Academic Module Manager 3.0
  1. Search
  2. Module Details

MCRO07003 2019 Applied and Environmental Microbiology

General Details

Full Title
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Transcript Title
Applied and Environmental Micr
Code
MCRO07003
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
MCRO - Microbiology
Department
ESCI - Environmental Science
Level
07 - NFQ Level 7
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
€
Start Term
2019 - Full Academic Year 2019-20
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Aideen Considine, Ana Vale
Programme Membership
SG_SENVI_B07 201900 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Protection SG_SENVI_H08 201900 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science SG_SSCIE_B07 201900 Bachelor of Science in Science SG_SENVI_H08 201900 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Science in Environmental Science SG_SENVI_H08 201900 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Science in Environmental Science SG_SENVI_J07 201900 Level 7 Add-on Award in Science in Environmental Protection SG_SSCIE_H08 201900 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Science
Description

This module aims to provide the learner with knowledge on water-borne bacterial, protozoan and viral pathogens, their dispersion in the environment and their impact on public health. Additionally the learner will learn the microbiological methods used to detect and enumerate faecal indicator bacteria in different types of sample.

 

 

 

 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Explain a variety of laboratory methods for microbiological analysis: water, shellfish and soil/compost analysis

2.

Explain the characteristics of faecal indicator bacteria

3.

Summarise the nature of water borne microbial pathogens, including sources, pathways and impact

4.

Outline the factors affecting the fate of water borne pathogens

5.

Explain the microbiology of activated sludge

Teaching and Learning Strategies

This module will be delivered full time. This will include lectures and laboratory practicals augmented by independent learning needs. Virtual learning environment will be used as repository of educational resources and as a means of assessment.

Module Assessment Strategies

This module is 70% continuous assessment and 30% final exam.

The laboratory component will be assessed by maintaining a laboratory note book, recording  all activities from each lab session as contemporaneous notes. These notes will be assessed periodically and marks accumulated over the semester. Reports on laboratory activities will be uploaded electronically via Moodle.

A laboratory assessment of good laboratory microbiological technique will be carried out periodically to ensure skills acquired.

Short question test on laboratory methods.

Short question tests on the theory component will be delivered during the semester; these are intended to monitor progress and spread the assessment load leading to a final theory exam to complete theory assessment.

The student must reach an assigned gate in the final exam and achieve 40% overall to pass the subject.

Repeat Assessments

Repeat continuous assessment and/or final exam.

Indicative Syllabus

  • Explain a variety of laboratory methods for microbiological analysis: water, shellfish and soil/compost analysis

           Carry out complete bacteriological analysis of water samples for faecal indicator bacteria

           Bacterial analysis of soil

           Bacterial analysis of shellfish

  • Explain the characteristics of faecal indicator bacteria

  • Summarise the nature of water borne microbial pathogens, including sources, pathways and impact

           Bacteria, viruses and parasites

  • Outline the factors affecting the fate of water borne pathogens

           Fate of microbial pathogens in the environment

           Nature of water-borne microbial pathogens  including sources, pathways and impact, survival and retention in soils/subsurface

  • Explain the microbiology of activated sludge

           Population succession

           Removal of  biochemical oxygen demand ( BOD)

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
70 %
End of Semester / Year Formal Exam
30 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Short Answer Questions Coursework Assessment Assessment 15 % Week 5 2,3
2 Short Answer Questions Coursework Assessment Assessment 15 % Week 13 3,4
3 Short Answer Questions Laboratory Coursework Assessment Assessment 15 % Week 14 1
4 Laboratory Notebook Coursework Assessment Practical Evaluation 13 % OnGoing 1
5 Written Report Coursework Assessment Written Report/Essay 12 % OnGoing 1

End of Semester / Year Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Final Exam Final Exam Closed Book Exam 30 % End of Term 1,2,3,4,5
             
             

Full Time Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Lecture Tiered Classroom Lectures 2 Weekly 2.00
Practical / Laboratory Science Laboratory Laboratory practical 2 Weekly 2.00
Independent Learning UNKNOWN library/study 3 Weekly 3.00
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 4.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Required Reading
2015-09-28 Environmental Microbiology John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 9781118439630 ISBN-13 1118439635

Eugene L. Madsen presents a state-of-the-art treatment of microbial diversity and 'cultured' versus 'non-cultured' microbial life. The text is filled with inquiry-driven facts, principles, and perspectives derived from genomics, earth science, and biotechnology

Required Reading
2015 Environmental Microbiology
ISBN 0123946263 ISBN-13 9780123946263

'Environmental Microbiology' is a student text that discusses the applied effects of micro-organisms in the environment on human activities rather than the interactions between micro-organisms and between micro-organisms and the environment.

Module Resources

Non ISBN Literary Resources
  • Handbook of Water and Wastewater Microbiology,Duncan Mara (Editor), N. J. Horan (Editor) Academic Press Inc (2003) ISBN-10: 0124701000, ISBN-13: 978-0124701007
  • Microscopic examination for the operation and control of wastewater treatment plants, N.J. Horan and L. Fletcher, 2010 Publisher: Aqua Enviro Technology Transfer
  • Basic Laboratory Procedures for Wastewater Examination (Water Environment Federation Special Publication) [Paperback]
  • Microscopic Examination of the Activated Sludge Process (Wastewater Microbiology) [Paperback] Michael H. Gerardi; 2008 | ISBN-10: 0470050713 | ISBN-13: 978-0470050712
  • Wastewater Microbiology (Wiley Series in Ecological and Applied Microbiology) Gabriel Bitton (Author); 2011 | ISBN-10: 0470630337 | ISBN-13: 978-0470630334 | Edition: 4th Edition
Journal Resources

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

 

URL Resources

https://epa.ie/

https://www.epa.gov/

https://aem.asm.org/

 

Other Resources

Laboratory Manual of Methods

Additional Information

None