Student will understand the basics of microbial processes proceeding in the environment and their implications for maintaining equilibrium in the biosphere. In addition, students will acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of microbial diversity analyses.

Michael T. Madigan,‎ Kelly S. Bender,‎ Daniel H. Buckley,‎ W. Matthew Sattley,‎ David A. Stahl: Brock Biology of Microorganisms; Pearson 2017. ISBN-13: 978-0134261928, ISBN-10: 0134261925

Eugene L. Madsen: Environmental Microbiology: From Genomes to Biogeochemistry; John Wiley & Sons 2011. ISBN 1444357980, 9781444357981

Terry Gentry, Raina M. Maier, Ian L. Pepper, Charles P. Gerba: Environmental Microbiology; Academic Press 2008. ISBN 0123705193, 9780123705198.

Wen-Tso Liu, Janet K. Jansson: Environmental Molecular Microbiology; Horizon Scientific Press 2010. ISBN 1904455522, 9781904455523.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology

http://www.nature.com/ismej/index.html

http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-EMI.html

http://aem.asm.org/

http://rdp.cme.msu.edu

http://umbbd.ethz.ch/

http://fungene.cme.msu.edu

1. Biosphere formation.

2.-3. Microbial diversity and its levels, analysis of microbial diversity, phylogenetic markers, metagenomics and other "-omics" in environmental microbiology.

4. Microbial fueling.

5. Structure and organization of microbial communities.

6. Microbial interactions.

7. Communication of microorganisms, quorum sensing, biofilms.

8.-10. Biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, iron, halogens, role of microorganisms in these cycles, biocorosion.

11. Contamination of the environment, classification of pollutants, persistent organic pollutants.

12. Metabolic logic, cometabolism, evolution of biodegradation pathways, biodegradation of persistent compounds.

13. Bioremediation - methods using microorganisms to remove xenobiotics from the environment.

14. New trends in environmental microbiology.

Basic (bachelor-level) knowledge of biochemistry and microbiology

Presentation on selected topic

Oral exam