ENVB40480 Applied Microbial Ecology

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module will present state of the art approaches for the assessment of microbial communities and describe how these can be applied to real environments. These approaches will relate to how microbes function in both natural ecosystems and where environments have been perturbed by Man's activities. Specifically, the role of microbes in the cycling of nutrients, interactions between microbes and higher organisms, the role of microbes in the biodegradation of recalcitrant compounds and bioremediation will be discussed.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1) Demonstrate a knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques for profiling microbial diversity and function in the environment;
2) Describe the role of microbes in nutrient cycling;
3) Describe potential linkages between microbes and higher organisms;
4) Discuss the application of microorganisms in the biodegradation of pollutants;
5) Critically assess the various strategies used for bioremediation of contaminated environments.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Specified Learning Activities

30
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

122
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Critical thinking and essay writing 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students should have completed ENVB30100 Ecological and Environmental Microbiology before taking this module


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: < Description > Week 10 n/a Graded No

30
Examination: Essay type questions 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

70

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
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?

Class feedback on essay once submitted Individual feedback in the form of comments on submitted essay

Name Role
Dr Tancredi Caruso Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Fiona Doohan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Graham Hughes Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sean Storey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer