BVB305 Microbiology and the Environment
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | BVB305 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | BVB201 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $5,664 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | BVB305 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | BVB201 |
| Coordinator: | Caroline Hauxwell | caroline.hauxwell@qut.edu.au |
Overview
The biology, evolution and ecology of microorganisms underpin critical, complex and, sometimes, harmful processes in almost every environment on earth, from oceanic vents to the animal gut, in the roots of plants and the health of soil, and even in your shower head. These fundamental biological processes are a rich resource for cutting-edge research and applications in biotechnology, including the growing field of synthetic biology.
You will conduct structured laboratory research and desktop analyses to explore, evaluate and communicate insights into core concepts in microbiology, their functional interactions in the environment, and their exploitation in agriculture, bioindustry and the built environment. Through this, you will build understanding and skills in project planning, technical communication, and experimental design, conduct, and analysis, to address real world applications and prepare you for a key area of post-graduate employment.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate evidence of broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of underlying principles and core concepts in microbial biology, ecology and environmental processes;
- Apply your skills and knowledge to explain and describe a systematic approach to problem solving, using appropriate practical, research and technical methods;
- Apply appropriate methods to communicate scientific data, information and arguments to scientific peer groups.
Content
Major topics covered in the unit will include:
- Metabolic and genetic processes in microorganisms.
- Signaling, syntrophy, and symbiotic relationships in microbial communities.
- Biology of biofilm and the origins of microbiota and multicellularity.
- The biology and exploitation of microorganisms in soils and extreme environments.
- Applications of microbial resources in biotechnology, agriculture and synthetic biology.
Learning Approaches
Primary unit information will be presented through a combination of face-to-face lectures, workshops and supported by your own reading and critical evaluation of current research. You will undertake a structured research project in the laboratory in which you will be required to demonstrate an understanding of professional workplace skills. You will also conduct in-depth professional critical evaluation of a process or application in microbiology in which you will conduct and use your own research from scientific literature and real-world models. This multifaceted teaching and learning approach will provide the background concepts and analytical tools necessary to develop your professional, analytical and critical skills in microbiology and its applications.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
All aspects of the assessment pieces will be discussed during formal learning activities and informal group meetings, and students will be required to provide progress updates and document outlines for formative assessment and discussion.
Assessment
Overview
Your knowledge will be assessed through three processes.
The first will be an on-line quiz designed to test your understanding of concepts from lectures, recordings and materials presented in modules in Canvas. This will be supported by formative short quiz questions in modules in Canvas.
For the second assessment item you will produce a structured, word-limited case study using a template provided. You will deliver an in-depth analysis of some of the fundamental principles of microbial biology, with a critical evaluation of the feasibility and potential benefits in real-world applications. The aim of the assessment piece is to develop in-depth understanding and skills in evaluation of key concepts and applications in microbiology. You will use and evaluate information from lectures, recordings, and material in Canvas together with independent research using refereed literature, books, commentary articles, or interviews with practitioners. You will develop your case study through individual research and by participation in discussion in workshops and completion of class worksheets.
The third assessment piece is a structured research project conducted in small groups and as a class in practical classes. You will complete and submit weekly worksheets in class, using and documenting professional workplace processes (including risk assessment and use of professional laboratory notebooks), and produce a poster to communicate the research context, methods, analysis, and findings.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Quiz/Test
You will complete an on-line quiz designed to test your understanding of concepts from lectures, recordings and materials presented in modules in Canvas. This will be supported by formative short quiz questions in modules on Canvas.
Assessment: Case Study
You will produce a structured, word-limited case study using a template provided. You will deliver an in-depth analysis of some of the fundamental principles of microbial biology with a critical evaluation of the feasibility and potential benefits in real-world applications. Your case study will use and evaluate information from lectures, recordings, and material in Canvas, together with your independent research using refereed literature, books, commentary articles, or interviews with practitioners.
You will develop your case study through independent research and by participation in discussion in workshops and completion of class worksheets. Your case study will meet the requirements of a professional structured, word-limited document.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Project (research)
You will work in small groups and as a class to conduct, record, and report a structured research project in practical classes. You will complete and submit weekly worksheets in class, documenting the work conducted and professional workplace processes used (including risk assessment and use of professional laboratory notebooks), and produce a poster to communicate the research context, methods, analysis, and findings.
15% of the assessment will be for submission of scans of your laboratory notebooks and class worksheets submitted after each practical class.
You will produce an individual poster submitted at the end of week 12 which will meet the standards of a professional scientific poster (a scientific conference poster).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
A set text-book will not be required but a list of appropriate text-books and literature will be made available on Canvas. Any specialist readings will be provided via QUT Readings.
Risk Assessment Statement
This unit includes a laboratory component. You are required to complete an online health and safety quiz prior to entry to the laboratory. A passing score of 9/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory. You may resit the quiz until this score is achieved. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site for further information. If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the unit coordinator, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions. The lectures and workshops in this unit are all low risk activities and are delivered online. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area that will be indicated to you.