Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

AVS 254 - Introduction to Animal Microbiomes


This course introduces students to host-associated microbiomes; the genomic collection of bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, and viruses present in a host ecosystem.  In each lecture, we will focus on an anatomical location, and discuss the host and environmental pressures which select  for the resident microbial community. The material is primarily in animals (mammals, birds, fish, amphibians) but includes some human-specific comparisons.  This course will introduce ecological theories (e.g. environmental selection, neutral theory) in the context of microbial communities, the history of host-associated microbiology, and how technology has contributed to or limited our understanding of organisms and their critical role in our health and development.  The skill-set objectives includes group discussions, reading scientific literature, and scientific writing in a variety of styles and both technical and non-technical formats.

General Education Requirements: Population and Environment

Prerequisites: BIO 200 or BIO 208 or BMB 155 or BMB 280 or SMS 201; or instructor’s permission

Course Typically Offered: Fall

Credits: 3