NS 4200 - Diet and the Microbiome

(PBS-HE) (OPHLS-AG)

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: one semester introductory biology lecture (BIOMG 1350, BIOG 1140, or equivalent), one semester introductory chemistry (CHEM 1560, CHEM 2070, CHEM 2090, or equivalent), microbiology (BIOMI 2900 or equivalent) and introductory statistics (STSCI 2150, PUBPOL 2100, AEM 2100, or equivalent). Enrollment limited to: senior, junior, and graduate students.

A. Poole.

In this course, students will acquire a present-day overview of the reported effects of diet on the microbiome with an emphasis on metabolic health outcomes. The microbiome field is rapidly evolving, and this course has no textbook; we will mainly be assessing primary literature and scientific reviews. Students will learn to critically analyze the conclusions drawn from microbiome studies to empower them to make informed judgments as new research findings are reported.

Outcome 1: Engage in conversation including terms and techniques in the microbiome field.

Outcome 2: Assess the relevance of correlations between dietary intake, gut microbes, and parameters of metabolic health.

Outcome 3: Design a study to address a question.

Outcome 4: Identify strengths, limits, and confounding factors in studies addressing diet:microbiome associations.

Outcome 5: Present technical information clearly.

Outcome 6: Articulate good arguments to support your decisions regarding scientific issues.