO 3000 - 7999) or, with the approval of the program director, courses in other disciplines. “Core” credits earned beyond the 9-credit minimum may also be applied towards the elective credit requirement.
| Required Courses | |
| General Biochemistry I or II (BIOC 1010 or 1020) | 4 credits |
| General Microbiology (MICRO 1010) | 4 credits |
| Master’s Thesis (MICRO 9850) | 1 credit |
Core Courses |
(minimum of 9 credits) |
| Basic Immunology (MICRO 2010) | 2 credits |
| Advanced Immunology (MICRO 2020) | 2 credits |
| Virology (MICRO 2110) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Genetics (MICRO 2120) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Pathogenicity (MICRO 2140) | 2 credits |
| Molecular Biology (MICRO 2210) | 3 credits |
| Molecular Biology & Immunology of Tumor Cells (MICRO 2310) | 2 credits |
Electives |
|
| Techniques Courses (MICRO 9100 - 9190) | up to 6 credits |
| Master’s Thesis Research (MICRO 9800) | up to 5 credits |
| Didactic Courses | 1 - 12 credits |
TOTAL |
30 credits |
Doctor of Philosophy
Specific Program Requirements (Hegis Code 0411)
A minimum of 45 course credits plus 15 dissertation research credits is required. A program of study for each student will be designed in consultation with the graduate program director, but it will follow the general guidelines listed below. A maximum of six technique course credits (MICRO 9100 - 9190) may be counted toward the degree requirements. The student is required to enroll in the Departmental Seminar (MICRO 8020) each semester but only four credits can be counted toward the degree requirements. Students are expected to teach at least two years in the Medical Microbiology laboratory after passing the course themselves.
| Required Courses | |
| General Biochemistry I or II (BIOC 1010 or 1020) | 4 credits |
| Cell Biology (CELL 1360) | 3 credits |
| Medical Microbiology (MICRO 1410) | 8 credits |
| Departmental Seminar (MICRO 8020) | 4 credits |
Core Courses |
(minimum of 9 credits) |
| Basic Immunology (MICRO 2010) | 2 credits |
| Advanced Immunology (MICRO 2020) | 2 credits |
| Virology (MICRO 2110) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Genetics (MICRO 2120) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Pathogenicity (MICRO 2140) | 2 credits |
| Molecular Biology (MICRO 2210) | 3 credits |
| Molecular Biology & Immunology of Tumor Cells (MICRO 2310) | 2 credits |
Electives |
|
| Techniques courses (MICRO 9100 9190) | up to 6 credits |
| Didactic Courses | 11-17 credits |
Subtotal, course credits |
45 credits |
| Doctoral Dissertation Research (MICRO 9900) | 15 credits |
TOTAL |
60 credits |
Qualifying Examination
Students in good academic standing can take the Qualifying Examination after completing 30 credits of didactic coursework, including Medical Microbiology (MICRO 1410), with the approval of the faculty. The examination consists of a written research proposal, using the model of a fellowship application, that serves as the basis for an oral examination by the program faculty.
Dissertation Committee
The Dissertation Committee consists of at least five members including the student’s sponsor, the Department Chairman or his appointed representative, and one member of the graduate faculty from outside the department. The committee may include a qualified scientist from outside the College. The sponsor serves as the chair of the committee.
Course Descriptions
| MICRO 1010 General Microbiology (Previously offered as 321.4; previously entitled Fundamentals of Microbiology prior to Fall 2003) |
(4 credits) | Drs. Banerjee and Wassermann (Fall) |
| A course in the biology of microorganisms with
an emphasis on bacteria. The course covers microbial structure, function,
physiology and growth. The fundamental biological properties will be related
to the role of microorganisms in nature and the means by which they are
manipulated in the laboratory. Lectures: 4 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. Students
cannot earn credit for this course if they have previously earned credit for
MICRO 1410.
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| MICRO 1410 Medical Microbiology (Previously offered as 341.8) |
(8 credits) | Dr. Bucher & Staff (Spring) |
| This course is designed to give the student
insight into the fundamentals of microbiology with emphasis on its relation
to human biology and disease. The course covers the basic properties of
microorganisms, microbial physiology and genetics, the principles of
microbial pathogenicity, the mode of action of antibiotic and
chemotherapeutic agents at the cellular level, the fundamentals of
immunology, and the response of the host to infections. The microorganisms
studied in this course include the bacteria, fungi, mycoplasmas, rickettsiae,
chlamydiae, viruses and parasites. By integrating lectures, laboratory work,
visual aids, case histories, and group discussions, the student will learn
the concepts of microbiology and the application of microbiological
techniques for research and diagnosis. Lectures: 80 hrs/16 wks. Laboratory:
48 hrs/12 wks. Letter-graded. Open to Ph.D. students only.
