Educational offer - University of Padova

Information on the course unit

Degree course	First cycle degree in ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY IF0320, Degree course structure A.Y. 2017/18, A.Y. 2019/20	bring this page with you
Number of ECTS credits allocated	8.0
Type of assessment	Mark
Course unit English denomination	ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
Department of reference	Department of Chemical Sciences
Mandatory attendance	Sì
Language of instruction	Italian
Branch	LEGNARO (PD)
Single Course unit	The Course unit can be attended under the option Single Course unit attendance
Optional Course unit	The Course unit can be chosen as Optional Course unit

Syllabus

Prerequisites:	Advised: General and Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Animal and Plant Biology, Intriduction to Soil Science
Target skills and knowledge:	The aim of the course is to provide knowledge about the role of prokaryotes and eukaryotes in ecosystems, and our possibilities for the purposes of production, conservation or rehabilitation.
Examination methods:	Capability to demonstrate the comprehension of the contents presented during the course. marks in 30ths
Assessment criteria:	Oral exam
Course unit contents:	Morphology and structure of organisms. Microbial genetics. Systematics of prokaryotes, meaning and limits of the definition of microbial species. Taxonomic analysis by molecular methods. Molecular phylogeny. Cultivation of microorganisms and growth curves. Relationship between organisms and the environment. Soil, water, atmosphere, and extreme environments. Methods of study in natural environments and microbiodiversity. Study of viable but non-culturable microorganisms (VBNC). Placement, integration, and effects of microbial activity on the evolution of the environment and on its stability. Microbiology of extreme environments. Microbial physiology and differences in energy metabolism. Biogeochemical cycles of the elements. Carbon: photosynthesis and chemosynthesis, mineralization of organic matter. Nitrogen fixation, symbiotic and free-living, nitrification, denitrification. Phosphorus: microbial solubilization mycorrhizae. Sulphur: immobilization and bacterial solubilization. Iron siderophores and mineral nutrition. Plant-microorganism interactions, rhizosphere, soil differences between natural and cultivated soils. Microbiology of forest and prairie. Examples of practical studies of communities in natural environments. Use of bacteria as bio-fertilizers and biological control agents. Bacterial PGPR (plant-growth Promoting rhizobacteria), inoculants for the productivity of cultivated plants. Application of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, biocontrol agents for the defense against diseases of plants, microbial biopesticides. Micorrhizal helper bacteria. Microbes for energy production. Construction and release of genetically modified organisms. Biotechnological, regulatory and ethical issues. Application for the recycling of microbial biomass, microbial interventions in bioremediation of pollution in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Microbial resistance to heavy metals. Environmental decontamination by microbiological halogen-organic pesticides, oils, plastics and other organic compounds to slow degradation.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods:	Lectures, laboratory exercises, exercises in the environment, excursions and visits.
Additional notes about suggested reading:	Power point files of the material presented in the classes available online
Textbooks (and optional supplementary readings)	Madigan, Martinko, Bender, Buckley, Stahl, Brock - Biologia dei Microrganismi.. --: Pearson, 2016.