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MICR30090

Academic Year 2024/2025

Microbial Cell Factory for Chemists (MICR30090)

Subject:
Microbiology
College:
Science
School:
Biomolecular & Biomed Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Cormac Murphy
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is aimed at BSc Chemistry/Med Chem students. The module will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the applications and strategies that underpin the use of microorganisms in industry to produce fine chemicals and useful enzymes. The lectures will describe the process of discovery of potentially useful microorganisms (screening), manipulating strains for industrial production (process design and genetic engineering), utilizing microorganisms as biocatalysts and downstream processing of microbial products.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

- Describe how useful microorganisms are selected- Identify the principles behind strain improvement- Recognise the potential of microorganisms as biocatalysts (whole cell and enzymes)- Discuss the process of moving from small-scale research to industrial-scale production- Determine a strategy for protein purification

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Tutorial

12

Practical

15

Autonomous Student Learning

64

Total

115


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and laboratory work

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Microb. Cell Factory/Chemists (INDM30090)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Final exam based on the module content End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
No
Report(s): Practical reports Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
No
Exam (In-person): Practical test Week 8 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Regular feedback on lab reports; provisional grades posted on Brightspace (practical exam)

Papers will be available on Brightspace

Name Role
Dr Tanja Narancic Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Carina Hof Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Fri 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 24 Fri 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 09:50