BIOL 4809 - The Human Microbiome
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41658,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Carl Johnston
Email: cgjohnston@ysu.edu
Course Description
4809. The Human Microbiome. Covers microbial communities and their interactions associated with the human host. Scientific literature on the identity and roles of microbes associated with the human gut, oral cavity, skin, genital-urinary tract and respiratory system will be reviewed, presented, and discussed. Prereq.: BIOL 3702. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | No textbook required |
Scientific readings will be posted in Blackboard for discussions.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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This schedule will vary according to presentations at the end
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 8/24 | First meeting Mandatory LIVE | ||
| Wed | 8/26 | Ch 1 - Ch 3 material posted in Blackboard. You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. No attendance |
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| Mon | 8/31 | Ch 1 - Ch 3 material posted in Blackboard. You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. No attendance |
You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. | |
| Wed | 9/2 | Ch 1 - Ch 3 material posted in Blackboard. You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. No attendance. |
You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. | |
| Mon | 9/7 | Holiday | You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. | |
| Wed | 9/9 | Review Ch 1 - Ch 3 LIVE in class room. Mandatory meeting. Mandatory attendance |
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| Mon | 9/14 | Review Ch 1 - Ch 3 LIVE in class room. Mandatory meeting. Mandatory attendance |
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| Wed | 9/16 | Test 1 Ch 1- Ch 3 Mandatory attendance |
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| Mon | 9/21 | Ch 4 - Ch 6 material posted in Blackboard. You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. | You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. | |
| Wed | 9/23 | Ch 4 - Ch 6 material posted in Blackboard. You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. | You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. | |
| Mon | 9/28 | Ch 4 - Ch 6 material posted in Blackboard. You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. | You are responsible for learning this material on your own. E-mail/make an appointment for clarification/questions. | |
| Wed | 9/30 | Review Ch 4 - Ch 6 LIVE in classroom. Mandatory attendance Mandatory attendance |
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| Mon | 10/5 | Review Ch 4 - Ch 6 LIVE in classroom. Mandatory attendance Mandatory attendance |
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| Wed | 10/7 | Test 2 Ch 4 - Ch 6 Live in classroom. Mandatory attendance Mandatory attendance |
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| Mon | 10/12 | Probiotics and Health Assigned reading. No attendance |
You must understand this scientific article and lead the discussion in next class (see below) | |
| Wed | 10/14 | Probiotics and Health Assigned reading. No attendance |
You must understand this scientific article and lead the discussion in next class (see below) | |
| Mon | 10/19 | Discussion (graded) of Probiotics and Health paper Due date to pick 2 topics for presentations. ONLYgraduate students t Mandatory attendance. Discussions are graded. |
You must understand this scientific article and lead the discussion in next class | |
| Wed | 10/21 | Discussion (graded) of Probiotics and Health paper Mandatory attendance. Discussions are graded. |
You must understand this scientific article and lead the discussion in next class | |
| Mon | 10/26 | Microbiome in Early-Late Life Assigned reading No attendance. |
You must understand this scientific article and lead the discussion in next class | |
| Wed | 10/28 | icrobiome in Early-Late Life Assigned reading No attendance. |
You must understand this scientific article and lead the discussion in next class. | |
| Mon | 11/2 | Discussion (graded) Microbiome in Early-Late Life Mandatory attendance. Discussions are graded. |
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| Wed | 11/4 | Discussion (graded) Microbiome in Early-Late Life Mandatory attendance. Discussions are graded. |
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| Mon | 11/9 | Graduate students presentations Mandatory attendance |
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| Wed | 11/11 | Holiday. No classes Mandatory attendance |
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| Mon | 11/16 | Graduate students presentations Mandatory attendance |
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| Wed | 11/18 | Graduate students presentations Mandatory attendance |
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| Mon | 11/23 | Graduate students presentations Mandatory attendance |
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| Wed | 11/25 | No classes. YSU closed. Mandatory attendance |
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| Mon | 11/30 | Graduate students presentations Mandatory attendance |
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| Wed | 12/2 | TBD | ||
| Mon | 12/7 | TBD | ||
| Wed | 12/9 | TBD |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.