AB-827 Arctic Microbiology (10 ECTS)
ID:
AB-827
CREDITS:
10 ECTS
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
March 01, 2025
START DATE:
June 23, 2025
END DATE:
July 25, 2025
COURSE PERIOD:
Summer course (June-July)
| Grade: | Letter grade (A through F) |
| Course Cost: | Fieldwork, NOK 200–400 (1–2 days x NOK 200 per overnight stay) |
| Course Capacity Min/Max: | 10/20 students (AB-327/827 in total) |
| Language of instruction: | English |
| Examination support material: | Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue |
UNIS contact person: Simone Lang
Course requirements
Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme in biology. Basic knowledge in microbiology and a completed bachelor programme in biology are required. Students with a relevant PhD topic in microbial ecology will be given preference.
Academic content
The course aims to provide PhD students in biology with a comprehensive knowledge of processes and mechanisms in Arctic microbiology. Theory sessions will cover Arctic microbial biodiversity (viruses, bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes), methods in Arctic microbiology (from classical microscopy, cultivations and physiology to modern biochemical, molecular and bioinformatics analyses), Arctic biogeochemistry and nutrient cycles (energy, metabolism, geomicrobiology, carbon and nitrogen cycling), Arctic microbial ecology (trophic structure, food webs, feeding relationships, energy transfers, colonization, establishment and evolution) and hot topics in Arctic microbiology (effects of climate change, environmental change, human impact, biogeography and microbial diseases).
Practical work addresses the diversity and function in diverse habitats in a range of Arctic environments. Fieldwork is focused on the wide variety of habitats for microbial life in Svalbard; accessing coastal marine environments as well as permafrost soil, snow, ice, water, glacier and acid mine drainage. In situ experiments can also be conducted within easy reach of UNIS while samples returned to the laboratory can be analysed to explore microbial diversity using both traditional and cutting edge techniques such as portable DNA sequencing.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, the students can:
Knowledge
- understand the diversity of microbial life in the Arctic, forms, habitats types, interactions, and limits
- know the factors which contribute to the growth and establishment of microorganisms in various cold environments
- be up to date with the current literature and research in Arctic microbiology
- contribute to the development of new theories, methods, interpretations, and forms of documentation in Arctic microbiology.
Skills
- be familiar with laboratory techniques used in Arctic microbiology, and be aware of the methods’ limitations and scope
- investigate and be able to illustrate the interaction of Arctic microorganisms with each other and their living environment
- formulate problems, plan, and carry out research in Arctic environments.
General competences
- understand the role of microorganisms in nutrient and biogeochemical cycling and know how to make detailed measurements
- express an informed contribution to debate about the role of microorganisms in various environments
- appreciate the role Arctic microbiology can play in the key scientific challenges of today
- manage complex interdisciplinary projects and assignments.
Learning activities
The course extends over 1+5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-327.
Prior to the course the students must read primary literature that has been sent to them in advance, they will be given a relevant research topic, and they must prepare for seminars (approximately 1 week of full-time study). The complimentary lectures, field and laboratory work will strengthen knowledge and practical skills. Experience will be gained of experimental design and field work in extreme environments. See “Academic content” for further presentation of learning activities. Students will be required to complete a short independent investigation within the course and to submit a report of this investigation as part of their assessment.
Summary
- Total lecture / seminar hours: 30 hours.
- Laboratory work: 35 hours.
- Fieldwork/excursions: 6 days (may include one overnight stay at one of the field sites).
Compulsory learning activities
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
- Literature seminars
- Field excursions
- Laboratory work
Assessment
- All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
- Each assessment is graded, and subsequently combined into a single grade. Partial grades for each assessment will be available.
| Method |
Percentage of final grade
|
| Literature seminar presentation (individual) | 10% |
| Project work; including planning and executing inquiry based research project, and physical poster (group work) | 40% |
| Oral exam (individual) | 50% |
Student life
