Compound evaluation consisting of written exam, compulsory work and written assignments. All individual exams/tests and course work must be passed in order to pass the course overall. Grades will be assigned in letters ranging between A - F according to the Norwegian grading system.

Knowledge The student:

Has an overview of the historical development of the area of microbiology, in relation to the technological developments and the increased knowledge in cell biology.

Has a broad knowledge of the metabolic and structural diversity of eukaryotic and prokaryotic micro-organisms.

Has an overview of the current routine laboratory methods used for the isolation and identification of the various groups of microorganisms.

Has knowledge of the basic principles of infection and pathogenesis for the main microbial pathogens of humans and animals.

Has knowlerdge of the virulence factors the different microbial pathogens use to invade and spread within their hosts, as well as the defensive mechanisms the hosts use.

Has knowledge of the safety measures that apply in the handling of microorganisms.

Can update his/her knowledge in the field of Microbiology.

Skills The student:

Can perform within safe limits and under supervision the main routine laboratory methods used for the isolation and identification of bacteria.

Can reflect upon their observations obtained after performing basic microbiological techniques.

Can scientifically report, results of various fundamental microbiological techniques.

Can collect and use relevant published information for the interpretation of microbiological results.

General competence The student:

Can collaborate with fellow students, for the completion of laboratory techniques and for the preparation of scientific reports.

Knows and understands the risks when working in a microbiology laboratory.

Can communicate results and theories both orally and in writing.

Is familiar with new thinking and innovation processes in the field of Microbiology.

General microbiology: Introduction to microbiology, main groups of microorganisms, metabolic diversity, microbial growth and culture, elements of microbial genetics, microbial mechanisms of infection, elements of immunology, diagnostic microbiology, beneficial microbes. Special microbiology: Main groups of microbes of medical interest, with emphasis on their virulence factors and pathogenicity mechanisms. Basic laboratory methods for their isolation and identification are presented.

Lectures (48 hours).

Laboratory exercises (24 hours) with reports. They include: general training in working with microorganisms: culture, staining techniques, enumeration. Environmental samples from soil and water are used in the various protocols.

Bauman, Robert W.: Microbiology with diseases by taxonomy, 2020

Cappuccino, James G.: Microbiology : a laboratory manual, 2018

Conditions for completion of course:

Compound evaluation consisting of written exam, compulsory work and written assignments. All individual exams/tests and course work must be passed in order to pass the course overall. Grades will be assigned in letters ranging between A - F according to the Norwegian grading system.

Final assessment:

Compound assessment, consisting of:

1. Written exam: 4h. Letter grading A - F according to the Norwegian grading system. Counts for 70% of overall grade

2. Compulsory work (AK1). Counts for 0% of the overall grade, but must be passed. Students are required to prepare a short literature review on a given topic and present it orally during the course.

3. Compulsory work (AK2). Counts for 0% of the overall grade, but must be passed. Students are required to pass one multiple choice test.

4. Three group written assignments (OP). Each one counts for 10% of the total grade. Letter grading A - F according to the Norwegian grading system.