Microbial Genomics
Code: 100983 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500502 Microbiology | OT | 4 | 0 |
Contact
- Name:
- Susana Campoy Sánchez
- Email:
- Susana.Campoy@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Prerequisites
It is recommended to have coursed Molecular Biology of Prokaryotes, Bioinformatics and Genetic Engineering of Microorganisms.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The main objective of this course is to broaden the vision of microbial genomics and the molecular and bioinformatics techniques used as well as their current and future applications.
Competences
- Communicate orally and in writing.
- Develop creativity and initiative.
- Develop critical reasoning skills in the field of study and in relation to the social context.
- Know and use -omics tools (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metagenomics, etc.).
- Obtain, select and manage information.
- Use bibliography or internet tools, specific to microbiology or other related disciplines, both in English and in the first language.
- Work individually or in groups, in multidisciplinary teams and in an international context.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply and interpret the omic tools solve problems related to the biology and evolution of microorganisms.
- Apply the different omic tools to solving problems related to molecular biology and genetic improvement of microorganisms.
- Communicate orally and in writing.
- Develop creativity and initiative.
- Develop critical reasoning skills in the field of study and in relation to the social context.
- Discuss the contribution of the omics to the revision of concepts and paradigms in microbiology.
- Identify and interpret microbial metabolism from genomic information.
- Obtain, select and manage information.
- Understand the applications of the omics to the study of microbial diversity.
- Use bibliography or internet tools, specific to microbiology or other related disciplines, both in English and in the first language.
- Work individually or in groups, in multidisciplinary teams and in an international context.
Content
The student will work on the following contents*:
• Methods for the study of genomics
• Concept of species
• Genome and pangenome
• Genomic analysis
• From genome to function
• Comparative genomics
• Metagenomics
• Other omics
• Study of cases
*Unless the requirements enforced by the health authorities demand a prioritization or reduction of these contents.
Methodology
This course will be taught following the problem-based learning method (PBL). The class group will be divided into small groups that will independently work three problems. Each of the problems will last approximately 15 sessions, including the evaluation tests.
The student's role will be to actively participate in the working group, to assign group moderator roles, spokesperson and activities coordinator to the group members. They should also work individually to research, select and manage the information to share, discuss and re-elaborate the new knowledge with their workgroup. Finally, the group will discuss with the rest of the class the knowledge acquired, its application in the context of the problem and in other contexts.
The role of teachers will be to facilitate the learning process, stimulate group discussions and critical thinking, provide the necessary tools for students to build knowledge and guide them. If necessary, some participatory master classes can be performed.
At the beginning of the course, teachers will explain to the students the organization of the subject and will give the working guidelines.
(The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.)
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Problem-based learning | 40 | 1.6 | 2, 9, 5, 4, 7, 6, 1, 3, 11 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Tutorship | 3 | 0.12 | 2, 9, 7, 6, 1 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Integrate information and generate hypotheses | 20 | 0.8 | 5, 4, 8, 11 |
| Preparation of the work plans, reports and oral presentations | 21 | 0.84 | 2, 9, 5, 4, 7, 6, 1, 3, 11 |
| Reading specialized texts | 40 | 1.6 | 8, 10 |
| Search and management of information | 20 | 0.8 | 8, 10 |
Assessment
In order to pass the subject, it is mandatory to attend a minimum of 20 classroom sessions, including attendance at the working sessions of the class group, whose date of celebration will be established during the course development.
The evaluation of the subject consists of three modules associated with each of the three proposed problems.
The evaluation of each module will be made according to the following distribution:
1. Individual written exam: Consistent in a specific written test where the course-specific competencies worked on the problem is assessed. The maximum score is 2 points out of 10 for each problem.
2. Deliveries and/or reports associated with the problem. In all cases, a closing report will always be requested. The maximum mark for this section is 1 points out of 10 for each problem, distributed in the different deliveries. The number and specific weight of each delivery and/ or reports will be indicated in the problem presentation session.
3. Self-evaluation of the group: the working group should evaluate its functioning in solving the problem. The maximum mark is 0.5 points out of 10.
4. Individual self-evaluation: each member of the group should evaluate himself/herself and the rest of his/her classmates. The maximum mark is 0.5 points out of 10.
To pass each module the student must obtain at least a score of 4.5 points out of 10 in the individual written exam. If the student does not pass any of the individual written tests, he/she will perform a retake examination. To be eligible for the retake process, the student should have been previously evaluated in a set of activities equaling at least two-thirds of the final score of the course or module.
The students pass the course when the average mark of the evaluation activities is equal to or greater than 5.
The student will be graded as "Non-evaluable" if the weight in of all conducted evaluation activities is less than 67% of t final score.
Student’s assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case 1 Individual written exam | 20% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 2, 9, 4, 7, 6, 1, 3 |
| Case 2 individual written exam | 20% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 2, 9, 4, 7, 6, 3 |
| Case 3 individual written exam | 20% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 2, 9, 4, 7, 6, 1, 3 |
| Evaluation of deliveries and / or reports associated | 30% | 0 | 0 | 2, 9, 5, 4, 7, 8, 6, 1, 3, 10 |
| Individual self-evaluation | 5% | 0.5 | 0.02 | 5, 4, 8, 3, 11, 10 |
| Workgroup's self-evaluation | 5% | 1 | 0.04 | 5, 4, 8, 3, 11, 10 |
Bibliography
It is the responsibility of the student to seek the bibliography necessary for the resolution of the problems raised. To do this he/ she can be advised by the teachers.