Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology

430 Physical Sciences Building
Telephone (831) 459-4719
FAX (831) 459-3524
http://www.etox.ucsc.edu

Program Description

The Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department (formerly the Environmental Toxicology Department) sponsors both undergraduate and graduate courses in microbiology and environmental toxicology, both within the department and through affiliated departments. The curriculum offers a strong foundation in fundamental and applied toxicology in order to provide the breadth and depth of perspective required for this interdisciplinary science. Research interests of students and faculty in microbiology and environmental toxicology span the fields of biology, microbiology, chemistry, Earth sciences, ocean sciences, environmental studies, and human health.

Students are expected to combine rigorous academic training with development of sophisticated research skills needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of microbiology and environmental toxicology. By understanding (1) sources, transport, and fate of toxins and (2) their interactions with biological systems, students learn to critically assess the complex effects of toxins at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecosystem levels.

Undergraduate Programs

While the Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department only awards graduate degrees, it does offer a select number of undergraduate courses to prepare and attract promising undergraduates for advanced studies in microbiology and environmental toxicology or related disciplines. Students interested in microbiology and environmental toxicology should major in a field such as biology; marine biology; molecular, cell, and developmental biology; biochemistry; chemistry; Earth sciences; engineering; or environmental studies while taking microbiology and environmental toxicology electives.

In addition, the program provides unique opportunities for exceptional undergraduates to conduct research in microbiology and environmental toxicology. These opportunities are limited to students who have demonstrated their potential in undergraduate courses in the basic sciences and environmental toxicology. With department approval, these undergraduates may also take graduate courses in microbiology and environmental toxicology. That coursework will be applied toward a graduate degree in microbiology and environmental toxicology if they are accepted into the program.

Graduate Programs

The graduate programs in microbiology and environmental toxicology, M.S. and Ph.D., are designed to prepare students for careers in research, teaching, industry, and government. Master’s students typically finish in two years and Ph.D. students in four to six years. The primary criteria for admission to the programs are evidence of superior scholarship in the sciences and a demonstrated ability to conduct innovative research. Preparation in any of the basic natural sciences, computer science, and/or engineering disciplines equivalent to requirements for a bachelor's degree is required.

The department instructs through in-depth research experiences and courses that develop a knowledge base and critical thinking abilities. To solve problems in environmental and organism health, students must understand how toxic substances and pathogens move through the environment, enter organisms, and cause harm. In additional to chemical toxins, the program also recognizes microbial pathogens as toxic agents. Students also receive instruction on the organismal, cellular, and molecular mechanism, or intoxication. This instruction is conducted in a dynamic, interactive atmosphere composed of graduate-level lecture and laboratory courses, in-depth seminar classes, and weekly seminar and research presentations. Students gain expertise in the broad field of microbiology and environmental toxicology through in-depth research experiences and challenging courses. Research and training in the department focus on both aquatic and terrestrial systems and toxins that range from inorganic pollutants to bacterial pathogens. In the first years of study, both master’s and doctoral students take microbiology and environmental toxicology core courses, as well as other courses selected to strengthen the student's academic training. During this time, the students also commence original thesis research in the laboratory of their major professor. Because the department is diverse and interactive, students become familiar with disciplines ranging from environmental chemistry to molecular genetics to physiology. Collaboration among laboratories within different departments to develop expertise is actively supported in the program.

Sample Pathways

Pathways within the microbiology and environmental toxicology graduate program focus on interdisciplinary approaches to addressing problems in environmental and public health. These pathways are distinguished from traditional disciplines in that interdisciplinary projects are encouraged through interactions with different faculty within the department and in related departments.

Metals in the Environment

Research includes how organisms are exposed to metals, how these metals cause toxicity, and investigating the concentration, speciation, and isotopic composition of contaminant metals and metalloids.

Microbiology

Microbiology provides research training on molecular genetic analysis of both non-pathogenic and pathogenic microbes. Students study host-pathogen interactions, ecology and evolution of pathogenic microorganisms, adaptation of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms to environmental stresses, and mechanisms of microbial biotransformation of pollutants and toxic metals.

Cellular and Organismal Toxicology

This pathway provides training in the biochemical, molecular, cellular and physiological processes that are impacted by exposures to such contaminants as toxic metals. Research includes exposure pathways and toxicity of contaminants and pathogens within humans, with emphasis on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying toxicity.

Program Requirements

The microbiology and environmental toxicology student's curriculum (courses METX) is tailored to the individual, creating a graduate experience that combines essential background material with course work at the frontiers of science. The student, in conjunction with a faculty committee, chooses classes to complement the Ph.D. or master's thesis work that each student is performing. Students are encouraged to explore new areas and bring this expertise back to their thesis research.

Requirements for Ph.D. Students in the Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology

1. Coursework. Take and pass, with a grade of at least a B, two courses from the following: METX 201, 202, 203, 210,  240, 250 and at least two additional approved graduate-level courses within Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology or another department. Students must enroll in METX 292 each quarter. Additional coursework may be required, depending on the background of the student.
2. Literature review. Under direction of the student's adviser, write a literature review of the current state of the field of the proposed dissertation research. The written review will be handed into the student’s adviser at the end of the summer of the first year.
3. Departmental seminar. Give a 25-minute departmental seminar each academic year presenting the student’s proposed research. Give a one-hour departmental seminar during the spring quarter of the second year presenting the student's proposed research.
4. Ph.D. qualifying exam (part I—microbiology and environmental toxicology internal). Part I of the qualifying examination consists of two portions: preparation and defense of an independent research proposal, and knowledge of material presented in the microbiology and environmental toxicology core courses taken by the student.  The student must complete part I no later than spring quarter of the second year.
5. Ph.D. qualifying exam (part II). Present and defend a dissertation research proposal to the student's Ph.D. qualifying exam (QE) committee. The student must complete part II no later than spring quarter of the third year.
6. Advancement to candidacy. The student advances to candidacy after completing all coursework, completing the literature review, giving a second year seminar and passing the Ph. D. qualifying examination parts I and II.
7. Dissertation defense. The student must submit their doctoral dissertation to the dissertation committee for tentative approval at least one month before presenting a formal, public doctoral research seminar.

Requirements for Master's Students in Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology

1. Coursework. Take and pass, with a grade of at least a B, two courses from the following: METX 201, 202, 203, 204, 210, 240, 250 and at least two additional approved graduate-level courses within Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology or another department. Students must enroll in METX 292 each quarter. Additional coursework may be required, depending on the background of the student.
2. Literature review. Under direction of the student's adviser, write a literature review of the current state of the field of the proposed master's research.
3. Departmental seminar. Give a 25-minute departmental seminar each academic year presenting the student’s proposed research. Give a one-hour departmental seminar during the spring quarter of the second year presenting the student's master's research to date.
4. Master's comprehensive exam. The comprehensive examination tests knowledge of the material presented in the microbiology and environmental toxicology core courses taken by the student, as well as general knowledge related to the student's master's research.  In general, this oral exam is taken in the fall quarter of the second year.
5. Thesis. Students are required to submit a thesis for fulfillment of the degree requirements. The thesis should be submitted to the student’s Master’s reading committee by the second week of the final quarter of work, generally, spring of the second year.