Course Description
Emphasizes the roles of microorganisms in ecosystems. Nutrient cycles, methods of microbial analysis, and the functional roles of microorganisms.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will write a comprehensive term paper that
covers two topics covered in class in an interdisciplinary
fashion. Graduate students will also answer more challenging
questions on exams.
Athena Title
Microbial Ecology
Undergraduate Pre or Corequisite
MIBO 3500 or MIBO 3500E or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course covers the roles of microorganisms in natural ecosystems, with an emphasis on marine systems. Nutrient cycles, methods of microbial analysis, molecular microbial ecology, and the functional roles of microorganisms are presented. Graduate students are responsible for additional readings and discussion.
Topical Outline
Lecture or Discussion Topics Bacterial Morphology Bacterial Biomass Bacterial Activity Bacterial Activity Discussion Metabolism - catabolism (energy prod) Metabolism - anabolism ( biosynthesis) Anaerobic Energy Metabolism Prokaryotic Primary Production Elemental cycles - N - Fixation/Uptake Elemental cycles - N - Regeneration/Loss Elemental cycles - Sulfur Elemental cycles - Methane Elemental cycles - Trace metals Elemental cycles - Carbon Golbal C Cycle Discussion Elemental Cycles - Phosphorus Phylogeny of Prokaryotes Biogeochemistry Discussion Molecular Microbial Ecology Biogochemistry Discussion Bacterial Diversity Discussion Deep Sea Microbiology High Temperature Ecology Extremophiles Low Temperature Ecology Stromatolites Chemosynthesis Discussion Extreme Environments Discussion Microbial Food Webs (3 lectures) DOM Dynamics Symbiosis (2 lectures) UV LIght and Microbial Ecology Mutualism Discussion UV Photochemistry Discussion Environmental Determinants Physical Processes Controlling Activity Microbial Loop Discussion
Syllabus