COURSE CODE/NUMBER: BIO2107

COURSE TITLE: BIOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS

CREDITS 3

Level 2

Semester 1

Course Description

Microorganisms are associated with every life form on the planet. The study of
microorganisms (e.g. archaea, bacteria, viruses, protists, some fungi, algae and
even a few animals) encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including virology,
bacteriology mycology, and parasitology. The aim of this Level II course is to
introduce the student to the biology and wide diversity of microorganisms in the
context of applied settings such as the food industry, the environment and human
health. Microorganisms are crucial to nutrient recycling in ecosystems as they act
as decomposers. Microbiologists are crucial members of interdisciplinary teams in
laboratories of hospitals, clinics, universities, industry and government.

Exemptions: Students are exempted from this course with the Associate of
Science (ASc) in Biology, or equivalent training.

Pre-requisites: BIO1100, BIO1102, BIO1200, BIO1202, or equivalent training.

Follow-on Courses: BIO2100 Laboratory and Field Biology III, or equivalent

training.

Student Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Place the study of microorganisms in historical perspective.

2. Differentiate between the major groups of microorganisms.
3. Describe the basic biology of microorganisms.
4. Demonstrate the role of microorganisms in food spoilage and food
poisoning.
5. Explain the role of microorganisms in maintaining a healthy environment.
6. Demonstrate the role microorganisms play in human health.
7. Write authoritative accounts of specialized or topical aspects of
microbiology.
Course Content

1. Historical perspectives
a. The germ theory of disease
2. Microbial Diversity
a. Archaea
b. Bacteria
c. Protists
d. Viruses
e. Fungi
f. Evolution of eukaryotic cells
3. Microbes and the Food Industry
a. Microbial metabolism
b. Food spoilage and poisoning
4. Microbial Genetics
a. Genetic Engineering
5. Environmental Microbiology
a. Roles of Microbes in Nature
b. Biogeochemical Cycles
c. Nitrogen Cycle
d. Overview of other cycles e.g. phosphorus, sulfur, mercury, pesticides
e. Symbiotic relationships
6. Microbiology and Human Health
a. Innate immunity vs. acquired immunity
b. Anatomy and histology of the immune system
c. Antigens, recognition of antigens by B and T cells, humoral and cell
mediated response to antigens
d. Actions of antibiotics
e. Normal flora
f. Medically important bacteria
g. Medically important viruses
h. Prions
7. Fungal Infections
a. Superficial mycoses and cutaneous mycoses.
b. Comparison of Tinea spp.
c. Subcutaneous mycoses
d. Systemic mycoses

Methods of Teaching

1. Interactive Lectures
2. Technology Enhanced Teaching (Multimedia presentations, Learning
Management Systems and other 21st Century Technologies Education Tools)
3. Tutorials
This course comprises 30 taught classes and 15 tutorial classes over a 15- week
semester. The learning environment incorporates 21 st century technologies
comprising interactive lectures, multimedia presentations e.g. videos, animations
(e.g. The Virtual Edge, below), small-group tutorials involving problem-solving
sessions, and low-stakes testing. Written assignments (fewer than 2000 words)
comprise specialized or topical aspects of microbiology e.g. antibiotic resistance
and nosocomial infections. Presentation outlines and other support materials are
available on the Moodle learning platform.

Methods of Assessment

In course tests (e.g. SRQ, MCQ, etc.) 15-30 minutes (5 @ 4%)

20%
Written Assignments (3 @ 10% each)
30%
Final written examination (2 hours)
50%

Students are expected to achieve an overall pass in the written assignments and
final written examination.

Required Reading

Madigan, M.T., Martinko, J.M., Stahl, D. & Clark, D.P. (2012). Brock Biology of
Microorganisms (13th ed.) San Francisco, CA: Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0321649638,
ISBN-10: 032164963X

Tortora, G. J., Funke, B. R. & Case, C. L. (2015). Microbiology an Introduction

(12th ed.). San Francisco CA: Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0321929150, ISBN-10:
0321929152

Recommended Reading

Microbiology and Immunology online texts

Retrieved from: http://www.microbiologybook.org/book/welcome.htm

Fowler, S., Roush, R. & Wise, J. (2013). Concepts of Biology. Openstax College.
Rice University. Retrieved from:
https://openstaxcollege.org/textbooks/concepts-of-biology. ISBN-13 978-1-
938168-11-6. Free online text.

Useful websites
Microbiology online
Retrieved from: http://www.microbiologyonline.org.uk/

The Virtual Edge

Retrieved at: http://www.uwyo.edu/virtual_edge/