MKB 214 (Introductory Microbiology)
History, microscopy, classification, structure and function, nutritional requirements and growth factors, nutrient uptake, energy generation, culture media, growth curves, yields and effect of nutrient limitation, continuous culture, physical and chemical control, environmental factors, antimicrobial therapy, eukaryotic cell structure and function. Microbes in the dairy and meat industry, beer, wine and bread microbes as food source, microbial taxonomy.
PP Biology 124 or 144
P Chemistry 114 and 154
MKB 244 (Microbial Diversity)
Prokaryotes, kingdoms of life and modern classification, Archaeal cell structure and function, Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, actinomycetes, cyanobacteria. Fungal divisions, cell structure and function. Structure of viruses and virus taxonomy, bacteriophages, human viruses. Microbiology of air, water and soil environments, different metabolic types of micro-organisms, the role of micro-organisms in biogeochemical cycles and energy flow in the food web, the dependence of animals and plants on micro-organisms, including symbiotic associations, microbe-plant associations and microbe-insect associations, interactions between micro-organisms.
PP Biology 124 or 144
MKB 314 (Microbial Molecular Biology)
Genome organisation of prokaryotes versus eukaryotes, advanced aspects of DNA replication in bacteria e.g. multiple replication forks and genome segregation, advanced aspects of transcription and translation using Escherichia coli (bacterium) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) as model organisms, principles of gene regulation from single gene to global regulation levels, including operons, regulons, networks and signal transduction in bacteria, influence of mutagenesis, recombination and transposons on genome dynamics of bacteria, advanced gene regulation of bacteriophages and M13.
PP Microbiology 214
P Biochemistry 214, 244
MKB 344 (Microbial Physiology and Metabolism with Applied Aspects)
Elemental composition, carbon and energy flows, oxidation-reduction reactions, energy production through fermentation, respiration and photosynthesis, variety of molecules used as electron donors and acceptors and the micro-organisms involved, membrane transport, chemotaxis, sources and assimilation of nitrogen, sulphate and phosphate, assimilation of carbon dioxide. Biosynthesis of amino acids and other monomers. Application of metabolism to industrial processes, Pasteur and Crabtree effects, deregulation of metabolism that leads to the overproduction of citric acid and lysine. Iron-oxidizing bacteria and bio-mining.
PP Microbiology 214
P Biochemistry 214, 244
MKB 354 (Industrial Microbiology)
Food fermentations, traditional microbial processes: beer, wine, bread, cheese, yoghurt, salami, etc. Specialised food fermentations, e.g. biological preservatives, preparation and the role of micro-organisms. Quality control measures: HACCP, ISO 9000, etc. The occurrence of pathogens and food-spoiling bacteria and their control. Industrial production of non-food products: selected examples of industrial production of enzymes, antibiotics, pharmaceutical products, influence of substrate on production levels.
PP Microbiology 214
MKB 733 (Techniques in Molecular Microbiology I)
Theory and practicals on techniques in molecular biology such as DNA cloning, bacterial and yeast transformations, plasmid isolations, isolation of genomic DNA from bacteria and fungi, as well as basic skills such as biological calculations, spectrophotometry, centrifugation, the use of radio-isotopes, specialised computer programs and databases via the internet.
PP Microbiology 314 and 344 or 354
PP Biochemistry 214, 244
MKB 763 (Techniques in Molecular Microbiology II)
Theory and practicals on advanced techniques in molecular biology, e.g. DNA sequencing, isolation and analysis of gDNA and mRNA, isolation and characterisation of proteins, construction of DNA libraries.
PP Microbiology 314 and 344 or 354
PP Biochemistry 214, 244
PP Techniques in Molecular Microbiology 1 733
MKB 774 (Selected Topics)
Selected topics are presented as mini-modules by lecturers or visiting researchers. Topics
such as plasmid biology, genome dynamics, biology of yeasts, transcriptional control of
eukaryotic genes, taxonomy of yeasts, antimicrobial resistance and bacteriocins are
covered.
PP Microbiology 314 and 344 or 354
PP Biochemistry 214, 244
MKB 772 (Experimental Microbiology)
Research Projects: Students are allocated to a research laboratory where they conduct an independent research project. Assessment is based on presentations of proposed research, independent research in the laboratory and oral presentation of results.
Literature Review: A written literature review and oral presentation on a Microbiology related topic.
PP Microbiology 314 and 344 or 354
PP Biochemistry 214, 244
For further information see the Faculty of Science Yearbook.
Research on an approved project is carried out and a thesis is submitted which must satisfy the requirements of the appointed examiners. In addition, extra study on specific subjects may be required where background is lacking. Any additional work is decided individually for each student by the supervisor(s) involved. An oral examination and/or thesis presentation are/is required.
For further information also see Higher Degrees in Science in the Faculty of Science Yearbook.
A dissertation on the results of independent scientific research is required.
For further information also see Higher Degrees in Science in the Faculty of Science Yearbook.