Courses
Members of the Girguis Lab teach in both formal and informal settings. Foremost, we believe in meeting students where they are at, and we design our courses so that each student is, in essence, competing with themselves.
The courses shown here represent the diversity of our offerings and illustrate our commitment to engaging with students at the college and beyond. We are also involved with other communities and individuals who are equally committed to sharing ocean science with the broader public.
Photo courtesy of Peter Watson
Deep Sea Biology
(OEB 119@Harvard College and BIO-E118@Harvard Extension)
The ocean contains 97% of Earth’s water and is home to some of Earth’s most amazing ecosystems. This course introduces deep ocean habitats, animals, and microbes. We will study how the ocean shapes our entire planet, the history of ocean science, the technologies used to explore the ocean, the animals that thrive in the deep sea, their adaptations to different deep-sea environs, and human impacts on the ocean. We aim to provide students with a richer understanding of how the ocean system works, and a deeper appreciation for humankind’s inextricable relationship to the ocean and its inhabitants.
Professor Girguis teaches this course at Harvard College for Harvard undergrads, as well as for the general public through the Harvard Extension School.
Photo courtesy of Rogan Brown
Microbial Sciences: Chemistry, Ecology and Evolution
(OEB 290@Harvard College and Micro210@Harvard Medical School)
This is an interdisciplinary graduate-level and advanced undergraduate-level course in which students explore topics in molecular microbiology, microbial diversity, and microbially-mediated geochemistry in depth. This course will be taught by faculty from the Microbial Sciences Initiative. Topics include the origins of life, biogeochemical cycles, microbial diversity, and ecology.
Professor Girguis teaches this course at Harvard College for Harvard students, as well as via the Harvard Medical School for medical school students.
Illustration by Abrar Khan
Sea Monsters Throughout the Ages: Fables, Films, and Facts
(FRSEMR 50V@Harvard College and HUMA-E103@Harvard Extension)
There have always been tales of sea monsters. For as long as we humans have ventured into the ocean, our imaginations have conjured images of serpents, krakens, leviathans, and other creatures, all of whom seem bent on the destruction of those who dare set foot into the sea. Humankind’s conviction that sea monsters are real is so powerful that even today rumors abound of sea monsters lurking in the depths. Indeed, every major religion—eastern and western—features sea monsters. Are these declarations true? Do giants roam the deep sea? Did the explorers of centuries ago see creatures from their small wooden boats that we do not see today?
This is a course about critical thinking, during which we explore sea monsters through a social, spiritual, literary, and scientific lens. We study the sea monsters that flourish on ancient maps to understand the minds of sixteenth century scholars. We examine the bodies of real sea monsters and consider the world in which such grotesque creatures might evolve. We read tales of creatures from classic and contemporary literature. Most importantly, we develop a better understanding of how humans perceive the world, and how our consciousness can simultaneously embrace our wildest dreams and cower from our greatest fears. Sea monsters, both real and imagined, tell us much about life in the deep sea, and even more about humankind.
Professor Girguis teaches this course for Harvard undergrads, as well as for the general public through the Harvard Extension School.
Illustration by Terryl Whitlatch
Physiological and Biochemical Adaptation
(OEB 191@Harvard College)
Every living thing on Earth has and continues to evolve in response to its environment. This course examines how microbes and animals maintain function throughout their habitat range. We focus on adaptations that cross-cut all domains of life, as well as physiological/biochemical evolution in response to climate change and life in extreme environments. As the first course in the “genomes to biomes” series, we will examine new approaches to interrogating organismal physiology in nature. Those interested can continue the “genomes to biomes” program via LS 100r.