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 MICROBIAL DIVERSITY AND VERSATILITY
Code LIFE329
Coordinator Dr AC Darby
Functional and Comparative Genomics
Alistair.Darby@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE228 none  

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

   1

     2

 27
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 123
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Written Exam  3h  1  80  According to University Regulations  N/A  Assessment 3 Notes (applying to all assessments) Open book Assessment 3 will be an oral presentation on that topic (10 %). Open book Assessment 2 will be a literature-based report on a specified organism (10 %) Unseen Assessment 1 will be a written examination  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  10 min  1  10  1 further submission  As University policy   Assessment 1 
Coursework  750 words  1  10  1 further submission  As University policy  Assessment 2 

Aims

This module aims to:

  1. Explain the diversity of microbial life and its adaptation to environment.
  2. Describe bacteria and fungi that have interesting properties as model systems, as well as making important contributions with regard to microbiological processes, both natural and engineered;
  3. Develop knowledge and deep understanding in microbiology, and ability to apply, critically evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve complex problems.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Appraise the principles and practice underpinning microbial taxonomy;
  2. Critically evaluate the contribution made by modern molecular techniques in determining phylogenies and the composition of microbial communities;
  3. Explain, in detail, how microbes grow and adapt to their environment 
  4. Evaluate the contributions made by key model systems to our understanding of microbial growth and differentiation: 
  5. Synthesise information, critically review evidence to support conclusions, and define complex problems by applying appropriate knowledge and skills.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture -

Tutorial -

Other -


Syllabus
1  1

Taxonomy and diversity: issues with defining microbial species; the practice of bacterial taxonomy; constructing gene and organism trees using molecular and related data; the nature and contribution of horizontal gene transfer; molecular techniques for assessing bacterial diversity in natural environments; the practice and applications of metagenome analysis.

Growth and adaptation: a range of model organisms will be discussed in terms of current understanding of molecular mechanisms underpinning key features of their biology with particular emphasis on division, signalling, differentiation, development and secondary metabolism. Examples will be drawn from the actinomycetes, Bacillus, Caulobacter and Myxococcus.

The fungal lifestyle: structure and growth of fungal hyphae; differentiation and develop ment; case study of the physiology, molecular genetics and significance of the relationship between plants and mycorriza.

Aquatic microbiology: ecology of microorganisms in lakes and rivers and their contributions to nutrient cycles and biogeochemistry; consequences of pollution and use of microbes in rehabilitation of polluted environments; wastewater treatment.

Biodegradation: role of microorganisms in breakdown of recalcitrant natural and man-made substances with a focus on plant material and xenobiotics; microbial bioremediation of contaminated environments; genetic regulation and manipulation of biodegradative pathways.


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: