All programmes > Advanced Microbiology

Advanced Microbiology (B-KUL-T3DGM2)

4 ECTSEnglish43 Second termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Lievens Bart (coordinator) |  Lievens Bart |  N. |  Rojas Preciado Nicolas (cooperator) |  Verreth Christel (cooperator)
OC Biochemie - Campus Groep T Leuven

Aims

Learning outcomes and development goals

  • K2L Have a basic scientific-disciplinary knowledge and understanding in one of the areas based on the chosen specialization
  • I1L Problem analysis and solving
  • I3L Application-oriented research
  • P1L Operationalising
  • G1L Acquiring and processing information
  • G2L Communicating with peers and non-peers
  • G3L Critical reflection

Objectives

Thorough knowledge of different types of microorganisms, their metabolism, occurrence and role in natural and industrial processes.

  • The student will have a thorough knowledge of the diversity of microorganisms and associated metabolic processes. K2L
  • The student has an understanding of the detection, identification and quantification of microorganisms. K2L
  • The student has an understanding of the characterization of microbial communities. K2L
  • The student has an understanding of the role of microorganisms and microbial communities in natural and industrial processes. K2L
  • The student can explain microbial concepts and microbial processes. K2L
  • The student can put microbial processes in a broader perspective K2L-G3L
  • The student can conduct microbial experiments according to a protocol and describe, explain and interpret results obtained. K2L-P1L-G2L-G3L
  • The student can isolate, purify and identify bacteria from a natural environment. K2L-I1L-I3L-G1L-G2L-G3L
  • The student can use materials and apparatus to correctly conduct microbial experiments. P1L

Previous knowledge

Biochemistry and microbiology.

OPO Advanced Microbiology must be taken concurrently (in the same year) or the year after (if student does not take entire phase) with the OPO Microbiology.

Order of Enrolment

Mixed prerequisite:
You may only take this course if you comply with the prerequisites. Prerequisites can be strict or flexible, or can imply simultaneity. A degree level can be also be a prerequisite.
Explanation:
STRICT: You may only take this course if you have passed or applied tolerance for the courses for which this condition is set.
FLEXIBLE: You may only take this course if you have previously taken the courses for which this condition is set.
SIMULTANEOUS: You may only take this course if you also take the courses for which this condition is set (or have taken them previously).
DEGREE: You may only take this course if you have obtained this degree level.


SIMULTANEOUS(T3BMB1) OR SIMULTANEOUS(T3BMB2)

The codes of the course units mentioned above correspond to the following course descriptions:
T3BMB1 : Microbiologie
T3BMB2 : Microbiology

This course unit is a prerequisite for taking the following course units:
T3BIC1 : Ingenieursbeleving 3 - chemie
T3BIC2 : Engineering Experience 3 - Chemical Engineering
T4JBE2 : Bioprocess Engineering
T4IRP1 : Reactor- en procestechnologie: biochemie
T4JSB2 : Sustainable Bioprocess Technology
T4IRP2 : Reactor and Process Technology: Biochemical Engineering Technology

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

2.5 ects. Advanced Microbiology: Lecture (B-KUL-T3hGM2)

2.5 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture23 Second term
Lievens Bart
OC Biochemie - Campus Groep T Leuven

Content

Microbial metabolisms

Introduction to the detection, identification and quantification of microorganisms

Introduction to the analysis of microbial communities

Microbial habitats and nutrient cycles

Case studies: examples

Course material

English language slides offered through Toledo.

Background information: Madigan et al. (2018). Brock Biology of Microorganisms. ISBN-13: 9780134261928

Format: more information

Traditional lecture

1.5 ects. Advanced Microbiology: Lab Session (B-KUL-T3pGM2)

1.5 ECTSEnglishFormat: Practical20 Second term
N. |  Rojas Preciado Nicolas (cooperator) |  Verreth Christel (cooperator)
OC Biochemie - Campus Groep T Leuven

Content

Microbial metabolisms

Introduction to the detection, identification and quantification of microorganisms

Introduction to the analysis of microbial communities

Microbial habitats and nutrient cycles

Case studies: examples

Course material

Lab manual provided on Toledo

Format: more information

Laboratory session

Evaluation

Evaluation: Advanced Microbiology (B-KUL-T72236)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Written, Report, Participation during contact hours
Type of questions : Open questions
Learning material : None

Explanation


The final mark of this course is a whole number from 0 to 20 and is calculated from the two component marks with the following weights:

  • Component mark for OLA lecture: 62.5%
  • Component mark for OLA lab session: 37.5%

The only exception to this rule is described in the Faculty Supplement to Article 66 of the OER.

2. Calculation of the published component marks 

The component mark for lecture is the score for the exam during the exam period. This score is a number from 0 to 20, with one decimal place. It expresses an assessment of the student's performance based on a written closed book examination during the examination period with insight questions, definitions, ...

The component mark for lab session is also a whole number from 0 to 20 with one decimal place, and is based on the students’ performance during the lab sessions according to the following weighted factors:

  • 10% preparation of lab (test(s) during class period)
  • 40% permanent evaluation (attitude, effort, motivation, respect for agreements and lab rules, team spirit, ...) and skills (working according to microbiological principles, handling of materials and products, pace: timely completion of experiments, ...). This will be evaluated during the lab sessions.
  • 50% report (description experiments and results of main and side experiments, consult literature and make correct references, timely submission of report, ...)

In all parts you will be assessed individually.

3. Absences

Lecture:

Unauthorized absences during the exam will result in an NA as a partial mark for lecture.

If you are absent during the exam period, notify the exam ombuds the same day.

Lab session:

Attendance is mandatory during all lab sessions.

Unauthorized absence from more than 1/3 of the lab sessions will result in a score of NA as part of the grade for 'lab'. Unauthorized absence from less than 1/3 or 1/3 of the lab sessions will result in a score of 0 on the respective lab.

4. Partial transfers 

Component marks of at least 10/20 published in the academic progress file are transferred to the next examination period within the same academic year and to the following academic years, except for temporary marks and marks for intermittent tests.

When needed, additional information on the evaluation activities is provided during the lessons and/or made available on the Toledo pages of the course.

5. Changes

If the university decides that it is confronted with situations of general force majeure or situations where the safety and health of members of the academic community of KU Leuven may be endangered and changes to the teaching and evaluation activities occur as a result, these changes will be communicated via Toledo. 

 

Information about retaking exams

Following parts of this course unit cannot be retaken during the same academic year. The score obtained for the component is valid for the first and the second examination opportunity.

  • T3pGM2 - Advanced Microbiology: Lab Session

This course unit allows partial mark transfers in case of partial pass mark:

  • T3hGM2 - Advanced Microbiology: Lecture (during and beyond academic year)
  • T3pGM2 - Advanced Microbiology: Lab Session (beyond academic year)