BIOL 402 - Microbial Ecology, Fall 2012
Lecture / Lab TR 2:00 - 4:50, Holt 337
Dr. Gordon Wolfe
Holt 343, 898-4256, gwolfe2@csuchico.edu
Office hours: T, R, F 12-1:30, or by appointment
Overview: This class examines microbiology from their function and interactions in the natural environment.
Major ecological themes include evolution, diversity, adaptation, cooperation, and environmental impact.
Labs teach techniques to collect, observe, enumerate, and identify groups of microbes, and to evaluate their
interactions and their impact on the environment. There will be two field trips: a weekend trip to Lassen
Volcanic National Park (2 possible dates), and a class period trip to a local sewage plant.
Learning Outcomes: At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
1. be able to describe and differentiate aquatic and physical environments;
2. demonstrate knowledge of microbial metabolism and its environmental impacts;
3. demonstrate knowledge of community interactions: mutualisms and competition;
4. demonstrate ability to manipulate microbes in the field and laboratory, including enumerating cells and
biomass, molecular analyses, and estimation of community rates;
5. read and analyze scientific papers.
6. synthesize information and present it orally
Prerequisites: Lower-division biology and chemistry, as basic algebra. BIOL 321 (Major’s Microbiology) is
strongly recommended.
Assignments / Grading: 600 points total
Grading: A=90-100%; B=80-90%; C=70-80%; D=60-70%. No extra credit. Labs will be done in groups.
Attendance of lab is mandatory. More than 4 absences without instructor’s permission constitutes failure of
course.
Required Texts:
1. Wolfe lecture notes (free)
2. Kirchman, D. Processes in Microbial Ecology (free)
3. Dyer, B. 2003. A Field Guide to Bacteria (bookstore)
4. Wolfe, G. 2010. Microbial Ecology Lab Manual. $20. Sold
by the ASM club the second week of class.
5. Lab notebook (BMU Bookstore)
Dr. Wolfe also has a large number of texts for additional
information.
points
Exams: 300 points
Midterm 1
Midterm 2
FINAL (Midterm 3)
Laboratory: 300 points
Organism Paper
Proposal Paper
Presentation
Paper analyses
Lab Writeup
100
100
100
50
50
50
50
100
Americans with Disabilities Act: If you need course adaptations or
accommodations because of a disability or chronic illness, or if
you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment
with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Please also contact Disability Support Services
(DSS) as they are the designated department responsible for approving and coordinating reasonable
accommodations and services for students with disabilities. DSS will help you understand your rights and
responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide you further assistance with requesting
and arranging accommodations.
BIOL 402 - Microbial Ecology, Fall 2012
Tentative course schedule – check Blackboard Learn syllabus frequently for updates!
Week
1
2
3
4
5
Week
6
7
8
9
10
Week
11
Date Topics
Aug. 28 Course objectives; Introduction
Microbial view of ecology
30 Habitats: aquatic
Sept.
4 Habitats: terrestrial
6 Sampling
Sun 9-9 Lassen Park field trip #1
11 Metabolic diversity I
13 Metabolic diversity II
18 Organismal diversity I
20 Organismal diversity II
Sat 9-22 Lassen Park field trip #2
25 Organismal diversity III
27 Midterm I: through 9-25
Labs / Assignments
Labs: qualitative ecology
Date
2
4
9
11
16
18
23
25
30
Nov.
1
Labs / Assignments
Labs: molecular ecology
Oct.
Topics
Molecular ecology I
Molecular ecology II
Molecular ecology III
Microbial communities
Physiological ecology & growth I
Physiological ecology & growth II
Trophic roles, chains, and webs
Biogeochemical cycles: C, N, S
Measuring rates & processes
Midterm II: through 10-25
Topics
Population interactions
Plant- & Animal-microbe associations
12
Biogeochemical cycles: P, metals
Acid mine drainage, bioleaching
15 Geomicrobiology
Nov. 20, 22: Thanksgiving break
13
27 Gaia & Astrobiology
29 Sewage treatment, bioremediation
14
Dec.
4 Disease ecology
6 Human microbiome
Week
15
16
Date
6
8
13
Date
11
13
20
Topics
presentations I
presentations II
Midterm III (12:00 – 1:50)
Labs: quantitative ecology
Paper #1 assigned
Paper #1 DUE
Labs / Assignments
Labs: community ecology
Group projects
Paper #2 assigned
Field trip water treatment plant
Labs / Assignments
Paper #2, Lab writeup DUE