This course focuses on foundational components of biotechnology, with an emphasis on microbial ecology, microbial metabolism and the importance of microorganisms in the environment. Students will learn about the traditional and emerging environmental biotechnological approaches currently being employed to address environmental problems and achieve a working knowledge of the science involved in wastewater treatment, clean-up of industrial waste streams, bioremediation, and bioenergy production with focus on recent progress and novel approaches that offer new insights into environmental biotechnology. Students will also engage in the scientific process, working in small groups on a project of their own design, and producing and delivering a professional in-class presentation.
NOTE: This course fulfills the requirement for an organismal elective for Biology majors.
