BMB507: Fundamental Microbiology
Comment
Entry requirements
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
biology of bacteria including their pathogenic properties. That 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 FF503 Chemistry,
Biology and Molecular Biology - The empirical experimental science,
BMB531 Human diseases, BMB532 Fundamental Biochemistry and BMB533
Molecular biology and protein chemistry. The course provides a technical
basis for studying the topics in BMB510 Biomedical Microbiology, 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 andunderstand mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and relate these to bacterial cell structure and pathogenesis.
- Give skills to investigate microbes experimentally and how to work with sterile procedures in microbiology
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 this is prevented by the immune system.
- describe the structure and properties of virus.
- describe how bacterial cells convert substrates into new cell material.
- calculate growth rates, doubling times etc.
- describe bacterial population growth and the environmental factors that influence growth and behavior
Content
- Cell structure.
- Microbial growth.
- Metabolism and biosynthesis.
- Evolution and gene exchange.
- Microbial diversity and ecology.
- Bacterial infection and host responses.
- Antimicrobial compounds and antibiotic resistance.
- Bacteriophage and other viruses.
- Techniques for laboratory work with microorganisms
Literature
Joanne Willey, Linda Sherwood, Christopher J. Woolverton: Prescott’s Microbiology, 10th.ed. McGraw-Hill.
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Prerequisites for participating in the exam element a)
Timing
Tests
Reports on lab exercises
EKA
Assessment
Grading
Identification
Language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
Additional information
Exam element a)
Timing
Prerequisites
Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
---|---|---|
Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam element a) | N200021101, BMB507: Fundamental Microbiology |
Tests
Written examination
EKA
Assessment
Grading
Identification
Language
Duration
Examination aids
Exam aids allowed. A closer description of the exam rules will be posted under 'Course Information' on Blackboard.
ECTS value
Additional information
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 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 exersises, puzzle 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, bacterial prevalence 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