Microbiology: Human Health & Society

This course covers the fundamentals of microbiology and encompasses the tiny world of microbes (bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, and more). How have microbes impacted human health and society? It turns out that we cannot live without microbes, but we also have first-hand experience over the last few years of just how deadly and life-altering microbes can be! In exploring microbiology, we will take a multi-disciplinary approach combining molecular genetics (how gene expression is regulated in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes), biochemistry, and immunology. We will also explore key advances in biotechnology that have been made possible through our discovery of microbes and how they work including cloning, PCR, and CRISPR. This course will offer a laboratory component to allow students hands-on experience observing and working with bacteria and small eukaryotes and experimental design.