Microbiology unit (KLA619)

Hobart

Introduction

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms- how they work and their role in our world and can tell us much about the origin and history of life. Microorganisms drive essential nutrient and chemical cycles that support life, cause infectious diseases in humans, animals, and crops, and are used in producing food and chemicals for industries like agriculture, mining, and biotechnology. Understanding basic life processes and the structure and function of microbial cells is essential because it provides insight into how microorganisms grow, interact with their environments, and cause or prevent disease. Cell structures such as membranes, walls, and appendages determine how microorganisms move, communicate, and survive under different conditions. Functional knowledge enables us to manipulate microorganisms for beneficial uses in biotechnology, medicine, and environmental management, and to develop targeted strategies for controlling harmful species. This foundational understanding also supports the interpretation of microbial behaviour in complex systems and informs the design of experiments and technologies in microbiological research.

This unit provides students with domain knowledge of microbiology with particular emphasis on the structure, function and ecophysiology of bacteria and viruses. The laboratory component advances their skills in the cultivation, identification and enumeration of bacteria and mycelial fungi. Students will advance their scientific inquiry skills through writing up laboratory reports.

Summary

Unit name	Microbiology
Unit code	KLA619
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture
Discipline	Agriculture and Food Systems
Coordinator	Doctor Lyndal Mellefont
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	21/2/2027	15/3/2027	18/4/2027	12/6/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate the importance of the five major groups of microorganisms in natural ecosystems and to human welfare and related activities
• Explain how the physiological characteristics of microorganisms influence their environmental roles and activities
• Perform standard microbiological laboratory techniques to select and interpret tests for differentiating, classifying and enumerating microorganisms.
• Generate laboratory records and evaluate and present results in scientific reports

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

KLA210

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	2 x 50 minute lectures, 1 x 3 hour laboratory class per week
Assessment	Laboratory Reports (20%)|Laboratory Skills Assessment (20%)|Weekly Assignments (20%)|Final Exam (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

Recommended

Brock’s Biology of Micro-organisms (latest Edn.), edited by Madigan, Martenko, Dunlap and Clarke (copies available to purchase from Booktopia, and to borrow from the Morris Miller Library, Hobart campus). (Some copies of older Editions are available to borrow from the Morris Miller Library, Hobart campus in the Science Library, Hobart campus and the Launceston Library.  n.b. This text is revised every three years; revisions have usually been relatively minor) OR Prescott’s Microbiology (latest Edn.), edited by Willey, Sherwood and Wolverton. For those students intending to study microbiology at third year level, either of these excellent texts would be a worthwhile investment. Other useful texts include: Black. Microbiology Principles and Explorations (latest Edn.), Wiley (also available to borrow from the Morris Miller Library, Hobart campus and an older edition is located in the Clinical Library). Slonczewski and Foster. Microbiology an Evolving Science (latest Edn) (also available to borrow from the Morris Miller Library, Hobart campus). Wessner, Dupont and Charles, Microbiology, Wiley also available to borrow from the Morris Miller Library, Hobart campus.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.