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 review of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structures, students will learn the characteristics of the larger animal and plant microorganisms, as well as those of members of the protist kingdom. They will examine microscopic members of the fungi kingdom, including the Penicillium molds and yeast cells. Working down in organism size, the course will cover the prokaryotic bacteria and then compare them to the archeabacteria. Students will discover the good and bad aspects of these microorganisms and will be able to understand their use in genetic engineering. In addition, students will learn about the unique properties of viruses, including their life cycles and why they are so difficult to combat medically. Special attention will be given to the flu, cold, and coronaviruses.

Class Meetings: Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Dates: January 15 – May 14, 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 workbook packet, available here.

Prerequisites: None