2024-2025 / MICR0721-1

Bacteriology

Duration

20h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

 Bachelor in biology3 crédits 

Lecturer

François Beaufay, N...

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

this class dives deeper into the microbial world we introduced in MICR0719.  The student will learn the specificity of the bacterial cells, the various mechanims allowing bacteria to adapt to environnemental changes.  Finally, we will introduce the different mechanisms driving bacterial genetic plasticity.  Altogether the student will learn the basic knowledge of bacteriology to understand complex problems such as microbial applications in medecine or industry, the antibiotic resistance crisis,...

Main developped topics

- the bacterial cell
- the bacterial cell wall
- bacterial adaptation : transcription and regulation
- bacterial adaptation : traduction and regulation
- bacterial genetic and evolution

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

This course aims at consolidating the student's knowledge of biology and diversity of prokaryotes, as well as their importance in the environment, the agro-food industry, human health and microbial biotechnologies.
The student will also acquire detailed knowledge of the molecular aspects related to the structure and function of essential and accessory structures of the bacterial cell, the diversity of metabolism,  and the interaction of bacteria with other biological entities (plants, human beings).
Considering the importance of bacteria in various fields of scientific research, the methods underlying their study and their manipulation in the laboratory will be described during both the lectures (metabolism and its control, environmental factors and molecular adaptations, cultivation in the laboratory and the control of bacterial growth, antibacterial agents, genetic engineering) and the practical sessions, during which the student will have the opportunity to consolidate his/her knowledge of these aspects.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Course "Introduction à la Microbiologie" (MICR0719). Basic knowledge  of general and cellular biology and of chemical biology. 

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures ex cathedra (20 hours). Remote teaching could be implemented in relation to the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic or other necessities.

The practical sessions (10 hours) will be organized in the laboratories of the Institute of Botany (B22). Students (groups of 2) will carry out various experiments each illustrating a specific aspect of the course, also allowing a better understanding of and acquaintance with the basic methodologies specific to bacteriology (aseptic manipulation, ecc.).

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Blended learning


Additional information:

See "Planned learning activities and teaching methods" for details.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Mandatory readings: the slides used during the lectures (as well as other relevant material, including e. g. podcasts) will be available on the University e-learning platform.
Recommended readings: the following textbooks, available at the University libraries, could be used as an additional support for the study of the course. Chapters corresponding to the different parts of the course will be clearly indicated in the provided slides.


  • Brock Biologie des micro-organismes, Madigan & Martinko, Pearson (ISBN, 9782744058400) ;
  • Microbiologie, Prescott, Willey, Sherwood, Woolverton ; De Boeck Supérieur (ISBN, 9782807308022).

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

Written work / report


Further information:

Written exam i combining both multiple choice questions and open questions 

The students will provide a laboratory report at the end of the practical sessions, whose evaluation will contribute 20% of the final rating.

Work placement(s)

None.

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The presence at the practical sessions is MANDATORY.
Students are required to wear a laboratory coat and other personal protection equipment (PPE) during the practical sessions. Access to the laboratory will be refused to incompliant student.

Contacts

Association of one or more MOOCs