GAS3121

Applied microbiology

Mr Christopher Panter

6 points
* First semester
* 8 hours of integrated lectures and laboratory per week
* Gippsland/Distance. When offered by distance, laboratory work is completed in a seven-day block
* Prerequisite: GAS2122

Objectives Students will develop an understanding of food and industrial microbiology and apply basic principles learned in introductory microbiology subjects to areas of applied microbiology; their competence and confidence in use of microbiological practical skills through formal laboratory and individual project work so that they may function as technically competent microbiologists; their ability to analyse and discuss critically microbiological problems and experimental data.

Synopsis Study of food as a habitat for microorganisms. Taxonomic groups and physiological groups of organisms important in food spoilage. Organisms of public health significance in foods. Principles of food spoilage and food preservation. Commodity microbiology: canned foods; dairy microbiology. Aspects of microbiological testing of foods;microbiological criteria; HACCP. Industrial microbiology: microbial synthesis; culturing and maintaining microorganisms in industry; the continuous fermenter; industrial fermentations; aspects of genetic programming of industrial microorganisms;production of microbiological control agents. The subject is taught by lectures and laboratory work. Laboratory work includes individual projects comprising a large proportion of the assessment.

Assessment Tests: 60%
* Laboratory work and projects: 40%
* Satisfactory performance in both written tests and laboratory work is required to pass the subject
* Relevance of laboratory work to theoretical study: in this applied microbiology subject development of laboratory skills to a high level of competence is emphasised. Project work in the laboratory is used as a means of integrating the theoretical study topics and in developing student ability to analyse critically and discuss microbiological problems and data.