FST3711 Food and industrial microbiology
Faculty of Science
FST3711 Food and industrial microbiology is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2022 in Semester 1 at Malaysia. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2022
- Semester 1
- Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 2 other tasks
This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Overview
This unit discusses food as a habitat, the principles involved in microbiological spoilage of foods, microorganisms of public health significance that cause foodborne illness, food safety and aspects of food preservation, useful microorganisms, new technologies and their use for microbiological testing of foods. The industrial microbiology section examines how microorganisms are obtained, handled and maintained in industry and discusses the application of genetically modified microorganisms. Fermentation modes and kinetic models are discussed using batch and continuous growth. Scaling up to downstream processes of industrial fermentations and the role of microorganisms in producing substances of industrial importance is discussed using antibiotics, hormones, membrane proteins and bioethanol as examples.
Offerings in 2022
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Tests and assignmentsOther20%
- Practical workOther30%
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Exam50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Discuss food as a habitat for microorganisms;
- 2
Describe microorganisms characteristic to the food industry and their roles in food production, food spoilage, and food-borne illnesses; probiotics and useful microorganism in food.
- 3
Explain the principles involved in microbiological spoilage of food, microbial control, conventional and new methods of preserving foods;
- 4
Recognise the importance of microbiological food criteria and HACCP systems for maintaining food safety in industry;
- 5
Discuss the use of microorganisms in industrial processes, and provide examples representing the breadth of these applications;
- 6
Describe the principles and applications of batch and continuous fermentation processes;
- 7
Describe the application of industrial microbiology for the production of new high-value products of commercial importance.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories24 hours
- Lectures36 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Three hours of lectures;
- Three hours of laboratory (weekly for eight weeks) and
- Eight hours of independent study per week
The unit focusses on the theoretical aspects of Food microbiology. During lectures and in the practical sessions, you will understand lab based identification of these microorganisms. Real life problems of food contamination and safety run in parallel in both the lectures and the practical for you to get a holistic perspective on the subject. Every week on Friday, there is an informal discussion (on Zoom) to discuss that week’s learning outcome and case studies.
The lectures cover case studies which are discussed at the end of the lecture. Also sample case studies are provided for you to think of and answer in MCQ based quizzes at the end of the week, every week. You are supposed to take the quiz after having understood that week’s content.
Towards the end of the semester, the you are given a research project which contains food samples containing combinations of unknown microorganisms, which you will have to identify correctly and write in your research report.
Case based study and real life experiences of sample testing are incorporated in the practical where food samples are provided to you that are spiked with contaminating microorganisms. This is a true simulation of a diagnostic lab, testing food samples for food safety.
Learning resources
Required resources
Lecture notes - PDF files of all lecture notes are provided prior to the lecture presentation and all additional details to it as required.
Lecture recordings - Following the lecture, the recording is uploaded on Moodle for future reference.
Audio-visual recordings - The lecture recording is converted into Panopto recording and uploaded on Moodle for further reference.
Text book for reference - Textbooks are recommended and listed at the start of the unit and you are encouraged to purchase the recommended ones, however this is not compulsory. All required reading materials including reference papers, manuscripts and lab manuals are uploaded on Moodle for you.
Lab demonstrations - The lab manual is complete with all details on every experiment, precautions and procedures. Also, we upload on Moodle systematic details on the procedures as PowerPoint Slides and video recordings for you to better understand the procedures to be followed in the lab.
Where it fits
FST3711 is part of 1 area of study in the 2022 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Sunil Kumar Lal
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Sunil Kumar Lal
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FST3711?
FST3711 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is FST3711 offered?
In 2022, FST3711 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia.
Does FST3711 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include FST3711?
FST3711 is part of Applied microbiology.