Microbial Diversity and Pathogenesis Lab

Catalog description

This laboratory course provides students with a robust microbiological skill set while also giving an opportunity to participate in an authentic research project that may lead to novel antimicrobial discoveries. In the first half of the class students will be given a set of unknown bacteria to identify using biochemical and genetic analysis. Basic and advanced skills in handling bacteria will be learned here. The unknown project will culminate with an in-class presentation. The second half of the course will be an independent research project using soil samples and focused on developing scientific skills. The soil independent project will end in a poster presentation to the class. Microbiological skills will be taught but it will be assumed that you have had an introductory biological lab experience.