Course Co-ordinator: Dr P Cash

Pre-requisite(s): BI 20M3, BI 25M5

Note(s): BI 2002 strongly recommended as Pre-requisite.

This course presents molecular approaches in current experimental microbiology. Areas covered include molecular mechanisms of adaptations to the environment, including pathogenesis and interactions with other cells; evolutionary relationships among microbes; signal transduction, differentiation and secondary metabolism; measurement of microbial processes and models; microbial communities.

Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on direct relevance of these topics to current problems in medicine, agriculture, food and related industries.

3 one-hour lectures per week and 1 full day practical per week for the first 8 weeks of the course. 3 two-hour tutorials to be arranged at intervals during the course.

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour essay examination (65%) and in-course assessment (35%).

Continuous assessment comprises: 1 laboratory report, 1 essay (1,500 words)

Resit: 1 three-hour essay examination (65%) and previous continuous assessment (35%).