It’s universally accepted that germs cause infectious disease, but that hasn’t always been the case.  For thousands of years, people lacked a basic understanding of what causes disease because they were unaware of the microscopic life living all around them.  The invention of the microscope ushered in the study of microorganisms known as microbiology. Today, not only are we aware that some microbes cause disease, but we also have learned how to use microorganisms to make food, as tools in scientific research, in industry, and in the development of new medicines.

The goal of this course is to expose students to the fascinating world of microbiology.

Students will learn:

• a history of the field of Microbiology and the scientists that advanced our understanding of infectious disease (Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, Francesco Redi, Dr. Ignaz Semmelweiss, John Snow, Louis Pasteur, Joseph Lister, Robert Koch, and Alexander Fleming)
• the 4 things every germ must accomplish in order to cause an infectious disease
• how our bodies are equipped to fight and recover from infections (including a survey of the immune system)
• the characteristics that define viruses
• types of viral “life” cycles
• the benefits viruses provide the planet as well as viral diseases
• the characteristics that define prokaryotes (bacteria and Archaea)
• features of bacterial cell walls and flagella
• how bacteria reproduce through binary fission (and how quickly they can grow!)
• the benefits bacteria provide the planet as well as bacteria which cause disease
• how antibiotics work and how antibiotic resistance occurs
• the characteristics that define fungi and how fungi reproduce
• the benefits fungi provide the planet as well as human diseases caused by fungi
• the characteristics that define algae and protozoa
• the benefits that algae and protozoa provide the planet
• the diseases caused by protozoa and algae
• the types of careers available for folks with a microbiology degree

Directions for many optional hands-on labs are included.  Periodic quizzes will ensure students’ understanding before moving forward.

This course provided so many resources to help me understand the content! The visuals were fascinating (and a little gross to think that we live with so many of these microorganisms!). I will look at a simple cold the same way again! I highly recommend this course!

Stacy A.

To learn more about the material taught in this course, you can find the Scope and Sequence here.

This is a digital course. 

No items will be shipped.

All sales on digital resources are final and nonrefundable.  Please read the description carefully and email us with questions before purchasing.

Upon purchase, the student has access to the material within the course for one year (366 days)