AB-327 Arctic Microbiology (10 ECTS)

Course requirements:

Enrolment in a relevant master programme in biology.

Academic content:

The course aims to provide Master students in biology with a comprehensive introduction to processes and mechanisms in Arctic microbiology. Theory sessions will cover Arctic microbial biodiversity (viruses, bacteria, cyanobacteria and eukaryotes), methods in Arctic microbiology (from classical microscopy, culture and physiology to modern biochemical, molecular and bioinformatic), 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 is divided into three themes; detecting life at low levels, investigating new or unfamiliar Arctic environments and investigating selection pressures in a range of Arctic environments. Fieldwork is focused on the wide variety of habitats for microbial life in Svalbard; a marine section (using Viking Explorer to provide experience with CTD measurements, marine sediment sampling and a fjord transect) and a terrestrial section (using Polar Circle and UNIS Minibus to access both inner and outer fjord soil, freshwater, snow, ice, glacier and aerial habitats). In situ experiments are also conducted within easy reach of UNIS.

Learning outcomes:

Knowledge
Upon completing the course, the students will:
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 different environments. Be up to date with the current literature and research in Arctic Microbiology.

Skills
Upon completing the course, the students will:
Be familiar with laboratory techniques used in Arctic microbiology in the laboratory, and be aware of their limitations and scope.
Have investigated and be able to describe the interaction of Arctic microorganisms with each other and their non-living environment.

General competences
Upon completing the course, the students will:
Understand the role of microorganisms in nutrient and biogeochemical cycling and know how to make detailed measurements. Be able to express an informed contribution to debate about the role of microorganisms in different environments. Appreciate the role Arctic microbiology can play in the key scientific questions of today.

Learning activities:

The course extends over five weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-827.

The complimentary lectures, field and laboratory work will strengthen knowledge and practical skills. Experience will be gained of experimental design and fieldwork in extreme environments. See “Academic content” for further presentation of learning activities.

Total lecture hours: 30 hours.
Laboratory work: 35 hours.
Fieldwork/ excursions: 6 days (may include an overnight stay at one of the field sites).

Compulsory learning activities:

Lectures, field excursions, laboratory work, written project (where applicable).
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.

Assessment:

All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
Only the final grade will be reported, based on an average of the grades from the examination parts.

Application deadline: 15 February 2017

AB-327/827 excursion to Linnévatnet. Photo: Lise Øvreås/UNIS

AB-327/827 fieldwork on a glacier. Photo: Lise Øvreås/UNIS

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