This course teaches basic concepts in microbiology from a practical perspective. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on experimental work in the laboratory, it showcases applications of microbiology in the environmental sciences.

This course introduces important questions about the evolutionary processes involved in the generation and maintenance of biological diversity across all domains of life and how evolutionary science investigates these questions.

The course provides an introduction to the basics of cell biology and genetics, the mechanisms of evolution, the evolutionary history of biological diversity, principal plant and animal form and function, and ecology.

Teaching of basic knowledge in microbiology with main focus on Microbial Cell Structure and Function, Molecular Genetics, Microbial Growth, Metabolic Diversity, Phylogeny and Taxonomy, Prokaryotic Diversity, Human-Microbe Interactions, Biotechnology.

Teaching of basic knowledge in microbiology with main focus on the topics: Prokaryotic Diversity, Microbial Cell Structure and Function, Molecular Genetics, Microbial Growth, Metabolic Diversity, Phylogeny and Taxonomy, as well as applied aspects of Biotechnology and the Interaction of Humans and Microbes.

The ability to critically evaluate original (scientific) literature and to summarise the information in a succinct manner is an important skill for any student. This course aims to practice this ability, requiring each student to write a term paper of scientific quality on a topic of relevance for research in the areas of biogeochemistry and pollutant dynamics.

This class is the 2nd part of a series and participation is conditional on the successful completion of "Term Paper 1: Writing". The results from the term paper written during the previous term are presented to the other students and advisors and discussed with the audience.