Course content

Microbial working techniques. Viruses, prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. Growth, metabolism and cell division. Basic bacterial genetics and systematics. The importance of growth media and external factors for growth and control of growth. Antibiotics. Pathogenic, harmful and useful microorganisms. Contamination, sources and routes of contamination. Basic production hygiene, cleaning and disinfection.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student:

• have knowledge of what promotes growth and what inhibits the growth of microorganisms
• have knowledge about various forms of metabolism in microorganisms
• have knowledge about different groups of microorganisms and diversity within the groups
• have knowledge about microorganisms as a cause of disease and microorganisms as useful partners
• have an understanding of where contamination can come from, how different contaminants can be transmitted and how to prevent such transmission
• have an understanding of similarities and inequalities between cell types.

Skills - the student:

• can create microbial growth media
• can work aseptically at the lab
• can grow microorganisms could use the microscope as a work tool

Competence - the student:

• have basic understanding of microbiology and microbial work techniques

Learning methods and activities

Educational methods: Lectures. Group project Laboratory course with 5 compulsory exercises. Compulsory work requirements: Group project and all 5 laboratory exercises with reporting must be approved. It is expected that the student has a self-contribution of 200 hours, of which up to 40 hours are lectures and up to 20 hours of laboratory work.

Compulsory assignments

• Approved group project specific microorganisms
• Laboratory assignment

Specific conditions

Course materials

Tronsmo Arne; (2024) Innføring I mikrobiologi. Universitetsforlaget.

Credit reductions