MIB-20306 Microbial Physiology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Microbiology & Biochemistry.

Contents:

The Microbial Physiology course is an advanced course that addresses various aspects of microbial physiology. The following subjects are dealt with in the lectures: 1. Bioenergetics of microbial processes, 2. Microbial growth, 3. Catabolic and 4. Anabolic pathways. Specific aspects of industrially important microorganisms are explained in four separate cases. In addition, selected topics of the current research of the laboratory are presented.
Apart from the lectures, the students will participate in a problem-based-learning activity (PBL), in which small groups (6-8 students) tackle a specific topic related to microbial physiology.
In addition, the students will take part in a practical course. In small groups (3-4 students) practical experience will be gathered by using methods and techniques that are common in microbial physiology research. The various experiments are often part of the current research of the Ph.D students of the laboratory.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course the student is expected to be able to:
- understand and describe the principles of the energy-yielding and -consuming reactions and pathways in microbial metabolism;
- perform calculations on reaction equations and electrochemical gradients to obtain Gibbs free energy data and to quantify transport of compounds, respectively;
- perform various analyses/experiments commonly involved in microbial physiology research and describe and interpret the results concisely in a report;
- analyze a problem in the field of microbial physiology and compose a concise report group-wise.

Activities:

Attend the lectures that are supported by handouts. Study literature (problem-based-learning) and work on assignments. Perform several practical experiments and write a report for each experiment.

Examination:

The final mark is based on a written exam that covers the lectures, the practical course and the literature study (60%), a written report of the literature study (20%) and written reports of the experiments in the practical course (20%). To pass the course, the mark for the exam should be at least 5.5.

Literature:

Handouts of the lectures and practical course handbook (both are available at the laboratory of Microbiology). Textbook 'Microbiology' (Prescott et al. 7th ed.).