Course objectives |
This course is designed to give students understanding of basic concepts in microbiology including various microorganisms their physiology, morphology, genetics, pathogenicity, ecology, and application of microbes in biotechnology and environmental engineering. |
Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes) |
Students completing this course should be able to:
- better understanding of the evolutionary relationships between structure, diversity and replication of different groups of microorganisms.
- learn about genetic mechanisms of adaptation of prokaryotic microorganisms in a variety of environmental conditions.
- applied methods of physiological and biochemical tests for the identification of the different groups of microorganisms.
- identify the mechanisms of pathogenicity of microorganisms that cause diseases in humans and animals as well as the mechanisms used by the hosts to defend themselves against pathogens. |
Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus) |
1. Introduction. Historical development of microbiology. (2 hours)
2. The distribution of microorganisms and their role in biogeochemical processes in nature. (2 hours)
3. Eukaryotes, Archaea and Bacteria; structure and function. Morphology, nomenclature and classification of microorganisms. (2 hours)
4. Basic structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. (2 hours)
5. Microbial genetics, genome organization, mobile genetic elements. (2 hours)
6. The growth of microorganisms and the basic growth factors, nutrients, temperature, oxygen, pH and osmotic pressure. (2 hours)
7. Metabolic activity of microorganisms. Identification of microorganisms using various physiological and biochemical tests. (2 hours)
8. Microorganisms and diseases, resistance, relationship microorganisms and host immune responses to infection. (2 hours)
9. Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics and other chemical substances. (2 hours)
10. Basic morphological characteristics of fungi, yeasts and molds and their pathogenicity. Diseases caused by fungi, and their toxins. (2 hours)
11. Application of microorganisms in biotechnology. (2 hours)
12. Basic morphological characteristics and development cycles of parasites.
13. The role of microorganisms in the biodegradation of heavy metals, nitrate, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. (2 hours)
14. Basic morphological characteristics of viruses, viroids and prions. Classification and nomenclature of viruses. Methods of studying properties of the viruses. (2 hours)
15. Control the growth of microorganisms by physical and chemical methods. (2 hours) |
