BIOS E-130 Microbes, Man, and the Global Environment

The world of microbes is dynamic, complex, and ever changing. Microbes impact our daily lives on a regular basis — from the foods we eat, the environment around us, and the technologies we encounter. This course covers several topics in microbiology to address the impacts of microbes on our lives and the global environment. The first part of the course begins with a review of fundamental concepts of microbiology. The next part focuses on microbes and man in the context of applied microbiology, food microbiology, and probiotics. The next major part of this course focuses on microbes and the global environment by exploring topics in plant, soil, and aquatic microbiology. Topics in biodegradation, bioremediation, and biofuels are also covered. Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a and CHEM E-1a, or the equivalent. (4 credits)