Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 

Bruce L. Miller, Interim Dept. Head (142 Life Science Bldg 83844-3052; phone 208/885-7966; mmbb@uidaho.edu; 

www.ag.uidaho.edu/mmbb). Faculty: Gustavo A. Arrizabalaga, Carolyn H. Bohach, Gregory A. Bohach, Allan B. Caplan, 

Douglas G. Cole, Ronald L. Crawford, Elizabeth (Lee) Fortunato, Kurt E. Gustin, Patricia L. Hartzell, Zonglie Hong, Jill L. 

Johnson, Scott D. Kobayashi, Wusi C. Maki, Bruce L. Miller, Scott A. Minnich, Tanya Miura, Andrzej Paszczynski. Adjunct 

Faculty: I. Francis Cheng, Susan E. Childers; Margaret A. Davis, Guy R. Knudsen, Matthew J. Morra, Troy L. Ott, Eva M. 

Top. Affiliate Faculty: William A. Apel, Debonny Barsky-Shoaf, Amy E. Bryant, Frederick S. Colwell, James K. 

Fredrickson, Rick L. Ornstein, Yong Ho Park, Francisco F. Roberto, Robert D. Rogers, Dennis L. Stevens, Daphne L. 

Stoner, Kasthuri Venkateswaren, James H. Wolfram. Emeritus faculty: Donald L. Crawford, Richard Heimsch, Duane 

LeTourneau 

The Microbiology major is concerned with the study of microscopic forms of life, their distribution, importance, and role in such 

diverse areas as control and diagnosis of diseases, agricultural biotechnology, environmental and pollution control, and genetic 

engineering. 

The molecular biology and biotechnology and biochemistry majors are the study of the molecular basis of life, the chemical, 

physical, and genetic properties of living things, their metabolic processes, and the new technologies for the genetic engineering of 

organisms. 

The Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry offers the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, 

Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Students may choose to 

emphasize general microbiology, molecular biology and biotechnology or biochemistry by appropriate course choices. In addition, 

the department offers the degree of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology for students who have earned the Bachelor of 

Science in Microbiology at UI and have completed medical technology training in an accredited hospital school. In each case, the 

curriculum emphasizes the need for a broad cultural base and specific training in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics, in 

addition to courses in the specialty area. Well-equipped laboratories are available and advanced students are encouraged to 

undertake research problems with the faculty. The department also provides courses for students who are majoring in other areas 

of the university and wish to obtain increased understanding of the sciences. This degree is a perfect entry into professional 

schools (medical, dental, pharmacy, medical technology) and allied health fields (nursing, veterinary medicine, dental hygienist). 

Students are invited to inquire about academic minors in the department. 

The Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry is a research and teaching unit within the College of 

Agricultural and Life Sciences with extensive research expertise and instructional responsibilities in molecular biology, microbiology, 

and biochemistry. Scientists in the department are in the forefront of research with bacteria, fungi, viruses, plants, protein chemistry, 

molecular motors, and environmental science. The department is actively engaged in the use of emerging technology and 

maintains state-of the art equipment for scientific analysis. Advanced students are encouraged to undertake research problems 

where they work with the faculty in well-equipped laboratories. This degree is a perfect entry into professional schools (medical, 

dental, pharmacy, medical technology) and allied health fields (nursing, veterinary medicine, dental hygienist). The department 

welcomes students who are majoring in other areas of the university and wish to obtain increased understanding of the sciences. 

Students are invited to inquire about academic minors in the department. 

Current research efforts designed to add to our scientific knowledge base include studies on the biochemistry and molecular biology 

of host-pathogen interactions, molecular motors, microbial toxins, environmentally-significant degradative processes, the regulation 

of gene expression, developmental biology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, regulation of sporulation, plant molecular, cellular and 

developmental biology, and microbial ecology. In addition to these basic research interests, faculty are involved in applying new 

knowledge to applied problems in biotechnology. Much of this work is in association with the University of Idaho's Environmental 

Biotechnology Institute (EBI), which coordinates environmental biotechnological research between university departments and 

encourages joint endeavors between diverse disciplines. 

