UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE

BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS

DEPARTMENT: MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

MCBE 3714

CLASS ASSIGNMENT: 1

DUE DATE: 20 APRIL 2022

ASSESSOR: PROF OM SEBOLAI

WEIGHT: 15% TOWARDS SEMESTER MARK

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ASSIGNMENT

In chapter 19, we pay particular attention to how microbial populations assemble to form

communities and how these communities interact with each other and their environments. In

microbial ecology, we investigate the microorganisms present in specific habitats (biodiversity)

and the activities they carry out.

Activity no. 1:

In line with the chapter’s theme, you are required to prepare a 2-3 page reflection based on the

section that was assigned to your group. The reflection should summarise your own

understanding of the section you interrogated.

Activity no. 2:

To augment the above, you are required to design an experiment that speaks to the section that

was assigned to your group. Herein, you will be required to detail: purpose of the experiment,

material list, instructions (protocol/procedure) on how to perform the experiment, and detail the

expected outcome - if your experiment is performed correctly. See TABLE 1.

TABLE 1. In summary, the assignment (activity no. 1 and 2) should be structured as follows.

Sequence Section of paper Based on activity Length

1 Reflection/Introduction Activity 1 2 – 3 pages

2 Purpose of experiment Activity 2 Paragraph of 2 - 3 sentences

3 Materials list Activity 2 Half a page

4 Procedure Activity 2 2 – 3 pages

5 Expected outcomes Activity 2 2 – 3 pages

6 References Activity 1 and 2 1 – 2 pages

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Important to note:

1. The writing should be informative, and use layman's terms as the targeted audience is a grade

8 pupil (someone without the technical, microbiology background). Part of their CAPS curricula

includes microbiology. The objective here is science communication. So the idea is to phrase your

contribution (reflection) in a manner that it can be easily digested by the next person. Importantly,

phrase your case without losing/over-diluting the essence of your writing. You can still use

scientific terms/concepts but you should assist your reader by constructing sentences that make

the term self-explanatory.

2. The experiment should be simple and not require a lot of materials, especially harmful

materials (given the target audience).

3. Offer advise on how they should handle microbes, and how materials can be disposed of in an

environmentally friendly manner.

Criteria:

A rubric is posted on Blackboard. Ensure that the assignment speaks to the rubric.

Individual responsibility:

Each member is expected to contribute to the group effort. Marks will be allocated for individual

effort. A scoresheet is uploaded on Blackboard.

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