課程名稱（中文） (Chinese Course Name): 環境微生物學
課程名稱（英文） (English Course Name): Environmental Microbiology
學分 (Credits): 3
課程概述 (Course Descriptions):本課程介紹環境微生物學的基本概念與應用，涵蓋微生物在不同環境（土壤、空氣、水域及極端環境）中的生態角色、環境樣本的採集與檢測技術，以及微生物的生長與生理特性。課程以《Environmental Microbiology》第3版（Pepper, Gerba, Gentry 編著）為基礎，結合講述、實驗室實作與小組討論，幫助學生理解微生物與環境的交互作用及其在環境科學中的應用。
課程概述（英文） (Course Descriptions):This course introduces the fundamental concepts and applications of environmental microbiology, covering the ecological roles of microorganisms in various environments (soil, air, water, and extreme environments), techniques for environmental sample collection and detection, and microbial growth and physiology. Based on Environmental Microbiology 3rd Edition (Pepper, Gerba, Gentry, eds.), the course integrates lectures, laboratory practices, and group discussions to enhance students' understanding of microbial interactions with the environment and their applications in environmental science.
學習目標 (Learning Objectives):
理解環境微生物學的基本概念與微生物在環境中的角色。
熟悉環境樣本採集、顯微技術及微生物培養與鑑定方法。
能夠分析微生物在土壤、空氣、水域及極端環境中的分佈與功能。
培養實驗設計、數據分析及科學報告撰寫能力。
應用環境微生物學知識解決實際環境問題。
教科書: Environmental Microbiology 3rd Edition, Ian Pepper, Charles P. Gerba, Terry Gentry (Editors), Academic Press, 2014.
每週課程內容 (Weekly Scheduled Contents):
Week 1: Course Introduction and Overview of Environmental Microbiology (Ch. 1)
Topics: Environmental microbiology as a discipline, microbial influences on daily life.
Activities: Lecture, course syllabus discussion.
Week 2: Microorganisms in the Environment (Ch. 2)
Topics: Classification of organisms, prokaryotes, eukaryotes, viruses.
Activities: Lecture, group discussion on microbial diversity.
Week 3: Bacterial Growth (Ch. 3)
Topics: Growth in pure and continuous culture, growth in the environment.
Activities: Lecture, in-class quiz on bacterial growth concepts.
Week 4: Earth Environments (Ch. 4, Part 1)
Topics: Earth’s living skin, physicochemical characteristics of soil.
Activities: Lecture, group discussion on soil microbiology.
Week 5: Earth Environments (Ch. 4, Part 2)
Topics: Microorganisms in surface and subsurface soils.
Activities: Lab session: Soil sample collection and processing.
Week 6: Aeromicrobiology (Ch. 5, Part 1)
Topics: Aerosols, bioaerosols, aeromicrobiological pathway.
Activities: Lecture, case study on bioaerosol control.
Week 7: Aeromicrobiology (Ch. 5, Part 2)
Topics: Microbial survival in air, intramural/extramural aeromicrobiology.
Activities: Lab session: Air sampling techniques.
Week 8: Midterm Exam and Review
Topics: Review of Chapters 1–5.
Activities: Midterm exam, feedback session.
Week 9: Aquatic Environments (Ch. 6, Part 1)
Topics: Microbial habitats and lifestyles in aquatic environments.
Activities: Lecture, group discussion on marine microbiology.
Week 10: Aquatic Environments (Ch. 6, Part 2)
Topics: Freshwater and other aquatic environments.
Activities: Lab session: Water sample analysis.
Week 11: Extreme Environments (Ch. 7)
Topics: Low/high temperature environments, desiccation, UV stress, chemolithoautotrophy.
Activities: Lecture, student presentations on extremophiles.
Week 12: Environmental Sample Collection and Processing (Ch. 8)
Topics: Sampling techniques for soils, water, air, and fomites.
Activities: Lab session: Multi-environment sampling practice.
Week 13: Microscopic Techniques (Ch. 9)
Topics: Light, fluorescence, electron, and scanning probe microscopy.
Activities: Lab session: Microscopy techniques demonstration.
Week 14: Cultural Methods (Ch. 10)
Topics: Extraction, isolation, plating, and culture media for bacteria, fungi, algae.
Activities: Lab session: Culturing environmental microorganisms.
Week 15: Physiological and Immunological Methods (Ch. 11–12)
Topics: Measuring microbial activity, immunoassays, and immunosensors.
Activities: Lecture, group discussion on detection methods.
Week 16: Final Project Presentations and Course Wrap-Up
Topics: Student project presentations, course summary.
Activities: Oral presentations, peer feedback, final report submission.