Microbiology M

obligatory courses

Students of the Faculty of Biology of the University of Warsaw must have the first year of the first level programme (Bachelor's) completed. Others are expected to have knowledge of biology on advanced secondary school level.

Classroom

COURSE DESCRIPTION ( short version )

Lecture: General description of the subject and development of microbial disciplines. The structure of procaryotic cells. Physiology - sources of biogenic elements, chemolithotrophy, chemoorganotrophy, phototrophy, fermentations, aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Spread of microorganisms in the environment and their role in the elements cycling. Relations between microorganisms and micro- and macroorganisms. Application of microorganisms in industry, waste water treatment and bioremediation.

Laboratory: Basic microbiological techniques - sterilization, media, pure culture isolation, estimation of number of bacteria estimation. Isolation of bacteria and fungi from different environments. Bacterial cultures. Morphology and structure of bacterial cells ( staining procedures ). Bacterial physiology - ca

Lecture: General description of the subject and development of microbial disciplines. The structure of procaryotic cells. Physiology - metabolic diversity of energy and carbon sources, the sources of other biogenic elements, nitrogen fixation, chemolithoautotrophy and methylotrophy, fermentations, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, bacterial photosynthesis. Spread of microorganisms in the environment and their role in the elements cycling. Relations between microorganisms and micro - and macroorganisms. Application of microorganisms in food and pharmaceutical industry, waste water treatment and bioremediation.

Laboratory: Basic microbiological techniques - sterilization, microbial media, pure culture isolation, estimation of number of bacteria (viable/total counts). Isolation of bacteria and fungi from different environments. Bacterial cultures and factors influencing the growth rate. Morphology and structure of bacterial cells ( staining procedures, wet mounts of living cells). Bacterial physiology - carbon an nitrogen sources, organic and inorganic energy sources, aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. Bacteriologic examination of water ( coliform test ).

Madigan M.T., Martinko J.J., Parker J. "Brock biology of microorganisms". Prentice Hall International Inc., London,1997 (and all the next editions of this book ).

KNOWLEDGE

Knows the basic terminology of microbial ecology and the basic ecological processes. K_W02

Understands the importance of experimental work. Knows the basic laboratory methods, visual and measurement techniques applied in the analysis of presence and function of the environmental microflora. K_W03, K_W04

Knows global problems of nature conservation (e.g. preservation of balanced transformations in biosphere) associated with the necessity of preservation of regular state and function of the environmental microflora. K_W06, K_W07

Describes actual problems of civilization associated with the necessity of combining economic development destroying a proper matter circulation with a demand of balance preservation in microflora. K_W08

Characterizes components of microflora in variety of the environments including extreme habitats. K_W11

ABILITIES

Is able to conduct microbiological observations and the experiments independently as well as in a group. Knows how to interpret the results applying current knowledge. K_U01

Applies the basic microbiological techniques and tools in order to estimate the condition of microorganisms in a different environments and can interpret the appropriate indexes. K_U04, K_U05

Evaluates causes of the environment endangerment and diversity of a proper microflora and is able to indicate the appropriate scientific methods and techniques which ensure a correct restoration of the environmental microbial condition. K_U08, K_U13

Applies the basic methods of collecting microbial samples from a different environments for microbiological and biochemical analysis allowing the estimation of microflora condition. K_U09

Is able to recognize and explain, using different scientific publications, the basic problems in a natural resources management. K_U10

SOCIAL AWARENESS

Feels responsibility for the safety during experiments in microbiological laboratory. K_K01

Feels the need of constant education and updating the knowledge concerning environmental microbiology necessary in the realization of professional projects in nature preservation. K_K02

Recognize the necessity and feels the need of applying and respecting the rules of balanced development in the everyday life and economy. K_K04, K_K06

Exhibits the ability to work efficiently and responsibly in a group as well as independently during experimental tasks. K_K05, K_K07

Lecture - written examination. Min. 51% passes the examination. Examination is only for those who receive a credit from the laboratory.

Laboratory - written test. Min. 51% passes the test.

The criterium of evaluation of the lab is no more than 1 absence during the lab.

No