Do Real Research in Microbial Planet Lab – Fall 2025 (GEOL/MCDB 3181)
Interested in discovering new microbes from the environment? Intrigued by microbes' influence on their environment?
Join GEOL/MCDB 3181 – Microbial Planet Lab with Dr. Seb Kopf
https://www.kopflab.org/this Fall for a hands-on, discovery-based research course where YOU conduct original experiments on soil-dwelling microbes—no prior lab experience required!
Microbes are everywhere—they're the invisible master chemists behind Earth's geochemical cycles, from breaking down rock and organic matter to influencing carbon flow and climate. In this course, you’ll explore how microorganisms shape the lithosphere and biosphere and gain real-world research skills.
In this class, you will:
- Isolate and characterize new microbes from soil—your samples, your discoveries
- Investigate microbial metabolism, including the production of antibiotics and lipids
- Explore geobiological processes and how microbes interact with minerals and drive nutrient cycling
- Learn the scientific process by doing science—form hypotheses, run experiments, and present your findings
- Collaborate in a research team, contributing to real-world microbial discovery
Whether you're a geology major interested in life-mineral interactions or a biology student eager to dive into microbial physiology and evolution, GEOL/MCDB 3181 offers a unique opportunity to get your hands dirty—in the name of science.
Seats are limited. Talk to your advisor and enroll for Fall 2025 today! This class is next planned to be offered in Fall 2027.
Questions? Check out the syllabus here. GEOL/MCDC 3181 Syllabus, contact Sebastian.kopf@colorado.edu or make a mentoring appointment with a GEOL faculty mentor.
Let’s explore the microbial world and its impact on our planet—one scoop of soil at a time.