Hello and welcome to the course!
My name is Muhammad Hasham Zaman, and I'm so excited to share my passion with you. I wanted to make this course a personal introduction, so it's only fair I introduce myself first.
I'm from Pakistan, and for as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by two things that often seem like opposites: art and science.
I pursued my love for science and earned my Bachelor's degree in Microbiology. I've spent countless hours in a lab, studying the invisible world of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. But at the same time, I've always had a deep love for art—for color, form, and creative expression.
A few years ago, I discovered the one place where my two worlds perfectly collide: microbial art.
For me, it's the most magical art form. It's a true partnership between the scientist and the artist. The 'canvas' is a petri dish, and the 'paint' is living, breathing microbes. You "draw" with invisible bacteria, and then, after a day or two, you watch as your creation literally grows into view. It's a perfect blend of a precise scientific process and a beautiful creative surprise.
My goal in this short, simple course isn't to give you a heavy science lecture. It's to share the wonder of this art form with you.
We'll look at some stunning images, and I'll explain the simple basics of how it's done. I hope you'll leave this course seeing both science and art in a new light.
- Teacher: Muhammad Hasham Zaman