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BB2150 Industrial and Environmental Microbiology, Theory 7.5 credits

Course offerings are missing for current or upcoming semesters.
Headings with content from the Course syllabus BB2150 (Autumn 2007–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

Metabolism and physiology in industrial microorganisms: the metabolic basis for bioprocesses.  Physiological stress responses. Quorum sensing. Secondary metabolism. Environmental microbiology  with applications: extremophile microorganisms. Composting and biological soil sanitation. Xenobiotics. Anaerobic metabolism. Microbial energy transformations: methane and ethanol. Environmental cycle. Food microbiology: fermented food. Methods to limit microbial activity through sterilization, conservation, and disinfection.

Intended learning outcomes

The course gives theoretical knowledge about the metabolic foundation for usage of microorganisms in technical processes and for the understanding of the microbial activity in nature and microbial researched problems.   

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

  • describe those mechanisms which regulate the cell’s metabolism in relationship to the changes in the environment
  • explain how the cell’s metabolism is affected by environmental changes and identify the consequences of this for the cell and for biotechnological production of recombinant proteins and cellular metabolites, and (in occurring cases) suggest measures to improve the production
  • categorize the different types of microbial energy metabolism and describe the interaction between these in the biogeochemical cycles in nature, and identify relevant types of metabolism for a given biotechnological process
  • describe the principles for soil sanitation and composting, discern possible problems and suggest measures to mitigate them
  • describe the most common chemical reactions involved in decomposition of food and how the physiological-chemical environment affects microflora
  • describe the most common food-controlled pathogens’ properties, spreading and role in different types of food
  • describe the different conservation and disinfection methods and their mechanisms
  • describe the microbial and enzymatic reactions involved in the manufacturing of fermented food
  • mention the most common microbiological analysis methods which are used in food control

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

No information inserted

Recommended prerequisites

BB1030 Microbiology or BB2100 General course and BB1090 Biochemistry, Theory or BB2050 Biochemistry, Theory.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

Brock: Biology of Microorganisms;

S. -O. Enfors and L. Häggström: Bioprocess Technology. Fundamentals and Applications, KTH 2000;

S.-O. Enfors: Livsmedelsmikrobiologi (compendium).

Remaning literature will be announced at the course start.

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • TEN1 - Examination, 6.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
  • TEN2 - Examination, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Other requirements for final grade

Written examination (TEN1, 6,0 credits, grading scale A-F) and home work (TEN2, 1,5 credits, grading scale Pass/Fail).

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

Biotechnology

Education cycle

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Gen Larsson, gen@biotech.kth.se, +46 8 553 783 16