This course will give an introduction to the microbial world. Students will gain knowledge of the diversity of prokaryotes, their development, structure and function. They will gain an understanding of prokaryotic metabolism, nutrition, growth and different methods that are used to control microbial growth in industrial and medical settings, as well as, the use of antimicrobial chemotherapeutic drugs to treat infections. The major classes of bacteria, viruses and
fungi will be thoroughly discussed and students will gain knowledge about host-pathogen relationships.