BIOMI 7100 - Fundamentals of Environmental Microbiology

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisites: Undergraduate Introductory Biology Enrollment preference given to: 1st-year Microbiology Graduate Students.

A. Hay, I. Hewson.

Graduate level introduction to environmental microbiology including an introduction to microbial cell physiology, overview of microbial habitats (soil, groundwater, freshwater and marine habitats), biogeochemical cycles, environmental pathogens, principals of microbial ecology and microbial/viral evolution. Emphasis on how microorganisms interact with environmental conditions, and how their communities are shaped by physicochemical conditions.

Outcome 1: Be able to demonstrate proficiency in how cells acquire nutrients and energy and how this influences microbial growth

Outcome 2: Be able to articulate key differences between natural environmental habitats in terms of their physical and chemical conditions and how these impact microbial physiology and composition

Outcome 3: Be able to demonstrate understanding of fundamental principles of environmental microbiology including community ecology, environmental virology, and primary productivity

Outcome 4: Be able to demonstrate understanding of principles of microbial evolution.