NEW COURSE PROPOSAL

Originator

Von Sigler, x2897, mailto:von.sigler@utoledo.edu

College

Arts and Sciences

Department

EEES

Level

Undergraduate/Graduate

Program Change

No

Type of Course

Academic Skills Enhancement

Alpha Code

EEES-4550/5550

Title

Methods of Microbial Investigation

Starting

Spring 2005

Enrollment

15

Cross-Lists/Levels

Yes

Hours

Fixed: 3

Delivery Mode

Regular Lab

Frequency

Spring, every year

Reg. >1/semester

No

Repeat for Credit

No

Grading

Normal (A-F, PS/NC. PR, I)

Pre-/Co-requisites

EEES 4540

Catalog Description

Classical and current methodologies (biochemical and molecular) used in microbial community analysis; experimental design, sample handling, and data analysis for microbial ecology.

Syllabus

See attached.

Curriculum Fit

Microbial communities are at least indirectly responsible for the majority of natural processes occurring in our environment.  However, no department in the College offers a course dedicated to exploring the numerous methods involved in quantifying and characterizing microbial processes.  The proposed course will have a single prerequisite, Microbial Ecology; EEES 4540/5540, in which students will be exposed to the methodology in a lecture setting.  In EEES 4550, Methods of Microbial Investigation, students will perform the methods and will be offered the opportunity to process samples relevant to their own research.  I feel that this format provides a distinct advantage to the students by providing them with data potentially usable in their own research effort.  A lab report, in the form of a peer-reviewed manuscript will be required of each student at the end of the term, which will give students additional data analysis and writing experience.  Given the specific interests of the EEES students (undergraduate and graduate), we estimate that 15-20 students per term will attend this class. 

Similarity to Other

Courses

None