Online Programs

What we'll do

We will do a combination of independent wet lab investigations, and mathematical and physical modeling. We will also meet as a group via Zoom to discuss our findings and learn more about how microorganisms impact our lives.

What we’ll learn

• How to sketch and identify the functions of organelles in animal, bacteria, and plant cells
• We will create 3D models of bacteria and viruses to determine how their shapes and features affect pathogenicity
• We will devise testable hypotheses to investigate the amount of time needed to eliminate microbes on hands after handwashing
• We will investigate the infection rate, or Ro, from past epidemics and pandemics to better understand how infectious diseases spread
• We will utilize the streak plate method to grow bacteria cultures in Petri dishes
• We will develop a hypothetical disease and vaccine by understanding the types of vaccines that exist in modern medicine and how they work

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the anatomy and physiology of microbes and the functions of organelles.
• Understand how the morphology of microbes influences pathogenicity
• Examine lab staining techniques (e.g., Gram staining) to differentiate bacteria and molecular assays to create vaccines
• Utilize scientific inquiry to devise testable hypotheses that can address public health issues such as infectious diseases

How we'll measure learning

This is an ungraded course, but you will receive written and verbal instructor feedback on your assignments. You will also share findings with your peers during Zoom sessions. At the end of the course, you can choose one of three options to display your learning:

• Option 1 – Cumulative Test: In this option, you will be given a mix of multiple-choice questions and short answers on several pertinent course topics including cells, viruses, bacteria, staining techniques, types of vaccines, and infectious diseases to assess their understanding of the course content.
• Option 2 – Case Study: In this option, students will be given a hypothetical case study on a novel epidemic or pandemic. Using the core topics and concepts learned in class, you will demonstrate their understanding of microbiology by devising a hypothesis to identify the pathogen in question.
• Option 3 – Any technology-based presentation (e.g. TED talk show, Commercial, Newscast): In this option, you will utilize your creativity and develop a 5-minute presentation on a topic of interest from the course, specifically a biological process.