There is ONE assessment in this module

2 h examination (100%) (1,2,3,4)

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment:
Formative feedback (verbal and written) on tasks set to support the lectures or within discussions (verbal) occurring within the lectures/tutorials.

24 hours lectures/tutorial

Independent Study Hours

36 hours lecture preparation (reading) and completion of tasks given to support the material delivered in the lectures.
90 hours reading, self assessment and preparation for the summative assessment.

Atlas, R. M. and Bartha, R. (1998). Microbial ecology : fundamentals and applications (4th Ed.).
Madigan, M. et al. (2012). Brock: Biology of Microorganisms (13th Ed). Pearson
Maier, R.M., Pepper I.L. and Gerba, C. P. (2009). Environmental Microbiology (2nd Ed).

Lecture room, room for workshops (suitable for group work), laboratory and appropriate equipment for microbiology practical work and for selected molecular biology work.

To include coverage of methods in microbial ecology (traditional/molecular), this module examines a range of microbial ecology. Biochemical and genetic diversity within bacteria and the Archaea. The ecological significance of non -culturable bacteria. The role of fungi in polymer degradation (e.g. lignocellulose), dynamics of bacteria and virus interactions in freshwater ecosystems. The ecology of deep ocean black smokers. Interactions between microbes and animals, interactions (fungus farming/ oral microbiology/rumen ecosystem) and between microbes and plants (mycorrhizas/nitrogen fixing bacteria).