Course Contents

COURSE CONTENTS Overview and history of microbiology including microbial diversity (Archaea, bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa), nutrition, growth, metabolism; cultivation; viruses; control of microorganisms: sterilization and disinfection, antimicrobial agents, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and susceptibility, antifungal and antiviral agents; cell death; symbiosis, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus cycles; microbiology of soil, freshwater and seawater. PRACTICALS Sterilization techniques; culturing of bacteria in liquid and on solid medium; Gram-staining of bacteria; colony and cell morphology; bacterial cell count and growth curves; biochemical tests.

Course Synopsis

Learn lab techniques used in microbial research. Be introduced to a wide range of biological and microbiological sciences topics in Year 1, before choosing more specialist course units in later years. Improve your employability by taking this course with an integrated master's, industrial/professional experience, entrepreneurship or a modern language.

Course Learning Outcomes

This course aims to familiarize students with fundamentals of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial life including viruses.