Viruses in the News

In this class, we will discuss current events in the world related to viral outbreaks. We will discuss typical practices used by the media to cover viral-induced epidemics and reflect on how societal and political factors are influencing our own comprehension and perspective on potential pandemics.

A Sea of Microbes

Over 70% of the Earth?s surface is covered with the oceans, and nearly all of the life within the ocean is microscopic. Some of these microbes are photosynthetic and form most of the base of the marine food web. These in turn are consumed by other small creatures that eventually provide food for the larger animals in the sea. Bacteria are responsible for maintaining certain chemical balances in the oceans, and themselves are food for other microbes. Understanding how life is sustained in our oceans is vital for coastal human populations that rely on the sea for food.

Poverty Race & AIDS in the US

HIV rates in U.S. poverty areas rival those found in Haiti, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Angola. HIV prevalence in high-poverty neighborhoods is more than double that of the nation overall. Within high-poverty neighborhoods, prevalence among people living below the poverty line was double that of those living above it. Blacks disproportionately bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic in the US accounting for over 48% of all new cases of the disease while representing only 12% of the population.

Microbial Physiology&Diversity

Description of the structure and function of key aspects of microorganisms and approaches to their study. Topics include cell structure, bacterial growth, energy generation, biosynthesis of macromolecules, and the integration of these processes in an environmental context. Emphasis is on modern approaches to these topics using biochemistry and genomic tools. Prerequisite: MICROBIO 310

Outbreak

Infectious disease has many effects on the development of society, and likewise, human interactions affect the development of disease. Emerging and reemerging infectious disease is a contemporary global issue of great concern. We live in a time with very militant anti-vaccine movements and disease etiology denialists. This course examines these interactions with a focus on the role of race, class, and economic status in the development of epidemics.
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