Professor: Jesse Wilson

4.00 credits

• CRN 32269: Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00-1:20 PM @ GSH 103

Microorganisms are the foundation for life on planet Earth. Microbes evolved billions of years ago, contributed to the planet's habitability, and some evolved into multicellular organisms. Today microbes vastly outnumber multicellular lifeforms, drive Earth's biogeochemical cycles, and continue to engineer habitable conditions. This class explores how microorganisms, despite their small size, have such a huge impact on the Earth system. We will define microbes, discuss biogeochemical cycles and the roles that microbes play in various ecosystems, and apply "macro" ecological concepts to microbes. We will also talk about how global change affects and is affected by microbes, including microbial climate feedbacks. Students will use what they learn to propose solutions to pressing environmental issues that involve microbes and their metabolisms.