Prerequisite/Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The general microbial diversity of fungi, bacteria and archaea is presented in this course 

The actual and potential organisms that are used in biotechnology are discussed in detail and their ecology and growth characteristics are worked through together with the different laboratory techniques that are used for isolation and handling of the organisms

Learning objectives

Knowledge

Students who have passed the module

• Can account for microbial diversity
• Can account for the problems associated to classification and species concepts of microorganisms
• Can describe commercially important microorganisms
• Can evaluate conventions regulating commercial exploitation of microorganisms
• Can describe different screening methods for new microorganisms
• Can describe how genes with interesting properties can be isolated from natural environmental samples
• Can account for basic bioinformatics needed to handle microbial diversity

Skills

• Can give an overview of bioinformatic tools associated to the handling of microbial biodiversity
• Have an overview of the different laboratory techniques used for isolation and handling of different types of microorganisms

Type of instruction

• Lectures and classroom exercises

Extent and expected workload

150 hours

Exam

Exams