BMB507: Fundamental Microbiology
The Study Board for Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher
EKA: N200021112, N200021102
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): N200021101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 30-10-2023
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Entry requirements
The course may not be taken by students who have passed BB509, or where BB509 is included as a constituent part of your Curriculum
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to:
- have a basic knowledge of molecular biology concepts and biochemical processes
- be able to apply scientific methodology to conduct experimental studies
- be able to apply simple statistical and mathematical models for description and analysis of data
- be able to use basic laboratory equipment
- have knowledge of laboratory safety
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the structure and biology of bacteria including their pathogenic properties. This is important in relation to understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms both inside the organisms and their interaction with the environment.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses BMB544: Fundamental cell biology (5 ECTS), BMB531 Human diseases (5 ECTS), BMB532 Fundamental Biochemistry (10 ECTS) and BMB533 Molecular biology and protein chemistry (10 ECTS). The course provides a technical basis for studying the topics in BMB543: Biomedical Microbiology (7,5 ECTS), placed in continuation of this course in the same semester. The course also provides basic knowledge for any graduate study in microbiology.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give the competence to describe the structure of bacterial cells at the molecular level and relate cell structure properties to bacterial growth and behaviour.
- Give the competence to describe the function of antibiotics, understand mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and relate these to bacterial cell structure and pathogenesis.
- Give skills to investigate microbes experimentally and work with sterile procedures in microbiology
- Give the competence to mathematically analyse microbiological experimental results
Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- describe the structure of bacterial cells at the molecular level.
- describe the function of antibiotics and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.
- use basic techniques for cultivation of microorganisms.
- estimate of bacterial numbers in air and water.
- describe and understand how bacteria can cause disease and how the immune system responds to it.
- describe the structure and properties of virus.
- describe how bacterial cells convert substrates into new cell material.
- calculate growth rates, death rates, doubling times, mutation frequency etc.
- investigate bacterial population growth and how environmental factors influence bacterial growth and behavior.
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Cell structure
- Microbial growth
- Metabolism and biosynthesis
- Microbial genetics and horizontal gene transfer
- Microbial adaptation to the environment
- Bacterial infection and host responses
- Antimicrobial compounds and antibiotic resistance
- Bacteriophage and other viruses
- Techniques for laboratory work with microorganisms
Literature
Prescott’s Microbiology 12th edition
See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Prerequisites for participating in the exam element a)
Timing
Spring
Tests
Participation in lab exercises and reports on lab exercises
EKA
N200021112
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
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a)
Exam element a)
Timing
June
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam element a) | N200021101, BMB507: Fundamental Microbiology |
Tests
Written examination
EKA
N200021102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card - Exam number
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
3 hours
Examination aids
All common aids are allowed e.g. books, notes, computer programmes which do not use internet etc.
Internet is not allowed during the exam. However, you may visit the course site in itslearning to open system "DE-Digital Exam". If you wish to use course materials from itslearning, you must download the materials to your computer the day before the exam. During the exam you cannot be sure that all course materials is accessible in itslearning.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The exam paper will be given out in English but may be answered in Danish
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase. The teaching activities for this course are normally anticipated to be distributed (for an average student) as follows:
- Intro phase (lectures) 15 hours
- Training phase, 28 hours, of which 18 hours tutorials and 10 hours laboratory exercises
The intro phase consists of lectures which provide an introduction to the course. Students are expected to independently read prescribed text (the text book) to achieve the expected competencies and necessary overview. The skills training phase deals with the central parts of the course using theoretical exercises, problem solving etc. The tutorials are based on prior independent work or, if wanted, self-organized group work. The training phase also includes laboratory exercises in which students work in pairs with practical exercises in bacterial growth and antimicrobial resistance. The study phase is partly preparation for the intro lectures, tutorials and laboratory exercises as well as preparation of laboratory reports and exam preparation (repetition).
Educational activities:
- Reading text to prepare for lectures
- Preparation for tutorials - read text and provide answers for exercises
- Prepare for lab exercise by reading manual, plan details of experiments, and watch videos with demonstration of techniques and apparatus
- Write lab report
- Prepare for exams by answering exercises
Teacher responsible
| Name | Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Clare Kirkpatrick | clarek@bmb.sdu.dk | Institut for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi |
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.