| Responsible Department | Department of Agriculture and Ecology | ||||||||||||||||
| Earliest Possible Year | MSc. 1 year to MSc. 2 year | ||||||||||||||||
| Duration | One block | ||||||||||||||||
| Credits | 7.5 (ECTS) | ||||||||||||||||
| Level of Course | MSc | ||||||||||||||||
| Examination | Final Examination oral examination All aids allowed Description of Examination: During the course, each group shall hand in written practicals reports. Also, each group shall prepare a theoretical report on one of the themes of the course. Individual examination will be based on the practical and theoretical reports, and on textbook, reviews, and original papers. The students will have a 20 min preparation period before the oral examination. Weight: Examination in practical reports 20%. Examination in theoretical reports 20%. Examination in textbook, reviews and original papers 60%. 7-point scale, internal examiner | ||||||||||||||||
| Requirement for Attending Exam | 75% of practical reports approved. 100% of theoretical reports approved | ||||||||||||||||
| Block Placement | Block 2 Week Structure: A | ||||||||||||||||
| Language of Instruction | English | ||||||||||||||||
| Optional Prerequisites | 240025 Microbiology | ||||||||||||||||
| Restrictions | Maximum 24 students | ||||||||||||||||
| Course Content | |||||||||||||||||
| Teaching will take the form of practical exercises, lectures, colloquia and theoretical, thematic project work. The following areas will be covered: * Microbial bioprospecting and population analysis. Detection and genotyping of microorganisms, producers of particular metabolites, and assessment of biodiversity. *Extremophilic organisms. Strategies for life and metabolic adaptations of cells to extreme conditions. Screening for enzymes and other biologically active molecules. Application of extremophilic organisms. *Microbial interactions in agriculture. Trophic interactions, plant-microbe interactions, microbiological control of fungal plant pathogens, and importance of microorganisms for soil fertility. Plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria, secondary metabolites with antifungal activities, biosurfactans. *Aquaculture microbiology: Identification and biology of taste-and-odour producing bacteria in fish ponds and their impact on fish quality. During the course, the students will obtain hands-on experience with a number of classical and new, cutting edge microbiological techniques, for example: Plate screening, PCR typing, flow cytometry, immunodetection e.g. fluorescent in situ hybridization, reporter genes and recombinant bacterial biosensors, Biolog, PLFA or DGGE fingerprinting, gas chromatography | |||||||||||||||||
| Teaching and learning Methods | |||||||||||||||||
| Introductory, plenary lectures and seminars/colloquia. Practical laboratory exercises. Theoretical, thematic project work. | |||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcome | |||||||||||||||||
| The aim of the course is to give the students broad theoretical and practical skills in applied microbiology at an advanced level. In the course, the students will learn classical as well as novel, advanced molecular methods for the characterization of microorganisms and for the study of interactions between microorganisms. Molecular and growth related methods for the characterization of microbial phylogeny will be used. Furthermore, modern gene fusion and fluorescence methods for the study of interactions between microorganisms will be demonstrated. Finally, the students will analyse problems related to ecotoxicology and quality of drinking water. In the course, the students will achieve theoretical as well as practical knowledge on microorganisms related to environmental and biotechnological issues. The course supplements basic courses at the Bachelor level, e.g. #240025 Mikrobiologi and #240044 Miljømikrobiologi, and supports thematic courses at the Masters level. After completing the course the student should be able to: Knowledge: Classify microorganisms phylogenetically Display overview of extremophilic bacteria and enzymes as well as of their application potential Describe methods for the investigation of interactions between bacteria and fungi Display overview of fluorescence based methods for the detection of microorganisms in complex systems and of their viability and metabolism Describe key issues within ecotoxicology and methods for the detection of bioavailability and toxicity of metals and other pollutants Display overview of the influence of microorganisms on the quality of drinking water and aquaculture products Reflect about qualitative and quantitative methods for the detection of the presence of microorganisms in soil and aquatic environments Skills: Analyse the phylogenetic relationships of microorganisms and evaluate their potential for production of enzymes and other bioactive molecules. Analyse the metabolism of microorganisms and their mutual interactions Evaluate methods for investigation of microorganisms in soil and aquatic environments Communicate skills on methods for investigation of microorganisms in complex environments Competences: Select and discuss basic and advanced methods for investigation of microorganisms in complex environments Evaluate the mutual interactions between microorganisms and their potential influence on the environment Evaluate the application potentials of microorganisms within biotechnology and environmental sciences | |||||||||||||||||
| Course Literature | |||||||||||||||||
| Brock: Biology of Microorganisms, 12th ed. Madigan, Martinko, Dunlap & Clark (Pearson Benjamin Cummings). Reviews, original articles, and compendia. | |||||||||||||||||
| Course Coordinator | |||||||||||||||||
| Jan Sørensen, jan@life.ku.dk, Department of Agriculture and Ecology/Section of Genetics and Microbiology, Phone: 353-32626 | |||||||||||||||||
| Study Board | |||||||||||||||||
| Study Committee NSN | |||||||||||||||||
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