A study of Level 1 Cell Biology

Madigan, M.T., Martinko, J.M. & Parker, J. (2003). Biology of Microorganisms (10th ed). Prentice Hall

Lecture theatre, networked computers to access web based material, appropriate texts in library.

Students will be required to complete two pieces of summative assessment.
1. A one-hour class test comprising short questions. Weighting 50%. Outcome 1.
2. A 200-word essay, which will be directed towards the contemporary applications of microbial physiology. Weighting 50%. Outcome 2.

Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via
Students will be provided with sample test papers at the beginning of the module and asked to complete them as the material is covered in the lecture. Explicit reference will be made to the questions in lectures. Students can submit essay for feedback prior to final submission.

The module will examine the range of biochemical pathways used by microorganisms to obtain carbon and energy. Emphasis will be on diversity and how this diversity contributes to the ubiquity of microorganisms. The contribution of these microbial activities in the environment and applied biology such as the food industry will be considered. Principles of microbial genetics will be explored and will include a consideration of the normal and abnormal genotype and horizontal transfer of genes.

Material will be delivered by twelve, two-hour tutor-led lectures. The lecture programme will highlight the major themes within the module.

Lecture material will be reinforced by a series of student centred tasks involving various texts, reviews and material available electronically