Lesson Structure: Microbiology

There are 9 lessons:

1 Scope and Nature of Microbiology

• Why Study Micro organisms?
• Types of Micro organisms
• Where to Begin
• Bacteria
• Actinomycetes
• Fungi
• Viruses
• Other multicellular organisms
• Nematodes
• Mites

2  Microscopes

• Microscopes - Introduction
• Light Microscopes
• Types of Light Microscopes: Stereoscope (or Stereo Microscope), Compound Microscope, Confocal Microscope
• Electron Microscopy
• Helium Ion
• Preparation of Samples For Light Microscopy
• Case Study: Labatory Techniques For Diagnosis of Plant Diseases
• Identifying the Problem
• Selecting a Pathogen for Verification
• Preparation of Pathogens
• Culture Methods and Isolation Techniques
• Inoculation

3  Cultures

• Types of Culture
• Types of Glassware
• Sterilisation
• The Autoclave
• Arnold Steam Sterilization
• Dry Heat Sterilisation
• Disinfection
• Filtration Sterilisation
• Low Temperature Sterilisation
• Radiation
• What is used as Media?
• Commonly used Examples: MacConkey’s Agar (Selective and Differential), Mannitol Salt (MSA) Agar (Selective and Differential)
• Streak Plate Method
• Preparation of Agar Plates
• Streak Plate Method Protocol
• Pour Plate Method
• Staining
• Maintaining Cultures
• Aseptic Technique
• Preserved Cultures
• Factors Affecting Microbial Growth
• pH
• Temperature
• Oxygen
• Moisture
• Hydrostatic Pressure
• Osmotic Pressure
• Radiation, Carbon, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Trace Elements, Vitamans
• Example Stages in the Development of a Disease in Plants
• Example: Virus Replication Cycle
• The Microbiology Laboratory
• Setting up a Simple Home Laboratory
• Starting Out

4  Microbial Taxonomy

• What is Taxonomy?
• Classification of Microbes
• Morphology
• Terminology to Learn and Remember: Bacteria, Archaea, Viruses, Fungi, Others
• Good and Bad Micro Organisms
• Good Things Microorganisms Do

5  Bacteria

• Introduction
• Types of Bacteria
• Structure of a Prokaryotic Cell
• Bacterial Cell Wall Structure
• Gram Staining
• Gram Stain Reaction Protocol
• Acid-Fast Organisms
• Acid-Fast Protocol
• Bacterial Disease in Plants
• Plant Case Studies (Bacterial Diseases)
• Bacterial Disease in Animals
• Case Study: Tetanus
• Bacterial Diseases in Humans
• What is an Antibiotic?

6  Viruses

• Virus Structure
• Anatomy of the Virion
• The Infected Cell
• Virus Reproduction
• How Zika Virus Infects a Cell
• Virus Taxonomy
• Animal Viruses: International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV)
• Animal Viruses: Baltimore Classification
• Virus Classification: Working Together
• Plant Viruses: Prototype Classification
• Viral Diseases
• Crystallisation of Viruses
• Transmission
• Viral Disease in Humans
• Case Study: Human Swine Flu - Influenza A H1N1 or Hini Influenza 09
• Viral Disease in Plants
• Case Studies: Plant Viruses
• Viral Diseases in Animals
• Case Study: Animal Viruses
• Viral Diseases in Cats

7  Other Microbes

• Fungus Biology
• Case Study: Candida
• Protists
• Plant-like Protists
• Fungus-like Protists
• Animal-like Protists (Protozoa)
• Helminths

8  Immunology

• Types of Immunity
• Antitoxins
• Agglutinins
• Precipitins
• Antigens
• Antibodies
• Titre
• Antiserum
• Immunisation
• General Immune Response
• Recognition of self/non-self
• Specificity
• Heterogeneity
• Memory
• Herd Immunity
• Immunological Disorders
• Autoimmune diseases

9  Applied Microbiology

• Introduction
• Microbiology in Agriculture and Horticulture
• Microbiology in Food Technology and Management
• Environmental Microbiology
• Industrial Microbiology
• Microbiology and Phamaceuticals
• Microbes in Humans
• MRSAs
• Microbiology and Health Management in Animals

Learning Goals: Microbiology

• Discuss the nature and scope of microbiology and its potential application to human life and society
• Determine appropriate tools for studying micro organisms, and how to utilise those tools in a variety of different contexts
• Describe how to culture different micro organisms in a laboratory
• Differentiate between different types of microorganisms.
• Determine appropriate ways of finding and applying current information to differentiate between microorganisms you are not familiar with
• Explain the taxonomy, function and significance of a range of different types of bacteria
• Explain the taxonomy, function and significance of a range of different types of viruses
• Discuss characteristics and significance of a range of different types of other microbes
• Explain immunity in plants, animals and humans
• Identify and explain different practical applications for an understanding of the applications of microbiology

What Makes Bacteria Different?
Bacteria can be good or bad; useful to man, or harmful to man. It all depends upon what type of bacteria you are considering. This course helps you to understand those differences, and understand how we can differentiate between different types of bacteria. 

Bacteria occur everywhere in our world in huge numbers: from inside our bodies to across the surface of every living and non living thing on our planet.

Bacteria have the same structures as a normal cell, including: a cell wall, nuclear material, cytoplasm and various membranes, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic, reticulata, plasma membrane; they also have a slime layer (capsule), flagella and some but not all can have spore formation.

The ‘slime layer’ can vary in thickness and texture - if it is thick and firm enough, it is called a capsule. When chains or clumps of bacteria form the whole chain or clump can be surrounded by a slime layer. At times this layer can become a solid gelatinous mass (called a zooglea).

Flagella are outgrowths of cytoplasm that extend through the cell wall. They are appendage-like structures used for movement.

Bacteria can either reproduce by splitting, or by spores.

Spore formation is regarded as a resting stage. Under favourable conditions the internal protoplasm can form a ‘knot’ and surround itself with a wall. Bacterial spores are generally more resistant to being degraded than other types of organisms. To completely destroy bacterial spores may require boiling under pressure (as in a pressure cooker).

Bacteria Classification is Based Upon:

• Morphology - the form of the cell.
• Presence or absence of flagella.
• Reaction to certain stains.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.