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| MICRO 2010 Basic Immunology (previously offered as 345.1) |
(2 credits) | Dr. Tiwari |
| An introductory text-based course designed to
enable students to comprehend the basic concepts of immune function and
regulation. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| MICRO 2020 Advanced Immunology (Previously offered as 347.2) |
(2 credits) | Dr. Geliebter |
| This course covers advanced topics in
immunology and deals with both innate and adaptive immune responses.
Discussions of special topics are based on published reviews and research
articles. The course also examines clinical aberrations of the immune system
and a detailed analysis of the involvement of the immune parameters in
either augmenting or initiating a disease. Emerging clinical applications of
immunological research are also discussed. Lectures and discussion: 2
hrs/wk. Letter-graded. Prerequisites: MICRO 1410 or MICRO 2010.
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| MICRO 2110 Virology (Previously offered as 346.3) |
(3 credits) | Dr. Bucher |
| A comprehensive course devoted to the field of
virology with special emphasis on the architecture and characteristics of
viruses, the infectious cycle, and the replication of viral nucleic acids.
Examples of representative viruses will be used to discuss the several
classes of nucleic acid in the virion. Lectures: 3 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
Prerequisite: a course in biochemistry.
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| MICRO 2120 Microbial Genetics (Previously offered as 351.3) |
(3 credits) | Dr. Cabello |
| Using E. coli and its bacteriophages as
a model system and emphasizing genetic methodology, this course covers the
study of recombination, genetic mapping, gene transfer, mutation, regulation
of gene transfer, regulation of gene expression of essential genes,
transpositions, gene fusions and genetic engineering. Lectures: 3 hrs/wk.
Letter-graded. Prerequisite: a course in biochemistry.
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| MICRO 2140 Microbial Pathogenicity (Previously offered as 370.24.2 and as MICRO 4130.) |
(2 credits) | Dr. Banerjee and Cabello |
| A course covering the molecular aspects of
microbial pathogenicity. The pathogenic properties of bacteria and other
microorganisms will be discussed. Special emphasis will be given to the
molecular and genetic aspects that are relevant to the epidemiology of
infectious diseases. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. Prerequisite: MICRO
1010 or MICRO 1410.
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| MICRO 2210 Molecular Biology (Previously offered as 355.3) |
(3 credits) | Drs. Banerjee and Cabello |
| A comprehensive course covering the in vitro
and in vivo aspects of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in prokaryotic
organisms. Lectures: 3 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. Prerequisite: a course in
biochemistry.
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| MICRO 2310 Molecular Biology & Immunology of Tumor Cells (Previously offered as 370.7.2) |
(2 credits) | Dr. Tiwari |
| This course will describe antigenic and
biochemical properties of tumor cells, development of host immune responses,
and use of monoclonal antibodies in identification and characterization of
tumor-associated antigens. The application of hybridoma technology,
molecular biology, and immunology research to the treatment and diagnosis of
human malignant disease processes will be emphasized. Lectures: 2hrs/wk.
Letter-graded.
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| MICRO 3010 Adhesion Molecules (Previously offered as 370.1.2) |
(2 credits) | Dr. Hamby |
| The identification and structural
characterization of cellular adhesion molecules will be described. The
developmental and immunobiological functions of these molecules in cell-cell
and cell-extracellular matrix interactions will be discussed. Lectures: 2
hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| MICRO 3210 Signal Transduction (Previously offered as 370.4.2) |
(2 credits) | Dr. Hamby |
| The molecular mechanisms by which eukaryotic
cells transduce external stimuli to intracellular signals will be examined.
The components of various signaling pathways will be described and their
functional effects on cell regulation will be discussed. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk.
Letter-graded.
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| MICRO 3230 Principles of Biological Therapy (Previously offered as 370.8.2) |
(2 credits) | Dr. Geliebter |
| This course covers the theory and principles of
biological therapy including gene therapy and immunotherapy as applied to
cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and genetic diseases.
Lectures: 2hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| MICRO 4110 Advanced Virology (Previously offered as 370.43.2) |
(2 credits) | Drs. Wassermann and Bucher |
| A study of the recent advances in virus-host
interactions and viral genetics. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
Prerequisite: MICRO 2110.
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| MICRO 4210 Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (Previously offered as 370.41.2) |
(2 credits) | Dr. Wassermann |
| Several viral, bacterial, and parasitic
diseases, their occurrence, control, and the properties of the infectious
agents will be discussed with emphasis on epidemiological principles.
Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| MICRO 8020 Departmental Seminar (Previously offered as 390.1) |
(1 credit) | Dr. Banerjee |
| Discussion of selected topics in microbiology
and immunology. Students present papers and are expected to participate
actively in the discussion. Seminar: 1 hr/wk. Pass/Fail. May be taken for
credit multiple times, but only four credits may be counted toward Ph.D.
degree requirements. May not be counted towards M.S. degree requirements.
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| MICRO 9110 Techniques in Microbiology and Immunology (Previously offered as 380.x.2) |
(2 credits) | Dr. Tiwari |
| Fundamental laboratory techniques in
microbiology to be learned in the research laboratories of the department.
