General Microbiology

1. Identify the different components of the microbial world.
2. Explain the historical aspects, relevance, and scope of microbiology.
3. Describe the general characteristics of different groups of microorganisms.
4. Discuss microbial growth and reproduction, and methods of controlling microbial growth.
5. Explain the systemic classification of bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.
6. Explain the causes of microbial variation and hereditary.
7. Describe some biogeochemical cycles in nature.

13 weeks, about 34 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Microbiology

   • Unit 1: Composition of the Microbial World · 2 hours

     Define microbiology and its scope.. List the different groups of microorganisms.. Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.. Explain the distribution of microorganisms into domains..

2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Microbiology

   • Unit 2: Historical Aspects of Microbiology · 2 hours

     Explain the discovery of microorganisms.. Discuss the concept of spontaneous generation.. Discuss Koch's postulates.. Explain the development of microbiology in this century..

3. Week 3Module 1: Introduction to Microbiology

   • Unit 3: The Relevance and Scope of Microbiology · 2 hours

     Define microbiology.. State the two branches of microbiology.. Identify the different areas of study in basic and applied microbiology..

4. Week 4Module 1: Introduction to Microbiology

   • Unit 4: Microscope and Specimen Preparation · 2 hours

     Define the term microscope.. State the two categories of microscope.. Describe the bright field microscope.. Explain the resolving power.. Describe methods of preparing and staining specimens..

5. Week 5Module 1: Introduction to Microbiology

   • Unit 5: A Brief Survey of Microbes as Friends and Foes · 2 hours

     Explain the different ways in which microorganisms can act as friends to man.. Explain ways in which microorganisms can act as foes to man..

6. Week 6Module 2: General Characteristics of Microorganisms

   • Unit 1: General Characteristics of Bacteria · 2 hours

     Describe the general characteristics of basic bacteria.. Identify and name the general shapes and forms of bacteria.. Describe the external and internal structures of bacteria..

7. Week 7Module 2: General Characteristics of Microorganisms

   • Unit 2: General Characteristics of Fungi · 2 hours

     Define a fungus.. State the general characteristics of fungi.. Describe the structure of a yeast.. Describe the structure of a mold..

8. Week 8Module 2: General Characteristics of Microorganisms

   • Unit 3: General Characteristics of Viruses · 2 hours

     Define the term virus.. State the general characteristics of virus.. Describe the structure of a typical virus particle.. Explain the symmetry of capids..

9. Week 9Module 2: General Characteristics of Microorganisms

   • Unit 4: General Characteristics of Algae · 2 hours

     Define the term algae.. State the general characteristics of algae.. Describe the general structure of algae with a typical example.. State the different habitats of algae..

10. Week 10Module 2: General Characteristics of Microorganisms

    • Unit 5: General Characteristics of Protozoa · 2 hours

      Define the term, protozoa.. State the general characteristics of protozoa.. State the places where protozoa are found.. Describe some intracellular structures of protozoa..

11. Week 11Module 3: Microbial Growth, Reproduction and Control

    • Unit 1: Microbial Growth · 2 hours

      Define the term growth.. Explain the process of a binary fission in a prokaryotic cell.. Draw and explain the microbial growth curve of microorganisms in a batch culture.. Explain the mathematics of growth..

    • Unit 2: Measurement of Microbial Growth and Factors that Influence Microbial Growth · 2 hours

      Describe the methods of measuring total sum number of microorganisms.. Describe the methods of counting viable cells of microorganisms.. Describe the methods of measuring cells mass of microorganisms.. State the advantage and disadvantages of the difference methods of measuring microbial growth..

12. Week 12Module 3: Microbial Growth, Reproduction and Control

    • Unit 3: Physical Methods of Controlling Microbial Growth · 2 hours

      Define and explain the term sterilisation.. Explain the use of heat sterilisation to control microbial growth.. Describe the use of various filters to sterilise liquid substances.. Explain the use of radiation for sterilisation..

    • Unit 4: Chemical Methods of Controlling Microbial Growth · 2 hours

      Define the term disinfection.. State the characteristics of an ideal disinfectant.. List different chemicals that can be used as disinfectants.. Explain the use of different chemical as disinfection agents..

13. Week 13Module 5: Microbial Genetics and Biogeochemical Cycling of Elements

    • Unit 1: Mechanisms of Genetic Variation and Hereditary · 3 hours

      Define the term genetic variation.. Define mutation.. Explain the processes of genetic recombination.. Explain the mechanisms of genetic variation and hereditary..

    • Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycling of Elements · 3 hours

      Define biogeochemical cycling.. State the features of biogeochemical cycles.. Describe the carbon cycle.. Describe the sulphur cycle.. Describe the phosphorus cycle..