Environmental Microbiology

Code:

BIOL3017

Acronym:

BIOL3017

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2019/2020 - 1S

Active?	Yes
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	62	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

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)

Basic concepts in general microbiology.

Program

Lectures

Soil microbiology. The carbon and nitrogen cycles in the soil. Degradation of wood by fungi. The microbial degradation of cellulose and lignin. Mycorrhizae. Endophytic fungoActinomycetes.

Water microbiology. Bacterial diseases carried out by the water. Bacterial toxins and infection. Basic epidemiological principles. The cholera, salmonellosis and bacillary dysentery. 

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 and aspergillosis. 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. 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 organochloride compounds. The DDT. Microbiology of rubber and 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? the behavior of bacteria during space flights.

Microbiological war. Microbiological weapons. History.

 

Practical classes

Soil microbiology. Levels and diversity of actinomycetes in different types of soils.

Water microbiology. Determination of streptococci and enterococci in Douro estuary waters. Most Probable Number practice.

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

Air microbiology. Demonstration of different devices and methods of analysis. 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

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Total:	48,00

Eligibility for exams

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

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification corresponds to the classification of the final written exam.

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

There are no oral exams.

 

Examinations or Special Assignments

None.

Internship work/project

None.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

None.

Classification improvement

According to the rules and regulations.