Del
English

Microbiology (2026)

Course manager

Majbrit Wigø Madsen

Semester schedule

Spring (13-week period)

ECTS

7,5

Language of instruction

English

Course type

Compulsory

Qualifications

Admission requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology program

Objectives

The objectives of the course are to provide the students with a basic understanding of the construction of microorganisms; how they are identified and counted; and where and how they are applied in an industrial context.

Content

  • The construction and function of microorganisms, comprising cell structures and the functions of organelles in prokaryote and eukaryote cells
  • The growth and nutrient requirements of microorganisms together with physiological growth conditions
  • Introduction to microbial metabolism, media and metabolic diversity  
  • The role of microorganisms within industrial processes.

The purposes of the laboratory part of the course (corresponding to 3 ECTS) is to illustrate, explain and entrench the theoretical principles through practical exercises – e.g. comprising:

  •  Growing media and methods linked with microbial nutrition and growth
  • The measurement of microbial growth 
  • Sterilisation and disinfection
  • Fermentation within the food industries with focus on the number of microorganism in the food

Learning targets

On completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

Knowledge

  • Describe the construction and function of microorganisms, comprising: Cell structures and the function of organelles in prokaryote and eukaryote cells such as e.g. flagella, cilia, cell walls, cytoplasm membranes, membrane transport, cytoplasm, ribosomes, nucleus, chromatin, scabrous or smooth endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, vacuoles/vesicles, lysosomes, peroxisomes, mitochondria, chloroplasts, chlorophyll and thylakoid membranes
  • Describe growth and nutritional requirements of microorganisms (auto-, hetero-, chemo- and phototroph) as well as physiological growth conditions
  • Identify general principles within microbial metabolism
  • Describe the role of microorganisms within:

    • Food microbiology e.g. fermentation, dairy production and abattoirs 
    • Industrial microbiology e.g. fermentations relative to Saccharomyces cerevisiae
    • Microbial ecology, e.g. anaerobic reactors, waste water treatment, and microbiota

  • Identify the most commonly applied methods of sterilisation and disinfection

Skills

  • Identify and apply methods linked with microbial nutrition and growth, e.g. choice of cultivation medium
  • Identify and apply different methods for the measurement of microbial growth
  • Explain and calculate microbial growth relative to layers, log, stationary and death phases on the basis of simple mathematical models
  • Explain and calculate microbial growth relation to number of germs in the original sample based on dilution series on the basis of simple mathematical models

Competences

  • Ability to relate the knowledge and methods of the discipline to the application within quality assurance of industrial processes
  • Control of microbial growth by way of physical and chemical methods
  • Apply, select and assess methods for sterilisation and disinfection

Teaching method

Seminars, problem solution, company visit and laboratory exercises 

Qualifications for examination participation 

  • Fulfilment of the duty to participate, as described in part 2.4.2.4 Study activity, compulsory attendance of the study program
  • Participation in mandatory safety course at the first laboratory exercise to participate in the remaining laboratory exercises
  • Participation in all laboratory exercises. In case of non-participation in up to 33% of laboratory exercises, a replacement assignment is offered. It must be completed witin the deadline set by the course manager. If you do not participate in more than 33% of laboratory exercises you cannot be qualified for the exam
  • Participation in all planned company visits
  • Approval of all written laboratory assignments

All performed and submitted subject to guidelines set out by the course manager.

Examination and aids

Oral examination is  based on a chosen laboratory exercise and a theoretical topic. In addition, there are questions in the general curriculum. Duration of examination: 30 min. No preparation time.

Permitted aids: Reports on laboratory exercises. No access to the internet.

Marking

Internal

Grading

The 7-point grading scale