Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Microbiology
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
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 impact in health and economy.
This course contributes to ODS 3 (health against infections), 4 (applied scientific education) and 15 (understanding of ecosystem microbiomes), aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Pre-course requirements
Objectives
- Facilitate students' understanding of the fundamental characteristics of microorganisms from a structural, functional, and evolutionary perspective, enabling them to apply this knowledge to differentiate and classify these organisms based on their morphological, metabolic, and reproductive characteristics.
- Develop students' ability to apply microbiological concepts in the identification and diagnosis of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, using appropriate techniques and tools while understanding the life cycle and pathogenic mechanisms of these microorganisms.
- Promote critical reflection among students on the interaction between viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa and their relationship with human health, fostering the ability to analyze recent advances in virology, medical microbiology, and resistance mechanisms to treatments.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN01 - Define the structure and function of the cell, as well as intra and extracellular communication and its regulation through the main routes of cell signalling, in both developing and adult individuals.
- CN02 - Recognise the molecular foundations that explain transcriptional and post-transcriptional phenomena in eukaryotes in their adult state and during their development, as well as the basic genetic principles that define the basis of genetic inheritance.
- CN03 - Have a general overview of the diversity of micro-organisms and their impact on human life.
- CN15 - Identify analytical and experimental methodologies used in the field of Biomedical Sciences, whether they be established or cutting-edge.
- CP01 - Interpret basic biological concepts and the specific language of biomedical sciences in health, both in their native language and English, by applying autonomous learning.
- CP02 - Apply scientific methodology to interpret practical or theoretical data by evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CP05 - Apply biological foundations in the search for practical solutions to health problems, following ethical standards and scientific rigour and respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values that includes inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
- HB01 - Interpret basic data obtained in the biomedical research laboratory, identifying consistent and inconsistent elements, both individually and in a team.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Identify and describe the microorganisms that make up the microbial world in terms of their existence, history, diversity, and characteristics, including their morphology, structure, metabolism, and reproduction mechanisms.
- Recognize the life cycles of DNA and RNA viruses and the differences in their replication mechanisms, as well as classify viruses into groups based on their structural and genetic characteristics.
- Distinguish the different tools available for controlling microbial growth and the infections they can cause.
- Justify the economic and scientific importance of microorganisms.
- Recognize basic diagnostic and microorganism management techniques and interpret microbiological tests.
Syllabus
Main units and concepts
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Introduction to microbiology: Definition, history of microbiology, importance and role of microorganisms in life and on the planet, branches of microbiology (basic and applied), discovery of the microscope, refutation of spontaneous generation, beginning of modern microbiology with Pasteur and Koch.
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Prokaryotic cell: Morphology and size, internal structure (cytoplasm, nuclear region), cytoplasmic membrane, differences with eukaryotes. History, evolution and effects on earth of the prokaryotic cell. Structure and function of the cell wall, Gram+, Gram- differences, Capsules, motility mechanisms (flagella, fimbriae, pili).
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Prokaryotic genome: Chromosomal structure, plasmids, transposons, horizontal gene transfer (conjugation, transformation, transduction), mutations and DNA repair
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Microbiome and immunology interaction: Introduction to the role of the microbiome, bacterial interaction and advanced NGS genetic analysis techniques for studying microbial populations and their application to biomedicine.
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Microbial growth: Cell division, batch and continuous cultures, growth phases, methods to measure growth.
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Factors and control of bacterial growth: Environmental factors (temperature, pH, oxygen, pressure, osmolarity), physical and chemical control of microbial growth (sterilization, disinfection, antimicrobials). Energy obtaining strategies (chemoorganotrophs, chemolithotrophs, phototrophs), carbon sources, respiration, fermentation, biosynthesis of cellular components.
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Virology: Virus structure, types of genomes, reproductive cycle (lytic and lysogenic), viral classification and diversity, subviral agents (viroids, prions).
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Eukarya microbiology: Protozoa, fungi and yeasts: Morphology, structure, metabolism, reproduction and diversity of these microorganisms.
Main techniques covered in practical sessions
· Streak plating, isolation and enrichment on plate: Basic technique to obtain pure colonies.
· Cultures on selective, differential and anaerobic plates: MacConkey, BEA, Blood Agar and BHI with and without anaerobic jar.
