MICROBIAL ECOLOGY

Catalog description

Through an integrated lecture and laboratory course, this course will introduce students to the diversity and ecology of microbes in various environments (soils, water, plants, insects, etc.). Emphasis will be placed on molecular approaches to analyzing microbial diversity and evolution, as well as teacher-directed but student-led investigations. Students will participate in a continuum of course-based research experiences in molecular microbial ecology, from fieldwork to laboratory techniques and evolutionary analysis of DNA sequence data. The course explores ecological principles as they apply to microorganisms while emphasizing the molecular, biochemical, and evolutionary diversity in the microbial world. (Cross-listed with BIOL 8045 , BIOL 3030 ).