Comprehensive overview of the microbial world, with emphasis on bacteria. Topics include microbial cell structure and function, diversity, metabolism, evolution, genetics, and ecology. Also covered are applied aspects of microbiology with a focus on the food industry, biotechnology, human health, and the role microbes play in environmental processes. Labs encompass inquiry-based projects exploring microbial ecology, metabolism and interactions between microbes, production of antibiotics, and sequence-based identification of microbes and microbial communities. Students will have the opportunity to design and conduct an experiment on microbes. Students must attend both lecture and lab during the first week in order to continue in the course.

Units: 1.25

Max Enrollment: 24

Prerequisites: ((BISC 110, BISC 110P, BISC 112, or BISC 112Y) and one unit of college chemistry) or BISC 116.

Instructor: Klepac-Ceraj, Roden

Distribution Requirements: LAB - Natural and Physical Sciences Laboratory; NPS - Natural and Physical Sciences

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring

Notes: