Subject

Microbiology

  • code 13555
  • course 3
  • term Semester 2
  • type op
  • credits 4

Module: ELECTIVE

Matter: ELECTIVE

Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish

Timetable
group M
 Sem.2  TU 14:00 16:00 

Teaching staff

Head instructor

Dra. Laura SÁNCHEZ - lsanchezga@uic.es

Other instructors

Dr. Jordi MAS - jmas@uic.es

Office hours

Questions will be answered before or after each class.

Introduction

Microbiology is a science dedicated to the study of a wide range of organisms with which we live and establish different degrees of relationship. Many of them are capable of generating diseases in humans, many are capable of producing a variety of substances with different economic interests and even allow the advancement of knowledge of our environment. 

The approach of this subject is to provide biomedicine students with a general and basic knowledge of microorganisms as living beings with whom we interact. We will focus interest on the capacity of some of them to produce different diseases, such as identifying them, avoiding them and, eventually, treating them. We also intend to provide knowledge about other capacities that microorganisms possess, such as the knowledge of basic processes in biology, biotechnological, industrial processes and with important economic impact.

Pre-course requirements

It is considered essential to have an important base in biochemistry and cellular biology.

Objectives


The main objective of the present subject is to make available to the student the knowledge, the characteristics, the peculiarities of a huge variety of organisms with which we interact continuously as well as the damages and benefits that can determine us. 

Specific objectives: 

  • Classification and location of microorganisms within living beings 
  • Description and characterization of the different types of microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, helminths. 
  • Exhibition of the different facets of interaction between humans and microorganisms 
  • Description of the capacity of microorganisms as pathogens Evaluation of therapeutic tools for the diagnosis and treatment of infections 
  • Knowledge of the basic techniques of microbiology

Competences / Learning outcomes of the degree programme

The student at the end of the course will have a broad vision about the world of microorganisms, their diversity and their impact on human life. Knowledge of the benefits and the possible damages on it. You will also gain knowledge about their management and ability to interpret microbiological information essential for the development of your future work as a health professional.

 

  • Have a general view of the diversity of microorganisms and their impact on human life.
  • Recognize the impact of microbiology, genetics and biochemistry on human health, as well as the diagnostic tools used in each of the areas of Health.
  • Recognize the aspects that govern the pathological state and its implications at a clinical and diagnostic level.
  • Develop the capacity for organization and planning appropriate to the moment.
  • To be able to teamwork.
  • Be able to carry out autonomous learning.

Learning outcomes of the subject


At the end of the course. the student: 

  • Will know and understand the microbial world in terms of its existence, history, diversity and characteristics. 
  • Will know about the most common infectious diseases produced by the different types of microorganisms
  • Will know the different tools for controlling the growth of microorganisms and the infections that can cause 
  • Will have knowledge of the economic and scientific importance of microorganisms Will know the basic techniques of handling and interpretation of microbiological tests

Syllabus

Topic 1. Introduction to microbiology: Definition and general aspects, brief history and importance of microorganisms.  BACTERIOLOGY Topic 2. The prokaryotic cell: size and morphology. The cytoplasm. Nuclear region. Cytoplasmic membrane. Topic 3. Cell wall and motility: cell wall structure and function. Mechanisms of motility. Endospores. Capsules and mucosal layers.  Topic 4. The prokaryotic genome: structure and size. Extracromosomic genetic material. Exchange of genetic material: conjugation, transformation and transduction.  Topic 5. Microbial growth. Bacterial cell division and population growth. Environmental factors affecting cellular growth. Microbial growth control. Differences between antiseptics, disinfectants and chemotherapeutic agents. Antimicrobial resistance. Topic 6. Gram-positive bacilli and cocci.  Topic 7. Gram-negative bacilli and cocci.  Topic 8. Other bacteria
VIROLOGY Topic 9. Virology. Characteristics of the virus DNA and RNA: morphology, structure, life cycle. Classification and diversity.
MYCOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY Topic 10. Characteristics of filamentous fungi and yeasts: morphology, structure, metabolism, reproduction. Main pathogenic fungi.  Topic 11. Parasitology. Characteristics of protozoa and helminths: morphology, structure, metabolism, reproduction.
 

Teaching and learning activities

In person

The teaching resources that we will use in the present subject are the following:  Lectures (L): explanation for two hours (with a break of 10 minutes) of a theoretical topic by the teacher with audio-visual support based on presentations projected from the computer. The student will have the contents beforehand through the internal computer network.  Methods (M): all the students will be divided in groups. Different topics and/or articles related to microbiology will be suggested to be developed during the course. Subsequently, an oral presentation will be performed talking about the acquired knowledge, followed by the corresponding discussion and conclusions obtained. Practices (P): Familiarization of students with the basic techniques of work and manipulation of microorganisms in a laboratory. Demonstration in the laboratory of some aspects raised in the lectures. Consolidation through the practice of the most important aspects treated in the theoretical classes.  Documentation on line (DO): Certain contents, either due to their inability to be acquired by other means, or due to eminently electronic support will be placed in a location accessible to students from any computer.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person

The final grade of the subject will be calculated by adding the next marks: 
  • Class participation and attitude: 10%
  • Practical lessons: 10%
  • Methods: 20%
  • Final test: 60%

The same criteria will be applied in all the exams. The grades corresponding to class participation and methods will be maintained. However, it is possible to repeat them in order to improve the marks obtained.  

General aspects regarding the evaluation system: 

  • It is necessary to obtain a minimum of 5 (out of 10) at the final exam to pass the subject. 
  • Exam format: test with 4 possibilities among which only one will be correct. Unanswered questions will not add or subtract; correct answers will add +1 and wrong answers will subtract -0.25. 
  • 10 % of the questions in the exam can be related to concepts not directly treated in the lectures. They can be found in the bibliography, discussed articles, oral presentations or virtual material provided. 
  • Participation in class means the contribution of new and interesting concepts, as well as answering questions posed by the teacher in class. 
 
  • Class attendance:
    • It is recommended to attend regularly to all classes (lectures and methods)
    • It is optional to attend to lectures. However, students must follow the rules indicated by the teachers. In order to evaluate the participation and attitude it is mandatory to attend a minimum of 7 sessions and perform the suggested activities. The expulsion of a student will have a negative impact during the evaluation process. 
    • Attendance to "methods class" is optional. However, in order to be evaluated it is mandatory to attend a minimum of 4 sessions and perform the activities suggested by the teacher. 
    • It is mandatory to attend to practical lessons. 
    • The inadequate use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops can cause the expulsion from the class. It is regarded as inadequate use to record and difuse students or teachers during classes as well as their use with ludic and non-educative purposes. 

Bibliography and resources

Brock. Biology of Microorganisms. M.T. Madigan, et al. 15th  Ed. Pearson Education, 2019.

Prescott’s Microbiology. J Willey et al.  10th Ed. McGraw-Hill, 2017.

Medical Microbiology. P.R. Murray et al. 8th. Elsevier, 2016.

Microbiology, a systems approach. M. K. Cowan. 5th Ed. McGraw-Hill, 2018.

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:

  • E2 29/06/2020 14:00h

Teaching and learning material

      Websites
            American Society for Microbiology https://www.asm.org/ 
            Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica  https://seimc.org/  
            Sociedad Española de Microbiología https://www.semicrobiologia.org/ 
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