BB509: Microbiology (5 ECTS)

STADS: 04003401

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the spring semester.
4th quarter.

Teacher responsible
Email: ebk@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
BB501 Biology - from molecule to ecosystem must be passed.

Course introduction
Microorganisms play vital roles in biology. These microscopic organisms are central to the conversions of organic and inorganic material in all ecosystems. They are also of key importance in the health of humans, other animals, and plants. The aim of this course is to introduce the basic concepts and issues of microbial evolution, biodiversity, structure, function and development, and their importance in natural environments and for humans.

Qualifications
After completing the course, the student will be able to

• Discuss current theories about the origin of life, microbial evolution and systematics
• Describe the structure of a prokaryotic cell and list the structural and functional differences between Bacteria and Archaea
• Apply and explain standard methods for enumeration, isolation, identification and cultivation of prokaryotes and report the results in a scientifically acceptable form
• Make simple calculations of microbial growth kinetics in batch and continuous culture and describe how microbial growth can be controlled
• Describe the different modes of energy metabolism shown by microbes
• Describe beneficial and harmful interactions between microbes and humans
• Discuss the role of microbes in natural ecosystems with emphasis on biodegradation of organic material and biogeochemical cycles

Expected learning outcome
After completing the course, the student will be able to

• Discuss current theories about the origin of life, microbial evolution and systematics
• Describe the structure of a prokaryotic cell and list the structural and functional differences between Bacteria and Archaea
• Apply and explain standard methods for enumeration, isolation, identification and cultivation of prokaryotes and report the results in a scientifically acceptable form
• Make simple calculations of microbial growth kinetics in batch and continuous culture and describe how microbial growth can be controlled
• Describe the different modes of energy metabolism shown by microbes
• Describe beneficial and harmful interactions between microbes and humans
• Discuss the role of microbes in natural ecosystems with emphasis on biodegradation of organic material and biogeochemical cycles

Subject overview
The following topics will be covered:
1. History of microbiology
2. Microbial diversity and evolution
3. Structure of the bacterial cell
4. Bacterial metabolism
5. Bacterial genetics and genomics
6. Microbial growth kinetics in batch and continuous culture
7. Physical and chemical limits to microbial growth
8. Interactions between microbes and humans, including infectious disease
9. The role of microbes in biogeochemical cycles
10. Laboratory methods for the investigation of microbes

Literature

• Wheelis. M:: Principles of modem microbiology, Jones and Barllett Publishers, Sudbury. (2008).

Syllabus
See syllabus.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
Approval of laboratory report, pass/fail examination by teacher. 3-hour written examination with all aids permitted except for a computer, and grade on the Danish 7-point scale with external examiner.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

Forelæsninger (20 t), eksaminatorier (10 t) og laboratorieøvelser (16 t).
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in Danish.

Remarks
This course in part of the compulsory programme in Biology and is taught by instructors from the Institute of Biology (50%, responsible) and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (50%).

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.