The Gut Microbiome: Implications For Host Evolution and Ecology

The gut microbiome is everywhere these days, but do you wonder why and how? This course uses active learning focused on the evolution and ecology of the gut microbiome. Students will gain familiarity with the hologenome theory of evolution, comparative gut morphology, nutritional ecology, dysbiosis, and common microbiome methods. Students will practice reading primary literature, asking questions of real data, interpreting results, writing and revising a scientific paper, and using science communication. Course goals are to demystify the process of basic gut microbiome science and emphasize microbial roles in animal lives. This course fulfills the 'Ecology Requirement' for the Biology major.