Lectures
The primary instructional responsibility of the department is teaching microbiology and immunology courses in the doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.), doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) and physician assistant programs at DMU. These courses are taught using a systems-based approach, in which lectures are grouped based on disease symptoms, rather than taxonomical properties as is the traditional method of presentation. Faculty members also provide lectures in their areas of expertise to various DMU medical and health sciences programs. The microbiology and immunology department faculty participate in several courses for the master of science in biomedical sciences program including: Frontiers in Biomedical Science, research, thesis, journal club and presentation of scientific information, introduction to research and special topics in microbiology.
Mentoring
Department faculty members actively mentor students in research projects in their laboratories. Students pursuing research in department laboratories include those enrolled in the masters of science in biomedical sciences program, D.O. and D.P.M. students, undergraduate students participating in DMU’s summer research program and volunteers from local undergraduate colleges and universities.
Community service
The microbiology and immunology department provides a number of educational opportunities to younger students in the community. This includes bringing local elementary and high school students into the teaching laboratory on campus to introduce them to microbiology via programs such as the Women’s Medical Alliance hosted Girls in Science Day, Roosevelt Science Bound and Health careers: Exploring Scouts Post 141. Additionally, faculty members travel to schools to provide guest lectures and science-related activities to nearby schools such as the Waukee High School and Callahan Middle School.