Gain knowledge about the various types of microorganisms and how they are differentiated from each other.

Understand the pathogenesis of the most important infectious diseases in humans.

Analyze concepts regarding the approach to the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Combine knowledge gained throughout the course and develop a hypothesis to establish the cause of an outbreak.

Understand the basis for the actions of the antimicrobial agents that are used to treat infections and critically assess the effectiveness of the measures proposed to prevent infections.

Examine the requirements for the growth of bacteria and how certain elements affect bacterial growth.

Discuss how genetic mutation and recombination provide material for natural selection to act upon.

List the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of genetic modification techniques.

Appraise various microbial diseases, including the properties of different types of pathogens and the mechanisms of pathogenesis.

Categorize the role of the host in infectious disease, including natural barriers to infection, innate and acquired immune responses to infection, and inflammation.

Successfully analyze experimental approaches for identifying virulence genes and the advantages/disadvantages of each approach for specific pathogens.

Discuss therapeutic treatments for microbial infections, and distinguish when a vaccine, antibiotic, or other therapy is likely to be the most appropriate response.