University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised October 2005)

Code: USSJ4G-20-2 Title: MICROBIOLOGY 2 Version: 5

Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10

Module type: STANDARD

Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field: Natural and Life Sciences

Valid from: September 2008 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites: Microbiology 1 USSJ3Q-10-1 or Introduction to Medical Microbology USSJGS-10-1

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

Students will be able to:

      • relate the characteristics of certain microorganisms to their success and survival in the biosphere;

      • discuss the large diversity of microbial forms;

      • demonstrate practical skills necessary for microbiological investigative work at this level;

      • describe the unique nature of viruses;

      • select appropriate microbiological techniques and evaluate the relevance and significance of data collected.

Syllabus outline:

      • growth, nutrition and death of microbes; energy and ATP; aerobic and anaerobic respiration; anabolism and biosynthesis;

      • microbial evolution; 16sRNA; evolutionary chronometers; bacterial taxonomy;

      • gram positive and Gram negative bacteria of medical, general or industrial importance

      • Archaea;

      • certain microbiological diseases and their control;

      • virus structure and replication; lysogeny; classification of viruses;

      • saprotrophism in fungi; symbiotic associations of fungi with other organisms; importance of fungi to Man in relation to biodegradation and industry.

Teaching and learning methods:

    Formal lectures, laboratory classes and associated group discussions, data interpretation exercises and coursework (writing a short essay) all form part of the learning approach. Practical work in the laboratory is assessed both by peer assessment and by academic staff in situ. Where appropriate and when possible, a short field trip may be organised e.g. visit to local sewage works.

Reading Strategy

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

Indicative Reading List

    § Prescott, Harley and Klein “Microbiology” 7th edition, Pub: McGraw Hill.

    § Brock Biology of Microorganisms 11th edition, Pub: Prentice Hall.

    § Deacon “Fungal Biology” 4th edition, Pub: Blackwell Publishing

    Journal of Applied Microbiology

    Letters in Applied Microbiology

    Trends in Microbiology

    Current Opinion in Microbiology

And other relevant journals in Biological and Biomedical Science

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

EX 3 Examination (3 hours) 1

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

EPR Portfolio of practical work 1

ES1 Essay of 1000 words 1

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is/is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

EX 3 Examination (3 hours) 1

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

DI1

Data interpretation exercise

1

ES1

Essay of 1000 words

1

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is/is not required.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

Academic Registry

October 2005

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