ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 99 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 24 Interactive Classroom: 24 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Microbiology and Parasitology
Areas: Microbiology
Center Faculty of Biology
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
# The knowledge and correct uilization by students of the basic terminology of the discipline.
# Identify and place in context the different biological entities object of study of Microbiology.
# Acquire basic knowledge about the biology of microorganisms, including morphological, physiological, genetic, clinical, and ecological aspects.
# Acquire the theoretical and methodological base necessary to address without difficulty later specialization in any area of the discipline, either basic or applied.
# Learn how to properly handle the materials and instruments of a microbiology laboratory, acquiring manual skills that require the microbiological methods.
# Learn the techniques used in microbiology: microscopy, staining, isolation of pure cultures, identification of micro-organisms.
# Learn to manage the sources of documentation.
# To make the student understand and appreciate the interest of Microbiology in the context of biological studies,
and social impact of Microbiology.
In conclusion, we try to encourage habits of initiative, creativity, critical thinking and teamwork, and the acquisition of basic skills that allow students to understand what they are like living organisms and easily address a subsequent specialization in any area of discipline.
Theoretical Classes Program.
Unit 1. Microbiology in the World of Living Organisms. (1 hour exhibition + 1 hour seminar)
Definition of Microbiology. Historical development of Microbiology. Current state of Microbiology and its influence on the development of Molecular Biology. Prokaryotic microorganisms (bacteria and archaea) and eukaryotes. The three "Domains": Bacteria, Archaea and Eucarya. The origin of the eukaryotic cell: theory of endosymbiosis. General characteristics of viruses.
Unit 2. Study and Observation Techniques of Microorganisms. (1 hour)
Types of light microscopy. Types of preparations for examination under the light microscope. Types of staining. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Other types of microscopy.
Unit 3. Bacterial Morphology and Structure. (2 hours)
Morphology, size and bacterial groupings. Essential and non-essential structures. Cytoplasm and Cytoplasmic Formations: Ribosomes. Single layer membrane bound organelles. Reserve cytoplasmic inclusions. Nuclear area or genophore. Extrachromosomal DNA.
Unit 4. Plasmatic Membrane and Membrane Structures (1 hour)
Chemical composition, structure and functions of the bacterial membrane. Types of transport through the plasma membrane. Differential characteristics of Archaea membranes. Membranous structures.
Unit 5. Bacterial Cell Wall (2 hours)
Structure and chemical composition: differences between Gram positive and Gram negative Eubacteria. Functions of the different polymers of the cell wall. Specific characteristics of the Archaea wall. Biosynthesis of murein.
Unit 6. Structure External to the Cell Wall (2 hours)
Capsules: Chemical nature and functions. Flagella and flagellar movement: Structure and chemical composition of the flagellum. Other types of movement: sliding mobility and spirochetal movement. Pili or fimbrias: types and functions.
Unit 7. Specialized Cells: The Bacterial Endospore (1 hour)
Structure, chemical composition and properties of the endospore. Presence and observation of endospores. Differences between vegetative cell and bacterial endospore. Sporulation kinetics. Genetic aspects of the sporulation process. Endospore germination.
Unit 8. Microbial Nutrition (2 hours)
Principles of microbial nutrition. Nutritional categories of microorganisms: Energy sources, electrons and carbon. Trophic types. Nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous sources.
Unit 9. Typical Metabolic Processes of Microorganisms. (3 hours + 2 hours of seminar)
Aerobic metabolism. Chemilithotrophism. Anaerobic metabolism: Fermentations and anaerobic respiration. Deviations of the respiratory chain: bacterial luminescence and cytochrome independent oxygen reduction. Anoxygenic photosynthesis. Production of energy by photosynthesis (photophosphorylation).
Topic 10. Physical-Chemical Conditions for Growth (1 hour)
Effect of physical-chemical factors on growth. Temperature. pH. Osmotic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure. Oxygen needs.
Unit 11. Culture of Microorganisms 2 (hours)
Types of bacteriological culture media. Mixed crops and pure crops. Isolation methods of pure cultures. Conservation of crops and maintenance of their properties.
Unit 12. Bacterial growth (2 hours + 1 hour of seminar)
Cell growth: Bacterial division cycle. Population growth: Growth curve and characteristics of the different phases. Growth measurement methods: number of cells and cell mass. Mathematical expression of growth. Effect of antimicrobial agents on growth. Synchronous and asynchronous growth. Continuous cultivation and its applications.
Unit 13. Control of Microorganisms. Control by physical agents (1 hour)
Definition of concepts: sterilization, disinfection, antisepsis, etc. Factors that influence antimicrobial action. Modes of action of antimicrobial agents. Control by physical agents: wet and dry heat, radiation, filtration. Mechanisms of action of the different physical agents.
Topic 14. Control of Microorganisms by Chemical Agents: Disinfectants (1 hour + 1 hour of seminar)
Factors that affect its effectiveness. Main groups of disinfectants. Determination of the disinfection power: phenolic coefficient.
