INQ-250BI | We are Living in a Microbial World

Full Title: We are Living in a Microbial World

Topic Description:

Have you ever thought about what the full impacts of microorganisms are on your life? Sure, you think about them when you get sick but what are they good for? The answer isn’t “absolutely nothing.” Based on size alone, microorganisms arguably have the greatest impact on humans compared to any other living organism. How can we find out where microorganisms are located and how they can be useful or harmful to us? From their beneficial use in producing some of your favorite foods and beverages to their ability to cause sexually transmitted infections, we find them on almost every spot on Earth because we are living in a microbial world! This course is focused on how microorganisms influence humans and the challenges facing us today in biology that have global implications with topics including food and beer production, sexually transmitted infections, and antibiotic resistance.

Counts as Global? No

Topic Approved: February 2016