Microbiology

Code:

CN21003

Acronym:

MICROB

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences
OFICIAL	Natural Sciences

Instance: 2020/2021 - 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	65	Plano oficial	2	-	5,5	56	148,5

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

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 microbiota. 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 microbiota.

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

- Identify and understand the different phenotypic and genotypic methods (including WGS) 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.
- Virus: General properties, morphology, classification and viral replication. 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.
- Microbiological control. Physical, chemical and biological methods. Antimicrobial agents (antibiotics and biocides). Evolution of resistance to antimicrobial agents.
- Identification and typing of microorganisms. Taxonomy. Phenotypic and genotypic methods (including WGS). 

- Interaction between microorganisms and humans. Co-evolution. Human microbiota: community microorganisms of the human body. Pathogens versus Hosts: microbial diseases, 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. Presentation of the Laboratory Project: Study of the microbial population of the hands.
- 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).
- Identification and typing of microorganisms: biochemical, serologic and molecular methods. DNA extraction and PCR. Bioinformatic tools in microbiology, including WGS.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility tests (antibiotics and biocides).

Mandatory literature

Ferreira Wanda F. Canas 340; Microbiologia. ISBN: 978-972-757-515-2
Barroso Helena; Microbiologia Médica. 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
Swanson Michele; Microbe. ISBN: 978-1-55581-912-5
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 pedagogical strategy of the theoretical classes consists in systematizing the most pertinent and current structuring aspects of Microbiology based on scientific evidence and to identify areas that need further investigation, using the expositive method, with informatic support and associated with practical examples. It is encouraged the deepening of the topics taught through the consultation of complementary literature (books / scientific articles / videos / webpages), promoted by Moodle.

We encourage the active participation of students in the teaching/learning process, the development of critical thinking and scientific thinking, the ability to communicate concepts fundamental in the area of Microbiology, as well as the reflection of its applicability in Health Sciences and the interaction with laboratory classes.


Laboratory classes (2 hours / week)

In the laboratory-practical classes, experiments in small groups or individually will be done to familiarize students with conventional / alternative / more current in Micorbiology, allowing to integrate, complement and sediment the knowledge of theoretical classes.
The practical classes take place in a laboratory, fostering the active participation of students in the teaching/learning process, the development of critical thinking and scientific thinking, including experimental design and ability to communicate results and concepts in Microbiology, in written or oral format. In addition, students develop a Laboratory Project throughout the semester, presented in the first theoretical and laboratory class.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	52,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Elaboração de projeto	24,50
Total:	148,50

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 "Regulamento Geral para Avaliação dos Discentes da UPorto", and students need to obtain at least 9.50 values in the Distribution Asessment (AD).

Students whose status allows dispensing of 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 throughout the semester 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 and a Final Exam, under the following conditions:

1) The distributed assessment (6 out 20 values) is carried out during the semester in the framework of laboratory classes and includes the components:
a) written and/or oral format works performed in group (20%);
b) written and/or oral format works performed individually (40%);
c) Report of the Laboratory project, including the posture of the students of each group (ex: preparation of the proposed work, application of acquired knowledge, interpretation and discussion of obtained results) (40%).

The students need to obtain at least 9.50 values in the distributed assessment. The approval in the distributed evaluation is required for access to the final exam. The dissemination of the results of each component of the distributed evaluation will be announced during the semester or before the final exam, according to "Regulamento Geral para Avaliação dos Discentes da UPorto".


2) The final exam (14 out of 20 values) is a written test, which is performed in the final exam period of assessment proposed by the FCNAUP. 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. Students who obtain a a rating equal to or greater than 9.50 values in the written test are approved, provided they have also obtained approval in the distributed evaluation.

3) Final classification = (Final Exam x 70%) + (Distributed Assessment x 30%).

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students whose status allows dispensing of 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 throughout the semester 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

The Improvement of Final Exam classification will be carried out under the conditions set forth in the "Regulamento Geral para Avaliação dos Discentes da UPorto".

The Improvement of classification to the Distributed Evaluation will only be possible through a new frequency of the curricular unit, under the conditions of "Regulamento Geral para Avaliação dos Discentes da UPorto".

Observations

1-Assistance to students must be requested by e-mail addressed to the person responsible for the curricular unit (patriciaantunes@fcna.up.pt).

2-In the case that it is impossible for students to attend theoretical and laboratory classes due to the need for contagion control or containment associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the guidelines of DGS, UPorto and FCNAUP, classes and exams may take place face-to-face and simultaneously in streaming, using video conferencing platforms.

3-Students can be divided into groups, in each laboratory class, in alphabetical order or other fractionation regime, which best approximates the recommendations of social distance that may be issued by DGS, UPorto and FCNAUP.