Fizzy Fermentations, Scrumptious Science

Catalog description

This course uses fermented foods and beverages as an accessible, real-world entry point into the fundamental ideas that shape modern biology. Students explore how microbes grow, evolve, interact, and are studied — connecting biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, and evolution into a coherent picture of life. The course highlights the hidden biological processes shaping familiar foods and everyday experiences, while emphasizing how scientific knowledge is generated, evaluated, and revised. Using primary research, discussion, and reflection, students practice scientific thinking rather than memorization. No prior biology experience is assumed. Instead, the course is designed for curious students who want to understand how living systems work, why biology matters in daily life, and how learning biology can change the way they see and experience the world.