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 2023 in Semester 1 at Malaysia. It needs MIC2011 or BTH2830.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2023
- Semester 1
- Malaysia
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
This is the 2023 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 2023 handbook.
Overview
In this unit you will begin by examining the fundamental principles of microbial ecology and the basic methods used in this area. You will then learn the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical nutrient cycles, some important natural habitats for microorganisms such as air, fresh water and salt water with the main discussion centred on soil. Next you will learn the roles of particular soil microorganisms within their microenvironments with special attention given to microorganisms involved in transformations of carbon and nitrogen, and the role of microorganisms in composting, the management of pollution and as agents of bioremediation.
Offerings in 2023
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Mind-MapOther20%
- PowerPoint on "How To....." taskOther20%
- Project reportReport30%
- Essay30%
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, and the role of different microorganisms in air, water environments, and soils;
- 2
Illustrate the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical nutrient cycles;
- 3
Describe how microorganisms can cause pollution and how microorganisms can be used as indicators of pollution, and explain how microorganisms can be exploited in bioremediation;
- 4
Discuss the role of microorganisms in sewage treatment and composting;
- 5
Demonstrate the use of molecular and traditional methods for detection and identification of microorganisms.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures36 hours
- Laboratories30 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based 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 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.
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.
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 2023 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Adeline Ting
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Adeline Ting
Common questions
When is BTH3732 offered?
In 2023, BTH3732 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia.
Does BTH3732 have an exam?
No. BTH3732 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include BTH3732?
BTH3732 is part of Applied microbiology and Tropical environmental biology.