Environmental Microbiology

Paper Code:

24DENV501A

Credits:

Contact Hours:

60.00

Max. Marks:

100.00

Objective:

Course Objectives:

This course will enable the students to –

Introduce the fundamental principles of environmental microbiology.
Examine the interactions between microorganisms and their surroundings
Explore the ecological roles and functions of microorganisms in various environments

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course	Course Outcomes	Learning and teaching strategies	Assessment Strategies
Course Code	Course Title
24DENV 501A	Environmental Microbiology	CO44: Appraise the diversity of microbial communities and analyze the impact of environmental factors on microbial growth CO45: Critically evaluate various types of microbial interactions and their implications in shaping ecological dynamics within ecosystems. CO46: Synthesize information to characterize diverse microbial habitats in water bodies, integrating knowledge of microbial ecology CO47: Evaluate sources of airborne microorganisms, assess microbial communities, and understand factors affecting microbial survival in the air CO48: Examine soil microbial habitats, explore microbial involvement in biogeochemical cycling, and understand the role of the rhizosphere in nutrient cycling. CO49: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction	Approach in teaching: Interactive lectures, Power Point Presentations, Group discussions, Tutorials Learning activities for the students: Self-learning assignment, simulation, field observations, case studies	Quiz, Class Test Assignments, Individual and Group Presentations, Class Test, Semester End Examination

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

24DENV 501A

Environmental Microbiology

CO44: Appraise the diversity of microbial communities and analyze the impact of environmental factors on microbial growth

CO45: Critically evaluate various types of microbial interactions and their implications in shaping ecological dynamics within ecosystems.

CO46: Synthesize information to characterize diverse microbial habitats in water bodies, integrating knowledge of microbial ecology

CO47: Evaluate sources of airborne microorganisms, assess microbial communities, and understand factors affecting microbial survival in the air

CO48: Examine soil microbial habitats, explore microbial involvement in biogeochemical cycling, and understand the role of the rhizosphere in nutrient cycling.

CO49: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in teaching: Interactive lectures, Power Point Presentations, Group discussions, Tutorials

Learning activities for the students: Self-learning assignment, simulation, field observations, case studies

Quiz, Class Test Assignments, Individual and Group Presentations, Class Test, Semester End Examination

12.00

Unit I:

Growth and Distribution of Microorganisms in the Environment

Basic classification of microorganisms
Types of microorganisms on the basis of nutrition
Factors affecting microbial growth (Temperature, pH, Oxygen concentration, Pressure and radiation)
Microbial growth curve (Lag phase, acceleration phase, exponential phase, deceleration phase, stationary phase, death phase)

12.00

Unit II:

Microbial Interactions in the Environment

Interaction among the microbial populations (Positive and negative interactions)
- Mutualism
- Parasitism
- Amensalism
- Competition
- Predation
- Protocooperation
- Commensalism
- Mycorrhizae-Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae

12.00

Unit III:

Microbiology of Water

Microbial habitat in the aquatic environment
- Planktonic environment
- Benthic habitat
- Microbial mats
- Biofilms
Microbial characteristics of fresh and marine water

12.00

Unit IV:

Microbiology of Air

Nature of Bioaerosols
Basics of Aeromicrobiological pathyway-launching, transport and deposition
Physical/Microbial habitats in the air
Extramural and Intramural Aeromicrobiology
Factors affecting microbial survival in the air
Control of Bioaerosols

12.00

Unit V:

Microbiology of Soil

Soil habitat (Lithosphere)
Microbial biogeochemical cycling
- Carbon cycle
- Nitrogen cycle
- Sulphur cycle
- Phosphorus
Rhizosphere

Essential Readings:

ESSENTIAL READINGS

Mohapatra, P. K. (2008). Textbook of Environmental Environmental Microbiology. New Delhi: I. K. International Publishing House.
Prescott, L. M. (2002). Microbiology (5th ed.). The McGraw−Hill Companies.
Maier, R.M., I. L. (2009). Environmental Microbiology (2nd ed.). USA: Academic Press (Elsevier).
Atlas, R.M., R. B. (2005). Microbial Ecology: Fundamental and Applications (4th ed.). New Delhi: Pearson Education Pvt. Ltd.

SUGGESTED READINGS

Jjemba, P. K. (2004). Environmental microbiology: principles and applications. Science Publishers.
Barton, L., D. E. (2011). Microbial Ecology. New Jersey: JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC., PUBLICATION.
Michael J. Pelczar, E. C. (1993). Microbiology (5th ed.). New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited.
Srivastava, M. (2008). Environmental Microbiology. Shree Publishers & Distributors.
Stanier, R. (1987). General Microbiology (5th ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

RESOURCES