Room : ED179
Email me at Stephen.Forsythe@ntu.ac.ukVoicemail : Ext 3529
Physiology of Biodegradative Micro-organisms. C. Ratledge (Ed.) 1990
Microbial Ecology , R. Atlas (1998)
Environmental Microbiology, R. Mitchell. (1992)
Specific references concerning oil bioremediation:
Microbial Control of Pollution R.C. Prince, p19-34. Ed. Fry, J.C. et al, SGM Symposium 48.
Trends in Biotechnology May 1997 (Volume 15) p158-150, R.C. Prince
Microbiological Reviews June 1996 (Volume 60) p342-365, R. Swannel.
General references:
Microbiological Reviews 56:482-507 (1992)
Microbiological Reviews 51:43-59 (1987)
Applied and Environmental Microbiology 57:2383-2388 (1991)
Applied and Environmental Microbiology 55:2773-2778 (1989)
Applied and Environmental Microbiology44:33-39 (1982)
Applied Microbiology 29:567-568 (1975)
To be confirmed
The lecturers are Dr SJ Forsythe and Dr A Smith
PLEASE NOTE: These were the assignments set for 2000, and are here for general information only
1 Formal report : Isolation of aromatic ring degrading organisms (Dr Forsythe)
Laboratory files : Dr S Forsythe & Dr A Smith
1 Assignment (2500 words)
Deadline was 5pm 30th April (week 26) to `SJForsythe staff pigeonhole’.
(40% maximum if after deadline).
Although the deadline seems a long way off, it is a very good idea to start reviewing the topic, finding out key references and getting interlibrary loans off as soon as possible.
Although the internet is a wonderful way of getting information, it is easy to forget where you found the information and also to get lost in fine detail and loose the structure of the assignment. You may find general textbooks will help you with a general layout initially.
It sounds silly but I sometimes find that although the title of the assignment states `The Microbiology of...’ that people avoid microbial names in the text! Microbial names are not too difficult to understand. Bacillus cereus =a genus name (Bacillus) and a species name (cereus) both are written in italics, with a capital for the first letter of the genus name. We also use general names such as `pseudomonads’ when refering to a genus without a definite species identification.
I hope you find the topics interesting to research.
You can always submit the assignment before the deadline and then it is out of the way and you can concentrate on other things.
General advice for end of module tests and exams:
* It is always good practise to double check the number of questions needing to be answered and the amount of time allowed.
* You may pick up a few (vital) marks just attempting a question you’re uncertain of rather than ignoring it altogether.
* We can only mark what is written down, so write it down.
* With `long’ answers’,i.e. those requiring 45 minutes to answer, it is a good idea to spend 5 minutes writing down keywords and then numbering them into a logical order. This can help to jog your memory and gives you a structure to the answer.
* Again with `long’ answers a general introductory paragraph (3 lines approx.) and concluding paragraph (about 3 lines) can help to convince the examiner you understand the question and know the important points to emphasize.
Format of paper is normally choose two from four, answer in 90 minutes.
Previous questions :
Discuss the uptake of petroleum hydrocarbons by microbial cells
Discuss the principles of degradability testing of chemicals as outlined in OECD guidelines
Discuss the microbial remediation of oil spills.
Discuss the bioremediation of halogenated compounds.