BIOL 3455 - The Biology of Symbioses and Microbiomes

Prerequisite: BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1112; Biology or Environmental Studies major; and junior or senior standing
Credits: 3

Symbioses are intimate relationships between two or more species, and they are incredibly diverse. Symbioses is an evolutionary and ecological novelty and there is a large interest in understanding the processes that establish, maintain, and disrupt symbiotic associations. While symbioses are mentioned in most biology courses, they rarely are the central focus. This course will explore the nuances of symbioses, with a particular emphasis on associations between unicellular microbes and their multicellular hosts. You will also become familiar with the terminology and ecological principles relevant to microbiomes. The course will consist of classes with discussion, including in-depth discussions of popular press writing, scientific reviews, and original scientific work (i.e., primary literature).