2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CIVE5680M Environmental Microbiology

15 creditsClass Size: 55

Module manager: Dr. Louise Fletcher
Email: l.a.fletcher@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is mutually exclusive with

CIVE5679M

Environmental Microbiology

Module replaces

CIVE5563M - Environment and Health Management

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides an introduction to the classification of microorganisms, their growth, metabolism and reproduction and provides an introduction to the importance of microorganisms in a range of environments and the impact they can have on the environment and human health. It introduces the legislative frameworks relevant to environmental protection and how the presence of chemical and microbiological contaminants can be assessed in indoor and outdoor environments.

Objectives

The objectives of the module are to enable students to gain a deeper insight into the types of microorganisms that exist in a range of environments including how they are classified, how they grow and reproduce and how they can be identified and quantified. To allow them to develop a deeper understanding of the impact that microorganisms have on the environment and human health, how legislation is applied to protect the environment and health and the role of the environmental engineer.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, the students should be able to:

1. Apply a comprehensive understanding of the impact that microorganisms have on environmental quality and the importance of legislation in the context of a complex river catchment based scenario and apply an integrated approach to understanding the problem (AHEP 4 Learning Outcomes M1, M6);

2. Apply engineering principles, mathematics and statistics to identify the impact of catchment characteristics and human activity on chemical and microbial water quality (AHEP 4 Learning Outcomes M1, M2);

3. To be able to analyse data using mathematics and statistics and draw conclusions from that analysis while also demonstrating an understanding of the impact of any uncertainty in the data and any limitations due to lack of data or information (AHEP 4 earning Outcomes M1, M2);

4. Demonstrate the ability to select and critically evaluate literature relevant to a range of environmental microbiology contexts (AHEP 4 earning Outcomes M4);

5. To use practical laboratory and field based analysis skills to investigate the impact of catchment characteristics and human activity on chemical and microbial river water quality (AHEP 4 Learning Outcomes M12);

6. Apply a comprehensive understanding of the impact that microorganisms have on human health, engineering principles and the wider context of engineering in the context of an infectious disease outbreak. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcomes M1);

7. Apply communications skills to effectively communicate with a technical and non-technical audience through a written report and oral presentation (AHEP 4 Learning Outcomes M17);

8. Demonstrate the ability to function effectively as part of a team in the field, the laboratory and the classroom (AHEP 4 Learning Outcomes M16);

This module contributes to the AHEP4 Learning Outcomes M1, M2, M4, M6, M12, M16 and M17.

Skills outcomes
Skills outcomes.

On successful completion of this module, students will have the following set of skills:

Academic Skills:
a). Critical Thinking - the ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas;
b). Presentations Skills - The ability to deliver effective and engaging oral and visual presentations to a variety of audiences;
c). Academic writing - the ability to write in a clear, concise, focused and structured manner that is supported by relevant evidence;
d). Academic Language - the ability to use the oral, written, auditory, and visual language proficiency needed to be able to learn effectively and demonstrate understanding;
e). Time Management - The ability to plan time, prioritise tasks and organise academic and personal commitments effectively.

Work Ready Skills:
f). Communication - the ability to (both within verbal and written communication) be clear, concise and focused; being able to tailor your message for the audience and listening to the views of others;
g). Time management, planning & organising - the ability to prioritise, work efficiently and productively and to manage your time well in order to meet deadlines;
h). Teamwork/Collaboration - the ability to build positive relationships with other people which then enables successful projects or other collaborations;
i). Problem solving & analytical skills - The ability to take a logical approach to solving problems and the ability to understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate numerical data;
j). Critical thinking - The ability to gather information from a range of sources, analyse, and interpret data to aid understanding. To use reasoning and judgement to make decisions and solve problems;
k). Interpersonal skills - Ability to demonstrate awareness and understanding of self and others; to be able to build rapport, relationships and network with others;

Digital Skills:
l). Digital communication, collaboration and participation - The ability to communicate and collaborate constructively and professionally with peers through a variety of digital tools and networks in order to share ideas, to produce research, materials and resources, and to engage in online dialogue and debate.

Sustainability Skills:
m). Systems Thinking - Recognises and understands relationships; analyses complex systems (environmental, economic and social systems and interdependencies across these); considers how systems are embedded within different domains and scales; deals with uncertainty; uses analytical thinking;
n). Information Searching - the ability to search for, evaluate and use appropriate and relevant information sources to help strengthen the quality of academic work and independent research.

Syllabus

The module starts with an introduction to the key classes of microorganisms of environmental importance (bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, protozoa) and how they are classified. It then explores in detail how different types of microorganisms grow, metabolise and reproduce. The role of microorganisms in wastewater treatment and aquatic pollution including eutrophication is presented together with an overview of the legislation relating to environmental protection.

The impact of different microorganisms on human health is explored with an introduction to clinical microbiology (microbial flora, disease transmission, immune response) and public health engineering including quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). Students will undertake a practical exercise to investigate the transmission of infection in crowded indoor environment. The module then explores the detection and quantification of microorganisms in indoor and outdoor environments including sampling (air, water, and surfaces) and the importance of indicator organisms. Students get the opportunity to carry out environmental sampling of an indoor environment.

The module also provides an opportunity for practical experience including a full day field trip during which students will get hands on experience of a range of field analysis methods for assessing river water quality (chemical and physical analysis and kick sampling to assess the biotic index). This is followed by laboratory sessions including microbial analysis using the membrane filtration methods and identification of invertebrate samples collected on the field trip to determine the biotic index of the river.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Example Class	4	0.50	2.00
Workshop	2	1.00	2.00
Fieldwork	1	8.00	8.00
Lecture	1	3.00	3.00
Lecture	2	2.00	4.00
Lecture	4	1.50	6.00
Lecture	6	1.00	6.00
Practical	1	1.50	1.50
Practical	2	3.00	6.00
Seminar	1	2.00	2.00
Seminar	2	3.00	6.00
Private study hours			103.50
Total Contact hours			46.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

The students will have to prepare for two group presentations based on two different aspects of the course. This will require data analysis and background research which will be done independently by the students.

The module will be assessed by 100% coursework in the form of an individual report based on the fieldtrip results. This will also require background research and data analysis, presentation and interpretation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

During the module formative assessment will be provided through a number of short knowledge quizzes. In addition, students will be given the opportunity to receive formative feedback on the individual reports.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Water Quality Report	60.00
Presentation	Disease outbreak group presentation	15.00
In-course Assessment	Knowledge test including MCQ sand short answer questions on Minerva	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resit will be 100% coursework

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 11/06/2024

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