BIOMI 7100

Fundamentals of Environmental Microbiology

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

Graduate level introduction to environmental microbiology including an introduction to microbial cell physiology, overview of microbial habitats (soil, groundwater, freshwater and marine habitats), biogeochemical cycles, environmental pathogens, principals of microbial ecology and microbial/viral evolution. Emphasis on how microorganisms interact with environmental conditions, and how their communities are shaped by physicochemical conditions.

Prerequisites REF-FA25 undergraduate introductory biology.

Enrollment Information REF-F25 Enrollment preference given to: first-year microbiology graduate students.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2023FA

Learning Outcomes REF-FA25

• Be able to demonstrate proficiency in how cells acquire nutrients and energy and how this influences microbial growth.
• Be able to articulate key differences between natural environmental habitats in terms of their physical and chemical conditions and how these impact microbial physiology and composition.
• Be able to demonstrate understanding of fundamental principles of environmental microbiology including community ecology, environmental virology, and primary productivity.
• Be able to demonstrate understanding of principles of microbial evolution.

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