Microbial Ecology and Molecular Evolution

Catalog description

In this course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) course, students will learn cutting-edge topics in microbial ecology and molecular evolution and will engage in the scientific process – the scientific method. The course is centered around two questions in microbial ecology and molecular evolution: “What is the extent of bacterial diversity in terrestrial ecosystems?” and “What are the primary roles of microbes living in terrestrial ecosystems?”. In groups, students will design and carryout experimental plans to test two hypotheses for two chosen soil systems: biodiversity hypothesis (who is there?) and an organismal activity hypothesis (what are they doing?). As a culminating exercise, the students prepare a poster presentation and present to each other and the instructor.