11:680:494: Applied Microbiology

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Course Overview

Applied Microbiology
11:680:494
Fall Semester
Time: Tuesday & Friday 9:15-10:35 a.m.; Lab Mondays
Food Science Room 201

Contact Information

Instructor: Dr. Max Häggblom
Lipman Hall, Room 121
848-932-5646
haggblom@rutgers.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment

Instructor: Dr. Ines Rauschenbach
Lipman Hall, Room 215
848-932-5635
inesrau@sebs.rutgers.edu
Office Hours: By appointment

Course Website, Resources, and Materials

• Sakai

Course Description

The course examines the principles of applied microbiology and microbial technology providing a perspective of how microbes are used for the benefit of humans and how these technologies have been developed. The course gives a overview on the utilization and application of microbes in different products and processes, and the importance of disease-causing organisms as they relate to these processes and public health. Topics include identification of microorganisms and diagnostics, food and beverage fermentations, microbial metabolites, biofuels, environmental biotechnology. In the lab, students have the opportunity to practice and advance their microbiology skills by collecting, isolating, and characterizing microbes from food, water, and soil samples. The lab will also introduce students to various growth media used in medical and environmental microbiology labs. Students will also have the opportunity to work independently on a semester project isolating unknown microbes and establishing a culture collection for further analysis.

Course Learning Goals

Students are expected to gain a fundamental understanding of how microorganisms are utilized and controlled for the benefit of humankind and develop the laboratory skills needed to study these applications.

After completion of the lecture component of the course, successful students will be able to:

1. Summarize and explain the roles of microbes in industrial and food processes.
2. Relate their knowledge of traditional microbiological techniques to the utilization and control of microorganisms.
3. Calculate and evaluate microbial growth and death rates.
4. Assess the use of microbes as tools in biotechnology.
5. Describe microbial biochemical pathways and relate them to important industrial processes.

Learning Goals for Applied Microbiology Laboratory:

After completion of this laboratory, students should be able to:

1. Show the ability to efficiently and independently use a phase contrast microscope to observe microorganisms and be able to describe observed characteristics.
2. Relate their knowledge of traditional microbiological techniques to how microorganisms are utilized and controlled.
3. Select appropriate traditional and molecular biological methods to study and characterize microbial isolates.
4. Demonstrate aseptic technique to handle cultures, microbiological media, and environmental samples safely and effectively.
5. Choose various statistical and mathematical methods to critically evaluate data.
6. Devise experiments according to the scientific method and collect, interpret, and present scientific data in microbiology and related fields.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates will be able to illustrate and describe the biology of microorganisms, focusing on microbial processes and their effects on other organisms and the environment, microbial communities, and biogeochemical cycles.
2. Graduates will be able to apply the scientific method to formulate questions and hypotheses, design experiments, employ appropriate methodology to solve problems in microbiology, and be able to analyze, interpret, and present scientific data in microbiology.

Assignments/Responsibilities, Grading, and Assessment

Class grade is based on three examinations (75%) and an aggregate laboratory assessment (25%). The examinations have a short and extended answer format with some calculations. Additional exercises and assignments will be assigned during the semester.

The laboratory grading is an aggregate assessment based on reports and quizzes throughout the semester in combination with a practical laboratory examination. The laboratory section of the course in an integral component.

Accomodations for Students With Disabilities

Please follow the procedures outlined at ods.rutgers.edu/students/getting-registered. Full policies and procedures are at ods.rutgers.edu.

Absence Policy

Students are expected to attend all classes; if you expect to miss one or two classes, please use the University absence reporting website to indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email is automatically sent to me.

Course Schedule

A detailed course schedule will be provided on the course Canvas site.

Lab Topics

• Introduction to Lab/Biosafety
  Microbiological Techniques - Review
• Principles of Microscopy
  Isolation of Actinomycetes
• Effect of Temperature on Growth
• Microbial Death and Control
• Evaluation of Commercial Yeast Products
• Microbial Food Spoilage Microbes (Salmonella and Escherichia)
• Isolation of Probiotics from Yoghurt
• Isolation of Azotobacter – The Nitrogen Cycle (Enrichment)
• Preparation of a Malt Beverage
• Antibiotic Production of Actinomycetes and Kirby Bauer Method
• Microbial Source Tracking Water Analysis: Microbial Indicators of Fecal Contamination
• Collection and characterization of a Culture Collection

Final Exam/Paper Date and Time

Online Final Exam Schedule.

Academic Integrity

Read the university's policy on Academic Integrity . The principles of academic integrity require that a student:

• properly acknowledge and cite all use of the ideas, results, or words of others.
• properly acknowledge all contributors to a given piece of work.
• make sure that all work submitted as his or her own in a course or other academic activity is produced without the aid of impermissible materials or impermissible collaboration.
• obtain all data or results by ethical means and report them accurately without suppressing any results inconsistent with his or her interpretation or conclusions.
• treat all other students in an ethical manner, respecting their integrity and right to pursue their educational goals without interference. This requires that a student neither facilitate academic dishonesty by others nor obstruct their academic progress.
• uphold the canons of the ethical or professional code of the profession for which he or she is preparing.

Adherence to these principles is necessary in order to ensure that:

• everyone is given proper credit for his or her ideas, words, results, and other scholarly accomplishments.
• all student work is fairly evaluated and no student has an inappropriate advantage over others.
• the academic and ethical development of all students is fostered.
• the reputation of the University for integrity in its teaching, research, and scholarship is maintained and enhanced.

Failure to uphold these principles of academic integrity threatens both the reputation of the University and the value of the degrees awarded to its students. Every member of the University community therefore bears a responsibility for ensuring that the highest standards of academic integrity are upheld.

Student Wellness Services

Counseling, ADAP & Psychiatric Services (CAPS)

848-932-7884
17 Senior Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

CAPS is a University mental health support service that includes counseling, alcohol and other drug assistance, and psychiatric services staffed by a team of professional within Rutgers Health services to support students' efforts to succeed at Rutgers University. CAPS offers a variety of services that include: individual therapy, group therapy and workshops, crisis intervention, referral to specialists in the community and consultation and collaboration with campus partners.

Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance (VPVA)

848-932-1181
3 Bartlett Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance provides confidential crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy for victims of sexual and relationship violence and stalking to students, staff and faculty. To reach staff during office hours when the university is open or to reach an advocate after hours, call 848-932-1181.

Disability Services

848-445-6800
Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A145, Livingston Campus, 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854

Rutgers University welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University's educational programs. In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, a student with a disability must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: https://ods.rutgers.edu/students/documentation-guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with a Letter of Accommodations. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. To begin this process, please complete the Registration form on the ODS web site.