BIOSCI 204 : Principles of Microbiology

Science

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An introduction to the diversity, physiology and functions of microorganisms (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, viruses) as individuals and as communities. The fundamental roles of microorganisms in ecosystems, health and disease are considered alongside methods for their isolation and study. Microbial applications in biotechnology, food production, agriculture and industry are also discussed.

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to the diversity, physiology and functions of microorganisms (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, viruses) as individuals and as communities. The fundamental roles of microorganisms in ecosystems, health and disease are considered alongside methods for their isolation and study. Microbial applications in biotechnology, food production, agriculture and industry are also discussed.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: BIOSCI 101 and 15 points from BIOSCI 106-109

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Gain accurate practical skills in isolation, identification, culture and handling of microorganisms. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  2. Use these practical skills to solve microbiology questions, such as determine which microbes colonise different local environments e.g streams, soil and food. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  3. Define the different structures within microbial cells and the roles of these structures. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  4. Describe the diversity of microbial metabolism. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  5. Describe the origins and evolution of microbial life. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  6. Describe the roles micro-organisms play within ecosystems using examples. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  7. Recognise the interactions between macro-organisms and micro-organisms. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  8. Assess critically, the literature around a current microbiology topic. Communicate this information a clear, concise manner in an essay using references to support the argument. Link the microbiology topic to social and environmental responsibilities. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  9. Be able to incorporate knowledge and understanding from practical and theoretical course components into discussions of microbiological concepts. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  10. Apply knowledge and skills gained to advance understanding of microbial life and its relationship to society and the environment. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Laboratories 20% Individual Coursework
Essay 20% Individual Coursework
Test 30% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 30% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Laboratories
Essay
Test
Final Exam
Students must pass the theory component (essay + test + exam) independently from the practicals (laboratory component) to pass the course overall. 

Tuākana

School of Biological Sciences stage two Tuakana programme run tutorials for this paper. 

Key Topics

The fundamentals of microbiology
Prokaryotic life
Micro-eukaryotic life and viruses
Microbial growth and metabolism
Evolution and genetics of microorganisms
Microbial processes and ecology
Microbial applications

Learning Resources

Canvas
Textbook: Prescott's Microbiology
University of Auckland Library and Learning Services - for journal articles and database access

Special Requirements

Students must pass the theory component (essay + test + exam) independently from the practicals (laboratory component) to pass the course overall. 
Evening test from 6.30-8pm

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a fortnightly 3 hour practical lab, 66 hours of reading and thinking about the content and work on assignments and/or test preparation (minimum 5.5 hours per week outside of class).

If you do not attend class and use lecture recordings you need to do minimum 8.5 hours per week at home.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 12/02/2020 08:12 p.m.