NBIK26000U Advanced Bacteriology

Volume 2026/2027
Education

MSc Programme in Biochemistry
MSc Programme in Biology
MSc Programme in Biology with a minor subject
MSc Programme in Molecular Biomedicine

Content

Theme 1: Social bacterial interactions

  • Bacterial interactions, Quorum sensing, Socio-microbiology


Theme 2:  Microbial biofilm and evolution

  • Biofilms, Evolution of bacteria


Theme 3: Bacterial evolution and mobile genetic elements

  • Plasmids, transposons, and bacteriophages
  • The role of horizontal transfer in bacterial evolution


Theme 4: Phenotypic plasticity snd population heterogeneity

  • Phenotypic plasticity, Adaption to environmental change
  • Heterogeneity in isogenic populations
Learning Outcome

By the end of the course students are expected to be able to master:

Knowledge:

  • describe the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary basis of social bacterial interactions and behaviour
  • describe the different mechanisms behind horizontal gene transfer among bacteria
  • describe the prokaryotic species concept and evaluate different species definitions


Skills:

  • evaluate the importance of biofilm formation to bacterial survival
  • evaluate quorum sensing in relation to biofilm formation and bacterial pathogenesis
  • evaluate the concept of sociomicrobiology and analyse the importance of bacterial interactions
  • evaluate the role of phenotypic heterogeneity in isogenic population as an adaption to environmental change
  • analyse the evolution and phylogeny of bacteria
  • analyse horizontal transfer of plasmids in natural environments


Competences:

  • place complex bacterial interactions in a social evolution perspective
  • place the evolution of antibiotic resistance in a plasmid perspective, both in human infections and in diverse environments analyse
  • contextualise, and critically evaluate the primary scientific literature
  • communicate acquired knowledge and ideas through oral presentations

See Absalon.

Introductory courses in molecular biology and microbiology are recommended.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Generally include two weekly 2-hour discussion classes (Tuesdays from 9.00-11.00 and Thursdays from 9.00-11.00), two lectures (Tuesdays from 11.00-12.00 and Thursdays from 11.00-12.00), and a guest lecture in "New trends in microbiology" take place Thursdays (13.00-16.00).
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 23
  • Preparation
  • 150
  • Practical exercises
  • 0
  • Project work
  • 5
  • Seminar
  • 27
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 25 minutes
Type of assessment details
Final oral exam based on curriculum, 25 minutes without preparation on the day of the exam. However, all exam questions will be published 10 days before the exam.
Examination prerequisites

In order to be allowed to the final exam, the student should have participated actively in the course by performing a satisfactory oral presentation based on a scientific paper. 

 

Aid
Only certain aids allowed (see description below)

Students may bring their own notes.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Re-exam

The same as the ordinary exam.

If the requirement of performing a satisfactory oral presentation based on a scientific paper is not fulfilled, the student must hand in an 2-3 page essay based on a scientific paper no later than three weeks before reexam. The scientific paper will resemble the article from ordinary oral presentation and is selected by the lecturer.
 

Criteria for exam assesment

In order to obtain the grade 12 the student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Learning Outcome.