Course content

Cell biology: morphology, size, cytoplasmic membrane, cell wall, surface structures, internal structures, motion - Microorganisms: bacteria, fungi and viruses - Metabolism, nutritional requirements, culture media - Microbial growth: cell division, population growth, measurement of growth, environmental factors, basic techniques for cultivation of microorganisms - Control of microbial growth: physical and chemical control - Microbial taxonomy with description of selected groups of microorganisms - The role of microorganisms in the cycles of nature and their industrial use - Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA technology (enzymes, vectors, CRISPR), PCR, DNA sequencing, DNA analyses (electrophoresis, hybridization, including DNA fingerprinting), micromatrices, mutations and gene regulation - Ethics: Consequences of application/choice of biotechnological methods.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: K1 The candidate has knowledge of microbial taxonomy and can describe general characteristics of selected microorganisms, K2 The candidate has broad knowledge of the structure of viruses, prokaryotes and eukaryotic cells and can explain the function of the most important cellular components, K3 The candidate is familiar with microbial metabolism and nutritional requirements, K4 The candidate has broad knowledge of microbial growth and how microbial growth can be measured and controlled, K5 The candidate knows the role of microorganisms in the cycles of nature, K6 The candidate can describe and explain various techniques and tools for editing, amplifying and analyzing DNA, K7 The candidate can describe different types of mutations and their consequences, K8 The candidate can describe gene regulation in bacterial cells by means of examples, K9 The candidate should have a conscious relationship to ethical consequences following the use of genetic engineering methods, including the development of genetically modified organisms, cloning and forensic analyzes

Skills: F1 The candidate has basic skills in sterile technique, cultivation and isolation of microorganisms F2 The candidate can isolate and amplify DNA form bacterial cells and separate fragments of DNA by means of gel electrophoresis

General competence: G1 The candidate can evaluate and communicate results from laboratory work in writing

Learning methods and activities

Lectures (60h), self-study (80h) compulsory laboratory exercises (24h) and written exercises (30h)

Compulsory assignments

• Laboratory work
• Written exercises

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

TKJE 1002 General chemistry, User course in matemathics A.

Required previous knowledge

Admission to the course requires admission to the study program Bachelor in chemical engineering (NTNU, Trondheim) or Bachelor in Food Science, Technology and Sustainability (NTNU, Trondheim). Other students may be admitted depending on course capacity. ​If capacity, other students may apply to take the course.

Course materials

Information is given at the start of the semester

Credit reductions