Course Title: Introductory Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Course Code: MICR1010

Level: 1
Semester: 1 or 2
Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CAPE Chemistry and CSEC Biology, or equivalents

Co-requisites: (None)

Course Description

This course will introduce students to examples of bacteria, archaea and yeasts and the
habitats/environments in which they live. The important structural features of these
microorganisms will be outlined; important applications of microbiology and microbial
diseases will be discussed. The fine molecular structure of genetic material and the enzymic
mechanisms used in replication, gene expression and recombinant DNA technology will be
introduced.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course students should be able to:

• List major terrestrial microbial habitats and name examples of microorganisms

that can grow in them, noting the diverse mechanisms used to cope with the
environments
• Identify the major elements of microbial ultrastructure
• Compare the different methods of measuring microbial growth
• List major industrial and environmental applications of microbiology
• List the major microbial pathogens of humans
• Outline the major molecular mechanism of gene replication and gene
expression
• List the major applications of recombinant DNA technology

Course Content

The extent of the microbial world: The important developments in Microbiology

Microscopy theory: Describe basic and specialised microscopy techniques and their
applications

Fundamental and quantitative techniques: Describe basic and specialized techniques for
growing, identifying and quantifying microorganisms.

Bacterial, Eukaryotic and viral growth characteristics: Describe the important differences
between prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea), eukaryotes and viruses

Bacterial Growth: Summarize the process of bacterial reproduction, describe the dynamics of
a bacterial growth curve and factors affecting bacterial growth.
Microbial diversity: phylogenetic diversity and substrate utilization: Bacterial
nomenclature; Bergey’s system of classification; general features and classification of some
groups of microorganisms; phototrophy; autotrophy; chemolithotrophy.

Applied microbiology: Food and beverage industry; chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

Environmental microbiology: microbiology of the built environment which includes

bioleaching, biodeterioration, wastewater treatment and bioremediation.

Microbial Ecology: Biogeochemical cycles, symbiotic relationships, climate change, global

warming, greenhouse effect.

An introduction to medical microbiology: Microbial agents of infectious disease in

humans; antimicrobial agents, immunity, epidemiology and biosafety.

Definitive experiments in molecular biology and genetics: Evidence that DNA is genetic
material; structure of DNA.

The genome and mechanisms of replication: Chromosomes as carriers of genetic

information; chemical nature of the gene; structure and stability of the genome. Replication
in bacterial and eukaryotic cells; the functions of DNA polymerases.

Mechanism of gene expression: Flow of information through the cell: overview of

transcription in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; encoding and translating genetic
information.

An introduction to the control of gene function: Protein control of transcription;

repressors/activators; promoters.

Recombinant DNA technology: restriction enzymes, DNA cloning.

Biotechnology and genetic engineering: insulin, transgenic plants (herbicide, insect and virus
resistance), human gene therapy.

Teaching Methodology

A lecture course of 24 hours: Tutorials of 15 hours: Total hours = 39

Assessment

One 2- hour written paper 60%

Two in-course tests (1-hour each) 40%, (Each contributes 20%)