Graduate Courses and Seminars

Course Curriculum: Infectious Diseases and Host Defense Track

Required:

• Microbes and Host Defense (MIC 530)
• Literature Reports [IDHD Journal Club] (MIC 536)
• Directed Studies (MIC 537)
• Statistics and Experimental Design in Biomedical Research (IDL 640)
• Special Topics (MIC 590)
• Research/Dissertation (MIC 799)
• Distinguished Scientist Seminar Series

Plus one of the following advanced courses:

• Advanced Microbial Pathogenesis (MIC 630)
• Advanced Immunology (MIC 632)
• Advanced Virology (MIC 633)

Electives:

• Courses as suggested by the student's dissertation committee

Microbes and Host Defense (MIC 530) 

3 credit hours

This course will build upon the foundation of basic immunology and microbe structure, metabolism, and genetics that was established in the Year 1 IDL courses to expand the student’s knowledge of microbial pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses), the clinical diseases involved, and the host response to specific pathogens. Special emphasis will be placed on recognizing targets for new antimicrobials and the development of effective vaccines and diagnostic tools. 

Advanced Microbial Pathogenesis (MIC 630)

3 credit hours

This course will provide state‐of‐the‐art knowledge on selected topics in microbial pathogenesis, including molecular mechanisms and emerging technologies. The course offers an integrated view of the genetics and biochemistry of microbial structures in bacteria and fungi of medical importance. Assignments will cover advanced information on topics such as microbial structures, protein secretion, uptake of nutrients and other molecules, global regulatory signals and signal transduction pathways, lifestyles of intracellular and extracellular bacteria, aspects of innate immunity, mobile genetic elements, toxins, and microbial interactions with host cells.

Advanced Immunology (MIC 632)

3 credit hours

This course provides an in depth analysis of selected topics in immunology. The course is centered around formal presentations followed by student presentations. Design and interpretation of immunological experiments are emphasized throughout the course.

Advanced Virology (MIC 633)

3 credit hours

This course reviews the reproductive cycle of important human viruses and subviral agents and the diseases they cause. The focus is on the molecular biology of animal viruses and their mechanisms of regulation, assembly, and pathogenesis. Human immunodeficiency virus and other viruses of current interest will be considered in detail.    The course is constructed as an interactive lecture series with student reports and literature surveys.

Special Topics (MIC 590)

1-3 credit hours

This course will be taken by students over three consecutive semesters and will cover the following special topics: 

-MIC 590 Special Topics – Introduction to Literature Reports
-MIC 590 Special Topics – Introduction to Scientific Writing: Literature Reviews
-MIC 590 Special Topics – Introduction to Proposal Synthesis

Statistics and Experimental Design in Biomedical Research (IDL 640)

The course focuses on common statistical methods used to evaluate data in biomedical research as well as logic and hypothesis-driven experimental design. The course will utilize a combination of lectures, writing assignments, discussion of statistics in published work, analysis of practical data sets, and assigned reading.

Directed Studies (MIC 537)

1-6 credit hours per semester

Students participate in research under the direction of a graduate faculty member. The student may pursue independent research or participate in a literature project.

Research/Dissertation (MIC 799)

1-6 credit hours per semester

Independent research by the student under the sponsorship of the graduate faculty in the individual departments in the Basic Medical Sciences.

For more information, please see the Infectious Disease and Host Defense (IDHD) Track Graduate Student Handbook.

Infectious Disease and Host Defense Journal Club (MIC 536)

All presentations are on Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. in the MSB Third Floor Multi-Purpose Room.

Fall Semester 2026 (Classes: Jan. 12-May 01)

• Jan 12 – Special Seminar
• Jan 19 – MLK Jr. Day Holiday (No Seminar Scheduled)
• Jan 26 – Sarah Macon-Foley
• Feb 02 – Brianna Mitchell
• Feb 09 – Qudus Ojomo
• Feb 16 – Mardi Gras Holiday (No Seminar Scheduled)
• Feb 23 – Manley Hicks
• Mar 02 – Rotation Student Lightning Talks
• Mar 09 – No Seminar Scheduled
• Mar 16 – Hoa Tran
• Mar 23 – Olu Adesunloro
• Mar 30 – Shovon Lal Sarkar
• Apr 06 – Sicily Hardy
• Apr 13  – Nam Suwanbongkot
• Apr 20 – Meagan Taylor
• Apr 27 – Rotation Student Lightning Talks
   

For more information regarding the Journal Club, please contact Dr. Allyson Shea at aeshea@southalabama.edu or Dr. Meghan Hermance at mhermance@southalabama.edu.