Microbial Ecology

Catalog description

Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or better in one of the following sequences: ( BIOL 132 and BIOL 231) or ( BIOL 111 and BIOL 112 and BIOL 230 ) or ( BIOL 334 and BIOL 334L and CHEM 112 ). Students not majoring in Biology may take the course with permission of the instructor. Emphasizes interactions between microbial populations and their environments. Topics will encompass a broad range of ecosystem level interactions including, but not limited to, global nutrient cycling, the human microbiome, and the importance of microbial ecosystems in industrial, environmental, and medical applications. Presentation, writing, and discussion of primary literature will be emphasized. Laboratory exercises will introduce aseptic and culturing techniques and will include physiological and molecular investigations of microbial ecosystems, with an emphasis on laboratory technique and fieldwork. All students with interests in medical, industrial, or environmental fields will benefit from this course.