General Microbiology

Code:

EBE0019

Acronym:

MGER

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Basic Sciences

Instance: 2019/2020 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemical 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	78	Syllabus	2	-	6	70	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

By an integrated knowledge approach of the ecology/physiology/metabolism of the vast groups of microorganisms, students should: 1. acquire knowledge in Microbiology and be capable of using it in the formulation, resolution and discussion of problems; 2. develop their personal and professional skills and attitudes, namely: reasoning and problem solving (identification and resolution of problems, estimation and qualitative analysis), knowledge discovery (hypothesis formulation, survey of print and electronic literature), system thinking, personal skills and attitudes (perseverance and flexibility, creative and critical thinking, awareness of one’s personal knowledge, time and resource management), professional skills and attitudes (ethics, behaviour, integrity and professional responsibility).

Learning outcomes and competences

This curricular unit (UC) presents applied and fundamental aspects of General Microbiology. A comprehensive explanation on the different aspects of microorganisms, including their morphology, physiology, pathogenicity and ecological aspects, is provided. For each aspect, the UC highlights the importance and/or application of the characteristics of organisms in different aspects of human activities. The UC addresses key concepts for several other UCs, more specifically for those that deal directly with the application of microorganisms. The UC promotes a critical understanding of the advantages and limitations of the application of microorganisms to different areas of human relevance. Laboratorial hands-on experiments related to microbial identification by culture-dependent and independent methods are also included.

Working method

Presencial

Program

THEORETICAL Microorganisms and their impact on humans– the great areas of Microbiology. General characteristics of microorganisms that promote their study/use/control: diversity (prokaryote, eukaryote, virus); microbial growth and factors that control development; physiologic/metabolic diversity vs ecology; horizontal gene transfer; relationship microorganism-host, pathogenicity factors, reservoirs and transmission, host specific defenses. Approaches in microbiology: notions of identification of microbial systematics. Microbial groups: integrated study of metabolism/physiology/ecology. Microbial application to biotech processes.

PRACTICAL Methods for the isolation, purification, characterization and identification of microorganisms (culture-dependent: total heterotrophic counts, isolation in selective medium, colony and cell morphology characterization, phenotypic characterization using biochemical tests; culture-independent: typing by RAPD, identification by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and FISH.

Mandatory literature

Madigan, Michael T; Brock biology of microorganisms. ISBN: 0-13-049147-0

Complementary Bibliography

Pelczar, Jr., Michael Joseph; Microbiologia. ISBN: 85-346-0196-8 (vol.1)
C. Manaia; Micróbios: pequenos seres com poderes de gigantes., Universidade Católica Editora Unipessoal, Lda, 2006
L. M. Prescott, J. P. Harley, D. A. Klein; Microbiology, McGraw-Hill, 2005
Stryer, Lubert; Biochemistry. ISBN: 0-7167-2009-4
W. F. Canas Ferreira, J. C. F. de Sousa, N. Lima; Microbiologia, Lidel, 2010. ISBN: 978-972-757-515-2
Ehrlich HL, Newman DK ; Geomicrobiology, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2015

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes (twice a week, 1.5. each). Oral presentation of the program supported by the board and audiovisual equipment. Students will be asked to participate in classes and to use a deductive reasoning. Laboratorial classes of 2 h, once a week.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Participação presencial	12,00
Trabalho laboratorial	28,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	90,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho laboratorial	28,00
Total:	160,00

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 9.5 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= Ex P

Mark of the theoretical component:
TC = (0.5xFR1) + (0.5xFR2)
OR
TC = FE

Mark of the Laboratory component:
PC = (0.6 x Written test) + (0.4 x Laboratorial exam) 

Final Mark:

FM = (0.6 x TC) + (0.4 x PC)

AC- Continuous evaluation, Ex P- laboratorial exam; FR1, 1st written test; FR2, 2nd written test; FE – Final exam.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable