ENVS 3370 - Microbial Ecology

(3 CR, 3T + 0L)

You will study the fundamental of Ecology, the science that studies the interactions among organisms and their biophysical environment, which includes both biotic and abiotic components. Specifically, this course covers the diversity, ecology, and evolution of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms and the environments in which they live. During this semester, we will learn about the unique features of Archaea, Bacteria, Fungi, algae, and a few other “microbes” and their functions in ecosystems. Topics of interest include the biodiversity, distribution, biomass, and populations of microbial organisms, as well as cooperation and competition within and between species. We will also look into microbes as pathogens of plants and humans as well as potential remedies to human discomfort.

Prerequisite(s): ENVS 1110/ENVS 1110L or BIOL 1110/BIOL 1110L