Agricultural Microbiology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide fundamental knowledge about cytology and physiology of microorganisms, with emphasis to their role in nature and their use in agricultural biotechnology, in relation to soil fertility, organic matter degradation, and microbial interactions with plants and other biotic and abiotic components of soil ecosystem. Laboratory activity will allow the students to practice the basic techniques to grow and characterize soil and rhizosphere microorganisms.
Expected learning outcomes
Basic knowledge about general and ecological microbiology, in order to understand the role of microbial physiological groups associated with agricultural ecosystem. Knowledge of basic microbiological techniques.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Microbiology in Historical Context, Cell morphology, and structure. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, Cell walls of Bacteria and Archaea, Citoplasmatic membrane and transport, Cell inclusions, Microbial locomotion, Endospores, Bacterial genomes, Methods for manipulating DNA, Fungi, Cultural techniques, Microbial growth and control, Microscopy, Viruses, Gene transfer in Bacteria, Mutations, Microbial biofilms, Microbial symbioses, Plants as a microbial habitat, Aerobic respiration, Chemolithotrophy, Fermentations, Anaerobic respiration, Phototrophy, Bioremediation, Wastewater treatment and phytodepuration, Human microbiota, Rumen, Hydrogen production, Biogeochemical cycles.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of organic chemistry and biochemistry is required for this course.
Teaching methods
The course consists of 56 teaching hours, with 40 hours devoted to classroom lectures and 16 hours to laboratory work. Additional details about the course will be provided on the first day of class.
Instructional methods will involve lectures, class discussions, and laboratory experiments. Lecture materials will be accessible on the myARIEL website for easy reference.
Instructional methods will involve lectures, class discussions, and laboratory experiments. Lecture materials will be accessible on the myARIEL website for easy reference.
Teaching Resources
All lecture materials will be accessible on the ARIEL website in PDF format.
The following textbooks are recommended for the course:
- B. Biavati, C. Sorlini, "Microbiologia generale e agraria," published by CEA
- M. Madigan, C. Stahl, "Brock Biologia dei microrganismi," Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
These textbooks are available for borrowing from the university library. Reading them will deepen your comprehension of the lecture materials. Unless otherwise indicated during class, topics not covered in the lectures or laboratory will not be included in assessments.
The following textbooks are recommended for the course:
- B. Biavati, C. Sorlini, "Microbiologia generale e agraria," published by CEA
- M. Madigan, C. Stahl, "Brock Biologia dei microrganismi," Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
These textbooks are available for borrowing from the university library. Reading them will deepen your comprehension of the lecture materials. Unless otherwise indicated during class, topics not covered in the lectures or laboratory will not be included in assessments.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will comprise 31 multiple-choice questions, aimed at assessing comprehension of both lectures and laboratory sessions. There is a possibility of dividing the exam into two parts, with the first part occurring during the teaching break ("prova in itinere"). Further details concerning the exam's format and procedures will be provided on the first day of class.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
AGR/16 - AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Villa Federica
Shifts:
Professor:
Villa Federica
Turno 1
Professor:
Villa FedericaTurno 2
Professor:
Villa FedericaProfessor(s)