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 a 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 and in addition student 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 then 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 students' 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.Compulsory course attendance that must be completed and approved before access to the laboratory: Electronic Course in Health, Safety and Environment.

Fagperson(er)

Coordinator laboratory exercises:

Course coordinator:

Coordinator laboratory exercises:

Head of Department:

Course teacher:

5 hours of lecture a week and some laboratory modules.

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

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.