NBIA09049U Microbial Ecology

Volume 2014/2015
Education
MSc Programme in Biology
Content

 

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.

 

Learning Outcome

 

 

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.

Introductory courses (bachelor level) in microbiology and ecology are recommended.
Lectures, group discussions, student presentations and projects including laboratory and computer work.
The course is part of the qualification profiles 'Ecosystem Functioning and Management' and 'Microbiology'. For all courses of the qualification profiles, see Course Portal for Department of Biology.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 7
  • Exam
  • 18
  • Guidance
  • 9
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 100
  • Project work
  • 46
  • Theory exercises
  • 6
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Oral examination, 20 minutes under invigilation
The 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.