BTH3732 Environmental microbiology
Faculty of Science
BTH3732 Environmental microbiology is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2022 in Semester 1 at Malaysia. It needs MIC2011 or BTH2830.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2022
- Semester 1
- Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 3 other tasks
This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before BTH3732
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After BTH3732
No unit lists BTH3732 as a prerequisite in the 2022 handbook.
Overview
This unit begins by examining the fundamental principles of microbial ecology and the basic methods used in this area. It then considers the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical nutrient cycles. Some important natural habitats for microorganisms such as air, fresh water and salt water are considered with the main discussion centred on soil. The roles of particular soil microorganisms within their microenvironments are explained with special attention being given to microorganisms involved in transformations of carbon and nitrogen. The role of microorganisms in composting, the management of pollution and as agents of bioremediation is discussed.
Offerings in 2022
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Mind-MapOther10%
- PowerPoint on "How To....." taskOther10%
- Project reportReport20%
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Exam60%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Discuss principles of microbial ecology, recognising the role of microorganisms as a mixed flora;
- 2
Diagram the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical nutrient cycles;
- 3
Discuss the role of different microorganisms in air, water environments, and soils, predicting the effects of changes in environmental parameters;
- 4
Describe how microorganisms can cause pollution and the use of microorganisms as indicators of pollution;
- 5
Discuss the role of microorganisms in sewage treatment and composting;
- 6
Explain how microorganisms can be exploited in bioremediation;
- 7
Demonstrate the use of molecular and traditional methods for detection and identification of microorganisms.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories30 hours
- Lectures36 hours
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Three hours of lectures for twelve weeks;
- Three hours laboratory practical per week for ten weeks and
- Seven hours of independent study per week
The experiments for the laboratory sessions are designed as project-based learning modules. There will be one project for the entire semester, and the various sub-experiments will support the main aims of the project. Students will be investigating microbes from the environment, and learn how to isolate microbes, maintain pure cultures, and investigate their activities (antimicrobial, dye degrading, enzyme production) so that they can be presented as solutions for the environment. Students are to perform the experiments and collect the data to be able to understand and provide a report on microbes from the environment.
The online learning is applied for the lecture sessions. Recorded lectures are available on Moodle. Additionally, learning resources (reading materials, lab manual, past year exam papers), and instructions to assessments (instructions, marking scheme, examples/templates, submission folder), are all be provided on Moodle.
Learning resources
Required resources
Maier, R.M., Pepper, I.L. & Gerba, C.P. (2009). Environmental Microbiology , 2nd ed., Elsevier, Amsterdam. A Laboratory manual is also provided to guide the practical component and the report preparation.
Willey, J.M., Sherwood, L.M. & Woolverton, C.J. (2008). Prescott, Harley, and Klein‟s Microbiology , 7th ed., McGraw-Hill, New York.
Where it fits
BTH3732 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2022 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Assoc Professor Adeline Ting
- Chief Examiners
- Assoc Professor Adeline Ting
Common questions
When is BTH3732 offered?
In 2022, BTH3732 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia.
Does BTH3732 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include BTH3732?
BTH3732 is part of Applied microbiology and Tropical environmental biology.