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Microbes, extremely diverse both in form and in function, play a critical role in the global ecosystem. You will explore how these organisms evolved from more primitive lifeforms to colonise new environmental niches. You will study their interactions with plants, animals and insects and how they impact on our everyday lives.

To investigate the diversity of form and function of microbes in relation to environmental niches. To consider the breadth of microbial interactions with other organisms in the ecosystem and the impact of those interactions on human affairs.

Students will understand how microbes evolved structurally and metabolically from primitive organisms diversifying into new niches. Students will appreciate the breadth of microbes and their critical role in the global ecosystem and understand how microbes form associations and interactions with plants, animals and insects, and how these associations continue to impact on our everyday lives.

Microbial evolution and nutrition

• The origin of life, phylogeny, evolution of bacteria, Archaea and fungi
• Evolution of microbes into diversifying ecosystems
• Diversity of energy-generating systems of microbes
• Microbial structure, replication and motility
• Bacterial replication, structure, adhesion, motility and growth
• Fungal replication, yeasts, moulds and spores
• Diversity of viruses and viral replication

Microbes in the environment

• Carbon cycling in the ecosystem; Brown rots and white rot fungi
• Nitrogen cycling in the ecosystem; Ammonification, nitrification and de-nitrification

Microbial partnerships

• Microbial associations with plant roots. Legumes, rhizobia and nitrogen fixation. Mycorrhizal associations with plant roots, from trees to orchids
• Microbial associations with animals and insects. Ruminants and hind gut fermenters. Cellulose digestion, methanogens and chytrids. Termites and leaf cutter ants

Microbes as pathogens

• Human-microbe interactions
• Introduction to bacterial pathogenicity
• Bacterial exotoxins and endotoxins as virulence factors
• Viral diseases of man
• Epidemiology; the spread of disease through the population
• Microbial pathogens of plants and insects; Colonisation and invasion strategies
• Viral diseases of man; Antimicrobials and targets
• Antibiotics; targets and modes of action
• Emergence and mechanism of antibiotic resistance

Microbial Biotechnology

• Microbes and food; Use of microbes in food and beverage production; Food spoilage and toxins
• Exploitation of natural microbial communities in the treatment of sewage
• Exploitation of bacteria for plant transformation for the production of genetically modified crops
• Use of bacterial toxins and resistance genes for novel pest and weed control

95% awarded for a one hour examination which includes 50 MCQs, in the semester 2 examination period, and 5% awarded for eLearning exercises.

Feedback is through eLearning modules running throughout the unit.

The year studying abroad is an integral part of the course and must be completed. Some costs, such as tuition fees, are substantially lower. Other costs can vary and are not included in the tuition fee. For example, living costs may be higher or lower than the UK, and there are travel-related costs to consider, such as paying for a passport, visa fees, health insurance, and (if needed) vaccinations.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's (PDF document, 91KB).

Students participating in placements outside the UK may be able to apply for funding from the depending on eligibility. Priority will be given to students from low income households.