Overview
Description
Survey of the biology of microorganisms. Topics include microbial structure, physiology, genetics, and evolution; virology; and environmental microbiology.
Requirements
Units
Lecture3
Catalog Details
Offering
Offered: Every Spring
Terms
spring
Core
CO4
Attributes
Standard
Learning Outcomes
- describe the various types of microorganisms known to exist and learn their general characteristics including cell morphology and physiology, taxonomy and environmental importance.
- explain relationships and apply appropriate terminology relating to the structure, metabolism, genetics and ecology of microorganisms and viruses.
- explain principle of information flow within a cell, regulation of cellular activities and metabolic processes.
- explain principles of physical and chemical methods used in culturing and controlling growth of microorganisms.
- explain the mechanisms of inheritance of genetic information in microorganisms: the causes, consequences and uses of mutation; exchange and acquisition of genetic information.
- explain the interactions and impact of microorganisms in the environment including the principles of adaptation and natural selection; symbiosis; microbial recycling of resources: microbes transforming the environment.
- describe how microbiological questions are investigated using scientific methods, summarize key findings from scientific literature, and reflect on how evidence-based approaches help explain and solve real-world problems in microbiology.