This course is intended for first-year Ph.D. students undertaking research
rotations. Research: hours to be arranged. Consent of instructor is
required. Pass/Fail.
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| MICRO 9750 Master’s Literature Review (Previously offered as 397.1) |
(1 credit) | Dr. Tiwari |
| The student writes a scholarly review of the
scientific literature on a selected topic, approved by a faculty advisor.
The finished document must be approved by a faculty committee. Required for
the Master’s degree, Plan A. Independent study. Pass/Fail.
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| MICRO 9800 Master’s Thesis Research (Previously offered as 398.1-5) |
(1-5 credits) | Dr. Tiwari |
| Research related to the student's thesis topic
performed under the supervision and guidance of a faculty advisor. A student
may register for this course more than once, for 1-5 credits per term, but
only five total credits may be counted towards M.S., Plan B requirements.
Thesis research: hours to be arranged. Pass/Fail.
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| MICRO 9850 Master’s Thesis (Previously offered as 395.1) |
(1 credit) | Dr. Tiwari |
| The student writes a scholarly report
describing the background, rationale and results of an original laboratory
investigation. (See MICRO 9800). Required for the Master’s degree, Plan B.
Independent study. Pass/Fail.
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| MICRO 9900 Doctoral Dissertation Research (Previously offered as 399.1-15) |
Dr. Tiwari | |
| Research related to the student's Ph.D. dissertation topic performed under the supervision and guidance of a faculty advisor. A student may register for this course more than once for an overall total of 15 credits. Thesis research: hours to be arranged. Pass/Fail. | ||
Graduate Faculty and Research Interests
Maria E. Aguero-Rosenfeld, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pathology; Assistant Professor of Medicine; and
Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
M.D. 1976, University of Santiago (Chile)
Pathogenesis of Lyme disease and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis.
Asesh Banerjee, PhD
Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
B.Sc. 1984, M.Sc. 1987, University of Calcutta; M.S. 1990, Ph.D. 1994, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Research/Interests - Cloning, characterization and pathogenesis of phase-variable genes in Neisseria; role of bacterial and mycobacterial surface glycans.
Ranjit Banerjee, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
M.S. 1979, Ph.D. 1981, New York University
Research/Interests - Molecular biology and immunology of prostate cancer.
Debra Bessen, PhD
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
B.A. 1979, Hampshire College; Ph.D. 1987, The Rockefeller University
Research/Interests - Molecular pathogenesis, epidemiology and evolutionary biology of Group A Streptoccoccus (GAS); role of GAS infection in pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders.
Doris
J. Bucher, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
B.S. 1963, Pennsylvania State University; Ph.D. 1968, University of California at Berkeley
Research/Interests - Structure, function and immunochemistry of viral antigens.
Felipe C. Cabello, M.D.
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
B.A. 1960, M.D. 1967; University of Chile
Research/Interests - Microbial genetics, infectious disease, recombinant DNA.
Zbigniew Darzynkiewcz, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Director, Cancer Research Institute
M.D. 1960, Ph.D. 1966, University of Warsaw (Poland)
Research/Interests - Flow cytometry, DNA synthesis.
Jan
Geliebter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Ph.D. 1981, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn
Research/Interests - Tumor immunology.
Carl V.
Hamby, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
A.B. 1973, M.S. 1976, Ph.D. 1984, University of Missouri-Columbia
Research/Interests - Molecular biology and immunology of human tumors.
Edwin Kilbourne, M.D.
Professor Emeritus of Microbiology & Immunology
M.D. 1944, Cornell University
Research/Interests - Virology, viral genetics and Flu vaccine production.
Bijan Safai, M.D.
Professor and Chairman of Dermatology
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
M.D. 1965, Tehran University, Iran; D.Sc. 1981, University of Goteberg, Sweden
Research/Interests - Pathophysiology and pathogenesis of skin diseases.
Ira
S. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman of Microbiology and Immunology
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Professor of Medicine
B.S. 1968, City College of New York; Ph.D. 1973, City University of New York
Research/Interests - Molecular pathogenesis of Lyme disease and other tick-borne pathogens, functional genomics.
Raj Tiwari, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Graduate Program Director
M.S. 1979, Ph.D. 1983, University of Calcutta, India
Research/Interests - Chemoprevention, tumor immunology and cancer therapy.
Frank N. Traganos, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology
Associate Director, Cancer Research Institute
B.S. 1969, City College; M.A. 1973, Hunter College, Ph.D. 1979, Cornell University
Research/Interests - Flow cytometry, DNA synthesis.
Felix E. Wassermann, Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Graduate Program Director of the M.S. Program in Basic Medical Sciences
B.S. 1949, M.S. 1950, University of Wisconsin; Ph.D. 1958, New York University
Research/Interests - Virus genetics, epidemiology.