BIOL 419 - Environmental Microbiology

4 Credit(s)

This is a lecture and laboratory course for upper-level biology (BIOL) and environmental science and sustainability (ENVR) majors. In this course, students examine the mechanisms by which microbial populations drive ecosystem processes and influence overall ecosystem health and function. Via critical reading of scientific literature, students learn about microbial-mediated nutrient and carbon cycling, symbioses, microbial primary and secondary production, and microbial community structure and interactions. Specific attention is given to the use of environmental omics approaches in better understanding microbial populations across environments. The laboratory portion of the course focuses on isolation and characterization of microbes from freshwater and soil sites. Students learn various molecular techniques and bioinformatic analyses to in order to analyze microbial community diversity and composition. 3 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 261