Please note: Due to alternative arrangements for teaching and
assessment in place from 18 March 2020 to mitigate against the restrictions in
place due to COVID-19, information shown for 2019/20 may not always be accurate.
Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information
for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Geomicrobiology |
| Unit code |
EASC30051 |
| Credit points |
10 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1A (weeks 1 - 6)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Buss |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
EASC20043 Geochemistry 1 or equivalent knowledge. Students who have not taken EASC20043 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;
- 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
- 2 hour examination (60%)
- Coursework (40%) - comprising group presentations [worth 50% of coursework mark] and individual peer evaluations of the presentations [worth 50% of the coursework mark]
Reading and References
Recommended
Konhauser K.O. 2006. Introduction to Geomicrobiology. Wiley-Blackwell, 440 pp.
