Microbial Population Biology

Let me first say that I want this class to be an enjoyable adventure for us all. A class like this, filled with new modes of science, demands a new mode of learning. Above all, it demands conversation, interaction, creativity, and reflection.

We must all commit to engage, critique, praise, and build upon the material we see, read, and create.

This webpage and its embedded blogs are central to the course. Each of you will have your own blog that represents a major part of your interaction with me and with one another. More importantly, you will all be able to read each other’s blog entries, and you should plan on doing so. Following each assigned reading, you will reflect and respond on your blog. Some weeks, rather than focusing on new material, you will write in response to your classmates’ ideas to continue the conversation. Most importantly, the blog is yours. Be creative, be provocative, be critical, be humorous.

Three times this semester (TBA), you will decide which of your blog entries represent your best work and you will highlight them to be evaluated. You can even write a separate entry explaining why they’re your best work. These evaluations, combined with your weekly contributions to our discussions in class and in recitations or labs, and your write-up of your laboratory (on your blog) will be worth 40% of your grade.

Twice this semester, on Thursday, March 8, 2012, and on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, we will have a cumulative, in-class exam to evaluate your comprehension of the material. It will be open-book and -blog. It will be worth 30% of your grade.

Finally, you will, either as solo agents or as cooperative pairs, spend the semester developing a compelling grant proposal on any subject relevant to microbial population biology that is enlightened by population thinking. You will have multiple occasions to develop your ideas and receive formal criticism on a draft. It will be due on the last day of class, in class, and will be worth 30% of your grade.

Some standard disclaimers and announcements:

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: If you are a student with a documented disability who will require accommodations in this course, please register with the Access Office in the Memorial Union Building, Room 118 (862-2607) for assistance in developing a plan to address your academic needs.

CLASS ATTENDANCE: For an upper-level course, this notice shouldn’t be required, but here goes: ATTEND CLASS. You won’t do well in this course without regular attendance and vocal participation.