BB509: Microbiology
The Study Board for Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher
EKA: N100038112, N100038122, N100038102
Assessment: Second examiner: None, Second examiner: External
Grading: Pass/Fail, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N100038101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 13-10-2022
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Comment
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to enable the student to understand microbial systematics, cell structure, physiology and evolution, which is important in regard to understand the importance and impact microbes have on Earth.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses BB537, BB539 and BB537, BB539 and KE535, and gives an academic basis for studying the topics environmental microbiology, ecology, biogeochemistry, that are part of the degree.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give competence to engage in collaborations and structure their own learning
- Give skills to conduct experimental investigations, critically reflect on and formulate biological questions, evaluate and solve biological problems.
- Give knowledge and reflective understanding of biology scientific theory, the experimental methods and safety of these, about current research topics and on their use in the discussion of biological problems
Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability 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 metabolisms used by microbes
- Describe beneficial and harmful interactions between microbes and eukaryotes (e.g. humans)
- Discuss the role of microbes in natural ecosystems with emphasis on biodegradation of organic material and biogeochemical cycles
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- History of microbiology
- Microbial diversity and evolution
- Structure of the bacterial cell
- Bacterial metabolism
- Bacterial genetics and genomics
- Microbial growth kinetics in batch and continuous culture
- Physical and chemical limits to microbial growth
- Interactions between microbes and humans, including infectious disease
- The role of microbes in biogeochemical cycles
- Laboratory methods for the investigation of microbes
Literature
Brock, Biology of Microorganisms, Global Edition
See Itslearning for Syllabus lists and further literature references.
See Itslearning for Syllabus lists and further literature references.
Examination regulations
Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)
Timing
Spring
Tests
Initial tests, laboratory exercises and excursions
EKA
N100038112
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
Additional information
Passing the initial tests and participating in all laboratory work and excursions
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a)
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a)
Exam element a)
Timing
Spring
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) | N100038101, BB509: Microbiology |
Tests
Approval of laboratory report
EKA
N100038122
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
1
Exam element b)
Timing
June
Tests
Oral exam
EKA
N100038102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card - Name
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
No aids permitted
ECTS value
4
Additional information
In the case og few students, reexamination can be run online or with co-examiner participating online.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
In science, the teaching is organized according to the three-phase model, ie. intro, the training and study phase.
These teaching activities result in an estimated indicative distribution of the work effort of an average student in the following way:
- Intro phase (lectures) - Number of hours: 20
- Training phase: Number of hours: 26
The introduction to the topics will be performed with lectures that are encouraging active student participation. Intention of the seminars is to link theory and the practicals by preparing the students for the laboratory exercises as well as analyze results from them.
Commencement of the laboratory exercises will be with an excursion where samples will be collected that later will be continued working with in the practicals. This will demonstrate how microbiological processes can be applied and help showing the relevance of the methods and topics taught. In order to provide the students with an overview, reports will be written that include both the theory and the results and analyses of the laboratory exercises.
Activities in the study phase:
- recapture topics from the lectures, seminars
- write a report
- complete two cases in a laboratory simulation program
Teacher responsible
Additional teachers
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.