They know the basics of microbial ecology and the biogeochemistry of important microbial habitats. They gain knowledge about occurrence, life and activities of microorganisms in these environments with special focus on marine sediments.

VL Microbial Ecology:

Principles of marine microbial ecology (Resources and Growth, Competition; Predator-prey Relations; Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning), microbial habitats (Limnic, marine, terrestrial habitats; anthropogenic habitats; microbes and humans), microbe – invertebrate interactions (biofouling; microbes as producers of secondary metabolites; sponge microbial associations; role of bacteria during invertebrate settlement).

VL Sediment Microbiology

Introduction into sediment microbiology including anaerobic processes, energy metabolism, cultivation of sediment bacteria, adaptation to environmental conditions, molecular biological methods, quantification of microorganisms and sampling at sea.