2023 Faculty Courses School of Life Science and Technology Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
Microbiology
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
- Instructor(s)
- Takashi Hirasawa / Naoyuki Yamamoto / Masaaki Wachi
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Mon (W9-324(W933)) / 1-2 Thu (W9-324(W933))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LST.A345
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course provides a comprehensive view of microbiology, including the history of microbiology, handlings of microorganisms (isolation, culture and observation of microorganisms), taxonomy, cell growth, structures of microbial cells (Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotic microbes), energy metabolism, cellular metabolism, pathogenic microbes, metagenome analaysis, symbiosis, and application of microorganisms.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will understand;
1) History of microbiology
2) Handlings of microorganisms (Isolation, culture and observation of microorganisms)
3) Taxonomy (Molecular phylogenetics with 16S rRNA)
4) Mathematical expression of growth of microorganisms
5) Structures of microbial cells (Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotic microbes)
6) Energy metabolism of microorganisms
7) Cellular metabolism of microorganisms
8) Pathogenic microbes
9) Metagenome analysis
10) Symbiosis
11) Application of microbes
Keywords
Molecular phylogenetics, Phylogenetic tree, Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotic microbes, Metabolism, Respiration, Fermentation, Pathogenic microbes, Metagenome, Symbiosis
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
A summary of the previous lecture is given, followed by the main points of the day's lecture. During lecture, questions may be given to find out if students have learned the material given.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | History of microbiology | Explain about Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek |
| Class 2 | Taxonomy (Evolution and molecular phylogenetics) | Understand molecular phylogenetics |
| Class 3 | Handlings of microorganisms (Isolation, culture and observation of microorganisms) | Understand handing of microorganisms |
| Class 4 | Structures of microorganims: Bacteria, archaea, eukaryotic microbes and virus | Understand cell structures of bacteria and eukaryotic microbes |
| Class 5 | Energy metabolism of microorganisms: Glycolysis, fermentation and respiration | Understand glycolysis, TCA cycle and electron transport chain |
| Class 6 | Cellular metabolism: Amino acids, nucleic acids, and so on | Understand nitrogen metabolism |
| Class 7 | Review of the first half of the course (classes 1–6) and midterm exam. | Revise what was taught during classes 1-6 to prepare for the exam. |
| Class 8 | Microbial growth: Mathematical expressin of growth of microorganisms, celldivision, and factors affecting cell growth | Understand growth rate constant and continuous culture |
| Class 9 | Microbial genetics: Transformation, trunsduction and recombination | Understand DNA and gene |
| Class 10 | Pathogenic microbes | Understand bacterial virulence |
| Class 11 | Metagenome analysis | Understand metagenome and its application |
| Class 12 | Symbiosis | Understand symbiotic intestinal microflora |
| Class 13 | Application of microbes | Understand application of microbes for food industry |
| Class 14 | Review of the second half of the course (classes 8-13) and final exam. | Revise what was taught during classes 8-13 to prepare for the exam. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Handouts will be distributed when necessary.
Brock Biology of Microorganisms (14th edition)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Midterm exam: 50%, final exam: 50%
Related courses
- LST.A203 ： Biochemistry I
- LST.A218 ： Biochemistry II
- LST.A208 ： Molecular Biology I
- LST.A213 ： Molecular Biology II
- LST.A503 ： Environmental Microbiology
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are necessary, but enrollment in the related courses is desirable except Environmental Microbiology (LST.A503).
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
Masaaki Wachi (mwachi[at]bio.titech.ac.jp, 5770), Takashi Hirasawa (thirasawa[at]bio.titech.ac.jp, 5780), Naoyuki Yamamoto（n-yamamoto[at]bio.titech.ac.jp、5105）
Office hours
Students may approach the instructors at the end of class or visit their offices upon securing an appointment through e-mail.