Small and Mighty: Introduction to Microbiology
Understand the basics of microbiology and explore the diversity of microbial life in our world.
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What You'll Learn in This Course
Master key concepts and practical skills through structured learning modules. By completing this curriculum, you'll gain valuable expertise applicable to real-world scenarios.
Learning Outcome 1
Microbes may be invisible to the eye, but they dominate every environment on Earth – including you. Microbes are often associated with disease yet the majority of species help to keep us alive. How can you distinguish the good from the bad?
Learning Outcome 2
On this course, you’ll explore a general introduction to the field of microbiology and investigate the amazing diversity of microbial life. Learn about the significant roles microbes play in health, food, and the environment through expert interviews, lab demonstrations and practical experiments you can try at home.
Skills You'll Develop
This comprehensive Small and Mighty: Introduction to Microbiology curriculum is designed to take you from foundational concepts to advanced implementation. Each module builds upon the previous, ensuring a structured learning path that maximizes knowledge retention and practical application.
Course Requirements & Target Audience
Understand what you need to succeed in this course and determine if it's the right fit for your learning goals
Prerequisites & Requirements
What you need before starting this Small and Mighty: Introduction to Microbiology course:
- Describe the key differences between the five groups of microbe.
- Explain how microbes replicate and why environmental conditions affect where they live.
- Differentiate between beneficial and harmful effects of microbes.
- Discuss ways that microbiology research has, and will continue to, benefit human health, food production and the environment.
- Explain how microbes evolve and discuss the potential implications of this on the future health of the population and our planet.
Who This Course Is For
This course is perfect for:
- Motivated learners at any level
- Self-paced students
- Anyone interested in the subject
This course might not be suitable if:
- • You're looking for a quick tutorial rather than comprehensive learning
- • You prefer learning without structured curriculum
- • You need highly specialized or niche content
Course Information & Details
Everything you need to know about this online course, from duration to certification
Course Instructor
How studying microbes can answer questions about evolution: discover how a microbe can rapidly rewire its genes following a life-threatening mutation.
Expert instructor with industry experience
Subject Category
Healthcare & Medicine, Science, Engineering & Maths, Biology and Biotechnology
Course Language
English
All materials in English
Start Your Learning Journey Today
This online course offers comprehensive training with expert instruction, practical exercises, and a certificate of completion. Join thousands of students advancing their careers through quality online education.
Course Enrollment
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What's Included
- What microbes are: recognise the differences between the 5 major groups (Viruses, Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi and Protists) and where they appear in the tree of life.
- How microbes function: understand how microbes replicate, grow and exchange genes with each other.
- Where microbes live: learn how microbes survive and thrive throughout the world, from extreme environments to the surface of our skin.
- How to study microbes: watch practical demonstrations of common microbiology techniques and learn how microbiologists can identify the culprit of an infection.
- How to test a hypothesis: carry out your own microbiology experiments and find out how to analyse your results.
- Why studying microbes is so important: explore how microbiology research benefits society in three key areas - Medical, Food and Environment.
Affiliate disclosure: course links are affiliate links; an enrolment through one may pay Getting Digital a commission from the provider, at no extra cost to the learner, and it does not influence how courses are described.
- ✓Instant access after enrollment
- ✓Learn at your own pace
- ✓Direct enrollment with University of Reading
Where this course fits
Wider context: all fields, the glossary and certification exams.
Last updated 20 August 2025 · Getting Digital