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SCHOOL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES

MICROBIOLOGY 1
(MICR2011)

LABORATORY MANUAL & SUBJECT GUIDE

2014

Student Name

Student I.D.

Tutor

Course Identity
Course Code

MICR2011

Course Name

Microbiology 1

Academic Unit

School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences

Level of Course

Second-year Undergraduate

Units of Credit

Session(s) Offered

Session 1

Assumed Knowledge,
Prerequisites or Corequisites

BABS1201 is a prerequisite

Hours per Week

6 hours per week

Number of Weeks

13 weeks

Commencement Date

Week 1, Session 1, 2014

Staff
Torsten Thomas
t.thomas@unsw.edu.au
Course Coordinators
John Wilson
j.e.Wilson@unsw.edu.au
Course Administration

Technical support

BEES/BABS/SOMS Student office, Ground floor Biological Sciences

Building
MICR2011@unsw.edu.au
Nedhal Elkaid
n.elkaid@unsw.edu.au

Course Outline
Course Description

Course Aims

Student Learning
Outcomes

Teaching
Strategies

This course is both for students majoring in microbiology and also those
who wish to enlarge their knowledge and skills in microbiology. The course
covers: the biology, diversity and function of microorganisms; comparative
aspects of microbial growth and metabolism; microbial survival and control;
action of antimicrobial agents. Practical aspects of microbiology, such as
environmental, food and medical microbiology will also be introduced.
Microbiology 1 aims to introduce you to microbes, their process, interactions
and the techniques scientists use to study them.
By the completion of this course students should know:
- the characteristics of bacteria, eukarya, archaea and viruses;
- the fundamental processes carried out by microbes;
- the types of interactions that occur between microbial populations;
- how microbial growth can be controlled
- standard microbiological laboratory techniques and safe, efficient
work practices;
- how to conduct effective literature and experimental research;
- how to communicate clearly and work constructively as a team.
Lectures are used to introduce the concepts of microbiology and laboratory
sessions are used to both complement the lecture material and provide
practise in standard microbiological techniques used in research.
Laboratories and small group tutorials encourage teamwork. Tutorials are
additionally designed to further reinforce the concepts presented in lectures
and practised in the laboratory, and support students in their research
projects.
The laboratory research project forms an essential element of the students
scientific training. The research project, as integrated with the other
components of the course, have been designed in accordance with the
UNSW
Guidelines
on
Learning
that
Inform
Teaching
(www.guidelinesonlearning.unsw.edu.au) to:
-

Major Topics
(Syllabus Outline)

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

teach students the process of scientific inquiry through progressive

cycles of critical analysis of their research and their own thinking;
facilitate multidisciplinary thinking to reflect current research and
professional practice in the sciences;
reinforce deep learning and promote collaborative inquiry;
integrate students disciplinary understanding and research
practice with the development of their communication skills,
teamwork, and information literacy skills.
Evolution and microbial diversity
Bacteria
Eukarya
Archaea
Viruses
Microbial processes
Microbial interactions
Microbial control
Global impacts

Graduate Attributes Developed in this Course

Science Graduate
Attributes

Select the
level of
FOCUS
0 = NO
FOCUS
1 = MINIMAL
2 = MINOR
3 = MAJOR

Activities / Assessment

Guided laboratory practicals, independent and

collaborative lab research, assessment of open-ended
investigations.

Research, inquiry and

analytical thinking
abilities

Capability and
motivation for
intellectual
development

Tutorial modules on critical thinking and the scientific

method; concept quizzes to review procedural and
applied thinking.

Ethical, social and

professional
understanding

Lectures address ethical and social issues relevant to

the field of microbiology; lectures and discussions on
current research in microbiology; WebCT resources on
professional issues and careers in microbiology.

Communication

Individual presentations in tutorials.

Guidance in the development of scientific writing skills.

Teamwork,
collaborative and
management skills

Collaborative lab research projects; facilitation of group

discussions in WebCT; guided peer review of written
research reports.

Guided research writing workshops and critical literacy

assessments; scientific literacy tutorials.

