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The Microbial Earth Semester on Catalina Island
Join us for an intensive, hands-on, experimental exploration of these important organisms and processes they carry out by taking the "The Microbial Earth" semester program on Catalina Island. A select group of 10-15 students will join with some of our prominent faculty to cover this spectrum of topics and to conduct independent research projects. This semester is a wonderful introduction to this field for those interested in graduate school in biology, earth science, environmental science, oceanography, research in environmental microbiology and for many practical jobs in environmental science. During the Microbial Ecology Semester, you will take an interwoven set of three classes (see below) and conduct an independent research project. The instructors will include Dr. Dave Caron, Dr. Doug Capone, Dr. Jed Fuhrman, Dr. Ken Nealson, Dr. Anthony Michaels, Dr. Will Berelson, Dr. Doug Hammond. Environmental Microbiology This program will be part of our Fall Semester on Catalina Island each year. Please contact us at (213) 740-6780 or catsem@usc.edu. Spring Semester on Catalina Island
3616 Trousdale Parkway, AHF 410 Los Angeles, California 90089-0371 E-mail: catsem@usc.edu Phone: (213) 740-6780 Fax: (213) 740-6720 |
The world is dominated by microscopic forms of life. Archaea, bacteria, microalgae, protozoa and viruses affect every aspect of our environment, our ecosystems, our earth and our health. Microorganismal species span nearly all of the metabolic diversity on the earth and much of the exciting evolutionary history. These species have a fundamental effect on the non-living earth and vice versa. Microbial processes contribute to the production of organic material on our planet and dominate its utilization and decomposition. Ecosystem function and global elemental cycles are profoundly affected by their activities. Some microorganisms mediate the formation of minerals. They literally eat and breath rocks! The understanding of the link between life and rocks helps us understand all of these processes and even extends into the search for life on Mars and the exploration of bioremediation solutions to pollution.