Agricultural Microbiology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide fundamental knowledge about cytology and physiology of microorganisms, with emphasis to their role in nature and their use in agricultural biotechnology, in relation to soil fertility, organic matter degradation, and microbial interactions with plants and other biotic and abiotic components of soil ecosystem. Laboratory activity will allow the students to practice the basic techniques to grow and characterize soil and rhizosphere microorganisms.
Expected learning outcomes
Basic knowledge about general and ecological microbiology, in order to understand the role of microbial physiological groups associated with agricultural ecosystem. Knowledge of basic microbiological techniques.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Microbiology in Historical Context, Cell morphology, and structure. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, Cell walls of Bacteria and Archaea, Citoplasmatic membrane and transport, Cell inclusions, Microbial locomotion, Endospores, Bacterial genomes, Methods for manipulating DNA, Fungi, Cultural techniques, Microbial growth and control, Microscopy, Viruses, Gene transfer in Bacteria, Mutations, Microbial biofilms, Microbial symbioses, Plants as a microbial habitat, Aerobic respiration, Chemolithotrophy Fermentations, Anaerobic respiration, Phototrophy, Bioremediation, Wastewater treatment and phytodepuration, Human microbiota, Rumen, Hydrogen production, Nutrient cycles.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of organic chemistry and biochemistry is required for this course.
Teaching methods
The course comprises a total of 56 teaching hours, including 40 hours of classroom lectures and 16 hours of laboratory work. Further information about the course will be provided on the first day of class.
Instructional methods will include lectures, class discussions, and laboratory experiments. All lecture materials will be accessible on the ARIEL website.
Instructional methods will include lectures, class discussions, and laboratory experiments. All lecture materials will be accessible on the ARIEL website.
Teaching Resources
All lecture materials will be provided on the ARIEL website in PDF format.
The following textbooks are recommended for the course:
B. Biavati, C. Sorlini, Microbiologia generale e agraria, published by CEA
M. Madigan, C. Stahl, Brock Biologia dei microrganismi. Vol. 1 e Vol. 2
The textbooks are available for borrowing from the university library. Reading them will enhance your understanding of the lecture materials. Unless otherwise indicated during class, topics not covered in the lectures or laboratory will not be tested.
The following textbooks are recommended for the course:
B. Biavati, C. Sorlini, Microbiologia generale e agraria, published by CEA
M. Madigan, C. Stahl, Brock Biologia dei microrganismi. Vol. 1 e Vol. 2
The textbooks are available for borrowing from the university library. Reading them will enhance your understanding of the lecture materials. Unless otherwise indicated during class, topics not covered in the lectures or laboratory will not be tested.
Assessment methods and Criteria
A total of 31 multiple-choice questions will be included in the exam, which will assess the understanding of the lectures and laboratory sessions. The exam may be split into two parts, with the possibility of the first part being conducted during the teaching break ("prova in itinere"). Further details about the exam format and procedures will be provided on the first day of class.
Test #1 (first part) -- Test #1 will cover topics from lessons #1 to #10 and it will last 30 minutes.
Test #2 (second part)-- Test #2 will cover topics from lessons #11 to #20 and it will also last 30 minutes.
The final grade will be determined by the sum of the scores from the two tests. Students have the option to take the tests separately or simultaneously. The specific dates for the tests will be communicated on the first day of class.
Test #1 (first part) -- Test #1 will cover topics from lessons #1 to #10 and it will last 30 minutes.
Test #2 (second part)-- Test #2 will cover topics from lessons #11 to #20 and it will also last 30 minutes.
The final grade will be determined by the sum of the scores from the two tests. Students have the option to take the tests separately or simultaneously. The specific dates for the tests will be communicated on the first day of class.
AGR/16 - AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Villa Federica
Shifts:
Professor:
Villa Federica
Turno 1
Professor:
Villa FedericaTurno 2
Professor:
Villa FedericaProfessor(s)