The course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge of theoretical and applied Environmental Microbiology. The principal learning objectives will focus on: 1) the structural and functional diversity which is present in the microbial world; 2) the mechanisms responsible for the replication, growth and adaptation of microorganisms to natural environments; 3) bacterial genetics; 4) antimicrobial drugs, methods and strategies for the control of microbial growth; 5) role of microorganisms in natural environments; 6) the mechanisms that underlies the interactions between bacteria and higher organisms.

·  Introduction to and history of Microbiology

·  Structure and functions of bacterial cells

·  Structure of the prokaryotic cell. Cell division: binary fission. Cytoplasm, cytoplasmic inclusions and sub-cellular organelles. Cytoplasmic membrane and cell wall in Bacteria and Archaea

·  Mechanisms involved in protein secretion and cell wall biogenesis

·  Surface appendages: flagella and pili. Bacterial motility and chemotaxis

·  Cell differentiation in bacteria and sporulation. Microbial communities: biofilms

·  Growth and adaptation of microorganisms in natural environments

·  Interaction between microorganisms and higher organisms

·  Bacterial genetics

·  Mobile genetic elements and Horizontal gene transfer, genetic recombination and mutations

·  Antibiotics: activity and mechanisms of action. Evolution and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance

Knowledge and understanding ability: Students must be able to describe the properties of prokaryotic cells, highlighting the differences and similarities with Eukaryotic cells. Students will have to know the mechanisms underlying bacterial cells replication, metabolism and growth. Moreover, students will have to be familiar with the main methods applied to the control of bacterial growth, focusing in particular on antimicrobial drugs. Basic knowledge on microbial genetics and on the mechanisms that drive the interactions between bacteria and higher organisms is also required.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Both during oral and written exams, students will have to clearly and correctly illustrate the topics that they have studied, using the correct scientific and microbiological terminology.

Independent judgment: Students will have to be able to critically apply the acquired knowledge to solve Environmental Microbiology questions.

Communicative ability: Students will have to be able to use the microbiological language and to link the different microbiological features with appropriate examples.

Learning capability: Student must demonstrate to have acquired the ability to illustrate and discuss with people of equal preparation and expertise on Microbiology-related topics.

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

Laboratory activities and seminars will be offered to attending students

Teaching

Lectures

Course books

·  Dehò, G. e Galli, E. Biologia dei microrganismi. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

·  Barbieri, P., Bestetti, G., Galli, E., Zannoni, D. Microbiologia ambientale ed elementi di ecologi amicrobica. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Assessment

The final assessment consists of a written and an oral exam.

The exam is aimed at verifying the level of knowledge and comprehension of the topics of the program and the reasoning skills developed by the student.

The written test includes both open and closed questions on the topics covered during lectures and laboratory exercises. Open questions are evaluated for accuracy, completeness of content as well as synthesis and elaboration skills. Property of language, clarity of exposition, acquired knowledge and ability to make connections between the different topics are evaluated during the oral examination. Overall, the exam aims to verify the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and comprehension of the topics, as well as communication skills. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (minimum mark 18/30, maximum mark 30/30 cum laude).

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.