General Microbiology
- Health Sciences
- 200 level
- 3 credit units
- 184 pages
- 20 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of general microbiology. It explores the composition of the microbial world, historical aspects, and the relevance and scope of microbiology. Students will learn about the general characteristics of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae, and protozoa. The course also covers microbial growth, reproduction, control methods, and systematic classification, as well as microbial genetics and biogeochemical cycling of elements.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 200 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical
- Practical work
- Yes
- Self assessment exercises
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PHS217, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PHS217 · UNIT 2: HISTORICAL ASPECTS OF MICROBIOLOGY
They are protists which have different forms at different stages of their life cycles. At a stage they are like protozoa and at another stage like fungi.
What you should be able to do
- Identify components of the microbial world
- Explain historical aspects and scope of microbiology
- Describe microbial growth and reproduction
- Explain methods of controlling microbial growth
- Give a systemic classification of microorganisms
What it prepares you for
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Environmental Microbiologist
- Food Microbiologist
- Pharmaceutical Microbiologist
- Research Scientist
- Healthcare
- Environmental Science
- Food Industry
- Pharmaceuticals
- Research
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 5: Systemic Classification of Microorganisms
Unit 2: Systematic Classification of Bacteria
Requires understanding of complex classification systems and nomenclature rules.
- Module 6: Systematic classificationcontd/Microbial Genetics and Biogeochemical Cycling of Elements
Unit 2: Mechanisms of Genetic Variation and Hereditary
Involves understanding of complex genetic mechanisms and their impact on microbial variation.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 71 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Microbiology
Unit 1: Composition of the Microbial World · 4 hours
Define microbiology. List groups of microorganisms. Distinguish prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Explain microorganism domains. State virus characteristics.
Unit 2: Historical Aspects of Microbiology · 4 hours
Explain microorganism discovery. Discuss spontaneous generation. Describe Koch's postulates. State microbial effects on organic matter. Explain molecular biology era.
- Week 2Module 2: General Characteristics of Microorganisms
Unit 3: The Relevance and Scope of Microbiology · 4 hours
Define microbiology. State branches of microbiology. Differentiate basic and applied microbiology areas.
Unit 1: Microscopy and Specimen Preparation · 4 hours
Define microscope. State microscope categories. Describe bright field microscope. Explain resolving power. Describe specimen preparation.
- Week 3Module 2: General Characteristics of Microorganisms
Unit 2: A Brief Survey of Microbes as Friends and Foes · 5 hours
Explain microorganisms as friends. Explain microorganisms as foes.
- Week 4Module 2: General Characteristics of Microorganisms
Unit 3: General Characteristics of Bacteria · 5 hours
Describe basic bacteria characteristics. Identify bacterial shapes. Describe external and internal bacterial structures. Explain cell wall significance. Explain nutrition modes.
- Week 5Module 2: General Characteristics of Microorganisms
Unit 4: General Characteristics of Fungi · 5 hours
Define a fungus. State fungi characteristics. Describe yeast structure. Analyze mold structure. Explain fungi nutrition. Distinguish asexual and sexual reproduction.
- Week 6Module 3: General Characteristics of Microorganisms Contd.
Unit 1: General Characteristics of Viruses · 5 hours
State virus characteristics. Describe virus structure. Explain capsid symmetry. Explain viral replication. State virus cultivation methods. State virus purification methods.
- Week 7Module 3: General Characteristics of Microorganisms Contd.
Unit 2: General Characteristics of Algae · 5 hours
State algae characteristics. Describe algae structure. State algae habitats. Explain algae reproduction methods. State algae economic importance.
- Week 8Module 3: General Characteristics of Microorganisms Contd.
Unit 3: General Characteristics of Protozoa · 5 hours
State protozoa characteristics. State protozoa habitats. Describe protozoa intracellular structures.
- Week 9Module 4: Microbial Growth, Reproduction and Control
Unit 1: Microbial Growth · 5 hours
Define growth. Explain binary fission. Draw and explain microbial growth curve. Explain mathematics of growth. Describe continuous culture.
- Week 10Module 4: Microbial Growth, Reproduction and Control
Unit 2: Measurement of Microbial Growth and Factors that Influence Microbial Growth · 5 hours
Describe total cell measurement methods. Describe viable cell counting methods. Describe cell mass measurement methods. Explain environmental factors affecting growth.
- Week 11Module 4: Microbial Growth, Reproduction and Control
Unit 3: Physical Methods of Controlling Microbial growth · 5 hours
Define sterilisation. Explain heat sterilisation. Describe filter sterilisation. Explain radiation sterilisation.
- Week 12Module 4: Microbial Growth, Reproduction and Control
Unit 4: Chemical Methods of Controlling Microbial growth · 5 hours
Define disinfection. State disinfectant characteristics. List disinfectant chemicals. Explain chemical disinfectant uses.
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision · 5 hours
Review all modules and units. Complete assignments. Prepare for final examination.
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Modules 2-3 microbial characteristics
- Practice identifying microorganisms using staining techniques from Unit 2.1
- Review Koch's postulates and their application from Unit 1.2
- Summarize key points of each biogeochemical cycle (Units 6.3)
- Practice solving numerical problems related to microbial growth (Unit 4.1)
Questions students ask about this course
What is PHS217 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of general microbiology. It explores the composition of the microbial world, historical aspects, and the relevance and scope of microbiology. Students will learn about the general characteristics of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae, and protozoa. The course also covers microbial growth, reproduction, control methods, and systematic classification, as well as microbial genetics and biogeochemical cycling of elements.
How many units does PHS217 have?
PHS217, General Microbiology, has 20 units across 6 modules, over 184 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PHS217?
PHS217 carries 3 credit units, at 200 level in Health Sciences.
Is PHS217 hard?
PHS217 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does PHS217 take to study?
About 200 hours of study, spread across its 20 units.
How is PHS217 assessed?
PHS217 is assessed by Self assessment exercises, Tutor marked assignments and Final examination.
What can I do with PHS217?
Medical Laboratory Scientist, Environmental Microbiologist, Food Microbiologist, Pharmaceutical Microbiologist and Research Scientist.