Microbes
| Module title | Microbes |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIO1425 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Andrew Pye (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 250 |
|---|
Module description
The first three billion years of life on Earth belong to the microbes. Understanding microbes is necessary in understanding the evolution of all life on earth and the emergence of life itself. Microbes have gone on to shape biogeochemical processes that have had profound effects on global climate, allowing for the evolution of the more complex life we study on our planet today. Arguably the most recent billion years also belong to the microbes. Despite the emergence of plants and animals, even today the biomass of bacteria and archaea rivals that of plants and greatly exceeds that of animals. If all animals were removed overnight, an observer from space might not even notice, as the Earth’s biogeochemical processes continue with little more than minor perturbations.
Plants and animals themselves can contain many more microbial cells than host cells. They form complex symbiotic relationships that have evolved since the emergence of plants and animals. The rhizosphere in plants and the microbiomes of animals are essential for health. More profound, mitochondria and chloroplasts, key organelles in animals and plants, were once microbes, long since incorporated into the eukaryotic cell. Once we grasp this fact it becomes difficult to separate microbial life from more complex life on planet Earth.
This module will introduce you to microbes and their impact on planet Earth. One cannot understand life on earth without understanding the impact of microbes.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to illustrate the important and fascinating role microbes play on planet Earth.
The module will begin by exploring the origin of life on Earth, moving on to the last universal common ancestor (LUCA), before examining the very first branches on the tree of life. These early branches will include viruses, bacteria, archaea, algae, fungi, and ‘protists’. You will develop an understanding of the key characteristics of these broad microbe groups and how these microbes interact and shape their environment.
The beneficial interactions between microbes and more complex life will also be explored, such as in rumen, coral and lichen. We will also touch on some negative aspects of microbes; microbial disease (a subject you can study in more depth in the second year module BIO2423 Wildlife Disease).
Finally, the module will end by looking at the role microbes can play in tackling some of the major global environmental issues we face on planet Earth; such as the biological digestion of plastic waste, bioremediation, energy generation and even the future colonisation of new planets.
Practical classes will demonstrate key techniques for the study of microbes. You will get hands on experience observing microbial life.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Discuss key concepts in microbial ecology
- 2. Think critically about these principles and how they relate to other modules
- 3. Analyse the evidence for our current understanding of microbial life
- 4. Give examples of the importance of microbial life on Earth
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Describe essential facts and theory across a sub-discipline of the biosciences
- 6. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples into written work
- 7. Identify and implement, with some guidance, appropriate methodologies and theories for addressing a specific research problem in biosciences
- 8. With guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within biosciences
- 9. Describe and begin to evaluate approaches to our understanding of biosciences with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Develop, with guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with sound conclusions
- 11. Collect and interpret appropriate data and undertake straightforward research tasks with guidance
Syllabus plan
Practical classes will introduce you to key techniques for studying microbes.
The main module content will be delivered through a mix of lectures, activities and discussion sessions (flipped classroom) where you will discuss recent research papers on the key themes identified below:
- The origins of life:
- LUCA and the microbial tree of life
- The microbes:
- Viruses, bacteria, archaea, algae, fungi, ‘protists’
- The impact of microbes on their environment:
- Soil/ plant interactions/ nitrogen cycle/ nutrient recycling.
- Oceans / biomass and the carbon cycle.
- Symbiosis: biofilms, rumen.
- Microbial disease:
- Understanding disease as a normal part of nature.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | 122 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 11 | Recorded lectures with activities |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 11 | Discussion weekly topics flipped classroom (11 x 1 hours) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 6 | Practical classes 2 x 3 hours |
| Guided independent study | 122 | Readings and revision |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class quizzes | 5 minutes | 1-11 | Oral |
| Lab questions/write-up | 1 page | 1-11 | Oral in practical class |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-class MCQ examination | 40 | 20 Questions | 1-11 | MCQ mark |
| In-class MCQ examination | 60 | 40 Questions | 1-11 | MCQ mark |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class MCQ examination | In-class MCQ examination | 1-11 | Ref/def exam period |
| In-class MCQ examination | In-class MCQ examination | 1-11 | Ref/def exam period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss the examination for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will be deferred in the examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Brock Biology of Microrganisms – available as eBOOK via module ELE page
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 11/01/2019 |
| Last revision date | 10/03/2023 |
