Polar Microbes

Explore the Microscopic Life of Earth’s Poles

 

Have you ever wanted to visit the Arctic or Antarctic see polar bears or penguins? In this course, you will learn that there is more to Earth’s polar regions than the animals you can see!

The microorganisms that inhabit our coldest and most remote regions – tiny bacteria, archaea and protists – have unique adaptations that allow them to live in these harsh places. They also play an important role in Earth’s carbon cycle. Students will learn what makes polar environments unique, how microbes have adapted to thrive in these environments and how these microbes help to regulate Earth’s climate. Students will have the option to construct a simple climate model using the open-source computer language R.

What You Will Learn

• Be able to distinguish the Arctic and the Antarctic by their unique physical, chemical and biological characteristics.
• Gain a thorough understanding of the microbial life present in polar regions.
• Understand how polar microbes contribute to the carbon cycle and help regulate Earth’s climate.
• Research and do a presentation on an interesting polar microbe and its potential application for human use.
• Know how to construct a simple climate model in the computer language R.

Return to the Sally Ride Science Junior Academy website here.
 

Note: In response to COVID-19 health guidelines, we have restructured our in-person Junior Academy workshops as online courses. Contact us at srs@ucsd.edu if you have questions.

Course Number: SIO-90031
Credit: 1.50 unit(s)

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7/12/2021 - 7/16/2021

$175

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• SECTION ID:

  158218

• CLASS TYPE:

  Synchronous web-based class meetings that are scheduled to meet online at published times (time/date).

• INSTRUCTOR:
  

  Connors, Beth

  Beth Connors is a marine microbial ecologist, with an interest in the microbiological components of global biogeochemical cycling and climate change.  She holds a dual BA in Marine Science and Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. As a certified SCUBA Divemaster, she has worked as a science diver in Tahiti, coastal California, and the Caribbean. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, focusing on bacterial ecology along the Western Antarctic Peninsula.

• TEXTBOOKS:

  No textbook required.

• POLICIES:

  1st meeting mandatory.
  Early enrollment advised.
  No UCSD parking permit required.
  No visitors permitted.
  Pre-enrollment required.
  No refunds after: 7/5/2021.
  

• NOTE:

  Grade Level: 9th-12th Instructor will contact students 24-hours in advance of class with Zoom information. Students have the option of logging on to Zoom from 9-9:30am to have office hours with the instructor. In addition, students have the option of staying on Zoom after class ends from 11am-12pm for additional support. No supplies needed for this course.

DATE	DAY	START	END	LOCATION
7/12/2021	Mon	9:30 a.m.	11:00 a.m.
7/13/2021	Tue	9:30 a.m.	11:00 a.m.
7/14/2021	Wed	9:30 a.m.	11:00 a.m.
7/15/2021	Thu	9:30 a.m.	11:00 a.m.
7/16/2021	Fri	9:30 a.m.	11:00 a.m.