MI5003 - Advanced Marine Microbiology

The ecological role of microbes in the marine and estuarine environments is outlined and the role of microbes in nutrient cycles is discussed including chemotropism, symbiosis, fouling, degradation of pollutants and maricultural ecology. The specific contributions of bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, viruses and picoplankton in the marine environment are discussed and an introduction to disease-causing microbes is given.

Learning Outcomes

• describe the culture methods for the major ecological groups of marine bacteria;
• manipulate microbes in the laboratory and establish causal relationships with selected disease conditions;
• understand the importance of marine microbes to the biosphere and how they impact on human activities.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.