APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Knowledge of basic concepts of biology and chemistry is suggested.
No formal propedeuticity is required.
Final oral exam scored out of a maximum of 30 points.
The exam is based on the evaluation of the level of knowledge and comprehension of the topics covered in the course (40%), the capability of linking theoretical and practical knowledge (30%), clarity explanation of the acquired knowledge (20%) and the ability to use a scientific language proper of the environmental microbiology field (10%).
The general aim is to give a basic knowledge of general microbiology and microbial ecology and more detailed information on environmental microbiology in the preservation and conservation of the environment.
At the end of the course the student will acquire the following capabilities:
- the acquisition of the scientific terminology in the environmental microbiology
- the awareness of the microbial biodiversity and metabolic potentiality in the environment
- the awareness of the importance and significance of a multiple approach that combines the use of different techniques for the study of the microbial communities in the environment
- the ability to apply the acquired knowledges in the study of the microbial processes in their natural habitats, in the preservation and conservation of the environment and in the environmental microbial technologies.
The laboratory hours aim to integrate the acquired theoretical knowledge with practical activities on the main microbiological techniques.
The course program covers principles of general microbiology and microbial ecology and more detailed topics of applied environmental microbiology with a specific attention to the microbial technologies in the preservation and conservation of the environment.
Diversity of the prokaryotes. (2 hours)
Molecular taxonomy and microbial evolution. (2 hours)
Lab techniques for the analysis of the bacterial growth. (2 hours)
Metabolic diversity in the prokaryotes. (3 hours)
Genetic recombination in the prokaryotes. (2 hours)
Microbial ecology: how the microbial communities are studied in their natural environments. (2 hours)
Microbial habitats and role of the microorganisms in the principal biogeochemical cycles. (2 hours)
Rhizosphere microbial interactions relevant for the preservation of the environment. (3 hours)
Wastewater treatments. (3 hours)
Bioremediation of contaminated environments. (3 hours)
Composting. (2 hours)
Bioleaching for metal recovery. (2 hours)
Microorganisms and energy and biofuel production. (2 hours)
Microbiology and cultural heritage: biodeterioration and biorestoration of artistic stoneworks. (4 hours)
Case studies and discussion of scientific papers on course related topics (6 hours).
Laboratory activities (total 16 hours) will provide practical knowledge of the main microbiological techniques used in the study of the environmental microbial communities.
Biavati e Sorlini. Microbiologia generale e agraria, CEA, Zanichelli, 2012.
Madigan et al. Biologia dei microrganismi, Pearson, 2016.
Wessner et al. Microbiologia, Zanichelli, 2015.
Scientific articles in English on the topics covered in the course.
Pdf slides will be available on the e-learning platform.
56 total hours consisting of 40 hours of teleconference lectures (Varese - Como) and 16 hours of laboratory activities.
Appointment via email Elisabetta.Zanardini@uninsubria.it
DiSAT, Via Valleggio 11, Como.