Biotechnology and Microbiology for Environmental Sustainability

advanced

OB2_W09

OB2_W12

OB2_U01

OB2_U09

The course acquaints students with the possibilities of using microbiological and biotechnological tools in the assessment of the state of the environment, in monitoring the quality of soil, water and air, and in bioremediation.

The course introduces students to the potential use of microbiological and biotechnological tools in the field of environmental protection and sustainability, mainly in environmental assessment, soil, water and air quality monitoring and bioremediation.

This course shows the great diversity of microorganisms and their roles in natural processes in soil, water and air. Students will learn how microorganisms contribute to the assessment of environmental quality. The course will provide students with theoretical knowledge of how to perform microbiological analyses of soil, water and air. Students will learn basic methods and techniques for the detection and quantification of microorganisms in different habitats and microbial activity. The course will facilitate understanding of both environmental microbiology and biotechnology.

Obligatory reading:

1. Margesin R, Schinner F. (eds.). 2005. Manual of Soil Analysis. Monitoring and Assessing Soil Bioremediation. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

2. Maier R.M., Pepper I.L., Gerba C.P. 2009. Environmental Microbiology. 2nd edition. Academic Press.

3. Atlas R., Bartha R. 1998. Microbial ecology. Fundamentals and applications. Longman.

4. Alef K., Nannipieri P. 1995. Methods in Applied Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry.1st Edition. Academic Press.

5. Petre M. (ed.) 2013. Environmental Biotechnology - New Approaches and Prospective Applications. InTech Open.

6. Paul E.A. 2015. Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry, 4th Edition. Academic Press.

7. Basso T. (ed.). 2019. Yeasts in Biotechnology, IntechOpen, London. 10.5772/intechopen.77938

8. Elnashar M. (ed.). 2011. Biotechnology of Biopolymers. IntechOpen.

In addition, for each exercise obligatory literature (scientific articles) to read is placed on the e-learning platform.

Optional for Polish students:

1. Klimiuk E., Łebkowska M., Biotechnologia w ochronie środowiska. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa 2003.

2. Malepszy S (red.), Biotechnologia roślin. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa 2001

3. Bartkiewicz B., Oczyszczanie ścieków przemysłowych. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa 2002

5. Singleton P., Bakterie w biologii, biotechnologii i medycynie. PWN, Warszawa, 2000;

KNOWLEDGE:

1. student is able to describe the main groups of microorganisms and their role in the environment and biotechnology;

2. student has an elementary knowledge in basic areas of biotechnology and microbiology

3. student knows of basic vocabulary in the field microbiology and biotechnology

4. student is able to name and describe the basic methods of microbiological analysis of water, soil and air;

5. student knows safety rules in the microbiological laboratory;

SKILLS:

1. student is able to recognize and describe the morphological systems of bacteria and fungi

2. student applies basic techniques, appropriate for microbiology and biotechnology and is able to use basic laboratory equipment and perform basic laboratory activities such as pipetting, making dilutions, inoculations, etc.;

3. student performs simple measurements and analyses of biological samples and makes the observation at a basic level; is able to describe the results and draw conclusions from the conducted experiences;

4. student is able to use computer systems or other IT tools to achieve educational and personal goals.

COMPETENCE:

1. student demonstrates understanding of the phenomena and the physical and chemical processes in nature

2. student is able to work in a team;

3. student maintains security while working with microorganisms and is responsible for the equipment;

- attendance – a students is allowed three unexcused absences.

- activity on the Moodle platform (e-learning) - solving quizzes and tasks. Quizzes and tasks on the e-learning platform should be systematically completed and solved.

- final test (30 test questions) - only students who have completed at least 90% of all tasks and quizzes on the e-learning platform will be admitted to the final test.

- final grade (average) - the grade from the final test (positive) and the grade from the activity on the e-learning platform (tasks and quizzes solved at min. 85% - 5 (very good), from 84% to 75% - 4 (good), from 74% to 50% - 3 (sufficient), below 49% - 2 (insufficient))