SCI1210A Principles of Modern Biology with Laboratory
Notes
FA15: Six Microbes that Changed the World; 4 credits (Huang)
Registration notes: students must register for both parts of this course. This course satisfies the Introductory Biology requirement at Olin.
?It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.? - Arthur Conan Doyle, ?A Case of Identity? in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Penicillium. Vibrio cholera. Escherichia coli. Cyanobacteria. The archaea. Microbes surround us, and impact our lives, our health, our societies, and our environment. Research with microbes, the smallest of all living creatures, has enabled discovery and understanding of the fundamental workings of life, opens up rich historical narratives of diseases and cures, and may provide sustainable solutions to problems we face from bioremediation to bioenergy. And best of all, microbes open the door to a thrilling new integrated course for a lucky group of students.
?Six Microbes that Changed the World? is an interdisciplinary course taught by Jean Huang and Rob Martello this fall. We will use six influential microbes as a window into a rich study of the interactions between science and societal context. This course will connect biological and historical knowledge through discussions, integrated assignments, presentations, and hands-on laboratory activities. We are looking for a motivated group of students to join us in this experimental course; let?s explore the thrill of biology and history, together.