NBIA09049U Microbial Ecology
Microbial diversity: Bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Microbial
diversity versus culturability. Methods for identification and
quantification of microorganisms and microbial
communities from environmental samples using traditional,
DNA-based, fatty acid and stable isotope probing (SIP) methods.
Microbe-microbe interactions, plant-microbe interactions and
animal-microbe interactions. Role of microorganisms in
biogeochemical cycles.
Biological control and risk assessment of microorganisms.
Application of microbial ecology to control harmful microorganisms,
weeds and pests.
The course aims at providing an understanding of the
ecology of microorganism (bacteria, fungi and protozoa) including
the interactions between these groups, and interactions between
microorganisms and the environment. By participating in this course
the students will get insight into both theory and practice of
solving questions within microbial ecology. They will develop
practical skills for isolating and pure culturing of
microorganism, molecular identification and determination
of microbial biomass. They will obtain knowledge of current
metagenomic analyses tools and applied aspects of microbial
ecology.
Knowledge:
- describe the diversity of microbial (bacteria, fungi and protozoa) communities and methods to study this
- explain how microorganisms interact with each other and with other organisms in beneficial and harmful ways
- critically evaluate different methods for detection of specific microorganisms
- critically evaluate different methods for determination of total microbial biomass as well as the biomass of fungi, protozoa and bacteria independently
- identify major microbial potentials and risks to human society
Skills:
- work experimentally with microorganisms including formulation of hypotheses, planning and performing experiments, analysis and statistical testing of the data and reporting of the results
- use the acquired knowledge of microbial diversity and ecology in designing identification, detection, and species recognition strategies
- discuss, put into perspective, and criticize original research papers in microbial ecology
Competencies:
- integration of theory and practice into designing and performing appropriate solutions to specific questions within microbial ecology
- ability to take into the consideration the complexities of the system i.e. that several different phylogegenetic and functional groups are involved - interacting with each other and with the environment
- ability to put Microbial Ecology into general ecological, biological and environmental contexts.
See Absalon.
- Category
- Hours
- Colloquia
- 7
- Exam
- 18
- Guidance
- 9
- Lectures
- 20
- Preparation
- 100
- Project work
- 46
- Theory exercises
- 6
- Total
- 206
As
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Continuing Education - click here!
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignmentOral examination, 20 minutes under invigilationThe students will carry out a microbial ecological project in groups and hand-in a joint paper presenting the project. This written assignment is graded and accounts for 50% af the final grade. The oral examination covers the course curriculum including the project topic and accounts for the other 50% of the final grade.
- Exam registration requirements
- To take the final exam, the student must have performed an approved oral presentation based on a scientific paper.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Re-exam
- Same as the ordinary exam. Handing-in of the written assignment must be arranged with the teacher.
Criteria for exam assesment
To obtain 12, the students should carry out, defend, discuss and put into broader microbial ecological context a project with no or few minor errors. The above includes: planning, formulation of appropriate testable hypotheses, performing the experiments, analyzing data including statistical testing and reporting of the results meeting scientific standards. Further, the students should in the oral examination demonstrate profound understanding of topics described under learning outcome.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NBIA09049U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedule
- B (Mon 8-12 + Tues 13-17 + Fri 8-12)
- Course capacity
- 30 students.
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Biology and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Biology
Course responsibles
- Riikka Rinnan (7-756c6c6e6e647543656c72316e7831676e)
Lecturers
Søren Rosendahl, Rasmus Kjøller, Flemming Ekelund, Anders Priemé.