| CODE | BIO1080 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Microbial Diversity | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Biology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is intended to enable the student understand the diversity of the microbial world, especially in view of recent discoveries made via de novo genome sequencing techniques over the past five years. The major groups of microorganisms will be discussed as well as the habitats in which they thrive and their mode of life. A consideration of morphological features will be made, with emphasis placed on the fact that most microorganisms are morphologically cryptic and do not possess diagnostic characters. The presence of specialised cells in the life cycle, the ecology and mechanisms adopted for survival under adverse conditions will be discussed. Frequently, microbial interactions and their unique metabolic reactions are also used as tools for understanding microbial diversity. Emphasis will be placed on recent discoveries in microbial biodiversity, especially within the Domains Archaea and Bacteria, which have led to a new view of the tree of life. The theoretical approach will be coupled with practical experience in the laboratory; this study-unit thus includes a programme of practical work (approximately 18 hours) covering the theoretical topics discussed above. Initially students will be trained how to adopt safety procedures in handling microbes in the laboratory. Then they will be trained in how to culture different microorganisms and how to determine growth curves. The aim is to give the students experience in a wide variety of experimental techniques in microbiology as well as to help them acquire the necessary skills including: observational skills, the planning and performing of experiments, the use of statistical techniques for collecting, evaluating and presenting biological data, the interpretation of such data, and reporting skills. Students will be required to write regular practical reports. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims at introducing the basic concepts of microbiology, with special reference to diversity of microbial forms and to the practical aspects of microbiological investigations in the laboratory. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify the various forms of microbial groups; - Describe the form and function of such groups; - Compare and describe the environmental conditions which can positively or negatively affect such forms. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Routinely use aseptic techniques; - Perform basic laboratory techniques in microbiology; - Prepare laboratory reports, which would include appropriate data presentation, analysis and interpretation. The student will also be able to acquire skills such as in problem-solving and information technology skills through the practical classes. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Hug LA, Baker BJ, Anantharaman K, Brown CT, Probst AJ, Castelle CJ, Butterfield CN, Hernsdorf AW, Amano Y, Ise K, Suzuki Y. (2016) A new view of the tree of life. Nature microbiology. 2016 Apr 11;1:16048. Joan L. Slonczewski, John W. Foster (2017) Microbiology: An Evolving Science, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. TORTORA GERARD, J: FUNKE BENDELL, R & CASE CHRISTINE, L. (2010) Microbiology: An Introduction. 10 th edition, Benjamin Cummings. Cappuccino J. G and Sherman N. (2011) Microbiology: A Laboratory Manual. Pearson, Benjamin Cummings. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite: A-Level Biology or equivalent Important note: Students are informed that regular lecture attendance is obligatory. A grade may be awarded to a particular study-unit only if the student's attendance to lectures and practical sessions has been regular. Please note that a pass in the Practical component is obligatory for an overall pass mark to be awarded. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practical | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Paul Herrera Gabrielle Zammit (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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