Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change,
in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
4 credits
37.5 h + 15.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Mahillon Jacques;
Language
French
Prerequisites
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Content
In order to achieve the objectives of this course, the following themes will be developed, in an integrated manner:
- The microbial world in the reality of its size and diversity, the multiplicity of its habitats and relationships with the environment, including the other organisms.
- The world of viruses and bacteriophages and the methods developed for their use or control.
- The potential of genetic adaptation of microbes and, in particular, the specificity of their sexuality.
- The strategies allowing the most efficient control of micro-organisms, using either prophylactic or curative methods.
- The industrial use of microbes in the fields of agro-food industry, environment or medicine.
- The past, present and future use of micro-organisms in biological engineering.
The main objectives of the practical work, mostly performed by the students themselves, are: i) macroscopic and microscopic observations of bacteria, fungi and bacteriophages, and ii) the use of the basic techniques of descriptive microbiology.
- The microbial world in the reality of its size and diversity, the multiplicity of its habitats and relationships with the environment, including the other organisms.
- The world of viruses and bacteriophages and the methods developed for their use or control.
- The potential of genetic adaptation of microbes and, in particular, the specificity of their sexuality.
- The strategies allowing the most efficient control of micro-organisms, using either prophylactic or curative methods.
- The industrial use of microbes in the fields of agro-food industry, environment or medicine.
- The past, present and future use of micro-organisms in biological engineering.
The main objectives of the practical work, mostly performed by the students themselves, are: i) macroscopic and microscopic observations of bacteria, fungi and bacteriophages, and ii) the use of the basic techniques of descriptive microbiology.
Teaching methods
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.
- The main activity is given as ex cathedra courses, which include many practical examples and case studies, taken from human and animal health, the environment or biotechnological applications.- At the beginning of each lecture, a recapitulation (ca. 15 min) of the main messages from the previous course is given in English.
- On a voluntary basis, a dozen students have the possibility to present, at the end of each course, a « Microstory » (ca. 15 min), dealing with aspects related to the course.
- Practical work (mandatory activity):
> Groups of 2 students,
> Case study under the supervision of an assistant/technician team,
> Each student has the opportunity to perform the main basic operations related to the observation and control of the micro-organisms,
> Writing of an individual report, in the laboratory notebook.
Evaluation methods
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.
- Written exam containing three parts:> A theoretical development of a specific section of the course,
> An development requiring the integration of different parts of the course,
> A series of definitions/concepts calling for short answers.
- Evaluation of the presentation made by certain students (on a voluntary basis) that have presented a Microstory (see above), on a subject related to the course and chosen in interaction with the teacher. This evaluation replaces part of the question dealing with the definitions/concepts
Bibliography
- Dias du cours sur MOODLE
Madigan, M., Brock, T., Martinko, J.M., Dunlap, P. & Clark, D.P. (2008) Brock Biology of Microorganisms (12th Edition) Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Company Hardback – 1,136 pp - ISBN 0132324601.
Teaching materials
- Dias du cours sur MOODLE
Faculty or entity
AGRO
