The purpose of the course is to give the students a basic knowledge of Microbiology and means for understanding the interactions between microorganisms and environment.

English version
1-Introduction to Microbiology. 2-The Reigns of organisms. 3-Morphology, structure and properties of Prokaryotes: Eubacteria, Archebacteria. 4- Notions on Algae, Fungi and Viruses. 5- Microbial growth: Environmental factors effecting the microbial growth. 6-Quorum sensing; microbial Biofilms. 7-Responses of microorganisms to environmental stress: bacterial endospores; the viable but non-culturable state in bacteria.8- Metabolism. 8.1- Patterns of energy-yelding metabolism: aerobic and anaerobic respiration, fermentation. Bacterial photosynthesis. 9-Microbial genetics: Organization of genetic material in Prokaryotes.  9.1-Bacterial recombination: Conjugation, Transformation, Transduction. 10-Notions of Microbial Taxonomy. 11- Microbial ecology: interactions between microorganisms and environment. 12- Cycles of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen. 13-Microbial associations: neutralism, commensalism, parasitism. 14- Soil microbiology, Aerobiology, Aquatic and extreme environments. 15- Biotechnologies and their applications in the fields of industry, agriculture and environmental remediation. 16- Isolation and identification techniques of environmental microorganisms

Students are recommended to have passed the General chemistry, Organic chemistry, Biochemistry examinations

D1- KNOWLEDGE AND  UNDERSTANDING.  Students will acquire basic knowledge on the morphological and functional aspects of microorganisms, as well as on the factors that regulate their growth and metabolic activity. They will also have to acquire  knowledge of the different roles that microorganisms may play in nature, and in different biotechnological processes in agriculture and environmental remediation fields. They must also know the main techniques for the identification of micro-organisms and microbiological techniques for analyzing environmental samples.
D2- APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.  Students will demonstrate  understanding of the concepts acquired during the course and the ability to apply methods and tools for the analysis of microbial communities, and for the study of the functions and applications of microorganisms in the natural environment.
D3- MAKING JUDGMENTS. Students must show that they have acquired skill in critical interpretation  of the data and developed a conscious independent judgment on the most appropriate investigative methods and their compliance with the scientific method.
D4- COMMUNICATION SKILLS. Students will be able to communicate in written, oral or multi-media way the acquired knowledge and to know how to interface with  interlocutors of their and  other sectors, and to  demonstrate ability to work in groups as well.
D5- LEARNING SKILLS.  Students will be able  to study independently and deepen their skill by means of consultation of library materials, databases and website information peculiar to the sector.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Class lectures and lab experiences

Attendance

None. In any case attendance to lectures and lab activities is recommended

Course books

 P. Barbieri, G. Bestetti, E. Galli, D. Zannoni - Microbiologia ambientale ed elementi di Ecologia microbica - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
L.M. Prescott, J.P.Harley, D.A. Klein - Microbiologia - ed. Zanichelli.
Madigan, Martinko, Bender, Buckey, Sthal - Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi. Microbiologia generale, ambientale, e industriale. Pearson ed.
Raina M. Maier, Ian L. Pepper, Charles P. Gerba. Environmental Microbiology (Second Edition) -. Elsevier Inc. 2008
A. H. Varnam, H. G. Evans: Environmental microbiology ed. Manson
H.S. Schlegel - Microbiologia - Ed. Zanichelli.

Assessment

Oral examination. Questions will arise  on any topic discussed in the course

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Students will follow the same directions given for those attending

Attendance

Students will follow the same directions given for those attending

Course books

Students will follow the same directions given for those attending

Assessment

Students will follow the same directions given for those attending

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Supported course (English)