General Microbiology

COURSE DESCRIPTION

1) Microbiology_Lectures

The course will provide vast and compregensive knowledge regarding general microbiology (bacteriology and virology) as well as microbial genetics, ecology and biotechnology.

2) Microbiology_Practical classes/Lab exercises

During lab exercises students will gain abilities to safely work in microbiology laboratory, properly handle microorgansms and perform various microbiological tests and experiments.

DESCRIPTION

1) Microbiology_Lectures

The course will provide vast and compregensive knowledge regarding: 1) history of microbiology, 2) the prevalence of microorganisms, 3) specialist terminology and terms used in the microbiology field, 4) microscopic techniques used in microbiology, 5) prokaryotic cell structure and function, 6) comparison between Procaryota and Eucaryota, 7) microbial growth and the control of microbial growth, 8) microbial metabolism, 9) the diversity and classification of microorganisms, 10) structure and function of viruses, 11) microbial genetics, 12) the use of microorganisms in biotechnology and food production, 13) microbial ecology, 14) epidemiology, pathogenesis and immunology, as well as 15) antimicrobials and vaccines.

2) Microbiology_Practical classes/Lab exercises

During the Microbiology lab exercises students will gain abilities to safely handle microorgansms and efficiently work in microbiology laboratory environment. This includes proper use of aseptic techniques for the transfer and handling of microorganisms and instruments; safely and correctly use standard microbiology laboratory equipment; properly use microscope to view microorganisms and perform various microbiological examinations; use different microbiological media and test systems; estimate the number of microbes in different samples, perform antimicrobial susceptibility tests and other.

The Microbiology lab exercises are also aimed to increase students level in laboratory thinking skills including: design of a laboratory experiment, performance according to protocol and appropriate interpretation of the results.

During this course students will preferentially gain knowledge and skills to maintain laboratory safety when working with microorganisms.

STUDENT WORKLOAD:

Contact hours with the teacher as specified in the study programme (Lectures): 45 h

Contact hours with the teacher as specified in the study programme (Practcal classes/Lab exercises): 40 h

Independent study:

Preparation for classes: 45 h

Essay / report / presentation / demonstration preparation, etc.: 10 h

Exam preparation: 20 h

____________________

Total hours: 160

1. Microbiology, An Introduction (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Editions) Tortora, Funke & Case.

2. Mastering Microbiology with Pearson eText -- Instant Access -- for Microbiology: An Introduction, 11th Edition

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:

1. Define and use microbiological terms.

2. Describe most important discoveries of microbiology.

3. Compare and contrast the fundamental structure of prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic organisms.

4. Compare and distinguish the basic groups of microbes, including prokaryotic microbes (Archaea, Bacteria), and viruses according to their physiological characteristics.

5. Describe and differentiate the various environments (diverse, dynamic) and conditions (biofilm, planktonic) where microbes live.

6. Describe the principles applied in culturing and characterizing microorganisms.

7. Recognize and apply methods of microbial control through physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological means.

8. Describe the process needed for one bacterium to become two.

9. Draw a typical microbial growth curve, and predict the effect of different environmental conditions on the curve.

10. Compare and contrast the major pathways of catabolism, specify the relative energy yield from each pathway, list the key products of each pathway, and describe biochemical pathways used by various microorganisms.

11. Discuss the extensive metabolic diversity of Bacteria.

12. Compare and contrast eukaryotic vs. prokaryotic genomes.

13. Describe the process of DNA replication, transcription, and translation in microorganisms.

14. Describe the basic approaches used to genetically modify prokaryotes.

15. Compare and contrast the different systems of gene regulation employed by microorganisms.

16. Predict how regulation of gene expression is influenced by various external or internal molecular cues and or signals.

17. Compare and contrast the acquisition of novel genetic information in microbes via mutations and genetic exchange, specifically conjugation, transformation and transduction.

18. Identify the diversity of microorganisms and their role in food production.

19. Explain the role of microbes in the evolution of life on earth.

20. Explain the role of phylogenetic trees in describing the evolutionary relatedness of organisms.

21. Develop an awareness of the impact that microbes have on the biosphere and humans.

22. Describe the role of microbiology in biotechnology.

23. List different types of symbiotic interactions between microbes and other organisms, including commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism, and provide examples of each.

24. Identify pathogens involved in human health and approaches to control them.

25. Summarize common features of bacterial and viral pathogens.

26. Compare and contrast beneficial and harmful uses of microorganisms, including applications in biotechnology and bioterrorism.

27. Discuss how humans impact on the environment influences the evolution of microbes.

28. Describe the variety of human immune responses towards pathogenic microorganisms.

29. Summarize mechanisms of animal defenses to infection, including primary defenses, innate immunity, and acquired immunity.

30. Describe how antimicrobials function and discuss the emergence of resistance.

31. Explain how vaccines provide immune protection.

32. Apply microbiological knowledge to the analysis of some current social questions.

33. Effectively communicate fundamental concepts of microbiology, in written and oral format. Gain an appreciation for the unity and diversity of microbial life.

34. Demonstrate ability to use microbiology laboratory skills including: Properly use aseptic techniques for the transfer and handling of microorganisms and instruments; Safely and correctly use standard microbiology laboratory equipment; Properly prepare slides and use a bright field light microscope to view and interpret different microbiological examinations; Use various microbiological media and test systems; Estimate the number of microbes in different samples, Perform antimicrobial susceptibility tests.

35. Demonstrate an increased skill level in laboratory thinking skills including: design of a laboratory experiment, performance according to protocol and appropriate interpretation of the results.

36. Demonstrate ability to thoroughly maintain laboratory safety.

37. Demonstrate ability to work independently as well as in a team.

1. Written exam (learning outcomes 1-32)

2. Written test (learning outcomes 34-36)

3. Report (learning outcomes 34-36)

4. Practical exam (learning outcome 34, 37)