BIOL 336 - General Microbiology

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FA. Ever wonder if microbes are important for the well-being of human beings? Do they only infect us and cause disease, spoil food, or promote decay? Why might we have ten times more probiotic bacteria in our digestive tracks than all of our bodily cells combined? In this course students study the immense diversity of microbial life and their creative environmental adaptations. They explore bacteria to remove oil spills, generate electricity, produce biofuels, and manufacture antibiotics. They discuss diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and other microbes, and study mechanisms by which the immune system defends against such infections. Laboratory sessions focus on common microbiology techniques and include an independent project. Three hours of lecture and two two-hour laboratory sessions per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 161 (or BIOL 141), BIOL 230, and CHEM 253 (or CHEM 261 and CHEM 262).