Fundamentals of Microbiology (MIC 230) is aptly named and broadly covers this diverse field. The course is designed to give students a working understanding how microbes influence the environment, medicine, biotechnology, and other industries. The study of microorganisms has greatly expanded our understanding of biological processes. Issues involving microbial organisms permeate contemporary news ranging from flu outbreaks, contamination of food and pharmaceuticals, and die offs in fish and amphibians populations due to bacteria, fungi, and algal blooms. At the same time, many of the foods we enjoy depend on the byproducts of microbial organisms. Although only a small fraction of microorganisms are the cause of many infectious diseases, they are also the source of the many life-saving antibiotics and most are innocuous. It is my intention that you will come away from the course with a better understanding and appreciation of the microbial world.     

 

At the completion of this course, you should be able to:            

· Explain and describe the cellular structures and functions of Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya, and viruses        

· Understand the basis for microbial growth, growth control, environmental factors influencing growth       

· Have a working knowledge of microbial metabolism and how it relates to growth            

· Fully understand the flow of genetic information, genetic systems, and mutations        

· Understand genomics and how it can be used to study living organisms        

· Understand evolutionary concepts at the microbial level        

· Describe the contribution microbes make to environmental nutrient cycling        

· Understand introductory level immunological concepts        

· Understand introductory level microbial pathogenesis mechanisms and disease        

· Perform fundamental laboratory techniques        

· Perform and critically analyze a variety of laboratory tests applicable to microorganisms

 

Bacterial Physiology (MIC 425, MIC 525) provides insights into the functioning of prokaryotes. The course is designed for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. The course highlights the spatial and functional relationships of microbes by examining microbial diversity through the lens of energy and carbon metabolism. The laboratory component of the course will be used to strengthen concepts introduced in lecture and will emphasize selective isolation and identification of microorganisms, the growth dynamics of microorganisms, and metabolic analysis. At the completion of this course, you should be able to: Formulate a comprehensive definition of microbial physiology. Appreciate the diversity and unity of prokaryotic metabolism. Detail the macromolecules required for cell synthesis and growth as well as the central metabolites required by bacteria to synthesize these macromolecules. Describe biosynthetic processes by which small molecules are integrated into macromolecules. Explain how microorganisms generate energy via substrate-level phosphorylation and electron transport. Describe how environmental factors (including pH, temperature, antimicrobial chemicals, and environmental pollutants) impact microbial growth, metabolism, and physiology. 

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