Study abroad in Edinburgh

Course finder

<< return to browsing

Semester 2

The Microbial World 2 (BILG08018)

Subject

Biology

College

SCE

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

2

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

A solid foundation in microbiology is essential for understanding how life arose on the planet and how global processes operate to sustain life. By using knowledge of microbial form and function we are also able to harness the power of microbes to solve industrial and environmental problems. This course will promote an understanding of core concepts in microbial growth and form with an emphasis on diversity of biochemical function and metabolism.

Course Description

Microbes rule the world (or at least influence it in major ways). A solid foundation in microbiology is essential for understanding how life arose on the planet and how global processes operate to sustain life. By using knowledge of microbial form and function we are also able to harness the power of microbes to solve industrial and environmental problems. This course will promote an understanding of core concepts in microbial growth and form, with an emphasis on diversity of function. The course covers material that all biologists should know. It explores microbes, their major properties, and how they influence processes, such as global warming, acid rain, and nutrient cycling in the world. It examines how microbes interact with plants to influence crop production and spoilage, or affect the safety of the food we eat. The course also explores how microbes are exploited in the biotechnology industry, as well as how we might make new products in the future, using cutting edge technology, such as synthetic biology. We aim to provide the following skill-base: Good microbial practice and bacterial characterisation, knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, report writing, and analytical skills, including data analysis, literature exploration and appraisal.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 64%, Practical Exam 36%

Additional Assessment Information

The outcome of the course will be based entirely on In Course Assessment. Practical report (36%)Question Mark Perception Test 1 (10%)Question Mark Perception Test 2 (26%)Literature comprehension/data analysis test. (28%)

view the timetable and further details for this course

Disclaimer

All course information obtained from this visiting student course finder should be regarded as provisional. We cannot guarantee that places will be available for any particular course. For more information, please see the visiting student disclaimer:

Visiting student disclaimer