mar457 - Ecology of Benthic Microorganisms (Complete module description)

mar457 - Ecology of Benthic Microorganisms (Complete module description)

Original version English PDF download
Module label Ecology of Benthic Microorganisms
Module code mar457
Credit points 6.0 KP
Workload 180 h
Institute directory Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment
Applicability of the module
  • Master's Programme Environmental Modelling (Master) > Mastermodule
  • Master's Programme Marine Environmental Sciences (Master) > Mastermodule
Responsible persons
  • Engelen, Bert (module responsibility)
  • Könneke, Martin (Module counselling)
  • Schupp, Peter (Module counselling)
  • Seidel, Michael (Module counselling)
  • Struve, Torben (Module counselling)
Prerequisites
Skills to be acquired in this module

The aim of the module " Ökologie benthischer Mikroorganismen " is to impart in-depth knowledge of microbial ecology with a focus on sediment microbiology in the frame of two lectures. In the lecture “Microbial ecology”, the students learn about principles of microbial ecology, microbial habitats, and microbe – invertebrate interactions. This knowledge is deepened in the lecture “Sediment microbiology”.

Professional competences

The students:
- deepen their knowledge on principles in microbial ecology (resources and growth, competition, predator-prey relations, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning)
- understand microbial processes and the effect of environmental conditions on microorganisms in different habitats (limnic, marine, terrestrial, anthropogenic, microbes and humans)
- get a deep insight into microbe – invertebrate interactions (biofouling, microbes as producers of secondary metabolites, sponge microbial associations, role of bacteria during invertebrate settlement)
- are able to describe the importance of microorganisms in biochemical cycles, including anaerobic processes and energy metabolism 

Methodological competence

The students:
- can explain various methods and analytical procedures (cultivation of sediment bacteria, molecular biological methods, quantification of microorganisms and sampling at sea)

Social skills

The students:
- interact with students of the “Master microbiology” program

Self-competence

The students:
- develop their communication skills in English

Module contents

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.

Recommended reading

Will be announced in the courses.

Links
Language of instruction English
Duration (semesters) 1 Semester
Module frequency annually
Module capacity unlimited
Examination Prüfungszeiten Type of examination
Final exam of module

Written examination at the end of the course or oral examination as specified by the lecturer.

1 graded examination

Written exam or oral exam

Type of course Lecture
SWS 4
Frequency SuSe
Workload attendance time 56 h