BI3AM2: Applied Microbiology

Module code: BI3AM2

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Glyn Barrett, email: glyn.barrett@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Geraldine Mulley, email: g.mulley@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE BI1FM1 OR ( TAKE BI1S1 AND TAKE BI1BAC2 ) (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to develop your understanding of the medical, agricultural, environmental, and industrial applications of microbes and microbial biotechnology and how advances in this field can help tackle global challenges including antimicrobial resistance, emerging infectious diseases, food security, pollution and climate change through the development of novel products, processes and science policies. You will develop the knowledge required to propose well-reasoned, innovative solutions to real-world problems, considering factors required for commercialisation and sustainability.   

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Explain how microbiological research facilitates advances in biotechnology and other areas of biological sciences, including CRISPR gene editing and recombinant protein production, and how they can be used to change public policies and provide innovative solutions to real-world problems including antimicrobial resistance, emerging infectious diseases, food security, pollution, and climate change. 
2. Describe the processes involved in the development of new products and technologies that require knowledge of microbes / microbiological techniques, including vaccines, antimicrobials, biocontrol agents and biofuels, from initial research in the laboratory through to their application, including the processes of manufacture, storage and distribution, and the regulatory approvals required for commercialisation.  
3. Use an evidence-based approach to propose innovative, creative solutions to specific biological problems using microbes and/or microbiological techniques. 

Module content

Topics covered include the application of microbes and / or microbiological techniques in: 

Medicine and healthcare:  

• development and commercialisation of antimicrobial agents, vaccines and other strategies (inc. bacteriophage therapy, gene therapy, biopharmaceuticals and healthcare products) for treatment and prevention of diseases 
• development of diagnostic tests for diagnosis of infectious diseases 
• development of biocontrol agents for vectors of infectious diseases 
• development of probiotics and prebiotics 
• strategies to improve food safety and reduce risk of food poisoning 

Food security and production:  

• development and commercialisation of products / strategies to increase food production and improve sustainability of agriculture including biocontrol agents for animal pests and plant pathogens, biopesticides, biofertilisers and plant growth-promoting microbes 
• food production, fermentation and preservation methods 
• role of endophytes in boosting plant immunity and controlling disease 
• microbial phytases in the food and feed industry 

Environmental management:  

• development, generation and commercialisation of sustainable and environmentally friendly biofuels through effective management of food waste via anaerobic digestion 
• bioremediation and decontamination of polluted environments and wastewater  
• biodegradation of plastics 
• composting and bioreactors, enzymes in bioprocessing 
• production of sustainable materials including biopolymers 

Biotechnology and research tools 

• recombinant production of proteins in E. coli, yeast and baculoviruses 
• genetic engineering and modification 
• viral vectors 
• novel enzymes, polymers, phage display 
• CRISPR gene editing 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, student-led seminars, self-directed learning and directed independent study. A day trip to visit a nearby biotech facility exploiting microbes in a commercial setting is planned. This could include but not be limited to a visit to an anaerobic digestion facility, agritech or landfill site. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard. 

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs