The PowellLab

Microbiology

This is a general microbiology course, which gives us the freedom to explore many facets of microbiology, including basic biology, evolution, medicine, ecology, and biotechnology. Students will learn standard microbiological techniques and hone their skills at experimental design, gathering and analyzing data, and communicating results and conclusions.
The majority of the laboratory component is centered on a guided research project in which you will isolate, characterize, and identify a novel strain of bacteria. As your project progresses, you will perform experiments using techniques from classical microbiology as well as modern clinical and molecular microbiology. Shorter experiments will expose you to additional standard microbiological techniques and give you the opportunity to hone your skills at gathering and analyzing data.
Three class hours and laboratory.

Genetics

Our genes, by interacting with each other and with the environment, influence virtually every aspect of who we are, from our basic cellular chemistry to our complex social behaviors. Thus, an understanding of genetics gives us fundamental insight into any other field of biology. The course begins with our hereditary molecule: DNA. We will study its structure, replication, expression, and transmission. With this foundation, we will explore both standard and unusual patterns of inheritance of genetic loci. We will investigate sources of variation, and the effect these changes have on individual genes, organisms, and populations. We will examine the genetics of complex developmental processes. Finally, throughout the entire course, we will learn the theory and the practice of both classical and molecular genetics experimental techniques.
In the laboratory component of the course, students will learn and perform experiments using techniques from classical genetics and modern molecular genetics. They will also participate in a cooperative research project using C. elegans to address a current open question in the field of molecular genetics.
Three class hours and laboratory.
Prerequisite: Bio 112 with a grade of C- or better and Chem 107.