This combination of basic and applied research, funded at the multi-million dollar level, provides a stimulating environment where 

graduate students can gain extensive research experience in all aspects of modern microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular 

biology. Students can select from a broad range of courses presenting the latest information in all areas of biochemical and 

microbial sciences. All members of the departmental faculty are actively involved in research and teaching programs that provide 

students with a broad perspective of important problems in modern biology. Prospective students may call or write to the 

department (or e-mail mmbb@uidaho.edu) or individual faculty members for additional information concerning ongoing research 

activities and the availability of research assistantships. 

In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate College, prospective graduate students should have maintained an overall B average for 

all course work taken and have majored in an area of biological or chemical sciences. Results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and 

three letters of recommendation are required. Students for whom English is a foreign language must have a TOEFL score of at least 580. Prior 

training should have included courses in general biology and chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, calculus, physics, and introductory 

microbiology. Acceptance of students deficient in some of these areas will be considered on an individual basis. In such cases, it will be 

expected that the deficiencies will be removed early during the graduate program. 

Courses

See Part 6 for courses in Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MMBB). 

Undergraduate Curricular Requirements 

BIOCHEMISTRY (B.S.Biochem.) 

Required course work includes the university requirements (see regulation J-3) and: 

Biol 115 Cells and the Evolution of Life (4 cr) 

Biol 210 Genetics or Gene 314 General Genetics (3-4 cr) 

Chem 111 Principles of Chemistry I (4 cr) 

Chem 112 Principles of Chemistry II (5 cr) 

Chem 253 Quantitative Analysis (5 cr) 

Chem 277 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr) 

Chem 278 Organic Chemistry I: Lab (1 cr) 

Chem 305 Physical Chemistry (3 cr) 

Chem 306 Physical Chemistry (3 cr) 

Chem 372 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr) 

Chem 374 Organic Chemistry II: Lab (1 cr) 

Math 170 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (4 cr) 

Math 175 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4 cr) 

Math 275 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (3 cr) 

MMBB 380 Introductory Biochemistry (4 cr) 

MMBB 382 Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory (2 cr) 

MMBB 400 Seminar (1cr) 

MMBB 442 Advanced Biochemistry II (3 cr) 

MMBB 476 Biophysical Chemistry (3 cr) 

Phys 211 Engineering Physics I (4 cr) 

Phys 212 Engineering Physics II (4 cr) 

Stat 251 Statistical Methods (3 cr) 

Select two of the following (5-6 cr): 

Biol 444 Genomics (3 cr) 

Chem 472 Rational Design of Pharmaceuticals (3 cr) 

Chem 473 Intermediate Organic Chemistry (3 cr) 

MMBB 409 Immunology (3 cr) 

MMBB 482 Protein Structure and Function (3 cr) 

MMBB 485 Prokaryotic Molecular Biology (3 cr) 

MMBB 486 Plant Biochemistry (3 cr) 

MMBB 487 Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics (3 cr) 

MMBB 488 Genetic Engineering (3 cr) 

MMBB 520 Instrumental Analysis (2 cr) 

Electives to total 128 credits for the degree 

MICROBIOLOGY (B.S.Microbiol.) 









Engl 317 Technical Writing or Engl 207 Persuasive Writing or Engl 208 Personal and Exploratory Writing or Engl 209 Inquiry- 

Based Writing (3 cr) 

Math 160 Survey of Calculus or Math 170 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (4 cr) 

MMBB 154 Introductory Microbiology (3 cr) 

MMBB 250 General Microbiology (3 cr) 

MMBB 255 General Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr) 


MMBB 400 Seminar (1 cr) 

MMBB 440 Advanced Laboratory Techniques or MMBB 401 Undergraduate Research (4 cr in one semester) 

Phys 111 General Physics I or Phys 211 Engineering Physics I (4 cr) 

Phys 112 General Physics II or Phys 212 Engineering Physics II (4 cr) 


At least two of the following microbiology electives (6 cr): 

MMBB 409 Immunology (3 cr)

MMBB 412 Pathogenic Microbiology (3 cr) 

MMBB 432 Virology (3 cr) 

MMBB 460 Microbial Physiology (3 cr) 

