Microbial Biochemistry

Code:

EBE0186

Acronym:

BM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biotechnology

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Bioengineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIB	18	Syllabus	3	-	6	70	162
MIEQ	24	Syllabus	4	-	6	70	162

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).

Learning outcomes and competences

This curricular unit (UC) presents applied and fundamental aspects of Microbial Biochemistry. Benefiting from knowledge and skills acquired in previous UC’s of the study cycle, a comprehensive explanation on the impact of microbial metabolic pathways is several areas of human activity is provided. The UC addresses key concepts for the operation of biological reactors and other microbiological processes, as well as for food and environmental engineering. The UC promotes a critical understanding of the advantages and limitations of the application of microorganisms to different processes, as well as laboratorial hands-on experiments related to these topics.

Working method

Presencial

Program

THEORETICAL The impact of microorganisms in the different sectors of society; examples of biotechnological processes. Metabolic pathway vs. industrial process/final product.
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 (e.g. 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.

PRACTICAL Yoghurt production and its characteristics; Survival of potential pathogenic microorganisms in fermented products (yoghurt) - comparison with unfermented products (milk).

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

Lectures: 1.5 h – twice a week; oral presentation of the themes with audiovisual support. Students will be encouraged to participate and to use their deductive reasoning. Practical: Laboratory work: 2 h – once per week;

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Prova oral	17,00
Teste	48,00
Trabalho laboratorial	35,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Terms of frequency: 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 9.0 in every assessment components - reach a minimum average grade of 10 out of 20

Calculation formula of final grade

Formula Evaluation:
Mark of the practical component: PC= RE
Mark of the theoretical component: TC = (0.25 x OP) + (0.3 x MT1) + (0.45 x MT2);

Final Mark: FM = (0.65 TC) + (0.35 x PC)

where, MT 1 and MT 2 – mark of the short written test 1 and 2; OP- oral presentation; RE- Report.

 

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students have to write a monograph on a theme that has not been referred to in the theoretical classes. It should also be presented orally (15 min) and then discussed (5 min). Additionally the student must attend a laboratorial exam.

Classification improvement

Students who want to improve their grade should perform a written test.

Observations

Theoretical component: students have to present orally on a theme that has not been referred to on the theoretical classes. The presentation should take a maximum of 15 minutes, followed by a 5 min discussion.
One week before the seminar, students must deliver the abstract (two pages) and the respective slides.