Environmental Microbiology

Code:

BIOL3017

Acronym:

BIOL3017

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2016/2017 - 1S

Active?	No
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	0	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The students are expected to acquire basic knowledge on selected topics on environmental microbiology. Practical classes are aimed to carry out selected experiments on basic environmental microbiology. The syllabuses were designed in order to meet the above objectives and develop the competencies assigned.

Learning outcomes and competences

The syllabuses were designed in order to meet the above objectives and develop the competencies assigned. These syllabuses aim to acquire basic knowledge about the biology of microorganisms in the environment.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

None.

Program

Lectures

General microbiology. What are bacteria? Main characteristics and groups.

Soil microbiology. The carbon and nitrogen cycles in the soil. The microbial degradation of cellulose and lignin. Mycorrhizae. Actinomycetes.

Water microbiology. Bacterial diseases carried out by the water. Bacterial toxins and infection. The cholera, salmonellosis and bacillary dysentery. Important scientists in the study of cholera: the contributions of Snow, Paccini and Koch.

Classification of microorganisms by risk group. Levels of microbiological safety. Biological safety cabinets.

Microbiological indicators of fecal pollution. Main techniques and their rationale.

Microbiology of the atmospheres. Bacterial diseases carried out by the atmosphere. The plague, anthrax, Legionnaires’ disease, Lyme disease and aspergillosis. Legionella epidemic in Vila Franca de Xira in 2014. Methods for analyzing the fungi of the atmospheres. The fungi of the atmospheres. Fungal indicators of indoor air quality. Production of mycotoxins, organic volatile compounds and fragments. The sick building syndrome. Indoor humidity and the proliferation of indoor fungi. Methods for indoor air microbiological analysis.

Microbiology of extreme environments. Halophilic, xerophilic, psicrophilic and thermophilic microorganisms and the mechanisms of their adaptation.

Microbiology of polluted environments. Microbiology of the petroleum compounds. Microbiology of rubber compounds. Microbiology of organochloride compounds. The DDT. Microbiology of plastics.

Microbiology of the metals. The toxicity and indispensability of the metal cations. Microbiology of the arsenic and mercury.

Space microbiology. The Apollo program. Microbial analysis of lunar samples. The Viking project. The experiments carried out in situ with Martian soils. The biological and abiotic interpretations. The Martian meteorites. Are there fossil bacteria? Are there magnetotatic bacteria?

Microbiological war. Microbiological weapons. History.

 

Practical classes

The morphology and structure of the bacterial cell.

Water microbiology. Determination of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci in Douro estuary. Identification of the isolated strains to species level. Verification of the presence of Escherichia coli.

Microbiology of bottled mineral waters. Quantification of total heterotrophic bacteria. Checking the absence of coliforms.

Air microbiology. Quantification of bacteria and fungi in indoor air. Qualitative and quantitative analysis. The Portuguese legislation about indoor air quality.

 

Selected bibliography

ATLAS, R. M. 1997. PRINCIPLES OF MICROBIOLOGY. Wm. C. Brown Publishers; 2.ª edição; Dubuque.

BROCK, T. D. & MADIGAN, M. T. 1988. BIOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS. Prentice-Hall; Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey; 834 pg.

GREENBERG, A. E., CLESCERI, L. S., EATON, A. D. & FRANSON, M. A. H. editores 1992. STANDARD METHODS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF WATER AND WASTEWATER. American Public Health Association; Washington.

HURST, C. J., KNUDSEN, G. R., McINERNEY, M. J., STETZENBACH, L. D. & WALTER, M. V. editores 1997. MANUAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY. American Society of Microbiology Press; Washington; 894 pg.

 

Mandatory literature

HURST, C. J., KNUDSEN, G. R., McINERNEY, M. J., STETZENBACH, L. D. & WALTER, M. V.; MANUAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY., 1997
ATLAS, R. M.; PRINCIPLES OF MICROBIOLOGY., 1997
BROCK, T. D. & MADIGAN, M. T.; BIOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS., 1988
GREENBERG, A. E., CLESCERI, L. S., EATON, A. D. & FRANSON, M. A. H.; STANDARD METHODS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF WATER AND WASTEWATER., 1992

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures are given interactively with students.

In practical classes, students carry out themselves the experiments. The results are discussed at the end of each experiment. Students have at their disposal a guide to practical work, with the description of all experiences, and references to support key experiences.

In the system-SIGARRA FCUP are provided additional information for the study of materials of theoretical and practical classes.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Students are required to attend at least 3/4 of the given practical classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Corresponds to the classification of the final exam.

The exam has questions about the contents of the lectures and of the practical classes.

Final exam with questions about the lectures and the practical classes.

Examinations or Special Assignments

None.

Internship work/project

None.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

None.

Classification improvement

According to the rules and regulations.