Microbial Biochemistry
Keywords |
Classification |
Keyword |
OFICIAL |
Physical Sciences (Chemistry) |
Instance: 2009/2010 - 1S
Cycles of Study/Courses
Acronym |
No. of Students |
Study Plan |
Curricular Years |
Credits UCN |
Credits ECTS |
Contact hours |
Total Time |
MIEQ |
6 |
Syllabus |
4 |
- |
7 |
70 |
189 |
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
This course aims to:
1- Endow students with knowledge on microbial biochemistry. Students should be capable of using their knowledge on the formulation, resolution and discussion of problems;
2- Develop students’ personal and professional attitudes, namely: reasoning and problem solving (identification and resolution of problems, estimate and quantitative analysis), experimentation and knowledge discovery (hypothesis formulation, research), systemic reasoning, personal skills and attitudes (perseverance and flexibility, creative and critical reasoning, awareness of the own knowledge, time and resources management), professional skills and attitudes (ethics, behaviour, integrity and professional responsibility):
3- Interpersonal skills: Teamwork and communication (oral and written)
Program
THEORETICAL
The impact of microorganisms in the different sectors of society; examples of biotechnological processes
Food industry: beneficial/harmful microorganisms and analysis of bacteriological quality control; methods of food preservation (for example: dairy products)
Chemical industry: (for example: production of ethanol and citric acid); Pharmaceutical industry (for ex: production of beta-lactams; the problem of dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria); Mining industry (microbial leaching of ores); Environment: waste water treatment; bioremediation of xenobiotic; Pollution prevention (for ex: bioinsecticides, biofixation of CO2, production of alternative energies)
Metabolic pathway vs. industrial process/final product; the importance of the improvement of producers
PRACTICAL
Yoghurt production and its characteristics (pH, proportion of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus); Survival of potential pathogenic microorganisms in fermented products (yoghurt) - comparison with unfermented products (milk)
Bioremediation of pesticide-polluted waters
Mandatory literature
Bitton, Gabriel;
Wastewater Microbiology. ISBN: 0-471-30986-9
Demain, Arnold L. 340;
Manual of industrial microbiology and biotechnology. ISBN: 1-55581-128-0
Mitchell, Ralph;
Environmental microbiology. ISBN: 0-471-59587-X
Hurst, Christon J. 340;
Manual of environmental microbiology. ISBN: 1-55581-199-X
Crueger, Wulf;
Biotechnology. ISBN: 0-87893-135-X
Glazer, Alexander N.;
Microbial biotechnology. ISBN: 0-7167-2608-4
Teaching methods and learning activities
Theoretical classes (1,5h – twice a week); oral presentation of the themes with audiovisual support. Students will be encouraged to participate and to use their deductive reasoning.
Evaluation Type
Distributed evaluation without final exam
Assessment Components
Description |
Type |
Time (hours) |
Weight (%) |
End date |
Attendance (estimated) |
Participação presencial |
70,00 |
|
|
|
Exame |
10,00 |
|
|
|
Exame |
12,00 |
|
|
|
Exame |
43,00 |
|
|
|
Total: |
- |
0,00 |
|
Amount of time allocated to each course unit
Description |
Type |
Time (hours) |
End date |
|
Estudo autónomo |
42 |
|
|
Estudo autónomo |
10 |
|
|
Total: |
52,00 |
|
Eligibility for exams
Laboratory classes are mandatory to all students, even to those with a special status.
To complete the course, students have to:
- reach a minimum grade of 10 in every assessment components
- reach a minimum average grade of 10 out of 20
Calculation formula of final grade
Mark of the practical component:
PC= (0,3 x AC) + (0,7 x RE)
Mark of the theoretical component:
TC = (0,4 Mon 1) + (0,4 x Mon 2) + (0,2 x OP)
Final Mark:
FM = (0,6 TC) + (0,4 x PC)
Mon 1 and Mon 2- mark of the monographs
OP- oral presentation
RE- Report
Examinations or Special Assignments
Not applicable
Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)
Students have to write a monograph about a theme that has not been referred in the theoretical classes. It should also be presented orally (10 min) and then discussed (5 min)
Classification improvement
Students, who want to improve their grade, have to write a monograph about a theme that has not been referred in theoretical classes.
Observations
Theoretical component: students have to write two monographs about themes that have not been referred on theoretical classes. The theme of the first monograph has to be orally presented.
Practical component: continuous assessment and laboratory assignment.