ENVIRONMENT APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Knowledge of basic notions of General, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry are recommended (but not obligatory). No formal prerequisites are required.
Final oral examination scored out of a maximum of 30 points (with the minimum of 18 points to pass the exam). The examination will assess: i) adequate level of knowledge and comprehension of the topics discussed during the course ii) ability to link basic and general microbiological notions with the applied ones iii) ability to synthesize and clarity of expression; iv) use of an appropriate scientific language related to the field of the microbiology applied to the environment.
The aim is to provide students with integrated knowledge of general microbiology and microbiology applied to the environmental technologies. The student will acquire knowledge and abilities in the conservation, remediation, management of the environment and in the sustainable use of resources consistently with the professional profiles and the specific aims of the degree course.
By the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to:
- use a scientific terminology and an appropriate language of the microbiology applied to the environmental engineering field;
- apply the acquired knowledge to basic and applied aspects related to the use of microorganisms in the environmental microbial technologies, such as wastewater treatment, bioremediation, composting and biofuel production.
Introduction to microbiology: structure and evolution of the prokaryotic cell (1 hour)
Morphology and cytology of the bacterial cell (2 hours)
Sterilisation techniques and work in sterility (1 hour)
Cultural techniques and measurement of the bacterial growth (2 hours)
Metabolic diversity in prokaryotes (3 hours)
Methods of analysis of the environmental microbial communities (2 hours)
Role of microorganisms in their habitat and in the biogeochemical cycles (2 hours)
Microorganisms and wastewater treatments (2 hours)
Bioremediation of contaminated soils (2 hours)
Microorganisms and biofuel production (2 hours)
Microorganisms in the composting process (1 hour)
Microorganisms in the bioleaching of metals (1 hour)
Principles of industrial microbiology (1 hour)
Microbiology and cultural heritage: biodeterioration and biorestoration (2 hours).
Books:
Biavati e Sorlini. Microbiologia generale e agraria, CEA, 2012.
Madigan et al. Biologia dei microrganismi, Pearson, 2016.
Wessner et al. Microbiologia, Zanichelli, 2015.
Pdf slides in e-learning.
Total lectures: 24 hours. All the topics will be presented using slides available in e-learning.
On the request of students, explanations of specific topics covered in previous lectures will be provided. Additionally, clarifications will be possible at any time during a lecture.
Students can email to the following address to schedule a meeting with the professor: Elisabetta.Zanardini@uninsubria.it
DiSAT, Via Valleggio 11, Como
phone number 031 2386477