BSc Zoology with Industrial/Professional Experience / Course details

Fundamentals of Bacteriology will provide you with a comprehensive overview of bacterial cell structure, function, metabolism and regulatory mechanisms. You will also be introduced to the key emerging technological developments, such as next generation sequencing and synthetic biology that are shaping the future of bacteriology.

This unit will provide students with a comprehensive overview of bacterial cell structure/function, metabolism and regulatory mechanisms. Students will also be introduced to the key emerging technological developments such as next generation sequencing technologies and synthetic biology that are shaping the future of bacteriology.

Students will appreciate and be able to describe:

• The detailed molecular structure and functioning of the key components of the bacterial cell
• The principal sensing and regulatory mechanisms employed by bacteria
• The principles of synthetic biology and how these are being applied to the search for new antibiotics
• Two recent primary research articles describing the latest discoveries around two topics from the course as selected by student vote 
• Recent technological developments, including the rise of genomics and transcriptomics as applied to bacteriology

• Cell envelopes: Cell envelope structure of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, peptidoglycan, LPS, S-layers,
• Cell division & cell shape: processes involved in cell division & variety of cell shapes
• Motility: Structure and function of flagella, and control via chemotaxis systems.
• Bacterial signalling and sensing: Sporulation in Gram-positive bacteria, quorum sensing and two component regulatory systems
• Structures associated with bacterial outer membrane: OMPs and porins, pili/fimbriae
• Protein secretion systems: diversity of pathways for protein secretion in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria
• In depth study of two recent research papers based on previously studied material and selected from eight options by student vote 
• Bacterial genome sequencing, methodologies and resultant insights into bacterial evolution, transcriptomics, RNAseq technologies
• Synthetic biology and antibiotic production: the fundamentals of synthetic biology approach, the major problem of antibiotic resistance and the application of synthetic biology approaches towards novel antibiotic production

e-Learning Activity

An e-learning based coursework exercise to write a short scientific ‘news and views’ style article based upon a primary research paper related to course content. A lecture will be dedicated to a discussion of the paper in week 5. The article will be written during weeks 4 and 5 and the following reading week. It will be set and marked via Blackboard and will contribute 15% to the overall unit assessment.

A 1.5 hour written examination comprising of twenty five multiple choice questions (50% of mark) and short answer questions of varying types (50% of mark) with all questions answered to ensure coverage across the course (80% of unit mark)

An e-learning based coursework exercise to write a short scientific ‘news and views’ style article of up to 500 words with optional figure(s) based on a very recent high impact scientific paper chosen by the unit coordinator each year and directly related to course content (20% of unit mark).

Extensive individual feedback will be provided on the coursework exercise and by end of semester exam marks. This will include: (i) detailed written formative individual feedback to all students regarding the e-learning activity (within 15 days of submission) along with provision of a model answer written by the course coordinator, and (ii) individual feedback on exam performance will be made available through a drop-in session run by the unit coordinator. There will also be an opportunity to write a practice exam essay/short answer prior to exam and feedback will be provided by course coordinator. Informal feedback throughout the course will also be provided during lectures and via discussions on Blackboard. The unit coordinator also employs multiple choice questions during lectures to reinforce material from previous lecture. This uses coloured cards to allow all students at lecture to participate.

Up-to-date review articles recommended in lectures.

Recommended Reading

1. Brock Biology of Microorganisms - Fifteenth edition. Michael T Madigan et al. (2018)