Course Code: EST 211

Course Title: Environmental Biology – Microbiology

Weekly Class and Application Hours: 3-0

Short Course Description: Introduction to Microbiology. Cell biochemistry, DNA-RNA and their function. Introduction to biology and Environmental Microbiology. Growth of microorganisms and their metabolism. Biodiversity of microorganisms, bacteria, archaea, yeast, algae. Microorganisms in the environment and biofilm formation. Growth and loss processes in nature and role of microbes in the biogeochemical cycles of elements (carbon, nitrogen and sulphur). Extremophilic microorganisms, their mechanisms and applications (halophilichalotolerant, thermophilic, psycrophilic microorganisms). Acidophilic microorganisms and metal bioleaching. Anaerobic microorganism and their applications. Bioremediation of soil and polluted environment (oil contamination). Cellulose, hemicellulose and Lignin biodegradation. Pathogens microorganisms and methods to measure them. Colony forming unit method. Techniques to isolate and to characterize microorganisms. Molecular microbiology techniques: PCRDGGE.

Textbook and Supplementary Books::

  1. Environmental Microbiology (Third Edition) Edited by: Ian L. Pepper, Charles P. Gerba and Terry J. Gentry  ISBN: 978-0-12-394626-3

Course Assessment:

  • Class Participation 10%,

  • Mid-term Examination 30%,

  • Assignments 10%,

  • Final Examination 50%,

Attendance 95%compulsory