Competencies and objectives

 

Course context for academic year 2019-20

Microbiology is the branch of Biology that focuses on the study of microbes. The goal of this subject is to provide a basic vision of the essential characteristics of microorganisms, with special emphasis on prokaryotic microbes (Bacteria and Archaea) and viruses. Microbiology is taught during the third semester of Biology and Sea Sciences Degrees, after the students have taken the basic subjects needed to the correct understanding of this matter.

Microbes are the most abundant living organisms on Earth and constitute a significant part of its biomass. Through their central role in biogeochemical cycles (some processes such as nitrogen fixation or methanogenesis are exclusively carried out by prokaryotes), microbes have an essential role in the global functioning of the planet and help to the sustainable development of the biosphere. Moreover, they play a very relevant function in human activities, either as human pathogens or protecting humans from infection, and can be used in processes related to economic and environmental interests. Microbes are also important tools for the study of evolution and diversification of living organisms.

The knowledge of Microbiology is a key for the comprehension of life and is an instrumental subject for the basic training of future biologists and sea scientists. Furthermore, Microbiology is especially required for the professional activity within sanitary fields (laboratories for disease diagnoses or food safety, for instance), industrial activities and research areas (spanning from Molecular Microbiology to Microbial Ecology).

 

 

Course content (verified by ANECA in official undergraduate and Master’s degrees) for academic year 2019-20

Specific Competences:>>Theoretical

  • CE11 : Understand the principles of systematics and phylogenics.
  • CE15 : Identify the main metabolic pathways.
  • CE18 : Analyse the structure and functions of animal and plant viruses, cells, tissues, organs and systems.
  • CE21 : Isolate, cultivate and modify microorganisms, cells and tissue of pluricellular organisms.
  • CE22 : Analyse and interpret the development, growth and biological cycles of living beings.
  • CE28 : Acquire the knowledge needed to design and execute biology projects.
  • CE5 : Understand the concept of life and know its origin and history, together with that of the Earth.
  • CE7 : Understand evolutionary mechanisms and models.
  • CE8 : Understand and know the genetic foundations of diversity.
  • CE9 : Identify organisms and interpret the diversity of species in the environment, as well as their origin, evolution and behaviour.

 

Specific Competences:>>Ability

  • CE32 : Safe handling: biological material, reagents, instruments and devices used in Biology.
  • CE34 : Plan, design and execute practical research studies, evaluating the results.
  • CE36 : Prepare, present and defend scientific and technical reports both in writing and orally to an audience.
  • CE37 : Ability to find, analyse, understand and write scientific and technical texts.
  • CE39 : Recognise and evaluate biological processes in daily life.
  • CE42 : Know how to identify, analyse and catalogue biological organisms.
  • CE45 : Carry out biological biotests and diagnoses.

 

 

 

Learning outcomes (Training objectives)

No data

 

 

Specific objectives stated by the academic staff for academic year 2019-20

  • To identify microbes as the most abundant and diverse living organisms on Earth
  • To know the diversity and ubiquity of microorganisms

 

 

 

General

Code: 26524
Lecturer responsible:
Santos Sánchez, Fernando
Credits ECTS: 6,00
Theoretical credits: 1,52
Practical credits: 0,88
Distance-base hours: 3,60

Departments involved

  • Dept: PHYSIOLOGY, GENETICS AND MICROBIOLOGY
    Area: MICROBIOLOGY
    Theoretical credits: 1,52
    Practical credits: 0,88
    This Dept. is responsible for the course.
    This Dept. is responsible for the final mark record.

Study programmes where this course is taught