BTH2830 - Fundamentals of microbiology - 2018

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit




Organisational Unit

Malaysia School of Science

Chief examiner(s)

Dr. Lee Sui Mae


Dr. Lee Sui Mae

Unit guides



  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)


Six points of level one biology




The overall theme of this unit is to introduce students to microorganisms. They will discover the diversity of microorganisms from viruses to bacteria to eukaryotes. They will learn their ecological role, their importance to the medical and food industry and how to identify, cultivate and control them. They will also gain an understanding of how microorganisms evolve and gain antibiotic resistance. The practical classes will introduce basic concepts such as aseptic techniques, staining and microscopy, isolation and enumeration of bacteria as well as control of microorganisms. Furthermore, students will be given the opportunity to explore the tropical environment and sample the air, water and soil samples as well as local food outlets. Thus they will develop a better understanding of the diversity of the microbial world. This unit will be the foundation to other third-year level microbiology units such as food, environmental and medical microbiology.


On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Explain and describe the cell structure and function of viruses, prokaryotes and eukaryotes and how they differ from one another.
  2. Cite examples and describe the role of microorganisms in the fields of medicine, food science and in the environment.
  3. Explain how infections can spread and antibiotic resistance can be acquired, and be able to cite examples of important regional pathogens.
  4. List and describe requirements for growth and replication of these microorganisms as well as methods for controlling bacterial and viral growth.
  5. Perform aseptic techniques and be able to isolate and identify microorganisms using light/phase microscopy and a variety of media and staining procedures.
  6. Collect, interpret, and present microbiological data via written practical reports.


Practical reports: 20%

Practical quizzes: 5%

Lab demonstrator's assessment: 5%

Mid-semester test: 10%

Examination (2 hours): 60%

Workload requirements

Three 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour practical class per week

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study