This is a computer lab course intended to give students technical and practical experience in analyzing sequencing data. We focus on bacterial genomes from recently isolated bacteria, so there is a possibility of discovery of new microbial diversity. Collaborative learning will be encouraged, but students will work individually to assemble, annotate, and analyze a bacterial genome.

Each week will begin with a review on the topic to be covered for that week. When applicable, there will be pre-recorded lectures to introduce lab topics, and students are expected to have watched these before coming to class. Our time in class will be spent as a computer lab, where students will work collaboratively and at their own pace to complete their genome sequencing and analysis. The guided analysis will transition into independent study. Students will produce a final capstone report in the style of the Microbiology Resource Announcements published by the American Society of Microbiology.

This course fulfils the Microbiology Major requirement as a Major Laboratory Elective, and the Microbiology Graduate requirement as a core graduate-level course in microbial science.