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BIO320Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Microbial Ecology

This course introduces undergraduate Biology students to the interactions between microorganisms and their environment. It covers principles of microbial ecology, colonization, succession, and the roles of microorganisms in various ecosystems, including air, water, and soil. The course also explores microbial adaptations, bioconversion, biodeterioration, biodegradation, and different types of microbial interactions such as neutralism, mutualism, and competition.

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52h
Study Time
13
Weeks
4h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Microbial EcologyBiodegradationBioconversionMicrobial InteractionsEcosystems

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Microbial Ecology Principles

2

Colonization and Succession

3

Microorganisms in Ecosystems

4

Aeromicrobiology

5

Aquatic Microbiology

6

Soil Microbiology

7

Microbial Adaptations

8

Bioconversion and Biodegradation

9

Microbial Interactions

Total Topics9 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Basic Biology

General Microbiology

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Environmental Microbiologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Microbiologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Quality Control Microbiologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Biotechnologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Environmental MonitoringWaste ManagementAgricultureBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Microbes and Ecological Theory

3h

Unit 1: Microbes and Ecological Theory

3 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to microbial ecology and understand the basic ecological terms.
  • •Define ecosystem, community, population, individual, habitat, and niche.
  • •Understand the concepts of colonization and succession in ecosystems.
Week
2

Module 1: Microbes and Ecological Theory

3h

Unit 1: Microbes and Ecological Theory

3 study hours
  • •Study the succession of microorganisms on cellophane film, focusing on the roles of fungi and bacteria.
  • •Examine the succession of microorganisms on dung, understanding the sequence of fungal fruitifications.
  • •Investigate the colonization of sterile human hair by different microbial species.
Week
3

Module 2: Micro-organism in Ecosystem

4h

Unit 2: Micro-organism in Ecosystem

4 study hours
  • •Explore the concept of aeromicrobiology, studying microorganisms in the air.
  • •Examine the principles of aquatic microbiology, focusing on microorganisms in water.
  • •Investigate the principles of soil microbiology, focusing on microorganisms in soil.
Week
4

Module 2: Micro-organism in Ecosystem

4h

Unit 2: Micro-organism in Ecosystem

4 study hours
  • •Study the methods of isolation of soil microorganisms, including soil plate dilution, soil plate, and Rossi-Cholodny slide methods.
  • •Understand the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
  • •Learn about the factors affecting microbial growth in the soil, such as soil components, water content, aeration, temperature, and pH.
Week
5

Module 2: Micro-organism in Ecosystem

4h

Unit 2: Micro-organism in Ecosystem

4 study hours
  • •Examine the factors affecting the concentration of microorganisms in the atmosphere, including wind speed, rain, temperature, humidity, and vegetation.
  • •Study the methods of study and isolation of aerial microorganisms, including settle plate and filtration techniques.
  • •Understand the practical applications and importance of aeromicrobiological studies.
Week
6

Module 2: Micro-organism in Ecosystem

4h

Unit 2: Micro-organism in Ecosystem

4 study hours
  • •Explore the types of aquatic environments, including oceans and inland waters.
  • •Study the physical and chemical factors in aquatic environments, such as light, temperature, pressure, dissolved gases, pH, and salinity.
  • •Understand the microflora in aquatic environments, including bacteria, microalgae, and fungi.
Week
7

Module 3: Physiological, Morphological and Genetic Adaptations of Micro-organisms to their Environments.

4h

Unit 3: Physiological, Morphological and Genetic adaptations ofMicroorganism to their Environments.

4 study hours
  • •Study microbial adaptations to marine and freshwater environments, focusing on nutrient uptake and storage.
  • •Examine the adaptations of microorganisms in aquatic systems to link and use resources in separate locations.
  • •Understand the morphological adaptations of aquatic microorganisms, such as flagella and conidia.
Week
8

Module 3: Physiological, Morphological and Genetic Adaptations of Micro-organisms to their Environments.

4h

Unit 3: Physiological, Morphological and Genetic adaptations ofMicroorganism to their Environments.

4 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of salt wedge and its influence on marine organisms.
  • •Explore the morphological adaptations of microorganisms in the water environment.
  • •Study the effects of temperature, pH, and other environmental factors on microbial survival.
Week
9

Module 4: Bioconversion

4h

Unit 4: Bioconversion

4 study hours
  • •Distinguish between biodeterioration and biodegradation, understanding the importance of biological causation.
  • •Examine the importance of biological causation in biodeterioration.
  • •Study the role of microorganisms in the decay of wood and other materials.
Week
10

Module 4: Bioconversion

4h

Unit 4: Bioconversion

4 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of biodegradation and its role in waste disposal.
  • •Explore the safe use of biologically active molecules through biodegradation.
  • •Study the design and production of biodegradable substances.
Week
11

Module 5: Microbial Interactions

4h

Unit 5: Microbial Interactions

4 study hours
  • •Define and describe neutralism, mutualism, commensalism, amensalism, prey-predator relationships, and competition as microbial interactions.
  • •Understand the effects of each interaction on the growth and survival of microbial populations.
  • •Study examples of each type of interaction in different ecosystems.
Week
12

Module 5: Microbial Interactions

4h

Unit 5: Microbial Interactions

4 study hours
  • •Examine the mechanisms of commensalism, including the supply of nutrients, changes in pH, electron potential, and water activity.
  • •Understand the mechanisms of amensalism, including the consumption of essential nutrients and the production of antibiotics.
  • •Study the dynamics of prey-predator relationships and competition in microbial communities.
Week
13

Module 5: Microbial Interactions

4h

Unit 5: Microbial Interactions

4 study hours
  • •Review all units and key concepts from the course.
  • •Focus on understanding the relationships between microorganisms and their environment.
  • •Prepare for assignments and tutor-marked assessments.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed concept maps linking microbial interactions (Unit 5) to specific ecosystem examples (Unit 2).

2

Practice identifying microorganisms from soil, air, and water samples using isolation techniques discussed in Unit 2.

3

Focus on understanding the key differences between biodeterioration and biodegradation (Unit 4) with real-world examples.

4

Review microbial adaptations (Unit 3) by creating a table summarizing physiological, morphological, and genetic adaptations for different environments.

5

Study the principles of microbial ecology (Unit 1) and apply them to different ecosystems to predict microbial community dynamics.

6

Use the tutor-marked assignments as practice questions and identify areas needing further study.

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