ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 34 Interactive Classroom: 14 Total: 51
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Microbiology and Parasitology
Areas: Microbiology
Center Faculty of Optics and Optometry
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
- To identify and place in the context of human beings the different biological types as object of study by Microbiology.
- To acquire basic knowledge on the biology of microorganisms, including morphological, physiological, genetic and ecological aspects.
- To know and understand the role of microorganisms as eye infectious agents and the defence mechanisms of the host against a microbial infection.
- To acquire the theoretical and methodological base necessary to tackle without difficulty a subsequent specialization in any area of the discipline either basic or applied.
- To learn to use correctly the materials and instruments typical of a Microbiology laboratory.
- To get acquainted with the most used techniques in Microbiology: microscopy, stainings, isolation of pure culture, identification of microorganisms, etc.
- To acquire the manual dexterity required by microbiological methods.
- To learn to handle documentation sources.
Program of Theoretical Classes.
SECTION I. INTRODUCTION (4h)
Unit 1. Microbiology in the World of Living Organisms. Definition of Microbiology. Historical Development of Microbiology. Current state of Microbiology and its influence on the development of Biology. The three “Domains”: Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya. Main differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Unit 2. Microbiology and health.
Microbes and Infection. Microbial pathogenicity and virulence. Diagnosis of the infection diseases.
SECTION II. BACTERIOLOGY (15h)
Unit 3. Bacterial morphology and structure.
Morphology, size and bacterial groupings. Essential and non-essential structures. Cytoplasm and cytoplasmatic formations: Ribosomes. Plasmatic Membrane and Membranous Structures, Bacterial cellular wall.
Unit 4. Techniques of Study and Observation of Microorganisms.
Types of optical microscopy. Types of preparations for the optical microscope exam. Types of staining. Culture of microorganisms. Physical-Chemical Conditions for Growth.
Unit 5. Microorganisms’ control.
Definition of concepts: sterilization, disinfection, antisepsis, etc. Manners of action of antimicrobial agents. Control by physical agents: humid and dry heat, radiations, filtrations.Control by chemical agents.Disinfectants
Unit 6. Chemotherapy.
Types of chemotherapics: natural (antibiotics) and synthetical. Classification of antibiotics according to their chemical structure and their mode of action. Synthetical chemotherapic agents. Determination of antimicrobial activity. Resistance to chemotherapic agents.
Unit 7. Bacterial taxonomy.
Classification of microorganisms.
Concept of bacterial species and biological species. Phenetic and Phylogenetic classification. Bacterial nomenclature. Main groups of bacteria.
SECTION III. VIROLOGY (6h)
Unit 8. Nature and characteristics of viruses.
Characterisitics and nature of the viral particle. Properties distinctive of viruses. Viral structure and architecture. Classification of viruses.
Unit 9. Isolation and identification of viruses: “in vivo” and “in vitro” cultures. Specific cytopathic effect (CPE). Microscopy. Antiviral chemotherapy: Characteristics of the ideal antiviral agent. Main groups and mode of action.
SECTION IV. EUKARYOTE ORGANISMS (4h)
Unit 10.- Fungi
Characteristics of fungi. Medically important phyla of fungi. Fungal diseases
Unit 11. Protozoa
Characteristics of protozoa. Medically important phyla of protozoa. Protozoal diseases
SECTION V. MICROBIAL DISEASES OF THE EYES (5h)
Unit 12.- Bacterial Diseases of the Eyes
Haemophylus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis
Unit 13. Viral Diseases of Eye
Adenovirus and Herpesvirus
Unit 14. Protozoan Diseases of the Eye
Acanthamoeba
PROGRAM OF PRACTICAL CLASSES.
Practice 1. Description of the material in the laboratory. Preparation and sterilization of modes of culture and laboratory material. Preparation and sterilization of the laboratory material
Practice 2. Culture of Microorganisms on solid medium and liquid medium. Techniques to obtain pure cultures. Sowing on selective and differential media.
Practice 3. Observation of fresh preparations by means of phase contrast microscopy. Methods of microorganism staining. Gram staining.Identification of bacteria. API Systems.
Practice 4. Measure of the chemotherapy antimicrobial activity.
- Madigan, M.T., J.M. Martinko, J. Parker, K. Bender, D. Buckley & D. Stahl. 2015. Brock Biología de los Microorganismos. 14ª ed. Pearson Educación, S.A.
