Exploration of the role of microbes in geochemical and mineral transformations in natural environments and in engineered environments such as mine tailings and contaminated sites. Strong emphasis on environmentally-important microbial metabolic guilds and exploring the relationship of these guilds to biogeochemical cycles. Topics will include microbial diversity, microbial metabolism, cell surface reactivity and metal sorption, biomineralization, biosignatures, and culture-dependent and independent techniques in geomicrobiology. Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hoursPrerequisite(s): Any one or more of the following courses: GEOL 226, GEOL 229, SLSC 313, SLSC 444, EVSC 220, ENVE 201, or by permission of the instructor. Note: This course is primarily intended as an upper level elective for geology majors. Students from other disciplines without one of the prerequisites who are interested in taking this course are welcome to contact the instructor to discuss if their background is suitable. Additional assigned readings may be required to ensure these students attain the requisite geoscience background to succeed in the course.
Exploration of the role of microbes in geochemical and mineral transformations in natural environments and in engineered environments such as mine tailings and contaminated sites. Strong emphasis on environmentally-important microbial metabolic guilds and exploring the relationship of these guilds to biogeochemical cycles. Topics will include microbial diversity, microbial metabolism, cell surface reactivity and metal sorption, biomineralization, biosignatures, and culture-dependent and independent techniques in geomicrobiology. Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hoursPrerequisite(s): Any one or more of the following courses: GEOL 226, GEOL 229, SLSC 313, SLSC 444, EVSC 220, ENVE 201, or by permission of the instructor. Note: This course is primarily intended as an upper level elective for geology majors. Students from other disciplines without one of the prerequisites who are interested in taking this course are welcome to contact the instructor to discuss if their background is suitable. Additional assigned readings may be required to ensure these students attain the requisite geoscience background to succeed in the course.
