6.43	Medical Microbiology

Head: Joanne Embree
General Office: 510 Basic Medical Sciences Building, 730 William Avenue
Telephone: (204) 789 3444
Fax: (204) 789 3926
Email: nelsonak@ms.umanitoba.ca
Graduate Program Assistant: Angela Nelson

Academic Staff

Program Information
The Department of Medical Microbiology offers programs of studies leading to the MSc and PhD degrees with research and academic experience suitable for a career in Basic Microbiology or Infectious Diseases.

The department has nationally recognized strengths in several areas, particularly epidemiology. It also enjoys extensive collaborative projects with both the University of Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya, and with the new federal laboratories for disease research. The Nairobi project uses epidemiologic, biologic, and molecular biologic studies to better understand sexually-transmitted diseases in the African population. Similar studies are being instituted in India. Numerous opportunities for collaborative work with members of other departments as well as with various affiliated research organizations (including the Clinical Microbiology Laboratories of the Health Sciences Centre, the Infectious Diseases programs of the Health Sciences Centre, the Cadham Provincial Laboratory, the federal laboratories, and St. Boniface Hospital) exist.

Recent graduates of the program have been highly successful in academia, industrial, medical, and veterinary careers.

Fields of Research
Scientific interests of the faculty is broad and research projects range from the basic understanding of gene regulation and molecular basis of cellular functions to the development of vaccines and diagnostics for human health and veterinary diseases. The Department has active research programs in cell and molecular biology, immunology, virology, bacterial genetics, microbial pathogenicity, Chlamydial biology, and clinical microbiology. Many research projects are oriented to human diseases and many are carried out in collaboration with physicians who have access to patients.

Research Facilities
Medical Microbiology occupies the 5th Floor of the Basic Medical Sciences Building on the Bannatyne Campus of the university and includes modern research laboratories. Teaching and research are also conducted within the Clinical Microbiology Laboratories of the Health Sciences Centre and within the infectious diseases programs of the Health Sciences Centre, National Research Council, Cadham Provincial Laboratory, St. Boniface Hospital, and the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health. The department's equipment, much of which is shared, supports research ranging from molecular biology to clinical microbiology. It includes ample biohazard containment facilities, controlled environment equipment, ultracentrifugation, spectrophotometric, chromatographic and electrophoretic equipment, a transmission electron microscope, fluorescent microscopes, liquid scintillation counters, personal computers and computer terminals for direct access to the main frame computer. A library and a number of other ancillary facilities are available.

M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology

Admission
In addition to the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar, graduates in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, or general Science may apply for entry into this graduate program. The department requires that an incoming student have a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0, or its equivalent, in the two years immediately preceding first registration. Students with a three-year B.Sc. degree must normally enrol in a pre-Master's course arranged in consultation with the Graduate Studies Committee and the head of the department.

Application Deadlines
Canadian/U.S. students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department of Medical Microbiology as follows:

Session	Start Date	Canadian/U.S.	International
Regular	(September)	June 1	March 1
Winter	(January)	October 1	July 1
Spring	(May)	February 1	November 1
Summer	(July)	April 1	January 1

Program Requirements
Program requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar.

Second language reading requirement: none

Expected time to graduate: 2 - 3 years

Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology

Admission
Admission requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar.

Application Deadlines
As listed above in Master's Program section.

Program Requirements
Program requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar.

Second language requirement: none

Expected time to graduation: 5 to 6 years