Course Syllabus
Gut reaction: How human microbes shape our lives |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2022 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Biology, Biomedicine / Biotechnology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science |
| Prerequisites: |
One year of biology, one course in either molecular biology or genetics, and one chemistry course, all at university level |
| Faculty Member: |
Jodi Schwarz - jodi.schwarz@dis.dk |
| Program Director: |
Susana Dietrich - shsupport@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:05 - 11:25 | Classroom V23-400 |
Faculty
|
Jodi Schwarz, Associate Professor Associate Professor in Biology at Vassar College (2013-present). Assistant Professor in Biology at Vassar College (2006-2013) Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Evolutionary Genomics at the Joint Genome Institute (2004-2006). Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University (2002-2004). PhD in Zoology at Oregon State University (1997-2002). MS in Marine Science at University of California Santa Cruz (1994-1996). DIS visiting faculty 2022. |
Course Description
The human body serves as an ecosystem for billions of bacteria that live in and on us. In this course, we will explore how the microbiomes living in our bodies affect health and disease. We will learn how researchers use bioinformatics and animal models to study how microbes regulate metabolic processes, prime the immune system, and influence mood through the “gut/brain axis”. Students will develop an independent "Hot Topics" project based on their interests.
Expected Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain fundamental ecological principles of the human microbiome and connect these principles to concepts of dysbiosis and disease.
- Describe how different human microbiomes may impact human biology and assess the potential of microbiota to maintain health and treat disease.
- Describe foundational research strategies for studying the microbiome and how these can address questions about the roles of microbes in human biology.
- Develop a synthetic understanding of one topic through critical analysis of the scientific literature and use that understanding to teach a general audience about the topic.
- Critically evaluate new developments that are reported in news media
Description of Grading/Evaluation
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class all of the assigned work must be completed.
| Assignment | Weight |
| Formative Quizzes* | 20% |
| Summative Test 1 | 15% |
| Summative Test 2 | 15% |
| Report-Outs and Discussions | 20% |
| Hot Topics: Prep, Presentation and Discussions | 30% |
* Formative quizzes may be revised and resubmitted for re-scoring
Field Studies
Dates: October 19 from 13:00 to 16:00; November 30 from 8:30 to 12:30.
Required Readings
- Selected chapters from I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes within Us and a Grander View of Life. Ed Yong. Harper and Collins, 2016.
- Selections from the textbook Microbiology, An Introduction, 12th edition. Tortora et al. Pearson, 2020 (pdfs posted to Canvas).
- Selected papers from the scientific literature (pdfs posted on Canvas) and student-selected readings from the popular and scientific literature.
DIS Contacts
Susana Dietrich, Program Director, shsupport@dis.dk
Science & Health Program Office: Vestergade 7-37
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: Course Enrollment and Grading and Academic Expectations and Honor Code
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|