Course objectives: To introduce students to the fundamentals of microbiology, including the classification of microorganisms, cell structure and composition, physiology and growth, and to explain the importance of microorganisms in various ecosystems and their application in environmental protection and industry.
Course learning outcomes:
1. Identify microorganisms present in a selected ecosystem.
2. Distinguish conditions for the optimal growth of microorganisms.
3. Isolate microorganisms in pure culture for the degradation of environmental pollutants or the synthesis of selected products.
4. Examine growth models of microorganisms and assess their efficiency.
5. Interpret the results of microbiological analyses.
Learning outcomes of the study programme to which the learning outcomes of this course contribute:
Learning outcomes of the undergraduate Environmental Engineering study programme at programme level:
1. Explain the scientific foundations important for eco-engineering, especially basic knowledge from the fields of chemistry, mathematics, physics, biology and eco-engineering.
2. Use basic laboratory skills and work rules in physical, chemical and microbiological laboratories.
3. Develop awareness of, and the ability to implement, preventive environmental protection measures.
4. Define simple problems in the field of eco-engineering in order to solve them.
5. Theoretically interpret the results of experimental work.
Course content ? by teaching units or weeks:
LECTURES:
1. Historical overview of microbiology.
2. Molecules of living systems.
3. Structure of the microscope; study of the structure of microorganisms.
4. Structure and function of prokaryotic cells.
5. Structure and function of eukaryotic cells.
6. First written knowledge test (colloquium).
7. Structure and classification of enzymes; mechanisms of enzymatic reactions; influence of environmental factors on enzymatic activity.
8. Energy metabolism.
9. Central pathways for energy production.
10. Biochemical pathways and mechanisms of selected fermentations and anabolism.
11. Determination of metabolic activities and metabolic differences among microorganisms.
12. Growth and reproduction of microorganisms.
13. Isolation and identification of the main groups of autochthonous and allochthonous microorganisms from water, soil and air.
14. Suppression of the growth of microorganisms.
15. Second written knowledge test (colloquium).
EXERCISES:
1. Introduction to work in the microbiology laboratory; sterile technique.
2. Components and use of the microscope; preparation of microbial preparations.
3. Identification of the main groups of microorganisms.
4. Composition and preparation of nutrient media; quantitative determination of the number of microorganisms.
5. Inoculation of microorganisms; isolation and maintenance of pure cultures.
6. Staining of microorganisms and individual parts of microbial cells.
7. Micrometry and measurement of cell size.
8. Growth curve of selected microorganisms.
9. Testing biochemical activities of microorganisms.
10. Microbiological tests.
Final preliminary examination.
Types of teaching: lectures, exercises, laboratory.
Student obligations: 75% attendance at lectures; completion of laboratory exercises; passing the final preliminary examination in laboratory exercises.
Monitoring of student work: class attendance, class activity, experimental work, written exam, oral exam, continuous knowledge assessment.
Assessment and evaluation of student work during classes and at the final exam:
Two written knowledge assessments (60% required to pass). Students who achieve a minimum of 60% of points in all preliminary exams are exempt from the written exam. Students who do not achieve a minimum of 60% of points in all preliminary exams take the written and oral parts of the exam during the regular exam period.
Written exam (60% required to pass).
Oral exam.
A maximum of 90 points can be achieved in the course. Preliminary exams are evaluated with a maximum of 60 points, and laboratory exercises with a maximum of 30 points.
The overall course grade is based on the following points:
sufficient (2) 54?62 points
good (3) 62?71 points
very good (4) 72?81 points
excellent (5) 82?90 points
Required reading:
S. Duraković, General Microbiology, Food Technology Engineering, Zagreb, 1996.
J. N. Lester, J. W. Birkett, Microbiology and Chemistry for Environmental Scientists and Engineers, E&FN SPON, London, 1999.
M. Vuković Domanovac, Teaching materials for the course Microbiology.
Quality assurance methods that ensure the acquisition of output knowledge, skills and competences:
Student survey; survey via the Merlin system.
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