Information literacy

Additional Resources and Support

th

Text Books

Prescott, Harley and Klein. Microbiology 9 ed., McGraw Hill.

Or
th
Brocks Biology of Microorganisms. 12 edition Pearson
NOTE: Earlier editions are satisfactory; however specific references to
page numbers may vary.

Laboratory Manual

A course laboratory manual is required and may be purchased from the

UNSW Bookshop.

Project Workbook

A course specific project workbook is required and may be purchased

from the UNSW Bookshop.

Internet Site

Students enrolled in the course have access to the MICRO2011

Blackboard 9 website and are required to access this regularly.
Announcement will be made through Blackboard email system.

Equipment Required

A lab coat and covered shoes must be worn in all laboratory classes.

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Course Program
Week
1
2
3
4

Lecture

Laboratory

What is microbiology?

No laboratory

Bacterial cell structure

Microbial growth

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

No tutorial

Microbial death

Microbiology Laboratory
Safety & Microscopy

Evolution and microbial phylogeny

Microbial techniques 1

Microbial growth &

death

Microbial techniques 2

Experimental design
& isolation project

Archaea 1
Archaea 2
Bacterial diversity 1 (an overview)
Bacterial diversity 2 (cyanobacteria)

Tutorial

Microbial Growth

Selective & Differential

Media / Bacterial Isolation
Project

Project culturing &

isolation

Biochemical Tests /
Winogradsky column

Biochemical tests

No lecture (Public

Mid session exam /

Bacterial isolation project

Free study time

Microbial processes 1

Bacterial isolation project

Bacterial diversity 3 (soil)

Eucarya An introduction
Eucarya Algae and protozoans
Eucarya Fungal infections

Microbial processes 2
Microbial Interactions
Food Microbiology

Gram-positive & Gram

negative bacteria

Viruses An introduction

Microbiology of food

HIV and hepatitis

Other viruses and bacterial viruses

Bacteriophages

Microbial control 1 Antibiotics

Microbial control 2 Antibiotics

Antibiotics 1

Global impact 1
Course wrap-up

Antibiotics 2

No lecture

Microbial processes
Report writing
Microbiology of food
Viruses / Kochs
postulates
Antibiotics
Course revision

Assessment Requirements for this Course

Assessment
Mid session exam

Bacterial isolation and

identification project

Final theory
examination

Weight

Description

15%

Exam will examine material covered in lectures,

practical and tutorial classes up to and including
the last lecture prior to the test.

Week 8

Background data for all 4 bacterial genera (7%)

Week 5

Work plan (2%)

Week 4

Diary weekly progress (8%)

Week 13

Microbial techniques (3%)

Week 13

Final written report (15%)

Week 13

Exam will examine material covered in all

lectures, practical and tutorial classes for the
entire session.

TBA

35%

50%

Due date

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Administration Matters
Expectations of Students

Assignment Submissions
Occupational Health and
1
Safety
Assessment Procedures

A pass in MICR2011 is conditional upon a satisfactory

performance in the practical program.
A satisfactory performance means that you have:
- attended all of the practical classes (an attendance
record is kept), and;
- kept an accurate and up-to-date laboratory manual,
including the recording of all data and completion of
calculations and questions.
Requirements vary with each assigned task. Your tutor will advise
accordingly.
Information on relevant Occupational Health and Safety policies
and expectations both at UNSW:
http://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/ohswc/ohswc_home.html.
Students who believe that their performance, either during the
session or in the end of session exams, may have been affected
by illness or other circumstances may apply for special
consideration. Applications can be made for compulsory class
absences such as (laboratories and tutorials), in-session
assessments tasks, and final examinations. Students must make
a formal application for Special Consideration for the course/s
affected as soon as practicable after the problem occurs and
within three working days of the assessment to which it refers.
Students should consult the A-Z section of the Student Guide
2012, particularly the section on Special Consideration, for
further information about general rules covering examinations,
assessment, special consideration and other related matters. This
is information is published free in your UNSW Student Diary and
is also available on the web at: Error! Hyperlink reference not
valid..
HOW TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
Applications must be made via Online Services in myUNSW. You
must obtain and attach Third Party documentation before
submitting the application. Failure to do so will result in the
application being rejected. Log into myUNSW and go to My
Student Profile tab > My Student Services channel > Online
Services > Special Consideration. After applying online, students
must also verify supporting their documentation by submitting to
UNSW Student Central:

Originals or certified copies of your supporting

documentation (Student Central can certify your original
documents), and

A completed Professional Authority form.

