This course provides a broad coverage of material describing the fundamentals of microbial genetics. It is intended for students interested in microbiology, molecular biology and genetics. The course covers fundamentally important and well-established concepts in microbial genetics, while emphasising the latest discoveries that have emerged from contemporary research efforts in the field (presented by senior researchers). Topics typically include genetics of bacteriophages, bacteria, archaea and yeast, mutation and evolution, mechanisms of gene transfer, gene regulation and adaptive responses, and genomics and functional genomics of individual microorganisms and whole microbial communities. The practical component includes contemporary wet-lab microbial genetics experiments that complement lecture material. The practical component also emphasises interaction between demonstrators and students, facilitated through a rich variety of concept tutorials that cover diverse topics. These topics typically include transposon mutagenesis, gene library construction, gene complementation using recombinant plasmids, gene expression and regulation studies, UV mutagenesis and DNA repair, restriction/modification systems, promoter rescue experiments, and a variety of gene exchange techniques. The socioeconomic impact of microbial genetics is also discussed in student presentations. An advanced version of BABS3021 is also offered: MICR3621 Microbial Genetics (Advanced). MICR3621 essentially covers the same theoretical content as BAB3021 but differs in that it incorporates an authentic research-focused laboratory component and associated report assignment where students are required to construct creative solutions to contemporary problems in microbial genetics.
