Integrated Laboratory III

Not applicable.

The classes are of a practical laboratory character where the various experimental works proposed are carried out in a group of two students. Experimental work includes carrying out the experiment, preparing a written report, and analyzing and discussing the results.
In each class, initially, a theoretical exposition is made in which new concepts are introduced and the methods and procedures to be carried out are presented. During the class, students are confronted with pertinent questions, in order to assess how they prepared to carry out the experimental work and enhance their understanding of the acquired knowledge. At the end of each work carried out, an oral discussion is carried out, by group, to discuss the theoretical concepts and the results obtained in the work.

The main objective of the course is to introduce students, in an integrated way, to the fundamentals of Microbiology. It is intended that students acquire the following knowledge and skills: i) apply methods for quantifying microbial growth; ii) interpret the kinetics of microbial growth and the factors that influence its growth; iii) evaluate the effectiveness of chemical and physical agents in controlling the growth of microorganisms; iv) quantify the number of microorganisms present in food products, water and soil. Furthermore, the student must be able: i) to carry out group work; ii) to organize and manage the performance of work; iii) to report the work carried out (orally and in the form of a report) and to discuss and analyze the experimental results obtained.

The syllabus consists of carrying out experimental work in groups of two students. Experimental work includes carrying out the experiment, preparing a written report, and analyzing and discussing the results. 

Experimental work to be performed:

1. Microbial growth quantification methods.

2. Curve and rate of bacterial growth. Substrate consumption curve.

3. Microorganism growth: study of factors that affect their growth.

4. Evaluation of the effectiveness of physical and chemical agents in controlling the growth of microorganisms.

5. Microbiological analysis of food products, water, and soils.

Five experimental tasks are planned, although this number may be reduced to four if the management of class time so justifies.

The assessment of the Integrated Laboratory III curricular unit will be continuous throughout the semesterand will take into account:

(C1) Evaluation of Experimental Work:
- Elaboration and evaluation of 4/5 summarized reports related to the Experimental Works, carried out in groups (20% of the final grade). Each Report must be delivered on the date established at the end of each experimental work, with a penalty of 1 value (out of 20) for each day of delay, up to a maximum of 7 days. After this period, the Report will not be accepted, with an evaluation of zero values.
- Discussion and defense of the Experimental Works carried out (30% of the final grade).

(C2) Evaluation of the Experimental Class:
Performance evaluation during laboratory classes: students will be evaluated in all classes of the curricular unit by the interest shown, level of learning, work dynamics of each student in group and punctuality (20% of the final grade).

(C3) Oral presentation of a work: constitutes an assessment element to be carried out at the end of the semester, in the last academic week (30% of the final grade).

The final classification is obtained by summing the contributions of the various components: CF=0.5 x C1+0.2 x C2+0.3 x C3.

In order to pass the Integrated Laboratory III curricular unit, the student must have a cumulative positive average in the components (C1) and (C2) of the evaluation, and cannot have more than two negative evaluations in the evaluation of the Experimental Works and a minimum grade of 9,0 values (from 0 to 20) in component (C3).

NAO