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FDSC40900

Academic Year 2026/2027

Food Microbiology (FDSC40900)

Subject:
Food Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Daniel Hurley
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will introduce the fundamentals of microbiology including the cell structure and function, differentiation and growth, metabolic diversity, and the molecular biology of microorganisms that we interact with everyday. Students will gain an appreciation of the diversity and functions (both good and bad) of the microorganisms found in animals, plants, soil, and water as well as extreme environments where you might not expect anything to survive, but there are microorganisms that thrive!

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have fundamental knowledge of microbiology and should be able to:

• Compare the development, growth, and structure of various categories of microorganisms and understand their evolutionary relationships.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the methods used for the isolation, identification, and quantification of microorganisms.
• Describe the classification of microorganisms (archaea, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses) and integrate this with developments in taxonomic analyses.
• Discuss the significance of microorganisms and outline their influence on the environment and society.
• Explain broad aspects of microbiology at both the cellular and subcellular level.
• Understand the concepts that influence the the dynamics of microbial cell growth and apply this to nutritional requirements and environmental factors that affect growth.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

77
Lectures

24
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key teaching and learning approaches used in this module include:

• Asynchronous discussion forums
• Case studies
• Lectures
• Problem-based learning

All learning materials/resources (Lecture recordings, slides, and transcripts) will be available in the Brightspace learning environment.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Mid-Trimester Online Quiz Week 6 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Late-Trimester Online Quiz Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Exam (Online): End of Trimester Exam - students must complete the online exam during the two week UCD examination period (week 14 & 15). Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

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

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

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