Postgraduate

MODULE CH 61603

1. Module Code: CH61603

2.  Module Title: Microbiological Analysis of Environmental Systems

3. Level: 6      Semester: 1                                Credits: 10

4. First year of presentation: 2016/2017     Administering Unit: School of Sciences

5. Pre-requisite or co-requisite modules, excluded combinations

Cell biology

1.     Allocation of study and teaching hours

7. Brief description of aims and content

This module seeks to provide a broad understanding of the practical aspects of microbiological detections in water, food, beverages or soil samples. The module will focus on key fundamental microbiological techniques such as the preparation of growth media, inoculation and isolation of bacterial cultures, bacterial enumeration and basic microbial staining for identification. This means that through this module the student will acquire the proper techniques essential for microbiological practices.

8.  Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

     1.         Describe and explain the various classes and characteristics of microorganisms;

     2.         Describe and explain the relationship between microorganisms with the environment;

     3.         Describe and explain the different practices techniques essential for microbiological analyses; and

     4.         Use and interpret the data obtained from the microbiological analyses.

B. Cognitive/Intellectual skills/Application of knowledge

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

     5.         Understand the importance and how to practice aseptic technique;

     6.          Understand that E.coli is a coliform that can be an indicator for the presence of pathogens in water ;

     7.         Understand the role played by other pathogenic microorganisms in  food or beverages samples

     8.          Understand the importance of good laboratory practices when performing the microbiological analyses.

C. Communication/ ICT/Numeracy/ analytic Techniques/Practical technics

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

     9.         Know the sampling procedures for microbiological analyses.

  10.         Know when to apply liquid and solid media and how media is prepared;

  11.         Appreciate the advantage of applying serial dilution to microbiological samples or culture;

  12.         Perform bacterial enumeration using spread plate and pour plate method;

  13.         Determine and appreciate Colony Forming Units (CFUs);

  14.         Obtain pure cultures via streaking and inoculation;

  15.         Prepare bacteria smears on microscope slides.

  16.         Perform simple and discriminatory stains on bacteria smears.

  17.         Able to identify basic bacterial shapes and arrangements.

  18.         Able to operate light microscope.

  19.         Subculture overnight cultures of bacteria.

  20.         Monitor bacterial growth via measurement of optical density

D. General transferable skills

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

  21.         Run autonomously different microbiological analyses; and

  22.         Self-writing a lab report, doing results discussion, and assignment presentation on the microbiological test.

9. Indicative Content

A. Microorganisms:   Various classes and characteristics of microorganisms; Relationship between microorganisms with the environment.

B. Microbiological analytical techniques: Sampling procedures; the aseptic technique; Media preparation, serial dilutions, bacterial enumeration; how to obtain pure cultures; bacteria smears preparation, light microscope operation, Bacterial growth monitoring, Good laboratory practices.

C. Interpretation of the data obtained from the microbiological analyses: E.coli as an indicator for the presence of pathogens in water; other pathogenic microorganisms in food or beverages samples, Colony Forming Units (CFUs); Identifying basic bacterial shapes and arrangements.

10. Learning and Teaching Strategy

This module “Microbiological Analysis of Environmental Systems” will be conducted as:

Ø  Seminars, at the beginning of each chapter an introductive “exposé” will be given, then students will be assigned topics for discussion that will be presented in classes and be completed by the lecturer’s notes and oral presentation of lecturer. At end of each lecture session, a taking home assignment will be given and submitted for the following session;

Ø  Exercises will provide opportunity for the students to gain hands-on experience with computer-based and Internet resources suitable for the module;

Ø  Relevant literature references for the different lectures should be included in the syllabus to make it possible for the students to prepare for the lectures;

Ø  Group discussion will be conducted and supervised by the tutors;

Ø  Laboratory Practice will be conducted parallel with theory lectures and the students will be asked to produce reports that will be submitted and orally presented in order to strengthen their presentation and results discussion skills.

11. Assessment Strategy

Feedback on homework and groups assignments will be assessed and marked continuously and timely. It should be made clear to the students what is lacking in their answers and how to better themselves. An answer sheet should be provided after all examinations.

12. Assessment criteria

For all assessments, criteria will be based on the learning outcomes achieved to assess the Knowledge of the student at the end of a given learning objective.

