BIO130 General Microbiology I

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Geir Mathiesen

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:

  • Lectures: 24 hours.
  • Laboratory exercises: 20 hours.
  • Preparation for laboratory assignments and journal writing: 15 hours.
  • Individual study: 66 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in the Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in the Autumn parallel.

About this course

The lectures cover the following topics:

  • The microorganisms and you.
  • The prokaryote and eukaryote cell types.
  • Microbial metabolism.
  • Growth of microorganisms.
  • Control of microbial growth.
  • Microscopy (Theory/practice )
  • Simple classification of viruses, bacteria and fungi.
  • Antibiotics.
  • The role of microorganisms in nature.

The laboratory course gives a thorough introduction in microbiological techniques. The use of light and phase contrast microscopy. Training in the use of aseptic work technique. Studies of the growth conditions of micro-organisms and how to prevent growth of undesired micro-organisms. Through the exercises, students will learn to interpret experimental data.Mandatory grading laboratory journals must be submitted within the stated deadline in selected exercisesThe course provides an understanding of microbiology to better understand the basic principles of sustainability and climate as defined in the UN Sustainability Development Goals. In particular, that applies to the goals 3, 6, 8, 13, 14, 15.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  • Can give an overview of various microorganisms and their role in nature.
  • Be familiar with basic microbiological terminology
  • Can give an overview of what characterizes the prokaryotic cell type
  • Can give an overview of what affects growth of microorganisms
  • Can give an overviwe of mechanisms of action and the dangers of using too much antibiotics
  • Has pratical knowledge of the growth conditions of micro-organisms and how to prevent growth of undesired micro-organisms.

Skills:

  • Can make use of aseptic techniques
  • Can use light and phase contrast microscopy in the study of different microorganisms
  • Be able to set up simple experiments for testing a hypothesis.
  • Can make interpretation of experimental data obtained during laboratory exercises
  • Hand in laboratory journal for selected exercises within the deadline
  • The student can interpret data generated from the laboratory exercises
  • The student is able to perform the preparations, techniques and analyses employed in the course
  • The student masters the instruments and equipment used in the course

General competence:

The course provides basic competence in theoretical and practical microbiology and a basis for further studies in biology, microbiology, biotechnology and food science.

    • Lectures
    • Laboratory exercises
    • Journal writing
    • Individual study.
  • Supervision is given with the lectures and laboratory work. An oracle lesson is held after the last lab exercise. Power point files will be available on Canvas prior to the lectures. Exercises from the textbook and previous exams will be available on Canvas.
  • KJM100 General chemistry (or equivalent)
  • Overall assessment, A-F: Mandatory lab and lab journal (25%) submission deadline 3. Nov. and 3 hours written digital exam (75%) during the exam period.

    The portfolio assessment tests skills in interpretation of experimental data in a handed in laboratory journals. The journals are evaluated and given a grade by an internal examiner. The journals count for 25% of the final grade. The journals have to be handed in within a given deadline. The journals have to be approved to be admitted to the digital exam. An approved lab journal is valid for the following two years.

    Handing in laboratory reports. Late submission of a journal leads to a reduced grade. Must have passed the laboratory reports to take the exam. If the journal is not approved, the student can submit an improved report, for a new assessment, the best possible grade for the second submission is the grade B. Mandatory attendance at all lab exercises.

    The theoretical knowledge will be tested in a 3-hours`written exam (that has to be approved) and counts 75 % of the final grade.

  • An external examiner approves the examination questions, and marks 20 selected examination papers.

    An internal examiner evaluates the laboratory journals.

  • Compulsory participation in laboratory exercises (take place in week 38 - 42), absence not approved.
  • Lectures: 2 hours per week. The lecture period ends with a course summary of the required reading. A compulsory laboratory course is given in two-hour sessions 2 days a week, for 5 weeks.
  • B-BIOTEK, M-MATVIT, M-KB, B-BIOL, B-HV
  • Letter grades
  • Special requirements in Science