THIS IS A ONE-SEMESTER COURSE.

This course will begin with a general survey of the six kingdoms of life and their microscopic representatives. After a thorough comparison of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, students will study universal cellular processes such as diffusion and osmosis, cell respiration, and cell reproduction. They will also learn a brief history of microbiology that includes the important experiments of Pasteur, Lister, and Koch.

The first area of study will be the protist kingdom. Topics will include the differences between plant and animal-like (protozoa) protists, algal blooms, diatoms, and other ocean protists, as well as individual protists such as Euglena, amoeba (brain-eating), paramecia, the malaria parasite, and Giardia.

Students will then move on to study the members of the fungal kingdom, including the molds, mushrooms, and unicellular yeast cells. They’ll discover genetic engineering techniques and the industrial uses of yeast cells, as well as the use of yeast in food microbiology. In addition, they’ll learn about the importance of mushrooms and molds in ecological systems and how the presence of fairy rings is due to the mycelial growth typical of this group of fungi, the significance of molds with respect to food preservation and their manner of reproduction, the historical story behind the discovery of penicillin, and how new antibiotics are discovered and tested for.

Next, the students will learn how scientists identify and describe the two widely distributed prokaryotic kingdoms, and they’ll compare and contrast the eubacteria to the archaebacteria. Further, they’ll explore different versions of the phylogenetic tree and the scientific theories regarding the origins of life on Earth, as well as the relatively recent history of the discovery of the Archaea kingdom. They’ll examine the good and bad aspects of these microorganisms, including their use in genetic engineering, and they’ll learn the general distinctions between gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. In addition, they’ll discover the unique properties of viruses, including their life cycles and why they are so difficult to combat medically, with special attention given to the smallpox, rabies, flu, cold, and coronaviruses.

Throughout the course, the class meetings will include interesting demonstrations, culturing techniques, slide preparation techniques for the microscope, and new discoveries in the field.

Class Meetings: Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Dates: August 20 – December 17, 2026

Student Expectations: Optional activities, readings, and assignments will be offered each week.

Student Support: The instructor is available by email.

Materials/Supplies: Students will need a notebook for notes and assignments. Occasionally they will also need certain easily obtainable materials to complete activities. A microscope is a true bonus for this course but is not required. In addition, students will  need to purchase a printable Microbiology Worksheet Packet, available here.

Prerequisites: None