A new online Gen Ed course entitled Biology of Social Issues will be offered for the first time this winter.
BIOL105. Biology of Social Issues
Gut feelings: The microbiomes impact on health, mood and society
Gen Ed - 4 credits
Most people don’t realize that our bodies are filled with microorganisms! This extraordinary microbial diversity is integral in keeping us healthy. We will explore these invisible fellow travelers and learn who they are, what they are doing, and what happens when things go awry with our microbiome. As we learn about our microbiome, we will address some of the numerous social issues that have arisen in the wake of this new knowledge about our bodies. We will tackle issues related to obesity and weight loss, the epidemic of depression and other mental health issues, the emergence of antibiotic resistance, the importance of vaccination against childhood diseases, and many others.