Role of microorganisms in chemical transformations, disease, public health and agriculture. Fundamental concepts are discussed, followed by both beneficial and harmful actions of microorganisms as they affect our lives. This course affords students the ability to critically examine and evaluate the principles of the scientific method, model construction, and use the scientific method to explain natural experiences and phenomena.
Course Goals and Objectives
Study of the basic microbiological principles, microbiological fundamentals, and applications: including medical, environmental, industrial microbiology, the relevant terminology in microbiology.
Outline of topics discussed in this course:
- Explore prokaryotic cell structure, Eukaryotes vs. Prokaryotes
- Study of Physiology, Metabolism and Microbial growth
- Genetics of microorganisms, Genetic Engineering
- Host-Parasite Interactions
- Mechanism of Pathogenesis, Role of Virulence Factors
- Selected Infectious diseases
- Immune system, Host Defense Mechanism /Vaccines
- Antimicrobial AGENTS, Chemotherapeutics
- Microbial ecology and Symbiosis
- Applied and environmental microbiology
- Food, water, soil, and industrial Microbiology
- Cell Structure and Function
This course closely follows the ASM (American Society for Microbiology) Recommended Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Microbiology, which include:
- Role of Mutation and Horizontal Gene Transfer in Microbial Diversity
- Exploring the diversity of microbial metabolism
- Discussing Flow of Genetic Information
- Microbiome and Impact of Microbial Activities on Human Welfar