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Earth's Microbiomes (ERTH20004)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2021
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
Overview
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This subject will survey Earth’s microbiomes, including the terrestrial, marine, extreme environments, urban/built/engineered environments and microbiomes in symbioses (e.g., human, coral, plants). We will explore the construct of a microbial “community”, its constituent populations and diversity, and its interactions with inorganic and organic materials and processes (biogeochemical cycles – carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.). We will look at approaches to microbial census taking, and key traits of cultured microbial groups. We will examine the scope and significance of the uncultured microbial majority, including the so-called “microbial dark matter” with respect to our understanding of evolution and the tree of life. We will investigate the role of viruses in the Earth’s microbiomes, and the origin and evolution of microbial life in the context of Earth’s biogeochemical cycles.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of the subject students should be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of Earth's biogeochemical cycles, and their origins and evolution in relation to major microbiomes;
- describe how environmental microbiomes reflect, interact with and influence biogeochemical cycles;
- explain with clear examples the key current issues in describing and discovering microbiomes, as defined in contemporary curricula, and recent scientific advances and publications;
- describe how to investigate key environmental microbial groups and explain how they contribute to ecosystem functioning.
Generic skills
A student who successfully completes this subject will:
- demonstrate a high level of achievement in writing and science communication;
- apply technical skills to problem solving;
- demonstrate excellent organisational, planning and time management skills;
- apply knowledge, skills and attitudes to scientific and technological topics;
- reflect and critique information to equip them as life-long learners;
- examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines.
Last updated: 10 October 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Bachelor of Biomedicine students:
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10002 | Biomolecules and Cells | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
BIOL10003 Genes and Environment
AND
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM10006 | Chemistry for Biomedicine |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Bachelor of Science students (and other courses):
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery |
Summer Term (Online)
Semester 1 (Online)
|
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10004 Biology of Cells and Organisms
BIOL10005 Genetics and The Evolution of Life
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM10003 | Chemistry 1 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CHEM10009 | Chemistry for BioSciences | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
One of the following subjects is recommended:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
25 |
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 10 October 2023
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
4 x Practical Reports (350 words, 10%, each) due weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8
| Throughout the semester | 40% |
Journal Blog Assessment due week 11 (20%)
| Week 11 | 20% |
Comprehensive final theory exam
| During the examination period | 40% |
Additional details
- 2-hour comprehensive final theory exam held during the exam period (40%);
- 4 Practical Reports of 350 words each, due in weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8, totalling 1400 words (10% each, 40% total);
- Journal Blog Assessment of 600 words, due week 11 (20%).
Last updated: 10 October 2023
Dates & times
Not available in 2021
Last updated: 10 October 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 10 October 2023