MMBB 463 Molecular Parasitology (3 cr) 

MMBB 471 Advanced Pathogenesis: Host Pathogen Interactions (3 cr) 

At least two of the following molecular biology electives (5-6cr): 

MMBB 422 Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease (3 cr) 

MMBB 450 Molecular Mechanisms in Microbiology (2 cr) 

MMBB 475 Cell Biology (3 cr) 

MMBB 485 Prokaryotic Molecular Biology (3 cr) 



Science Electives (6 cr) 

Total 128 cr for the degree 

Note for double majors in Molecular Biology and Microbiology: Elective courses that count toward one degree cannot be counted as 

a science elective in the second degree. 

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY (B.S.) 

The medical technologist performs critical laboratory tests and analytical procedures that aid physicians in the diagnosis and 

treatment of disease. The curriculum is of interest to students desiring professional careers in hospital and clinical laboratories, 

public health and research laboratories, and pharmaceutical laboratories. Students will have two options to obtain a BS degree in 

Medical Technology: 

1. Upon completion of the B.S. degree in microbiology (medical technology option), those students who successfully complete 32 

credits (MMBB 421) in a 12-month training course at an accredited hospital school of medical technology with a curriculum 

including clinical bacteriology, medical mycology, parasitology, clinical chemistry, toxicology, urinalysis, hematology, 

immunology-serology, immunohematology, and clinical correlations will be awarded the B.S. degree with major in medical 

technology. 

2. Students may also receive a BS in Medical Technology by completing the below coursework. With this option a student must 

successfully complete the below 96 credits of coursework in Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the U of I and 

32 credits of MMBB 421 in a 12-month training course at an accredited hospital school of medical technology with a curriculum 

including clinical bacteriology, medical mycology, parasitology, clinical chemistry, toxicology, urinalysis, hematology, 

immunology-serology, immunohematology, and clinical correlations. 










MMBB 154 Introductory Microbiology (3 cr) 


MMBB 255 General Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr) 


MMBB 421 Hospital Internship (32 cr) 


MMBB 440 Advanced Laboratory Techniques or MMBB 401 Undergraduate Research (4 cr in one semester) 





One of the following English Courses (3 cr): 

Engl 207 Persuasive Writing (3 cr) 

Engl 208 Personal and Exploratory Writing (3 cr) 

Engl 209 Inquiry-Based Writing (3 cr) 

Engl 317 Technical Writing (3 cr) 

One of the following MMBB electives (3 cr): 


MMBB 422 Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease (3 cr) 


MMBB 463 Molecular Parasitology (3 cr) 

MMBB 471 Advanced Pathogenesis: Host Pathogen Interactions (3 cr) 

Electives to total 128 credits for the degree

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY (B.S.M.B.B.) 


Biol 115 Cells and the Evolution of Life (4 cr) 










MMBB 255 General Microbiology Lab (2 cr) 


MMBB 382 Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory (2 cr) 

MMBB 400 Seminar (1cr) 


MMBB 485 Prokaryotic Molecular Biology or MMBB 487 Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics (3 cr) 





One of the following (4 cr): 

MMBB 401 Undergraduate Research (4 cr) 

MMBB 440 Advanced Laboratory Techniques (4 cr) 

MMBB 499 Directed Study (4 cr) 

Select two of the following (5-6 cr): 

Biol 444 Genomics (3 cr) 





MMBB 485 Prokaryotic Molecular Biology (3 cr)* 

MMBB 487 Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics (3 cr)* 

MMBB 520 Instrumental Analysis (2 cr) 

Electives to total 128 credits for the degree 

Note: Either MMBB 485 or 487 may be used as an elective if not taken above as a required course. 

