units

MIC2011

Faculty of Science

18 September 2017 31 December 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Science
OfferedClayton First semester 2015 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2015 (Day)
Malaysia First semester 2015 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Mr Mohamed Mohideen (Clayton); Dr Lee Sui Mae (Malaysia); Dr Andrew Greenhill (Gippsland)

Synopsis

The unit deals with the study of micro-organisms: their morphological and physiological characteristics, diversity and relationships and their importance to humans and the environment. Practical applications include, the study of selected micro-organisms in the environment and human body, concepts in microbial biotechnology including fermentation processes, control and use of micro-organisms in the food industry, water quality and bioremediation. The practical program includes microscopy, staining techniques, culturing, appropriate handling procedures and methods of enumeration and identification of micro-organisms. This unit provides a basis for the more advanced microbiology study.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Describe different micro-organisms and the relationships that exist between them;

  1. Describe microbial cell structure, function, nutrition, physiology and growth and how micro-organisms are controlled;

  1. Explain the role that micro-organisms play in the preservation, fermentation, preparation and spoilage of food;

  1. Outline environmental micro-organisms and their importance in the biogeochemical cycles, environmental pollution, water quality and treatment, bioremediation, bioleaching and waste treatment;

  1. Demonstrate basic microbiological laboratory skills such as the use of the microscope, microscopic staining and visualisation techniques, 'microbial culture', and be able to identify common species of bacteria and fungi;

  1. Demonstrate effective communication of microbial experiments by oral and written means.

Assessment

Mid-semester test (50 min): 15% (10% from the lecture component and 5% from the practical component)
Examinations: Theory Paper I - 40% and Practical Paper II - 25%
Practical reports and quizzes: 15%
Laboratory practical skills: 5%
A pass in both the theory and practial components of the unit must be obtained to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

Three 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour practical/tutorial/self-directed learning exercise per week

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Mohamed Mohideen

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Biotechnology
Immunology
Microbiology
Tropical environmental biology

Prerequisites

12 points of level one Chemistry or one of BIO1022, BMS1021 or BIO1722. Recommended: MOL2011 and MOL2022

Prohibitions

BTH2711