COURSE GUIDE IN MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 

I. Course Code/Title: SPBI 104 – Microbial Ecology 

II. Course Overview 

A. Introduction 
In this course, Microbial Ecology, you will learn and hopefully
appreciate  the role of microorganisms in shaping the environment, their
relationship  with each other and their interaction to plants and animals.
This course  also deals with beneficial or positive relationships among
microorganisms 
like symbiosis and commensalism, and some negative interactions like 
competition and parasitism. 
Microbes are so remarkable because of the significant role they play in 
maintaining a livable environment, altering the ecological landscape
and  controlling nutrient turnover among living things. To sum it up,
microbial  activities play significant role in the current dynamics of the
biosphere. 
The lecture part of the course will give you a theoretical background of 
the microbes’ function in the environment and how they interact with 
other living things. It will also allow you to visualize their unique role in 
the biological milieu.  

The laboratory course supplements the lecture. It aims to equip you

with  laboratory and research skills that are important in microbial
research.  Ideally, it is done in the microbiology laboratory room but
because of  prevailing circumstances brought about by the COVID 19
pandemic,  laboratory activities will be contextualized based on the
resources present  in your homes and communities.  

B. Learning Outcomes 

After completing this course, you are expected to state the importance
of  microbial ecology in our daily lives. You will also be able to
characterize  the different range of microorganisms and the methods
used to study them  in their natural habitats. You will also be able to
describe the living  conditions of microorganisms under natural
environments and explain the  important biological interactions that
occur in nature. It is also presumed  that after you finish this course, you
will be able to appraise the role of  microorganisms in biogeochemical
 cycles and bioremediation which are  indispensable processes to all
living things.
C. Course Outline, Timeframe and Topics  
Course Outline and Timeframe

Time Course Content/Subject Matter

Frame 

Week 1  Orientation on the VMGO, Institutional and Program Outcomes Orientation on

grading system, course requirements and school policies,  orientation about
the contents of the Course Guide.

Week 2  I. Introduction 
 A. Definition and Scope of Microbial Ecology 
 B. Highlights of the course

Weeks 3- II. Range of Microorganisms 

4  A. Prokaryotes 
B. Eukaryotes 
C. Major Microbial Groups

Weeks 5- III. METHODS USED FOR THE STUDY OF MICROORGANISMS IN THE NATURAL 
8  HABITATS 
A. Measurement of Microbial Diversity 
B. In situ Identification Methods 
C. Metagenome Analysis 
D. Novel Microscopic Methods 
E. Use of Reporter Genes

Week 9  MIDTERM EXAMINATION

Weeks IV. MICROORGANISMS IN THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS 

10-12  A. Litho-ecosphere 
B. Hydro-ecosphere 
C. Atmo-ecosphere 
D. Extreme Environment 
E. Biofilms

Week 13- V. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTION 

15  A. Microbe-microbe Interaction 
B. Microbe-animal interaction 
C. Microbe-plant interaction

Week 16- VI. MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE 

17  A. Biogeochemical cycles 
B. Bioremediation

Week 18  FINAL EXAMINATION

III. Course Study Guide 

This module was prepared for you to work on diligently and independently. 
Remember, this is meant for you to advance your knowledge in one of the 
specialized fields of Microbiology which is Microbial Ecology. Similar to
Basic  Microbiology, this is also a challenging subject but with my help as
your course 
facilitator and your enthusiasm, you will be able to able to make it. The 
guidelines here are true for both our lecture and our laboratory class. Since 
we may not have the luxury of time and chance to meet synchronously
online,  I want you to remember and understand the following: 

1. Manage your time well. Schedule properly your readings. Plan ahead and 
avoid procrastination. Remember you have other modules to study and 
read. All lessons and modules will be uploaded and posted in the google 
classroom only. If ever we will meet in our virtual classroom, I will 
announce and schedule it in advance through our GC. 

2. Focus your attention. Make sure that you do things one at a time. Read  the
material over and over until you get the point of the lesson. If you do  not
understand the lesson you may read other reference materials found  in
other sources like the internet and books. You can also consult or seek  help
from your parents, relative, siblings or friends. Remember, I am here  to
help and assist you. You can consult me during our period and during  my
consultation time which is every Wednesday 1:00-5:00 PM. The  nature of
consultation must be purely academic. Send me your message  as a private
comment in the google classroom, private message or SMS  through any of
my cell phone numbers: 09323782889 (sun), 09774265467  (globe).  

3. Give your best. In doing the assessment tasks whether formative or 
summative, target the highest standard because you are a better student.
Finish the assigned task giving all your best. I believe you can do it if you 
focus on it. 

4. Submit on time. All your requirements are posted in our virtual classroom. 
Check on them during our period. The date and time of submission are 
posted there. If you are able, always submit on time. Just in case you 
turned in late, there will be no deduction in your point but make sure that 
you submit your requirement within the day. 

5. Be patient. I will give you my feedback on your work through a private 

message in the google classroom. Make sure that you do not miss any 
important part of the module. 
 6. Answer confidently. In answering the assessment and activities, you are 
expected to do the following: 
a. Write legibly if you are required to give your answer on scanned answer 
sheet or paper.
b. Make sure to give your answer completely and concisely. If questions 
need to be answered in essay form, stick to the point. Follow the 
specific number of words given in the instruction. Also, give proofs of 
your claim. Cite correctly the references you used in your work. 
c. Don’t plagiarize. Any plagiarized work will earn a zero (0) point or 
score.  

7. Work independently. It is expected that you study your module and do  the
activities on your own. You can also seek help from others but do your  best
to do it first. 

8. Motivate yourself. Whatever knowledge or skill you are gaining from this 
course will definitely help you in your career. Enjoy what you are doing  and
everything else will follow. 

9. Grading system. We follow the following grading system for both lecture 
and laboratory 

• Class Standing – makes up 60% of the total grade of student. 

Included here are the quizzes, assignments, long exams,  
laboratory activities, home-based experiments and other  
academic outputs 

• Major test like Midterms and Final exams (40%) 

10. Assessment and Evaluation. All exams and quizzes will be done online.  The date,
time and prescription of how the exam/quiz will be conducted  will be announced in
our group chat 2 to 3 days earlier or posted on the  stream of our classroom. Anyone
of you who cannot take the exam at the  specified date and time must notify me
earlier so that I can arrange new  schedules for you.