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Environmental Microbiology [1]

Paper Code: 
25DENV 501A
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to –

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

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course outcomes

Learning and              teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25DENV 501A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental Microbiology

Upon completion of this course, students will:

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: 
  • 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
    • Microbial Growth

https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Book%3A_Microbiology_(Bruslind)/09 [2]

%3A_Microbial_Growth [2]

https://www.onlinebiologynotes.com/microbial-interaction-and-types-mutualism- [4] syntropism-proto-cooperation-commensalism-antagonism-parasitism-predation- [4] competition/ [4]

JOURNALS

  1. Environmental Microbiology Reports (Society for applied microbiology)
  2. Journal of Applied Microbiology
  3. Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026 [7]

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Source URL: https://environment.iisuniv.ac.in/courses/subjects/environmental-microbiology-11

Links:
[1] https://environment.iisuniv.ac.in/courses/subjects/environmental-microbiology-11
[2] https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Book%3A_Microbiology_(Bruslind)/09%3A_Microbial_Growth
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC714979/
[4] https://www.onlinebiologynotes.com/microbial-interaction-and-types-mutualism-syntropism-proto-cooperation-commensalism-antagonism-parasitism-predation-competition/
[5] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408399009527531
[6] https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/microbio/chapter/biogeochemical-cycles/
[7] https://environment.iisuniv.ac.in/academic-year/2025-2026