Syllabus (MICROBIOLOGY)

Course Type: ME-7

Semester: 7

Course Code: BMCBMEB47C

Course Title: MICROBES IN ENVIRONMENT

(L-P-Tu): 2-2-0

Credit: 4

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective: 1. To study the relationship between microorganisms and geochemistry and the role of microorganisms in the environment. 2. To study the presence of pathogens in drinking water. 3. To know and understand the role of microbes in the environment and evaluation of anthropogenic activities on pollution, climate changeas well as environmental protection.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course the candidate will be able to- 1. Understand different habitats of diverse microbes in the environment. 2. Gain knowledge and use the properties of microorganisms, principally bacteria, as bio indicators of contamination and to remedy problems of contamination and other environmental impacts. 3. Understand waste treatment mechanisms. 4. Perform microbiological analysis of water.

SEMESTER VII

MINOR COURSE-II

COURSE TITLE: MICROBES IN ENVIRONMENT (THEORY)

TOTAL HOURS: 45 CREDITS:3

Unit 1. Microorganisms and their Habitats No. of hours: 15

Structure and function of ecosystems; Terrestrial Environment: Soil profile and soil microflora Aquatic Environment: Microflora of fresh water and marine habitats.

Atmosphere: Aeromicroflora and dispersal of microbes

Animal Environment: Microbes in/on human body (Microbiomics) & animal (ruminants) body.

Extreme Habitats: Extremophiles: Microbes thriving at high & low temperatures, pH, high hydrostatic & osmotic pressures, salinity, & low nutrient levels.

Unit 2. Biogeochemical Cycling No. of hours: 12

Carbon cycle: Microbial degradation of cellulose, lignin and chitin.

Nitrogen cycle: Nitrogen fixation, ammonification, nitrification, denitrification and nitrate Reduction Phosphorus cycle: Phosphate immobilization and solubilisation.

Sulphur cycle: Microbes involved in sulphur cycle.

Unit 3. Waste Management and Bioremediation No. of hours: 12

Solid Waste management: Sources and types of solid waste, Methods of solid waste disposal (composting and sanitary landfill), Liquid waste management: Composition and strength of sewage (BOD and COD), Primary, secondary and tertiary sewage treatment, Principles and degradation of common pesticides, hydrocarbons (oil spills).

Unit 4. Water Potability No. of Hours: 6

Treatment and safety of drinking (potable) water, methods to detect potability of water samples: (a) standard qualitative procedure: presumptive test/MPN test, confirmed and completed tests for fecal coliforms (b) Membrane filter technique and (c) Presence/absence tests.

COURSE TITLE: ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY (PRACTICAL)

TOTAL HOURS: 30 CREDITS:1

1. Isolation of microbes (bacteria & fungi) from soil.

2. Assessment of microbiological quality of water.

3. Isolation of Rhizobium from root nodules.

SUGGESTED READINGS

1. Atlas RM and Bartha R. (2000). Microbial Ecology: Fundamentals & Applications. 4^th edition. Benjamin/Cummings Science Publishing, USA
2. Madigan MT, Martinko JM and Parker J. (2014). Brock Biology of Microorganisms. 14^th edition. Pearson/ Benjamin Cummings
3. Maier RM, Pepper IL and Gerba CP. (2009). Environmental Microbiology. 2nd edition, Academic Press
4. Okafor, N (2011). Environmental Microbiology of Aquatic & Waste systems. 1st edition, Springer, New York
5. Singh A, Kuhad, RC & Ward OP (2009). Advances in Applied Bioremediation. Volume 17,1 Springer-Verlag, Berlin Hedeilberg
6. Barton LL & Northup DE (2011). Microbial Ecology. 1st edition, Wiley Blackwell, USA Campbell RE. (1983). Microbial Ecology. Blackwell Scientific Publication, Oxford, England.
7. Coyne MS. (2001). Soil Microbiology: An Exploratory Approach. Delmar Thomson Learning.
8. Lynch JM &Hobbie JE. (1988). Microorganisms in Action: Concepts & Application in Microbial Ecology. Blackwell Scientific Publication, U.K.
9. Martin A. (1977). An Introduction to Soil Microbiology. 2nd edition. John Wiley & Sons Inc. New York & London. 10. Stolp H. (1988). Microbial Ecology: Organisms Habitats Activities. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England.