The supporting documentation must be submitted to Student
Central for verification within three working days of the
assessment or the period covered by the supporting
documentation. Applications which are not verified will be
rejected.
Students will be contacted via the online special consideration
system as to the outcome of their application. Students will be
notified via their official university email once an outcome has
been recorded.

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SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS:
The University does not give deferred examinations. However,
further assessment exams may be given to those students who
were absent from the final exams through illness or
misadventure. Special Consideration applications for final
examinations and in-session tests will only be considered after
the final examination period when lists of students sitting
supplementary exams/tests for each course are determined at
School Assessment Review Group Meetings. Students will be
notified via the online special consideration system as to the
outcome of their application. It is the responsibility of all students
to regularly consult their official student email accounts and
myUNSW in order to ascertain whether or not they have been
granted further assessment.

Equity and Diversity

For semester 1 2013, Microbiology 1 (MICR2011) supplementary

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exams will be scheduled for Thursday 18 July 2013.
Those students who have a disability that requires some
adjustment in their teaching or learning environment are
encouraged to discuss their study needs with the course
Convenor prior to, or at the commencement of, their course, or
with the Equity Officer (Disability) in the Equity and Diversity Unit
(9385
4734
or
http://www.studentequity.unsw.edu.au/
http://www.equity.unsw.edu.au/disabil.html).
Issues to be discussed may include access to materials, signers
or note-takers, the provision of services and additional exam and
assessment arrangements. Early notification is essential to
enable any necessary adjustments to be made. Information on
designing courses and course outlines that take into account the
needs of students with disabilities can be found at:
www.secretariat.unsw.edu.au/acboardcom/minutes/coe/disability
guidelines.pdf

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Academic honesty and plagiarism

Plagiarism is the presentation of the thoughts or work of another as ones own.
Examples include:
Direct duplication of the thoughts or work of another, including by copying work, or
knowingly permitting it to be copied. This includes copying material, ideas or concepts
from a book, article, report or other written document (whether published or unpublished),
composition, artwork, design, drawing, circuitry, computer program or software, web site,
Internet, other electronic resource, or another persons assignment without appropriate
acknowledgement.
Paraphrasing another persons work with very minor changes keeping the meaning, form
and/or progression of ideas of the original.
Piecing together sections of the work of others into a new whole.
Presenting an assessment item as independent work when it has been produced in whole
or part in collusion with other people, for example, another student or a tutor.
Claiming credit for a proportion a work contributed to a group assessment item that is
greater than that actually contributed.
Submitting an assessment item that has already been submitted for academic credit
elsewhere may also be considered plagiarism.
The inclusion of the thoughts or work of another with attribution appropriate to the
academic discipline does not amount to plagiarism.
Students are reminded of their Rights and Responsibilities in respect of plagiarism, as set out in
the University Undergraduate and Postgraduate Handbooks, and are encouraged to seek advice
from academic staff whenever necessary to ensure they avoid plagiarism in all its forms.
The Learning Centre website is the central University online resource for staff and student
information on plagiarism and academic honesty.
It can be located at:
www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism
The Learning Centre also provides substantial educational written materials, workshops, and
tutorials to aid students, for example, in:
Correct referencing practices.
Paraphrasing, summarising, essay writing, and time management.
Appropriate use of, and attribution for, a range of materials including text, images,
formulae and concepts.
Students are also reminded that careful time management is an important part of study and one of
the identified causes of plagiarism is poor time management. Students should allow sufficient
time for research, drafting, and the proper referencing of sources in preparing all assessment
items.