Unit 15. Chemotherapy (2 hours)
Types of chemotherapy drugs: natural (antibiotics) and synthetics. Classification of antibiotics according to their chemical structure and mode of action. Synthetic chemotherapeutic agents. Determination of antimicrobial activity. Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents: mechanisms and transmission. Importance of antimicrobial peptides.
Unit 16. Nature and Characteristics of viruses. (2 hours)
Characteristics and nature of the viral particle. Distinctive properties of viruses. Viral structure and architecture. Classification of viruses. Infective cycle and synthesis of viral components. Viral nucleic acid replication: types. Subviral particles: Virusoids and Viroids. Prions.
Unit 17. Microbial Genetics (2 hours + 1 hour of seminar)
Mutation concept. Types of mutations. Selection and detection of mutants: bacterial auxotrophic mutants. Mutagenic agents. Genetic Recombination in Bacteria. Gene recombination elements: plasmids, episomes, transposons and insertion sequences. Bacterial Recombination Mechanisms: Transformation, Transduction and Conjugation. Phage conversion.
Practical Classes Program.
Practice 1. The Microbiology laboratory. Laboratory work rules. Types of culture media. Preparation and sterilization of culture media. Preparation and sterilization of laboratory equipment. Wet and dry heat sterilization.
Practice 2. Culture of Microorganisms in solid and liquid medium. Sow in liquid medium. Seed in solid medium (Petri dish, pitted and pitted agar tubes). Growth of microorganisms in culture: solid and liquid media. Techniques for obtaining pure cultures: serial dilution method and striation isolation method in solid medium.
Practice 3. The light microscope. Handling and care of the light microscope. Observation of fresh microorganisms by phase contrast microscopy (mobility). Morphology of different types of microorganisms. Fluorescence microscope. Inverted microscope.
Practice 4. Staining methods of microorganisms. Simple staining: direct staining with basic dyes. Differential stains: Gram stain. Specific stains: capsule staining.
Practice 5. Growth measurement methods: count under the microscope, spectrophotometric estimation of biomass. Viable cell count in plate.
Practice 6. Antimicrobial agents. Measurement of antimicrobial activity: Antibiogram.
Practice 7. Bacterial conjugation.
Seminars
The seminars will be used as a complement to the theory and practice program and will cover: historical aspects of microbiology, basic notions of microbial metabolism, mathematical analysis of microbial growth, antimicrobials and basic notions of microbial genomics.
Tutoring
The tutorials will analyze and try to clarify those aspects of theory, practice and seminars that are most difficult for the student to understand.
Basic and complementary Bibliography
Basic bibliography
- Madigan, M.T., J.M. Martinko, y col . 2015. Brock Biología de los Microorganismos. 14ª ed. Pearson, Madrid.
- Martín, A., V. Béjar, J.C. Gutiérrez, M. Llagostera y E. Quesada. 2019. Microbiología esencial. Ed. Médica- Panamericana. Madrid.
- Tortora, G.J., B.R. Funke, & C.L. Case. Introducción a la Microbiología. 2017. 12ª ed. Editorial Médica-Panamericana. Buenos Aires.
- Willey, J.M. Sherwood, L.M. & Woolverton, C.J. 2009. Microbiología de Prescott, Harley Y Klein. 7ª ed. McGraw-Hill Interamericana. Madrid.
Complementary Bibliography
- Ingraham, J.L. y Ingraham, C.A., 1998. Introducción a la microbiología. 2 vol. Barcelona: Reverté.
- Lederberg, J. ed., 2000. Encyclopedia of microbiology. 2nd ed. 4 vol. San Diego: Academic Press.
- Schaechter, M. 2012. Eukaryotic microbes. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press.
- Singleton, P. and Sainsbury, D., 2006. Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Laboratory classes Bibliography
- Gamazo, C., Sánchez, S. y Camacho, A.I. eds., 2013. Microbiología Basada en la Experimentación. Ed. Elsevier, Barcelona.
- Gamazo, C., Lopez-Goñi, I. y Díaz, R. eds., 2008. Manual práctico de microbiología. 3ª ed. Ed. Masson. Barcelona.
- Koneman, E.W., Allen, S.D., Janda, V.M., Schreckenberger, V.C. y Winn W.C. Jr., 2008. Koneman diagnóstico microbiológico: texto y atlas en color. 6ª ed. Editorial Médica Panamericana, Buenos Aires.
- Seeley, H.W., Van Demark, P.J. and Lee, J.J., 1991. Microbes in action: a laboratory manual of microbiology. 4th Ed. W.H. Freeman, New York.
Competence
Basic/general competencies
CB2- That students can apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and have competences typically demonstrated through devising and defending arguments and solving problems within their field of study
CG2- ability to gather and interpret data, information and relevant results, draw conclusions and issue reasoned reports on issues related to Microbiology.
Apply CG3- theoretical and practical knowledge acquired as the ability for analysis and abstraction indefinition and approach to problems and finding solutions in both academic and professional contexts.