In addition, a large part of the assessments will have to deal with the practical sessions.

13. Assessment Pattern

14. Strategy for feedback and student support during module

Homework, group assignments, quiz, laboratory reports and exams will be timely marked and feedback on the student performance will be given through corrections and discussions in class. Answer sheets will be available to all, and students will be encouraged to regularly consult lecturers in their offices/ help rooms.  

15. Indicative Resources

Core Texts:

1.      DHV Consultants BV & DELFT HYDRAULICS. Microbiological Laboratory Techniques. Hydrology Project. World Bank & Government of The Netherlands funded.New Delhi, July 1999.

2.      Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.Microbiological Guidelines for Food. (For ready-to-eat food in general and specific food items). Centre for Food Safety. (revised). August 2014.

3.      Dr. Ciira Kiiyukia. Laboratory manuel of food microbiology for Ethiopian Health and nutrition Research Institute (Food Microbiology Laboratory). UNIDO PROJECT (YA/ETH/03/436/11-52) December 2003.

4.      Donald E. LaSota; Todd W. Bidlack and James W. Evans. Laboratory Manual for the Microbiological Analyses of Public Drinking Water. OhioEPA 2001.

5.      Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Part 9000 MICROBIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION. American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation.1999.

6.      W. Andrews. Manuals of food quality control. 4. Microbiological analysis. ISSN 0254-4725. NUTRITION PAPER 14/4 Rev. 1. Rome 1992. Reprinted 1997.

7.      Jamie Bartram and al.Water Quality Monitoring - A Practical Guide to the Design and Implementation of Freshwater Quality Studies and Monitoring Programmes. Chapter 10 - MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSES. Published on behalf of United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization © 1996 UNEP/WHO. ISBN 0 419 22320 7 (Hbk) 0 419 21730 4 (Pbk).

Background Texts:

1.       Philip Bronstein. Understanding Microbiological Sampling and Testing. United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).  EIAO Education Program.  2014.

2.       The FEM Microbiology Action Team.  Method Validation of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Microbiological Methods of Analysis. EPA Forum on Environmental Measurements (FEM) October 7, 2009.

3.       ICMSF,. MICRO ORGANISMS IN FOODS 2. Sampling for Microbiological analysis: Principles and Specific applications Second edition. Blackwell Scientific Publications. 1978.

4.      Indian Standard. METHODS OF SAMPLING AND MICROBIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION or WATER. (First Revision). Fourth Reprint FEBRUARY 2003.

5.      Food Safety and standards authority of India Ministry of health and family welfare. MANUAL OF ANALYSIS OF FOODS. Microbiological Testing.  Government of India.  New Delhi 2012.

6.      Office of Regulatory Science. Medical Products and Tobacco Scientific Staff. Pharmaceutical Microbiology Manual. 2014. U.S. FDA, Office of Regulatory Affairs . ORA.007, Version 1.2 DATE: 03-30-2015.

7.      Commission of the European Communities.  Guidance document on official controls, under Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, concerning microbiological sampling and testing of foodstuffs..  Health & consumer Protection Directorate General. Brussels, 13 November 2006.

8.      Raju Mary Antony; Ferdinand Brisca Renuga. Microbiological analysis of drinking water quality of Ananthanar channel of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. ISSN = 1980-993X – doi:10.4136/1980-993X.  Revista Ambiente & Água - An Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Science: v. 7, n.2, 2012.

Journals

Key websites and on-line resources

This module aims to teach the chemistry of food; food constituents (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, flavor compounds, ect.) and important food groups (milk, meat, eggs, cereals, fruits, vegetables, etc.). Much of this module will also focus on food safety and microbiological contamination.

It also aims to impart knowledge to the students on various acts, rules, regulations, standards, and laws related to food articles governing their manufacture, import, export, storage, distribution and sale.

This course is meant to provide the students with the necessary skills and knowledge to model and analyse data collected across space and time and to provide an understanding of the basic concepts and uses of GIS technology so that spatial analysis can be incorporated as an additional aspect of students’ research and studies. The Module introduces the concepts of spatial statistics and GIS and its various applications. The meaning of Spatial Statistics and GIS will be discussed and the various applications in life, social sciences, economy, environment, Health, etc will be highlighted.  And application of the studied material will be carried out by a project