Course

Unit 1

Classification: Five kingdom classification of microbes, definition of microbial diversity and mode of evolution; microbial phylogeny; structural diversity of microbes, Physiological diversity of microorganisms

Unit 2

Basic Concepts: Principles of microbial ecology, nutrient acquisition, microbial competition and antagonism, environments and micro environments, Association of microbes with eukaryotes, Rumen micro flora, Aquatic habitats: Marine and fresh water; terrestrial habitats; key nutrient cycles: Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulphur.

Unit 3

Diversity: Prokaryotic diversity; eukaryotic microorganism; Microbial taxonomy, Phylogeny of Archaea; extremophiles; commercial uses of extremophiles

Unit 4

Application: Microbial diversity and its application in modern science

Unit 5

Bioremediation, Biomining: Microbial bioremediation, bioleaching, biodegradation, biomining.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:  

The course should enable the students to familiarize the students with physiological diversity of microorganisms and Microbial taxonomy decipher the roles and characteristics of various microorganisms; To get requisite knowledge about the habits and habitats of microorganisms; To evaluate explicitly the Nutritional requirement of microorganisms. Get insight into the various applications of microorganisms, such as bioremediation and composting.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

After completing the course, students shall be able to  

CO1. Clearly distinguish various microorganisms, know their habitat and also discern the nomenclature. 

CO2. Thoroughly know the microbial diversity in the various biomes. 

CO3. Identify Aquatic as well as Marine habitats and how humans have impacted the environment. 

CO4. Postulate applications of microorganisms, such as in bioremediation, biodegradation etc. 

CO5. Employ microorganisms for pollution abatement and various other environmental applications.

REFERENCES:

4. Microbial Ecology, Lynch. JM, NJ. Poole, 1^st edition, John Wiley and Sons, 1980
5. Microbial Ecology: Fundamentals and Applications, Ronald M. Atlas, Richard Bartha, 4^th edition, Pearson, 1998.