Course code BIO330

BIO330 Environmental Microbiology

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Showing course contents for the educational year 2014 - 2015 .

Course responsible: Åsa Helena Frostegård
Teachers: Lars Reier Bakken
ECTS credits: 10
Faculty: Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
Teaching language: EN, NO
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
Limits of class size:
A minimum of 5 students. Max 50 students.
Teaching exam periods:
This course starts in Spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Spring parallel, .
Course frequency: Annually
First time: Study year 2004-2005
Preferential right:
-
Course contents:

Taking a series of environmental problems of current interest as the point of departure, central topics in aquatic and terrestrial microbial ecology are dealt with:

  • The interaction between micro-organisms and between multicellular eucaryotes and micro-organisms
  • Interaction of micro-organisms with their surroundings
  • Kinetics of microbial growth and nutrient uptake, starvation
  • Transport
  • Biogeochemically relevant functional groups
  • Molecular methods in microbial ecology.

Applied topics: the bioremediation, spread and establishment of pathogens, genetically modified micro-organisms, biological control.

The course is based on lectures on selected topics, literature seminars and group discussions related to the curriculum. The lectures cover the most central topics in the textbook. Primary scientific articles are used for the literature seminars. The students are to comment on these and discuss them in plenary. Each student is also required to deliver a written report on an article discussed during the seminars.

Learning outcome:

The main aim is to give students:

  • A basic insight into microbial processes and interactions that play central roles in the functioning of ecosystems.
  • The theoretical foundation necessary for acquiring knowledge in the subject field by reading primary scientific literature.
  • An understanding of methods, with main emphasis on the role of molecular biology in microbial ecology.
  • Intellectual skills that may be used for solving environmental problems.
Learning activities:
Lectures on the central parts of the textbook as well as certain additional literature.Colloquia where study questions related to the curriculum are discussedSeminars that take primary scientific articles as their point of departure. Students participate actively in the discussions in these seminars.Individual assignment: To write a summary of one of the articles discussed during the seminars.
Teaching support:

The teachers take part in the seminars and are available during the study groups. The teachers can also be contacted via e-mail.

Fronter is used for discussions and questions outside of the study group and seminar/lecture hours.

Syllabus:
Will be announced in the beginning of the course.
Prerequisites:
Basic Microbiology equivalent to BIO130, Microbial Physiology, Genetics, and Systematics equivalent to BIO230.
Recommended prerequisites:
Biochemistry equivalent to KJB200, Molecular Biology equivalent to BIO210, Microbial diversity equivalent to BIO233, Experimental Molecular Microbiology equivalent to BIO332. Students lacking the recommended prerequisites for this course will be advised selected readings for independent study during the first phase of the course. This will not constitute a problem for students with an otherwise solid background from studies in microbiology, biochemistry and related fields.
Mandatory activity:

8 seminars (2 hours each). Must attend at least 7 of the 8 seminars.

Written report from one seminar.

Assessment:

Contribution to seminars is evaluated during the semester. The seminar part must be accepted before the student is allowed to take the final, written exam.

Final written exam that has to be graded E or better.

Grade weight for seminars: 3/10. Grade weight for written exam: 7/10 . The written exam is 3.5 hours.

Nominal workload:

Lectures: 40 hours.

Seminars, including preparation: 100 hours.

Study groups and individual study: 160 hours.

Entrance requirements:
Special requirements in Science
Reduction of credits:
-
Type of course:

Lectures: 2 hours, 2 times per week (40 hours in total).

Study groups where questions related to the course readings will be discussed: 2 hours every other week.

Seminars: 2 hours per week.

One visit to relevant company/organisation.

Note:
The course is suitable for Ph.D. students and master students in related fields, who wish to practice efficient reading and analysis of scientific primary literature. Students who lack parts of the previous knowledge recommended for this course will be advised selected readings for independent study during the first phase of the course. This is mainly relevant for Ph.D. students working in related fields of research.
Examiner:

Internal examiners for the seminars.

An external examiner approves the examination questions and grades 25 randomly selected exam papers.

Allowed examination aids: No calculator, no other aids
Examination details: Continuous exam: A - E / Ikke bestått