BIOL-3458 Microbiology

The study of microbial organisms is of tremendous importance in our world today. This course emphasizes the basic biology of bacteria, including their varied morphology, growth and nutritional requirements, cell motility, gene regulation, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, and bacterial interactions as populations and with other organisms. Other topics covered include viruses and the Archaea. The impact of microbes on medicine, public health, agriculture and biotechnology are discussed. In addition to exams, a research paper on a recent topic from the primary research literature in microbiology is required. The laboratory covers diverse techniques on manipulation and growth of bacterial cultures, microscopy, testing of environmental samples, bacterial genetics and molecular biology, and identification of unknown organisms. Multiple experiments are run concurrently. Students are expected to visit the lab on days other than the assigned period to monitor experiments. (Offered every Spring) Prerequisites: BIOL 3313, 3113 and CHEM 2319, 2119.