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MBI 111
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This course has been designed to introduce you to principles and issues in infectious disease microbiology in a manner that will be both significant for understanding the disease process and relevant to your health. You will learn what microorganisms are, how they function, how they have been important in shaping human history, how they are important in your life now and how they will be important to you in the future. The role of microorganisms in infectious diseases and the responses of the host to those infections will be emphasized in this course. However, beneficial effects of some microorganisms will also be discussed.
The topics in Microorganisms and Human Disease are all related to infectious diseases and their influence on development of human societies, past, present and future. The subject matter pertains to causative agents and their transmission, predisposing (risk) factors, resulting damage and complications, treatments, and preventive strategies. To allow you to perceive the impact of each topic, yet free you from some of the distraction of note-taking so you can concentrate on understanding the concepts and participate in discussing them, you will be provided with lecture outlines, study guides and other informative material via the World Wide Web. To increase your interest and intellectual curiosity, the relevance of lecture topics and associated issues to everyday life--past, present and future--will be emphasized in lectures and discussions. In addition, the lecture material will be supplemented with appropriate slides, overheads, videos and/or movies to help you relate what you are learning to the "real" world.
The underlying theme of Microorganisms and Human Disease is the impact of infectious diseases on development of human societies. You will learn about major achievements of microbiologists and the resistance they had to overcome to make their breakthroughs. Examples include Koch's germ theory of infectious disease and development of postulates for determining causation of infectious disease, Jenner's development of a protective smallpox vaccine, Fleming, Chain and Florey's work on penicillin and Salk and Sabin's efforts in combating polio. In addition to this, discussion of the occurrence of new diseases such as AIDS, Legionnaires' disease and Lyme disease, coupled with the subsequent development of new strategies to combat them will help you learn that the subject matter is historically derived and continually changing. It will also help you appreciate the importance of imagination and intuition in development of scientific principles and approaches, and underscore the continuing need for these traits if we are to successfully address contemporary issues in infectious disease microbiology. Critical thinking will be fostered by examination of entrenched assumptions and methods during description of the derivation of current methods and concepts from earlier ones.
Integration into each lecture of examples of problem recognition, problem definition, and problem solving will nurture the development of your understanding and appreciation of the analytical approach inherent in the scientific method. As liberally educated citizens, you will be challenged to think about the current state of infectious disease microbiology and to formulate strategies to improve the longevity and quality of life. The application of critical ways of thinking will include exploring possible solutions to current issues in infectious disease microbiology, including ways to improve control of microorganisms to effect better prevention and treatment of microbial infections.
The intricacies of host-pathogen interactions will be interwoven throughout the course as each aspect of infectious disease microbiology is addressed. You will be encouraged to compare your own ways of thinking with those employed in other times, by other societies or professions and by your fellow students. In each case, you will be encouraged to evaluate how effective a society is (or was) in combating infectious disease. Opportunities for you to share and discuss personal perspectives will be encouraged in order to assist you in understanding the problems inherent in infectious disease control. This approach will provide freedom from the teaching of science as dogma, yet demonstrate the extent to which the rise and maintenance of western society is based on science, and microbiology in particular. You will also recognize that there may not be a universal priority or prescription for well-being of individuals at all times or in all places. In addition, you will develop an understanding of how and why this can happen. In summary, this course was designed to inspire you to think in new ways, better understand multicultural and historical differences, and appreciate the basis of diverse responses to infectious diseases by helping you understand how ways of knowing and ways of thinking affect the derivation and application of infectious disease microbiology principles both here and around the globe.
To foster personal involvement with the subject matter, you will find news reports and bring them to class for oral presentation and group discussion. The instructor will also foster discussion by posing questions based on real-life situations such as:
As you can see from this short list of questions, this course is designed to increase your intellectual curiosity and initiate continued interest in learning about infectious diseases and promoting human health long after you have completed it. This approach will also enhance your intellectual development by helping you develop your ability to think critically as you learn to analyze technological options frequently presented as panaceas for contemporary health issues concerning infectious diseases.
A diversity of concepts has been thoughtfully interwoven to form this course. Clearly, it will not only be challenging, but will also provide you with a coordinated learning experience. The breadth of the subject matter, as outlined in the syllabus, permits ample flexibility for thoughtful and creative pedagogy. For example, mathematics will be employed in the statistical analysis of epidemiologic data demonstrating the rise or fall in incidence of diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis, cholera and puerperal sepsis in relation to changes in behavior. Additionally, thoughtful pedagogy will be fostered by analyzing mechanisms of disease and methodologies employed to investigate disease processes. In addition, this course will provide historical perspectives, foster critical thinking and encourage you to explore ways in which imagination, intuition and reasoning affect development of concepts. As a result of taking Microorganisms and Human Disease it is expected that you will be better able to contribute through knowledge, personal practice and leadership to a "healthier" society.