· Gram staining and optical microscope observation: Visualization and differentiation of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria, preliminary diagnosis. Shape determination (Cocci and bacilli).
· Basic and species-specific biochemical identification: Tests to differentiate bacterial species by their metabolic capabilities: catalase assay, oxidase assay and RapID-type micromethods (REMEL)
· Measurement of microbial growth: Colony counting methods, turbidity (McFarland scale), direct viable plate count (serial dilutions).
· Antibiotic resistance tests: Sensitivity determination using the disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer) and Epsilon test.
MC - Field Trip:
Environmental sampling and assembly of a Winogradsky column
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Fully in-person classroom modality
The teaching resources used in this course are as follows:
1. Lecture - 16 hours: Presentation of a theoretical topic by the professor with audiovisual support based on computer-projected presentations. Students will have access to the content in advance through the internal computer network.
2. Case Method (CM) - 4 hours: After enrolling and being organized into groups, students will go on a field trip to collect a biological sample from a swamp and, in the laboratory, design and assemble a Winogradsky column. They will write a report that they will present at the end of the course in a second MC session.
3. Practical classes - 10 hours: Students will familiarize themselves with basic techniques for working with and handling microorganisms in a laboratory. Laboratory demonstrations will reinforce concepts introduced in the lectures. Practical sessions will consolidate the most important aspects covered in theoretical classes.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Fully in-person classroom modality
The final grade for the course will be calculated by summing the scores of:
- Practical sessions: 15% (exam at the end of the practical week)
- Case method resolution: 15%
- Active participation: 10%
- Final exam: 60%
At the end of the lecture, or during it, the professor will include an online access questionnaire, for which students will receive the password at the time of completion. Participation from outside the classroom will result in a penalty on the final course grade and may lead to failure.
Students who engage and actively participate in the course may qualify for up to an additional 10% in excellence*.
The same criteria will apply to subsequent exam sessions. The continuous assessment grade (participation in class, practical sessions, and case methods) will be retained. However, students may choose to retake any of the continuous assessments if they wish.
General points to consider regarding the evaluation system:- A minimum score of 5 (out of 10) is required in the final exam to average with the rest of the assessments.
- To pass the course, the final average must be above 5.
- The final exam will be multiple-choice but will include two short written questions. The multiple-choice section will have questions with four options, only one of which is correct. Unanswered questions will neither add nor subtract points; correct answers will add +1, and incorrect answers will deduct -0.33. The written questions are optional and will only be used in two special cases: if the final score is between 4.7 and 5, allowing the student to pass the exam, or at the student's discretion for those seeking honors. The midterm exam follows the same format and conditions as the final exam.
- The final exam may include questions from all course materials: lectures, case methods (CMs), practical sessions, and other Moodle materials. Concepts not directly covered in lectures but present in the recommended bibliography, discussed articles, student presentations, or virtual materials may also be included.
- Class participation will be assessed through short tests throughout the course.
- The practices will be evaluated with a multiple choice exam of 10questions (samefinalrules) at the end of the practice
- Case methods will be assessed through: the presentation on the last day of MC. Participation in both sessions is required to be evaluated.
Class Attendance:
- Regular attendance at lectures and case methods is recommended.
- Lecture attendance is optional, but attendees must follow the rules set by the professor. To have participation evaluated, students must attend at least 7 sessions and complete the proposed activities. A student's expulsion from class will negatively impact their evaluation.
- Attendance at the case method sessions is optional. However, in order to be assessed, attendance at both sessions is mandatory: the Winogradsky column assembly and the report presentation.
- Attendance at practical sessions is mandatory; failure to attend will result in failing the course.
- Improper use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or laptops may result in expulsion from class. Misuse includes recording or distributing content of students or professors during class, as well as using devices for entertainment purposes rather than educational ones.
* The professor reserves up to 10% of the grade for subjective criteria such as engagement, participation, adherence to basic rules, etc.
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.
Updated scientific reviews:
"Engineered Live Biotherapeurics: Progress and Challenges". Biotechnology Journal, 2020. DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000155
"Engineered Probiotics for Detection and Treatment of Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases", 2020. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00265
Evaluation period
- E1 29/05/2026 A16 14:00h
- E2 29/06/2026 A16 14:00h