Microbiology

Code:

CN21003

Acronym:

MICROB

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences
OFICIAL	Natural Sciences

Instance: 2014/2015 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://moodle.up.pt/
Course/CS Responsible:	Nutrition Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CNUP	85	Plano oficial	2	-	5,5	56	148,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

In this first UC of Microbiology it is intended that students understand the importance of the different areas of Mmicrobiology and their applications within the context of Nutrition and Food Sciences.
Thus, we intended to present the fundamental principles of Microbiology in view of the relationship between the main groups of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses) and humans. The theoretical program addresses the general and specific characteristics of microorganisms and its relationship with the human host as etiological agents of infection or members of human microbiome. The laboratory program aims to make known to students the current/alternative methodologies used in Microbiology and support experimentally the microbiological concepts covered in lectures. Being Microbiology a comprehensive discipline its aims to arouse students interest in the knowledge and understanding of the key role of microorganisms in different areas of formation of a Nutritionist.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students should be able to:

- Know and recognize the general and specific characteristics of various microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses) and their relationship with humans as etiologic agents of disease.

- Understand the importance/impact of various groups of microorganisms to humans as members of human microbiome.

- Know the factors that affect microbial growth and antimicrobial control methods (physical, chemical and biological).

- Identify and understand the different phenotypic and genotypic methods used in the identification (species level) and typing (infra-species level) of microorganisms and its applications in microbiology and public health.

- Know how to analyze, interpret and communicate the results of different phenotypic and genotypic methods used in the identification and typing of microorganisms.

- Understand the importance of microorganisms to a professional of Nutrition and Food Sciences.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Theoretical classes

- Introduction to the study of microbiology. Taxonomy of living world. Major groups of microrganisms: bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses.
- Bacteria: anatomy, physiology and bacterial genetics. Examples.
- Fungi: Morphology, metabolism, growth and mechanisms of reproduction. Examples of yeasts and moulds. 
- Parasites: General characteristics and morphology of protozoa and metazoa. Taxonomy and nomenclature. Examples.
- Virus: General properties, morphology, classification and viral replication. Examples.
- Microbiological control. Physical, chemical and biological methods. Antimicrobial agents. Evolution of resistance to antimicrobial agents.
- Identification and typing of microorganisms. Taxonomy. Phenotypic and genotypic methods. 

- Interaction between microorganisms and humans. Co-evolution. Human microbiome - normal microbial flora of the human body. Microorganismos as etiologic agents of disease. Virulence factors of pathogenic microorganisms and host defenses.  

Practical classes

- Introduction to laboratory practice. Safety standards in the microbiology laboratory. Basic tools of a microbiology laboratory. Aseptic technique.
- General concepts on microscopy. Light microscopy and bacterial morphology. Preparation of microorganisms for optical microscope. Living bacterial preparations. Staining techniques: simple staining and differential staining (e.g., Gram stain, Ziehl-Neelsen stain, endospore and capsule staining).
- Cultivation techniques. Microbiological culture media. Plating procedures for isolation, counting and identification (biochemical tests).
- Antimicrobial susceptibility tests (antibiotics and biocides).
- Identification and typing of microorganisms: biochemical, serologic and molecular methods. DNA extraction and PCR. Bioinformatic tools in microbiology.

Mandatory literature

Ferreira Wanda F. Canas 340; Microbiologia. ISBN: 978-972-757-515-2
Helena Barroso António Meliço-Silvestre Nuno Taveira ; Microbiologia Médica - volume 1, LIDEL, 2014. ISBN: 978-989-752-057-0
Willey Joanne M.; Prescottc2b4s Microbiology. ISBN: 978-007-131367-4
Harley John P.; Laboratory exercises in microbiology. ISBN: 978-0-07-729281-2
Tille Patricia M.; Bailey & Scottc2b4s diagnostic microbiology. ISBN: 978-0-323-08330-0
Madigan Michael T. 070; Brock biology of microorganisms. ISBN: 978-0321-53615-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes (2 hours / week)
The lectures are organized by themes, looking up through the expositive method, with informatic support (e.g PowerPoint presentations), associated with practical examples, providing to students the relevant concepts of Microbiology. The exposition of the theoretical programme is based on actual scientific evidences, encouraging their interaction with the laboratory classes and the identification of areas that require further research.

Laboratory classes (2 hours / week)
The practical classes are held in a laboratory, in order to familiarize students with the current/alternative methods in Microbiology, encouraging critical thinking in the discussion of the results. The laboratory work will be developed individually or in groups, and may be accompanied by written work or oral presentations. We encourage the active participation of students in the teaching/learning process, the development of scientific thinking, including experimental design and ability to report results and fundamental concepts of microbiology, in a written or oral format.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Trabalho laboratorial	25,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

The taking of attendance in the UC is subject to the presence of a student in 75% of all practical classes, according to the Academic Regulation of FCNAUP, and students need to obtain at least 9.50 values in the distribution assessment (AD).

Students whose status allows dispensing of laboratory classes should contact the teacher responsible for the course in the first weeks of classes. In these cases, approval will be obtained in the distributed assessment (AD) by performing work that can be done outside the classroom/laboratory and will be disclosed and guided by the teacher of the course. Approval in the distributed assessment (AD) is a prerequisite for admission to the student's final exam (written test).

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment in the UC of Microbiology is based on distributed assessment (AD) and a final exam (EF), under the following conditions:
a) The distributed assessment (AD) is the continuous assessment in the classroom practices: preparation and implementation of laboratory work, observation of the participation and interest demonstrated in the discussion of results, written and/or oral format works. The classification is published before the final exam (EF). The students need to obtain at least 9.50 values in the distributed assessment.

a) The final exam (EF) is a written test, which is performed in the final exam period of assessment proposed by the FCNAUP. Are approved students who obtain in the written test a rating equal to or greater than 9.50 values. Final Exam includes response to a set of issues for development that may be of true or false questions, multiple choice answer, sentence completion or limited response related with practical cases.

c) The final classification (CF) is the result of: CF = (EF x 75%) + (AD x 25%).

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students whose status allows dispensing of laboratory classes should contact the teacher responsible for the course in the first weeks of classes. In these cases, approval will be obtained in the distributed assessment (AD) by performing work that can be done outside the classroom/laboratory and will be disclosed and guided by the teacher of the course. Approval in the distributed assessment (AD) is a prerequisite for admission to the student's final exam (written test).

 

Classification improvement

According to the Academic Regulation of FCNAUP.

Observations

patriciaantunes@fcna.up.pt