The University of Jordan
Faculty of Agriculture
Dept. of Nutrition and Food Technology
Course title: General Microbiology (0603301)
Course status: Required
Credit hours: 4 (lecture: 3, laboratory: 1)
Prerequisite (s): General Biology II (0304102)
Lectures time: 9:00-10:00 Sun, Tue. Thur.
Lecture room: FABCO
Laboratories: 15:30-18:30 Mon, Wed & Thur.
Lab Room: lab 190 Agric Bld
Instructor: Dr. Ghadeer Mehyar Office: 157 (Ground floor, Agric Bld) Ext.: 22421
Office hours:8:00-9:00 Sun, Tue. Thur. 12:30-15:30 Mon
e-mail:g.mehyar@ju.edu.jo
Course description:
This course covers diversity of microorganisms; evolutionary relationships and
taxonomy; microbial cell structure and functions; genetic systems of microorganisms;
nutrition and energy; microorganisms and the environment; control of microorganisms;
introduction to immunology. The practical part includes staining and culturing
techniques; enumeration, isolation and identification.
Learning outcomes
After completion of the course, the students are expected to:
 Identify microorganisms on the basis of structural, morphological, and
biochemical examinations.
 Get familiar with microbial evolution and systematics (microbial taxonomy)
 Understand the difference and the relation of microbes to other species.
 Get familiar with the growth and metabolism of microbes.
 Get familiar with microbial ecology.
 Understand how microbes respond to changing environments in order to
survive.
 Understand how to control microorganisms by physical, chemical, and
antimicrobial agents.
 Know about microbial genetics (i.e. essentials of molecular biology, mutation,
genome structure, cloning, and gene function and regulation).
 Know about microbial diseases and epidemiology.
 Know what separates “good” or commensal microbes from “bad” or pathogenic
microbes
 Get familiar with microbial biotechnology, industry, and genetic engineering.
Course content
Theoretical Part:
Lecture
1, 2
Background to the study of microbiology (unit II, chapter: 11)
1/5
3, 4, 5
Cell structure and function (unit I, chapters: 4, 7, 9)
-
6, 7, 8,
9, 10
11, 12,
13, 14,
15
Evolution of microbiology and microorganisms
Pasteur and the refutation of the theory of spontaneous
generation
Koch and the demonstration that microorganisms cause disease
External structures that protect the cells
Cytoplasmic membrane, movement of materials into and out of
cells
Cellular storage of genetics information
Structures involved with motility of cells
Survival through the production of spores
Classification of microorganisms (unit II, chapters: 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, unit I, chapter 9)
Prokaryotic diversity: the bacteria
- Nomenclature
- Classification of bacterial cells
- Identification of bacterial cells
- The major groups of bacteria
Prokaryotic diversity: the Archaea
Eukaryotic microbial diversity (Survey of fungi,
algae, and protozoa)
Microbial genomics
Viruses
- Viruses of prokaryotes
- Viruses of eukaryotes
Microbial growth and metabolism (unit I, chapters: 3, 5, 6, 8)
Macromolecules
Nutrition, laboratory culture, and metabolism of microorganisms
Microbial Growth (bacterial growth)
- Kinetics of bacterial growth
- Growth curve of bacteria
- Batch and continuous culture of bacteria
Influence of environmental factors on the growth of microorganisms
Metabolic regulations
Biosynthesis of macromolecules
Microbial energetics (the generation of ATP)
- Enzymes and microbial metabolism
- Heterotrophic generation of ATP
- Autotrophic generation of ATP
16
17, 18,
19
Mid-term exam
Metabolic diversity and microbial ecology (unit III, chapters: 17, 18, 19)
20, 21,
22, 23
Microbial genetics (unit 1, chapters: 7, 10; unit II,
Metabolic diversity
Microbial ecology
Methods in microbial ecology
chapter 15)
Gene and gene expression
DNA structure
2/5
24, 25
DNA replication
RNA synthesis (transcription)
Protein synthesis
Genetic variation
- Mutation and DNA recombination
- Genome structure
- Genetic exchange in prokaryotes
- Gene cloning and genomic cloning techniques
- Bacterial chromosome
- Gene function and regulation
Control of microorganisms (Unit IV, chapter: 20)
Physical antimicrobial control
Chemical antimicrobial control
Antimicrobial agents used in vivo
26, 27,
28
Immunology, pathogenicity, and host responses (Unit IV, chapters: 21,
22)
Essential of immunology
Microbial interactions with human
29, 30,
31
Microbial diseases (unit V, chapters: 25, 26, 27)
32, 33
Environmental microbiology (unit V, chapters: 28, 29)
Epidemiology
Person-to- person microbial disease
Animal-transmitted diseases
Soil and air microbiology
Waterborne microbial diseases
Food preservation and foodborne microbial diseases
34, 35,
36
Microorganisms as tools for industry and research (unit VI, chapters: 30,
31)
Biotechnology and industrial microbiology
Genetic engineering of microorganism
Practical Part:
1
- Safety measures in the microbiological laboratory
- Types of microscopes
2
Sterilization techniques
- Physical methods
- Heat
- Radiation
- Membrane filtration
- Chemical reagents
3/5
3
Growing of microorganisms
- Preparation of culture media (broth and agar)
- Preparation of pure culture
- Streaking method
- Slant and stabbing techniques
4
Microscopy and staining (1)
- Preparation of slides
- Motility test (hanging drop
technique)
- Examination of unstained living
organisms
- Simple stain
5
Microscopy and staining (2)
- Gram stain
- Spore stain
6
Microbial physiology and biochemical tests (1)
- Oxidase test
- Catalase test
- Oxidation/fermentation test
7
Microbial physiology and biochemical
tests (2)
- Carbohydrate metabolism
- Protein metabolism
- Starch hydrolysis
- Casein hydrolysis
- Urea hydrolysis
8
Characterization of molds
9
Characterization of yeasts
10 Studying viruses
11 Conditions affecting microbial growth (1)
- Microorganism of extreme conditions
- Halotolerant
- Acid tolerant
- Thermotolerant
12 Conditions affecting microbial growth (2)
- Nutrient requirements
- Oxygen requirement (aerobic, anaerobic, and fermentation reactions)
13 Enumeration of microorganisms
- Direct microscopic count (counting chambers)
- Pour plate method
- Spread plate method
4/5
Grade distribution and exam time
Exam
%
Mid-term theory exam
25
Mid-term lab exam
10
Other Activities
Reports
10
Lab. and class activity
5
Final Exams
Final lab exam
15
Final theory exam
Gross Total
35
100
Date
15/11/2015 Sun
22/11/2015 Sun
Remarks
To be determined
19-28/01/2016
Learning Resources
Required text book:
Madigan, Martinko, Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 11th ed., 2006, Prentic
Hall.
Recommended references:
1. Willey, J. M., Sherwood, L M., and Woolverton, C J. Precott, Harley and Klein’s
Microbiology, 7th ed., 2008, McGraw-Hill Inc.
2. Schlegel, H G., General Micobiology, 1986, Cambridge Uversity Press.
3. Alberts, johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts, and Walter, Molecular Biology of the Cells, 4th
ed., 2002, Garland Science.
4. Pommerville, J, Fundamentals of Microbiology, 7th ed. , 2004 Jones & Bartlett
Publishers.
5. James Chin, Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 17th ed., 2000, American
Public Health Association.
6. Internet :
- American Society for Microbiology (ASM) (www.asm.org)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (www.cdc.gov)
- American Public Health Association (APHA) (www.apha.org)
- World Health Organzation (WHO) (www.who.org)
5/5