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ENVB40480

Academic Year 2025/2026

Applied Microbial Ecology (ENVB40480)

Subject:
Environmental Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Tancredi Caruso
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Microbes, though mostly invisible, shape the world around us in countless ways. They regulate the biogeochemical cycles of all elements on Earth, form essential associations with macroscopic organisms that cannot function without them and, when systems fall out of balance, can disrupt them (as happens when we become ill). Understanding microbial ecology is therefore crucial for grasping how nature functions and for addressing many of the challenges humans face today, from food production to health and environmental threats (e.g., pollution, extreme weather events).

This module explores state-of-the-art approaches for assessing the structure and functioning of microbial communities in the environment. Taking an in-depth look at the taxonomic, metabolic, and ecological diversity of microbes, it focuses on methods for studying microbial communities—including omics technologies—and their applications to biogeochemical cycles, host–microbe associations (among microbes, with plants, and with animals, including humans), and the future of applied microbial ecology, from bioremediation to medical applications informed by ecological principles.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1) Demonstrate knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques for profiling microbial diversity and function in the environment;
2) Describe the metabolic and functional diversity of microbes, with examples of applications;
3) Explain in detail the role of microbes in the nutrient cycling of key elements (C, N, S);
4) Describe the interactions between microbes and other organisms (plants, animals, and other microbes) in depth;
5) Discuss the applications of microbial ecology to a range of environmental issues, such as global change and food production;
6) Critically read and interpret the scientific literature on applied microbial ecology.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to Literature resources and "Microbes, ecosystems and applications"
Diversity and Systematics for applied microbial ecology
Metabolism and Biogeochemistry
Omics
Bioinformatics
Applications of Omics and Bioinformatics
Host - Microbes: between Microbes
Host - Microbes: with Plants
Host - Microbes: with Humans
Microbes and Food
Microbes and Global Change
Microbes and the Future

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
Active reading of the scientific literature for demonstration of critical thinking through presentations and reports

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 Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Presentation and report on a section of the course Week 7 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Presentation and report on a section of the course Week 8 Graded No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): Essay type questions End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
60
 No

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 presentations once submitted Individual feedback in the form of comments on submitted presentations

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

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25, 26, 29 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25, 26, 29 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25, 26, 29 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
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