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BIO341 Pathogenic Microorganisms

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Sabina Leanti La Rosa

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk, norsk

Limits of class size:80

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:Lectures/discussion groups/exercises: 42 hours. Literature paper: 40 hours. Self-study: 168 hours.

Teaching and exam period:Spring parallel.

About this course

Pathogenic microbes cause substantial disease and economic losses worldwide. Knowledge about these microbes and how to avoid them in food is instrumental to reduce foodborne disease in agreement with UN Sustainable Development Goals. The course will give an overview of different pathogens with emphasis food- and waterborne organism: Biology and pathogenesis. Preventive measures. Routes of infection. Toxins. Epidemiology. Detection and tracing of pathogens by modern molecular tools.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE

  • Know the important pathogenic bacteria, virus and parasites (with emphasis on foodborne pathogens), their reservoirs and the symptoms they cause.
  • Have knowledge about how pathogens cause disease.
  • Know important toxins of microbiological origin.

SKILLS

  • Be able to isolate and identify pathogenic bacteria from food.
  • Be able to generate hypotheses about likely sources of microbial contamination of food and water.
  • Be able to contribute in investigation of pathogen transmission routes.

GENERAL COMPETENCE

  • Be able to inform non-professional about pathogens and their transmission routes.
  • Be able to contribute to measures aiming at reducing risks for the spread of pathogens from food, water, animals and humans.
  • Learning activities
    The teaching will be given as lectures and excercises. Each student will write a report based on scientific literature on a relevant topic. The students will present the report.
  • Teaching support
    Canvas.
  • Prerequisites
    Microbiology corresponding to BIO130. Biochemistry corresponding to KJB100/KJB200.
  • Recommended prerequisites
    Food microbiology. Some knowledge of immunology is beneficial.
  • Assessment method
    Combined assessment of assignment and written examination. The assignment paper counts 25 % and must be handed in within a given deadline. The written exam counts 75 %. To pass the course, all evaluations needs to be passed.

  • Examiner scheme
    An external examiner approves the examination questions and marks 25 randomly selected examination papers. An internal examinar approves the literature assignment.
  • Mandatory activity
    Excercises and literature assignment with oral presentation.
  • Teaching hours
    Lectures and excercise: 3 hours per week.
  • Reduction of credits
    Full overlap (100 %) with the former course MVI322
  • Admission requirements
    Special requirements in Science