Unit information: Geomicrobiology in 2018/19

Unit name	Geomicrobiology
Unit code	EASC30051
Credit points	10
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2C (weeks 13 - 18)
Unit director	Dr. Buss
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	EASC20011 Environmental Geochemistry or equivalent knowledge. Students who have not taken EASC20011 should contact the unit director before registering for this unit.
Co-requisites	N/A
School/department	School of Earth Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

An overview of concepts, techniques, and issues in geomicrobiology as they relate to environmental geosciences.

Aims: to learn about and examine microbial properties, metabolisms, diversity and abundance in the natural environment; to appreciate the coupling of biological with chemical and physical processes in the natural environment; to examine specific ways in which microorganisms create or contribute to normal geological processes, environmental problems, and remediation of environmental problems; and to summarise current techniques for assessing microbial influences on the environment.

In addition to summative assessment, formative feedback is given throughout the unit by way of in-class quizzes and 2 problem sets.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, the student will be able to:

• describe the variety of microbial metabolisms;
• explain microbial roles in: pollution, remediation of mining waste, degradation of organic pollutants, biomineralisation, mineral weathering, and global element and greenhouse gas cycling;
• quantitatively apply understanding of microbial catalysis of chemical reactions to redox processes in the environment;
• apply knowledge about geomicrobiological processes and environmental conditions to select appropriate bioremediation strategies
• collaborate with others to present an informative talk to an appropriate audience

Teaching Information

Lectures and practicals

Assessment Information

• 3 hour examination (60%)
• Coursework (40%) - comprising 1250 word individual report [worth 50% of coursework mark] and group presentations [worth 50% of coursework mark].

Reading and References

Recommended

Konhauser K.O. 2006. Introduction to Geomicrobiology. Wiley-Blackwell, 440 pp.