CG5- study and learn independently, organizing time and resources, new knowledge and techniques in Microbiology.
Transversal competences
CT1 Capacity for analysis and synthesis
CT2- Capacity for reasoning and argumentation
CT3- Ability to work in problem situations include group and collectively
CT4- Ability to obtain adequate, diverse and updated information
CT8- Ability to manage ICT
CT9- Use of bibliographic information and internet
CT10- Using of information in forein language
CT11- Ability to solve problems through the integrated application of coñecementos
Specific skills
CE1.c- basic techniques in microbiology.
CE2.d- metabolism, cell signaling and bioenergetics
CE3.b- structure and functions of the prokaryotic cell
CE3.f- Microscopic analysis
CE3.h- Cell cultures and bioensaios
CE4.a- types and levels of organization and biological cycles
CE4.e- Diversity of microorganisms and viruses
CE4.g-Analysis of biodiversity
SCENARIO 1 (adapted normality):
- Theory: Face-to-face classes in the classroom (2 hours per week throughout the first semester).
- Seminars: 6 1-hour face-to-face seminars.
- Laboratory practices: The practices of each group will be carried out in person continuously for one week from Monday to Friday.
- Tutorials: It will be done in person. Questions on the subject will be resolved through the Virtual Classroom using the discussion forum.
Assessment
SCENARIO 1
- Theory.- To pass the subject, you must pass a final compulsory exam, in which questions about the seminars exposed in the class can be included. The theory grade will represent 70% of the final grade for the subject.
- Practices.- Obligatory attendance to all the practices, and it will be a requirement to be able to take the theory exam. Students will take an exam on the fundamentals, methodology and results obtained if they are face-to-face. The mark of this exam will represent 20% of the final grade. In scenarios 1 and 2, reports on laboratory work may be requested, which will be evaluated together with the exam.
- Seminars.- In the case of being taught by the teacher, the content of the same will be subject to examination.
In the case of being taught by the students, for the evaluation of the seminars, the following will be taken into account:
Formal correction of the written summary and public presentation
The work of synthesis of the collected information
The ability to respond appropriately to the questions asked.
In the case of other teaching alternatives, the student's participation in them will be valued.
The weight of the seminar will be 10% of the final grade.
Note: The student must obtain a minimum grade of 4.5 in the theory exam to include the other concepts in the calculation of the final grade.
The criteria and methodology applied for the second evaluation opportunity will be the same as for the first opportunity.
Subject of 6 ECTS credits x 25 hours = 150 hours
In person 47.5 hours:
29 hour master classes
15 hour practical classes
seminars 6 hours
small group tutoring 3 hours
exam 2 hours.
Student personal work 90 hours:
Individualized tutoring 2 hours
Individual study 68 hours (3-4 hours per week)
Preparation of works and recommended readings 18 hours
Attendance conferences and other activities 2 hours
Comprehensive, non-rote study, relating the contents of the subject with those of related subjects.
In all scenarios, regular class attendance and active participation in theory classes and seminars, whether they are face-to-face or non-face-to-face.
Follow the teacher's recommendations that may arise throughout the course.
CONTINGENCY PLAN SCENARIOS 2 and 3:
METHODOLOGY:
Scenario 2:
Theory: Face-to-face classes (2 hours per week throughout the second semester) with alternate shifts in the classroom. Students who follow teaching virtually will do so through the Teams Platform.
Scenario 3:
Both expository and interactive teaching will be carried out virtually, using synchronous and asynchronous mechanisms both through the Teams platform and through the virtual classroom where students will have all the material for the study of the topics and illustrative videos of practices. Study guides will be provided with the most relevant aspects of each topic and review questionnaires.
EVALUATION
Scenario 3
Theory and seminars: Non-face-to-face exams will be carried out using the tools of the moodle platform of the virtual classroom
Practices: The exam will be face-to-face through the virtual classroom on issues related to a series of videos that students will have available in the virtual classroom.
* In cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the "Regulations for evaluating student academic performance and reviewing grades" will apply.
Juan Luis Barja Perez
- Department
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Area
- Microbiology
- Phone
- 881816911
- juanluis.barja [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Manuel Luis Lemos Ramos
Coordinador/a- Department
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Area
- Microbiology
- Phone
- 881816080
- manuel.lemos [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Sandra Souto Pereira
- Department
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Area
- Microbiology
- sandra.souto [at] usc.es
- Category
- Xunta Post-doctoral Contract
Miguel Balado Dacosta
- Department
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Area
- Microbiology
- miguel.balado [at] usc.es
- Category
- Researcher: JIN (Young Researchers)
Maria Del Pilar Escribano Rodriguez
- Department
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Area
- Microbiology
- mpilar.escribano [at] usc.es
- Category
- Ministry Pre-doctoral Contract
| Thursday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| Friday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 01.27.2022 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 01.27.2022 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 01.27.2022 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 01.27.2022 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 07.01.2022 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 07.01.2022 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 07.01.2022 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 07.01.2022 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |