Course Description

The weight of all bacteria on the planet outweighs all animals by over 35×. Viruses alone outweigh humans by nearly 3×; isn’t it time we learned about our neighbors on this planet? In this course, embark on a captivating journey into the world of microorganisms. Delve into the fascinating realm of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites as we unravel their structure, genetics, physiology, interactions with the human body, role in disease, and the powerful tools we use to combat them. Through engaging lectures, and interactive discussions, you will develop a solid foundation in microbiology that is both accessible and relevant to your future medical and scientific endeavors.

Learner Outcomes

When you complete the course successfully, you will be able to:

• Describe the anatomical features and functional characteristics of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
• Explain fundamental and advanced principles of microbial growth, biochemistry, and genetics
• Discuss the primary literature in microbiology
• Describe historical context and recent advances in molecular and biomedical tools (PCR, CRISPR, and others) developed from discoveries in microbiology

Microcredential(s)

This course may apply toward the Biomedical Sciences Endeavor digital badge.