First Year Seminar 191CNS56 - FYS- Topics in CNS

First-year (R1ST) Title: Microbiome: The Unseen Pillars of Life
Description: Did you know that microorganisms are the most abundant living organisms on earth? They live in every ecosystem even in the most extreme environments. In this seminar, we will examine how the microbiome encompasses every aspect of life focusing on three major pillars: Medicine and Human Health, Agriculture, and Ecosystem Functions. You will learn essential scientific skills such as hypothesis writing, journal analysis, and citing scientific work. We will practice microbiology wet lab skills and culture microorganisms from varying sample locations and form hypotheses on what we expect to grow. Throughout this course you will challenge your understanding of the influence of the microbiome on life on earth. Like other First Year Seminars we will also cover skills to help you succeed in your first semester at UMass Amherst.