The importance of disease outbreaks in human history is a startling reminder of the importance of pathogens in humans' role in Earth’s ecology. The perils of animal disease outbreaks on land and in the ocean have increasingly encroached on ecosystem stability, human health and livelihoods, drawing awareness to the interconnectivity of living organisms. Whether they’re viruses, bacteria, fungi or “parasites” pathogens inspire fear and misunderstanding. These real and metaphorical fears complicate the startling complexity of their role in ecological function and in the evolution of all life on earth.
In this program we will examine pathogens that affect the animal world across environments and the broader impacts of those ecological and evolutionary changes. Students will be trained in microbiology and parasitology techniques for the isolation of bacteria, fungi and some common parasites. Examples will span terrestrial and aquatic systems, providing a broader understanding of how disease can affect ecological function and dynamics. Students will be trained in microbiological techniques, parasite isolation, molecular biology for identifying bacteria, and computational tools for understanding the mathematics of disease transmission.
The program will include interactive lectures, labs, seminars, computer workshops, and a research project. Optional training and research opportunities will include hands-on fieldwork and microscopy training. Textbooks will include selections from online microbiology and pathology textbooks and other readings will include Ocean Outbreak (Harvell), Parasite Rex (Zimmer), Spillover (Quammen) and peer-reviewed scientific literature.
Students may have to do outdoor fieldwork in areas that are accessibility challenged, including hiking through the forest, wading in streams and the Puget Sound, and working in mud at the Evergreen beach. As some of the fieldwork may present accessibility challenges, certain field collection activities will be optional, with laboratory alternatives provided. Students will also encounter indoor laboratory work and animal handling that may expose them to microbiological hazards. Students may be expected to do some animal handling, dissection, or vivisection for pathogen isolation; students will have options for alternatives for some of those activities.
Anticipated credit equivalencies
(32 upper division science credits total, 16 per quarter, marked with *):
6*-Microbiology of pathogens
5*-Parasitology
3*-Principles of epidemiology
2*-Seminar in disease ecology
8*-Disease ecology and zoonoses
6*-Research project in disease ecology
2*-Microscopy or molecular biology
Winter Quarter only (14cr UD, 2 cr LD)
4*-Microbiology of pathogens
3*-Parasitology
3*-Principles of epidemiology
4*-Disease ecology and zoonoses
2-Microscopy or molecular biology (without research project)
Registration
General Biology and General Chemistry sequence (INS or equivalent)
Students must consult with faculty about their prerequisite knowledge in order to join the program in Spring.
Academic Details
public health, veterinary sciences, wildlife management
Winter: $115 fee covers a field trip to the Burke Museum ($15) and require lab fees ($100).
Spring: $100 lab fees
Students will be awarded upper division science credit in microbiology, microscopy, and in epidemiology (and/or related topics) upon demonstration of sufficient learning as laid out in the program agreement and syllabus, and upon completion of a capstone research project within the program.
Students will have the opportunity to do a small group research project as part of the program