Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Seminar | 2 x 3 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Poster assignment. | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Seen essay assignment. | 20% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 40% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a knowledge of how microbes can be studied in natural habitats and the limitations of these methods.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the unique roles played by different microbes in the carbon and nitrogen cycles
3. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of how microbes interact with higher organisms
4. Utilize IT skills to analyze and evaluate literature for seminars and group poster presentations
5. Perform in a team to prepare and present a seminar and poster on a specific topic in microbial ecology.
Brief description
Via a series of lectures and workshops the module will develop a knowledge and understanding of the role played by microorganisms (including, fungi, bacteria, archaea, algae) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, focusing on their importance in biogeochemical cycling as well as the methodologies used to study these organisms.
Content
To include coverage of methods in microbial ecology (biochemical/molecular), biochemical and genetic diversity within Bacteria/Archaea, role of fungi in lignocellulose degradation, microbial interactions in lakes/streams, role of fungi in processing of debris in streams, primary productivity in pelagic habitats, interactions between microbes and animals, interactions (fungus farming/ oral microbiology/rumen ecosystem), between microbes and plants (mycorrhizas/nitrogen fixers).
Seminars
To include the preparation and presentation of group posters on specific case studies in microbial ecology (This will allow the participants a degree of specialization according to their degree scheme).
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | Attendance at lectures and preparation and presentation of the seminar, poster and essay will provide opportunities to develop presentational (oral and written) and listening skills. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Attendance at lectures, seminars and workshops, working to deadlines for seminars and workshops, and preparation for examinations will require the development of self management strategies and personal action plans. |
| Information Technology | IT skills developed in seminar and poster presentation via library and www resources to source information, use of PowerPoint and poster preparation |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Awareness of personal and career development skills will be developed through the coursework, e.g. teamwork for posters. |
| Problem solving | Seminars and poster preparation will provide opportunities to develop problem solving skills. |
| Research skills | Seminars and poster preparation using library and www resources |
| Subject Specific Skills | Subject specific concepts relating to ecology of microbes will be developed |
| Team work | Production and presentation of group posters. Practical sessions |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5