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BIOL 4711

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

0.5 credits · Undergraduate

Fall 2026

Topics

  • key concepts of environmental and applied
  • shaping the biosphere. In aquatic ecosystems microbes are the dominant primary producers upon which
  • all other trophic levels rely. In soil and water microbes produce and consume greenhouse gases that
  • shape the composition of the atmosphere and the functioning of the global climate system. As well they
  • cycle essential nutrients and can both increase and decrease the toxicity of many pollutants. Humans
  • have harnessed the metabolic capabilities of microorganisms isolated from the environment to treat
  • waste, mitigate pollution, and to produce food, fuel, and other valuable compounds for biotechnological
  • introducing the diversity, physiology, and metabolism of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes. It then
  • explores microbial habitats and the broader cycles in the environment and industrial settings they
  • Learn fundamentals of microbial diversity and related cell physiologies and metabolic pathways
  • as they apply to life in the environment and industrial settings as well as gain a general
  • industrial settings are analyzed
  • Learn how microorganisms dynamically interact with natural and human-impacted environments

Readings

  • Optional: The optional textbook for this course is Environmental Microbiology: From Genomes to Biogeochemistry 2nd edition (Blackwell Publishing ISBN: 978-1-118-43960-9) by Eugene L. Madsen. For those of you who took Biology of Microorganisms (BIOL2711) with Dr. Basiliko, the recent textbook used
  • Optional: Biology 4711 Applied and Environmental Microbiology Microbiology, 3rd Edition (by Dave Wessner, Christine Dupont, Trevor Charles and Josh Neufeld) may also be a useful resource in the course.
Fall 2025

Topics

  • Evolution of the biosphere
  • Physiological ecology: Microbial energetic and survival
  • Quantification of environmental microbes (numbers, biomass and activity)
  • Molecular-based detection of microorganisms
  • Microbial Diversity
  • Water treatments and bioremediation
  • Microorganisms in aquatic and terrestrial environments
  • Biogeochemical cycles

Readings

  • Recommended: Environmental Microbiology: From genomes to biogeochemistry (2008). By Eugene L. Madsen. Blackwell Publishing
  • Recommended: 2. Environmental Microbiology, by R.M. Maier, I.L. Pepper and C.P. Gerba. Published by Academic Press.
  • Recommended: 3. Selective articles from journals.
Winter 2023

Topics

  • Evolution of biosphere, Physiological ecology and Microbial energetics and survival, Microbial
  • microorganisms, Biogeochemical cycles, Water treatment and bioremediation
  • Environmental Microbiology: From genomes to biogeochemistry, 2nd Edition 2016 by Eugene
  • Applied and Environmental Microbiology-BIOL
  • Dr. Yaqoob
  • Course Timelines

Readings

  • Environmental Microbiology: From genomes to biogeochemistry, 2nd Edition 2016 by Eugene L. Madsen. Blackwell Publishing. The textbook it available for purchase.
Sources