Microbiology ILaajuus (3 ECTS)

Objective

The student has an understanding of the microbial world and its presence almost everywhere. He/she knows the different cell types and microbial classes, their most important properties and the principles for identifying microorganisms. The student knows the factors that have an influence on growth and how to measure growth.
The student is able to work aseptically and apply basic microbiological work techniques.

Content

1. Classification principles in microbiology

2. Aseptic work technique and sterilization

3. Cultivation techniques, growth measurements and microscopy

Qualifications

No prerequisities

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1. Classification principles in microbiology
The student can name the different classes of microbial groups and their most important characteristics

2. Aseptic work technique and sterilization
The student is familiar with the basic principles of aseptic work and sterilization. He/she is capable to work aseptically and handle microbes without contaminating the sample, neither the environment.

3. Cultivation techniques, growth measurements and microscopy
The student has practiced basic inoculation techniques, he/she knows the most important cultivation techniques and can list the key growth measuring techniques. He/she knows which are the most important factors influencing microbial growth. The student can perform Gram- and spore staining and use the light microscope to study the preparation.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

1. Classification principles in microbiology
The student knows the different classes of microbial groups and how to identify them. He/she knows how to storage microbes and which limitations the techniques have. The student is familiar with the turning points of the history in microbiology.

2. Aseptic work technique and sterilization
The student is skilled in aseptic work and can work independently. He/she can timetable his/her own practicals. He/she is familiar with different types of sterilization techniques and is able to use them in practice.

3. Cultivation techniques, growth measurements and microscopy
The student can choose a suitable growth measurement method for different sample matrices. He/she can calculate the final microbial concentration in different types of samples including dilution factors and draw growth curves. The student can identify different cell shapes by microscopy

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

1. Classification principles in microbiology
The student can isolate one species from a mixed culture and plan how to identify it. The student is familiar with the most important industrial production species and their growth requirements

2. Aseptic work technique and sterilization
The student is capable to calculate sterilization constants.

3. Cultivation techniques, growth measurements and microscopy
The student can estimate the validity of the achieved results.