The first part of the course deals with the bacterial cell cycle and how different processes are coordinated during bacterial cell division. Then the course focuses on how bacteria obtain energy, how this energy drives various catabolic and anabolic processes in the cell, and the regulation of these processes. In addition, bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) and viruses specific for eukaryotic organisms are covered. The last part of the course focuses on the great diversity of bacteria found in nature. First, the general principles used in bacterial classification and phylogeny are discussed. Secondly, the most important groups of bacteria are described by emphasising their most characteristic properties.

The course content will be relevant for further work on several on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including goal 3 (Good health), 6 (Clean water), 14 (Life below water), 15 (Life on land).

Knowledge:

By taking the course (BIO230, General Microbiology II) the student will have learned the following facts, principles and concepts:

• The composition, structure and cell cycle of Bacteria and Archaea.
• The basic metabolism of Bacteria and Archaea. The course provides an overview of different nutritional types, and the principles behind the energy and carbon metabolism of Bacteria and Archaea. 
• The central metabolism, aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration, fermentation and photosynthesis in prokaryotes.
• Different catabolic and anabolic pathways.
• Prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses and their large diversity with respect to structure, function and life cycle. In the part dealing with eukaryotic viruses, the focus will be on viruses that are pathogenic to humans.
• How Archaea differs from Bacteria.
• The taxonomy and phylogeny of Archaea and Bacteria, with emphasis on the Bacteria.  
• Characteristic properties and phylogenetic position of some important bacterial species.

Skills:

After completing the course the student will:

• Understand how cell cycle processes such as cell wall synthesis, chromsome replicationa and segregation are coordinated during the bacterial cell division.
• Obtain a good understanding of the central metabolism and associated anaplerotic pathways.
• Know about different nutritional types of Archaea and Bacteria, and understand how they obtain carbon and energy for growth.
• Know the essentials with respect to catabolism and anabolism of sugars, proteins, nucleic acids and fats.
• Understand the principles behind aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration, fermentation and photosynthesis.
• Understand the principles of enzyme regulation.
• Know the difference between heterotropic and autotropic Bacteria/Archaea, and be able to explain the most common pathways of prokaryotic CO2 fixation.
• Have a general knowledge of viral structure and function.
• Have knowledge about the life cycle and properties of some selected bacteriophages and pathogenic eukaryotic viruses.
• Understand the principles of prokaryotic taxonomy and phylogeny.
• Know the most important properties and phylogenetic positions of some common bacterial species.

Qualifications:

After completing the course students will:

• Have a solid foundation for further studies in microbiology.
• Have a understanding of key principles in bacterial cell biology.
• Have a basic understanding of prokaryotic metabolism, and knowledge about the different sources of carbon and energy exploited by various prokaryotes.
• Know about virus classification, taxonomy, structure, life cycle and pathogenic properties.
• Know about the diversity of the microbial world and the phylogenetic positions of selected Bacteria and Archaea.

Textbook: Prescotts  Microbiology. Willey, Sherwood and Woolverton (McGraw-Hill).

Other written material will be handed out or is available in Canvas.

The workload is divided as follows:

• Lectures: 40 hours.
• Colloquia: 12 hours.
• Individual study: 248 hours.