The Medical Microbiology DeCal explores the many ways that bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses interact with human health. Each week, we will focus on a new group of organisms and the positive or negative impacts they have had on various specialties of medicine. Some of the many topics we will explore are the impact of yeasted breads on ancient human nutrition and the role of malaria in shaping human genetics. Part of each meeting will be devoted to discussing and analyzing scientific readings.

There are no exams in this course; instead, there will be a short mid-semester and final paper designed to help students critically analyze scientific literature; assignments are graded on effort. Two unexcused absences are permitted in the course; any further absences will require a makeup assignment.

There are no prerequisites for this course; the intention is to expose students with all levels of background to exciting concepts in medical microbiology. By the end of the course, students will have a greater understanding of the ways in which a variety of fascinating microbes affect human health.

Contact sonali.pfile@berkeley.edu with questions.

THE ENROLLMENT CODE IS 27770. Enrollment is first come, first served. Students can enroll anytime before the add/drop period ends, and it's ok to have missed the first few classes. The first class meeting will be on Wednesday, January 25th from 6:30-8pm in Giannini 141.