Academic Minor Requirements 

BIOCHEMISTRY MINOR 



Courses selected from the following (12 cr): 

Chem 302, 303 Principles of Physical Chemistry and Lab (or equiv) (4 cr) 

MMBB 382 Intro Biochem Lab or 484 Biochem Lab (2 cr) 


MMBB 401 Undergrad Research (1-4 cr) 

MICROBIOLOGY MINOR 


MMBB 255 General Microbiology Lab (2 cr) 


Three courses selected from the following (8-10 cr): 



MMBB 416 Food Microbiology (3 cr) 

MMBB 425 Microbial Ecology (3 cr) 

MMBB 440 Advanced Laboratory Techniques (4 cr) 

MMBB 450 Molecular Mechanisms in Microbiology (2 cr) 


MMBB 485 Prokaryotic Molecular Biology (3 cr)



MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY MINOR 



MMBB 476 Biophysical Chemistry, Chem 302 Principles of Physical Chemistry, or Chem 305-306 Physical Chemistry (3 cr) 

Three courses from the following (8-10 cr): 

MMBB 382 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (2 cr) 



MMBB 482 Protein Structure and Function (3 cr) 



Graduate Degree Programs 

Candidates must fulfill the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and the Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology 

and Biochemistry. See the College of Graduate Studies section of Part 4 for the general requirements applicable to each degree. 

Seamless Bachelor of Science/Master of Science. Thesis and non-thesis options are offered. The seamless B.S./M.S. degree 

program in microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry enables qualified students to pursue the M.S. degree before 

completion of a B.S. degree in either microbiology, biochemistry or molecular biology/biotechnology. The classical B.S. degree from 

MMBB is typically completed by the fourth year of undergraduate training and will continue to be the route selected by most 

students. However, students accepted into the seamless program may work toward completion of both the B.S. and M.S. 

requirements during their fourth and fifth years or additional years if necessary. Successful students will receive both degrees upon 

completion of their studies. Provided that adequate academic and research progress is achieved, some students could complete 

the requirements for both the B.S. and M.S. in five years. Requirements for completion of the B.S. and M.S. degrees through the 

seamless program, and qualifications of graduates, are expected to be identical to those earning the degrees through the 

conventional path in which the two degrees are earned sequentially. Students interested in this program should discuss their 

options with their academic advisors. Identification of a graduate advisor plus formal application and acceptance to the MMBB 

graduate program and the College of Graduate Studies must be completed before the beginning of the fourth year. Once accepted, 

students must work toward completing the requirements for both degrees under the supervision of their graduate advisors and 

graduate committees in accordance with departmental and university guidelines. In regard to official standing within the university, 

students in the seamless program are classified as graduate students during their fourth and fifth years. 

Master of Science. Thesis and non-thesis options are offered. The M.S. degree may be earned in microbiology, molecular biology 

and biochemistry. An incoming student arranges a formal graduate program of at least 30 semester hours in consultation with his or 

her major professor and graduate committee. Students must take MMBB 589 during the fall and spring of the first year and take 

MMBB 511 for 1 credit every year. The student is also expected to include MMBB 501 (seminar) each semester. One semester of 

teaching is required and is obtained through participation in the department's teaching programs. Students are required to pass the 

core courses MMBB 541, 542, and either 585 or 587. The final exam for MMBB 589 serves as the qualifying exam and is given in 

May of the first year. A master's candidate prepares a written thesis documenting completion of a laboratory research program. The 

thesis must be approved by the student's major professor and supervisory committee and be defended during an oral examination. 

Publication of data from the thesis in the peer-reviewed literature is expected. 

Doctor of Philosophy. The Ph.D. degree may be earned in microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry. A doctoral student 

develops a graduate program of at least 78 semester hours in consultation with his or her major professor and graduate committee. 

Students must take MMBB 589 during the fall and spring of the first year. The final exam for MMBB 589 serves as the qualifying 

exam and is given in May of the first year. Defense of a formal research proposal is required during the second year as part of the 

preliminary exam. The student is also expected to take MMBB 511 every year and enroll in 501 (seminar) each semester, with 

active participation in the form of one or more seminar presentations during the course of his or her graduate career. Students are 

required to pass the core courses MMBB 541, 542, and either 585 or 587. Two semesters of participation in the department's 

teaching programs are required. A preliminary examination is required in year two prior to admission to final candidacy for the 

degree. All candidates prepare a formal dissertation reflecting original thought and independent laboratory investigation and defend 

it during an oral presentation as a final step toward their degree. Publication of data from the dissertation in the peer-reviewed, 

scientific literature is expected.

Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

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