- Prescott, L.M., J.P. Harley, & D.A. Klein. 2004. Microbiología. 5th ed. McGraw-Hill Interamericana. Madrid.
- Struthers J.K., Westran R.P. 2005. Bacteriología Clínica. Masson, S.A. Barcelona
- Collier, L., Oxford J. 2008. Virología Humana. 3ª ed. Mc Graw-Hill. Madrid.
- Arregui García -Rovés, L., Calvo de Pablo, P., Martín Cereceda, M..... 2014. Microbiología: Cuestiones y casos prácticos resuletos. Ed. Pearson. Madrid.
- Martin, A., Béjar, V., Gutierrez, J.C, Llagostera, M. & Quesada,E. 2019. Microbiología Esencial. Ed. medica Panamericana
Knowledge
Con-7. To know the different microorganisms involved in diseases of the visual system.
Con-18. Know the material and basic laboratory techniques.
Skills and Abilities:
HyD_1. Thinking in an integrated way and approaching problems from different points of view with critical reasoning.
HyD_2. Organize and plan work.
HyD_3. Interpret results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
HyD_4. Work as a team.
HyD_5. Maintain an ethical commitment, as well as a commitment to equality and integration.
HyD_8. Know how to analyse data and interpret experimental results from the fields of Optics and Optometry.
HyD_9. Know how to apply instrumental techniques and work protocols in a laboratory, applying regulations and techniques related to safety and hygiene, waste management and quality.
HyD_12. Handle basic laboratory material and techniques.
Competences:
Comp_1. Students must have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues.
Comp_3. That the students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
Comp_4. Students must know how to apply the theoretical-practical knowledge acquired in the degree in a professional way and be competent in the formulation/resolution of problems, as well as in the elaboration/defense of arguments both in academic and professional contexts related to Optics and Optometry.
Comp_5. Ability to learn autonomously, to work in a team, to organize time and resources, and to acquire new knowledge and techniques in Optics and Optometry.
EXPOSITIVE CLASSES
34 hours in person (3 hours per week)
INTERACTIVE LAB CLASSES
The interactive laboratory classes will be in-person (12 hours). There will be groups of 16-18 students and the practices of each group will be carried out continuously for three days.
TUTORING
3h per student
From the beginning of the course, the virtual classroom of the subject will be activated.
- Theory.- Continuous evaluation combined with a final exam.
Continuous evaluation will be performed in a virtual mode using tools from the Moodle platform and will represent 20% of the final note.
The final exam will be carried out in person and will represent 70% of the final grade.
- Practices.- Compulsory attendance to all face-to-face practices and to be able to submit to the final exam. Students will take a synchronous telematics exam on the basics, methodology and results obtained. The grade of this exam will represent 10% of the final grade.
The practice and continuous evaluation notes will only be counted if the student has a grade equal to or greater than 4,5 in the final theory exam.
The practice note, if approved, will only be maintained during the following two academic courses.
"In cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations of
evaluation of students' academic performance and grade review"
These assessment instruments will be used to assess competencies following the following scheme:
In theory: the following competencies will be evaluated: Con-7, HyD-1, HyD2, HyD-5, Comp-1, Comp-3, Comp-5
In Internships, the following competencies will be evaluated: Con-18, HyD-3, HyD-4, HyD-8, HyD-9, HyD-12, Comp-5
6 ECTs credit subjectsx25 hours = 150 hours
Face-to-face 51 hours:
Master classes: 34 hours
Practical classes: 12 hours
Tutoring : 3 hours
Face-to-face exam: 2 hours
Personal student work: 99 hours
Comprehensive and non-rote study, relating the contents of the subject to those of related subjects.
Regular attendance at classes and active in theory and practice classes
Follow the teacher's recommendations that may arise throughout the course
Beatriz Magariños Ferro
Coordinador/a- Department
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Area
- Microbiology
- Phone
- 881816914
- beatriz.magarinos [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Sandra Souto Pereira
- Department
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Area
- Microbiology
- sandra.souto [at] usc.es
- Category
- Researcher: Ramón y Cajal
| Tuesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 3 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 3 |
| 05.12.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 1 |
| 05.12.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 2 |
| 05.12.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 3 |
| 07.01.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 1 |
| 07.01.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 2 |