Microbiology ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, and as such, this course examines life at the microscopic level (including eukaryotic cells: protozoa and fungi; prokaryotic cells: bacteria, rickettsia and mycoplasma; viruses: viroids; and infectious agents: prions). Lecture and laboratory sessions consider techniques in conventional culturable methods and examination and identification of microorganisms. Topics to be covered include nutritional requirements, environmental constraints, biochemical activities, genetic make-up and expression. Additionally, the role that microorganisms play in human and animal hosts during health and disease will be explored. Also included are aspects in pathogenicity, virulence, immunology, natural defense and environmental control factors. Laboratory sessions consider techniques in aseptic technique and sterile transfer, instrumentation (e.g., microscopy and pipetting), culturing bacteria, application of critical analysis of experimental data and presentations.