1. Contents. Theoretical and Working Groups
1.1. Introduction and general concepts in Microbial Ecology
1.1.1. Microbial diversity. Problems and solutions to the study of microbes in nature
1.1.2. Factors afecting distribution and activity of microorganisms in nature
1.1.3. Structure of microbial communities and populations
1.1.4. Dynamics of microbial communities and populations
1.1.5. Interactions between microbes and the environment
1.2. Microbial Ecology methods.
1.2.1. Sampling and sample pre-treatment
1.2.2. Identification and enumeration of microorganisms in natural samples
1.2.3. Measurement of microbial activity. Potential measures and in situ methods
1.2.4. Molecular methods: genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics
2. Contents. Paper descussions
2.1. Research papers will be selected at the beginning of the course and distributed among students
3. Contents. Lab experiments
Maximum mark for the course is 100 points, minimum mark to pass the course is 50 points. Final grading is derived from the following activities:
EXAM: contributes to final grading with 45 points. Final exam will include questions from all contents of the course, lectures, research and discussion papers, and laboratory experiments. Bibliographic material is permitted. Laptops and other devices with internet connection are forbidden. A minimum mark of 18 is required for this activity. This is a resit activity.
LABORATORY report: contributes to final grading with 15 points. Consists in a laboratory report and answers some questions related to tlaboratory work. This is a cooperative work activity (groups of 2-3 students).
RESEARCH PAPER discussions: contributes to final grading with 40 points. This activity has two parts, the study of a research paper and the presentation of a summary (20 points), its presentation as a research seminar (20 points). This is a group-working activity (4-5 students).
Final grades will be obtained adding the marks obtained in the three activities.
Those students who have a final mark <50 have the oportunity of a resit exam. This exam will have the same evaluation conditions above and will be scheduled during the examination period.
Criteris específics de la nota «No Presentat»:
Students will receive a NOT-PRESENTED mark only if ANY of the evaluation activities have not been delivered or they have not attended the laboratory sessions.