ENVB30110 Food Microbiology

Academic Year 2024/2025

The course will focus on applied aspects of food microbiology. It will deal with factors influencing the contamination and spoilage of foods and how these factors may be adjusted to control spoilage. The main food-poisoning microorganisms and methods for their elimination/control in the food chain will be described. Methods used for the enumeration and identification of microorganisms will be discussed. The positive role of microorganisms in food production will be discussed. The role of microbiomes in animal and human will also be covered.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this course the student should be able to:
1) Give an account of the methods used to enumerate and identify microorganisms in food;
2) Describe the factors affecting microbial growth and relate these to food spoilage and preservation;
3) Identify and describe the main pathogens associated with the food chain and demonstrate an understanding of how food-borne outbreaks can occur;
4) Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanism of action of the main groups of antibiotics and how bacteria can become resistant to them;
5) Describe the application of microorganisms in food production;
6) Describe the role and significance of the microbiome in animal and human health
7) Safely work in a microbiology laboratory

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

14
Small Group

2
Laboratories

10
Autonomous Student Learning

85
Online Learning

3
Total

114
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Blended learning
Group work
Case-based learning
Laboratory work 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It is recommended that students taking this module have successfully completed MICR 20010 Agricultural Microbiology or a similar stage 2 microbiology module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
MICR30060 - Applied Microbiology


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Practical Skills Assessment: Lab report n/a Graded No

30
Participation in Learning Activities: Attendance and engagement in workshops n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

10
Exam (In-person): 2 hour exam comprising MCQ, short answer questions and case studies n/a Graded No

60

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Sean Storey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Teerna Banerjee Tutor
Ms Ciara Graham Tutor
Ms Unmani Jaygude Tutor
Nina Trubanová Tutor