Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title MICROBIOLOGY
Code LIFE110
Coordinator Dr PGG Miller
School of Life Sciences
Pmiller@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 4 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE101; LIFE103; LIFE105; LIFE107; LIFE109 LIFE101, LIFE103, LIFE105, LIFE107, LIFE109  

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 24

         12

 36
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 114
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Written Exam  2hr  2  80  As University policy   N/A  Assessment 2 Notes (applying to all assessments) Continuous assessment Continuous Assessment will be objective assessments (e.g. multiple choice extended matching questions). Written Examination Written examination will be objective assessments (e.g. multiple choice and extended matching questions).  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1hr  2  20  1 further submission  As University policy   Assessment 1 

Aims

This module aims to:

  1. Describe how microbes play crucial roles in maintaining the natural environment;
  2. Explain the role of microbes in disease processes and how the immune system protects against infections;
  3. Highlight the roles of microbes in biotechnological processes;
  4. Develop knowledge and understanding in microbiology, and ability to apply, evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve problems in Microbiology.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the students will be able to:

  1. Identify appropriate techniques for assessing microbial diversity with particular reference to bacteria and fungi;
  2. Describe the structure and significance of microbial communities involving these species;
  3. Explain the physiological properties and adaptations that enable microbes to colonise diverse environments;
  4. Define the roles of microbes as commensals and pathogens and mechanisms by which they interact with the host;
  5. Describe the roles that microbes play in nutrient and biomass recycling;
  6. Define the environmental and biotechnological importance of microbes in specific contexts, including food security and water treatment.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture -

Other -


Syllabus
1  1

Bacterial Diversity I:  Isolating, recovering and identifying bacteria in natural environments. Diagnostics. Principles and practice of biological safety.

Bacterial Diversity II: Methods to study bacteria in natural environments, activity, detection – non-culture methods, stable isotopes

Bacterial Diversity III: Bacteria in disease. Commensals and pathogens. The skin as an environment and barrier.

Microbial communities I: Metagenomic studies. Functional consortia in biofilms. The gut microbiome.

Microbial communities II: Biogeochemical cycling - Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulphur.

Fungal Diversity: The fungal mycelium. Structure of fungal hyphae. Apical growth mechanism.

Fungal communities: Molecular responses of fungi to environmental change. Sensing and response to Carbon and Nitrogen.

Microbes in nutrient and biomass recycling I: Sewage and wastewater treatment. Integration of aerobic and anaerobic processes

Microbes in nutrient and biomass recycling I: The carbon cycle. Polymer degradation. Energy, biosynthesis, carbon dioxide and methane.

Sustainable Food Security I: Microbial colonisation of food for preservation and spoilage.

Biodeterioration: Destruction of materials by microbes (wood, crops, anima l products).

Sustainable Food Security II: Fungi in sustainable agriculture (mycorrhiza) and as pathogens of crops. Mycotoxins. Fungicides.

Microbes and hosts: Bacteria and their hosts. Interactions with the host tissues and immune system.

Virulence and Defence - Innate immunity: Overview of the innate response. Phagocytes and their importance in defence. The complement pathway.

Virulence and Defence - Acquired immunity: The humoral response. The role of antibodies.

Virulence and Defence - virulence factors: Escape from the innate immune system. Invasion of host cells

Evolutio n of bacterial pathogenicity:  Acquisition of virulence genes, pathogenicity islands and resistance. Community and hospital acquired infections.

Guest lecture: ‘Salmonella’ – a paradigm of bacterial metagenomics and co-existence

Antibiotics; vaccines: sources, assays and modes of action. Characteristics of the ideal vaccine. Future developments.

Food poisoning I: Food-borne infections – campylobacters, E. coli and others. Food-borne intoxications (Clostridia, Staphylococci, Bacillus sp.)

Food poisoning II: A case study of its diverse origins and ways it can be controlled.

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: