Objectives and competences
The course unit's main objective is to make known the importance of microorganisms in the functioning of ecosystems, particularly in the recirculation of elements, integrating their fundamental role in the preservation of environmental quality. This integration of knowledge involves understanding microbial diversity in different habitats and the symbiotic relationships between microorganisms and their relationship with environmental conditions. A holistic understanding of the participation of microorganisms in the biogeochemical cycles of elements and their impact on the environment is one of the main learning objectives.
Teaching Methodologies
The course comprises Theoretical (T), Theoretical-Practical (TP), Tutorial Orientation (OT), Field Work (TC) and Laboratory (PL) classes. T classes are the place for presenting the major topics of the course, following a logic of introduction and complementarity with the other types of classes, often using practical examples that illustrate the topic and challenging students to contribute their own reflections on them. In PL classes, students develop a mini project that includes designing an experiment, from choosing a topic and defining the work objectives, to determining the methodologies, which are decided during tutorial guidance sessions. In OT sessions, students analyze a topic of their interest that should be clearly aligned with the PL chosen and is presented within that context. Field trips are conducted, one to the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and another to the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), serving as an integrative point of the course since they are connected to the theoretical sessions.
Syllabus
Introduction
- Concepts of microbial ecology
Methods for the analysis of microbial communities
- Culture-dependent methods and enrichment; culture-independent methods; microbial activity
Microbial ecosystems
- Aquatic environments and eutrophication; terrestrial environments; Biofilms in the environment
Biogeochemical cycles
- The cycle of oxygen and carbon, nitrogen cycle, the sulfur cycle, the iron cycle; microbial transformation of mercury
and methylmercury
Bioremediation
- Concepts of bioremediation; Bioremediation of crude oil; Biodegradation of xenobiotic compounds
