Objectives: This course is intended for both biology and environmental science majors. This course will present the foundations necessary for the understanding of the biology and ecology of microorganisms found in natural environments, focusing on soil, sediment, and aquati habitats. Students will be expected to integrate information from various sources and concepts from a varieties of disciplines in gaining an undrstanding of the interactions of microorgansims with their environment and both macroorganisms and other microorganisms in those environments. One section of this course is offered during the fall of even years.

Prerequisites: General Biology (Biol 101) or Principles of Biology (Biol 104) or equivalent and Foundations of Organic Chemistry (Chem 200) or Organic Chemistry (Chem 202).

Credit Value: 4

Contact Time: Three 50 minute lectures and one three hour laboratory per week.

Outcomes: Upon successfully completing this course, students should be able to:

• will posses a foundation in biological and ecological concepts as they apply to microorganisms in natural environments
• will have gained an understanding of the important role played by microorganisms in the lives of all organisms
• will be able to critically evaluate articles in the poular press and in primary scientific literature pertaining to events of significance to environmental microbiology, and to discuss these events in a meaningful way with others
• will be familiar with some of the laboratory methodologies used to evaluate the effects of microorganisms on their environment
• will be able to communicate experimental results from the laboratory in a clear, concise, and coherent fashion

Assessment:

• Term Tests
• Miscellaneous assignments
• Final examination

Lecture Schedule:

Laboratory Schedule: