Course Code BIOL 11012
Title

Basic Microbiology (Lecture cum Laboratory)
Pre-requisite

G.C.E. (A/L) Biology

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course unit student should be able to

  • identify the contributions made by the scientists to the development of microbiology,
  • demonstrate the understanding of principles of taxonomy and basic physiological characteristics of microorganisms,
  • demonstrate the understanding of the basic laboratory methods used in the study of microorganisms,
  • demonstrate the understanding of microbiology related to food, soil and wastewater treatment.

Course content:
Origin and Scope of Microbiology, Major divisions of the living world, Prokaryotic structure & functions, Diversity of microbial world: General introduction, Bacteria, Fungi, Virus etc. 
Basic Microbiological methods: Pure culture techniques, Principles of microbial nutrition, Formulation of culture media, Different types of culture media. 

Microbial growth: the definition of growth and growth curve of bacteria
Control of microorganisms; the theory and practice of sterilization and disinfections. 
Introduction to Food microbiology, soil microbiology and Water & wastewater microbiology

Practical sessions:
Examination of living Micro-organisms – Wet Mount Techniques, Examination of living Micro-organisms in natural environment, Microscopic examination of bacteria, endospores, capsules Preparation of culture media,  Isolation of pure cultures

Method of teaching and learning:

Combination of lectures laboratory classes and tutorials

Assessment:                                 

End of course examination. 

Recommended reading:  

  1. Atlas, R.M. (1996). Microbiology Fundamentals and applications. Wm. C. Brown Publishers
  2. Tortora, G.J., Funke, B.R., Case, C.L (1998) Microbiology. Benjamin Cummings