BB538: Microbial ecology and global biogeochemical cycles (5 ECTS)

STADS: 04016601

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: bot@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
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Prerequisites:
None.

Academic preconditions:
Students taking the course are expected to:

• Have knowledge of fundamental principles in microbiology and ecology.
• Be able to perform and analyse wet chemical and microbiological laboratory experiments.
• Have experience in scientific reporting in written and oral form.
• Be able to engage in scientific discussions

Course introduction
Microorganisms play pivotal roles in the biogeochemistry of the Earth, performing a range of unique processes that are essential for the maintenance of a habitable planet. Microbes have been the dominating life form through most of Earth’s history and have contributed decisively to the chemical evolution of the biosphere. Their functional diversity also represents an important resource for biotechnological applications in the widest sense. The aim of this course is to provide the student with a theoretically and experimentally founded understanding of microbial life and the structure and function of microbial communities, which will enable the student to analyse the role of microbes in ecological and biotechnological contexts.

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses in microbiology and ecology (BB509, BB510), and gives an academic basis for further studies in aquatic ecology and related subjects.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

• provide competence to enter into academic collaborations and structure personal learning
• provide skills in conducting experimental investigations, acquire knowledge in an independent and efficient manner, critically evaluate biological theories and models, and express, evaluate and solve biological problems
• provide knowledge and understanding of scientific theories, experimental methods, and current research topics in biology, and how these are employed in biological discussions.

Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:

• acquire knowledge from text books and primary litterature in the field
• describe and explain fundamental principles in microbial ecology and biogeochemistry
• perform experiments to analyse the structure and function of microbial communities
• interpret experimental results in a microbial ecological and biogeochemical context, evaluate associated uncertainties, and derive justified conclusions
• present the results and interpretations in a clear and concise manner, orally as well as in writing.

Subject overview
The following main topics are contained in the course:

• Being small – physical and biochemical consequences of microbial cell sizes
• Microbial taxis and quorum sensing 
• Microbial energetics
• Microbial food webs - trophic interactions in microbial communities
• The roles of microbes in element cycling
• Biotechnological aspects of microbial metabolisms

Literature
There isn't any litterature for the course at the moment.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
Participation in theoretical and laboratory exercises with handing in of written reports and oral presentations. Pass/fail, internal marking by teacher.

Assessment and marking:
a) Oral examination. Internal marking, Danish 7-mark scale. Allowed exam aids: Own reports as handed in and approved. (04016602).

The mode of exam at the re-examination may differ from the mode of exam at the ordinary exam.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 13 hours
Skills training phase: 36 hours, hereof:
 - Tutorials: 13 hours
 - Laboratory exercises: 15 hours
 - Excursion: 8 hours

Educational activities

Educational form
Activities during the study phase:

• Reading scientific publications
• Data analysis and report writing

Topics are presented in 2-hour sessions including interactive lecturing, theoretical exercises, and discussions. In some of these sessions, invited speakers will present specific research topics of current interest. In the laboratory exercises, a range of microbiological and biogeochemical techniques will be applied to the study of microbial communities. An excursion will explore microbial communities on location.

Language
This course is taught in Danish or English, depending on the lecturer. However, if international students participate, the teaching language will always be English.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.