Microbiology

The learning trajectory Microbiology studies microorganisms and viruses from genes to ecosystems. The first-year course Microbiology provides a general introduction to (medical) microbiology. Students are made familiar with the evolution and diversity of microorganisms, the structure and function of the microbial cell, general principles on microbial nutrition and growth, and the role of microorganisms in human health and disease.

In the second-year course Microbial Metabolism, the focus will be on the large diversity in bacterial energy metabolisms and the relevance to global biogeochemical carbon and nitrogen cycles, as well as to agriculture and industrial use of microorganisms. This is followed by Physiology of Microorganisms, which covers two central themes in microbial physiology: the way energy is conserved, and regulation of metabolic processes in relation to changes in the environment.

In the third year, Applied and Environmental Microbiology addresses biogeochemical cycles and the role of microorganisms in natural and man-made ecosystems. It presents many key themes in microbial ecology and shows the importance of microorganisms for the biogeosphere and how humans are dependent on their activities. Additionally, Genomics for Health and Environment provides students with both the theoretical background but also hands-on experience in microbial (meta)genomics.

Coordinator: Sebastian Lücker

The table below shows which courses are part of the learning trajectory Microbiology.