Environmental Biotechnology and Bioprocessmodeling (MLJ640)

The course will be divided into the following 4 Modules:

Module 1: Environmental Microbiology.

In this module the course will cover microbial communities, the ecology of viruses, microbial interactions, evolution and selection, genomes and metagenomics, anaerobic processes and an introduction to geomicrobiology.

Module 2: Bioremediation

The bioremediation modules student will cover acclimation, detoxification, sorption, and bioavailability, effect of chemical structure on biodegradation, xenobiotics, cometabolism and application of bioremediation strategies.

Module 3: Oil Reservoir microbiology

This topic covers microbial communities in oil reservoirs, reservoir souring, biocorrosion and biofouling, microbial upgrading of oil and microbial influenced oil recovery.

Module 4: Methods in Environmental microbial biotechnology

This section will involve compulsory laboratory sessions relating to the other 3 modules.

Knowledge Outcome

Students should gain understanding of the role of microorganisms in their environment and how this knowledge can be used to solve environmental and industrial problems.

Skills Outcome

Students should be able to utilize the knowledge gained on the role and importance of microorganisms in the environment and how the knowledge can be exploited. Students will be able to apply this knowledge in both real life and in a laboratory setting. In addition students will gain some basic environmental microbiology laboratory skills.

General Competency

To build on their prior knowledge of environmental microbiology giving students a deeper understanding of the impact of microorganisms on the environment and how to apply this knowledge in order to utilize microorganisms for bioremediation and in the oil industry.

The students will be required to attend a laboratory section of this course relating to methods used in environmental microbial biotechnology and the student's lab report must be approved before writing the final exam.

The students will complete a project on the biodegration pathway of a compound as provided by the course teacher and they will be required to complete all class assignments.

Completion of mandatory lab assignments are to be made at the times and in the groups that are assigned and published on Canvas. Absence due to illness or for other reasons must be communicated to the laboratory personnel as soon as possible. One cannot expect that provisions for completion of the lab assignments at other times can be made, unless prior arrangements with the laboratory personnel have been agreed.

Failure to complete the assigned labs on time or not having them approved will result in barring from taking the final course exam.

Fagperson(er)

Coordinator laboratory exercises:

Course coordinator:

Coordinator laboratory exercises:

Head of Department:

Course teacher:

5 hours of lectures a week and laboratory exercises in module 4.

The course is based primarily on a series of lectures, but will also include a project on the biodegration of a given compound and some class exercises.

The course curriculum is mainly based on the three texts

Kirchman, D.L.: Processes in Microbial Ecology

Alexander, M.: Biodegradation and Bioremediation

Ollivier,B., Magot, M.: Petroleum Microbiology. The lectures are curriculum and will be available on Canvas.