Program Overview

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Course Overview

The course MATV1007, Microbiology and Biotechnology, is a foundation course at level I, worth 7.5 credits. It is scheduled to start in the spring of 2026 and will last for one semester. The language of instruction is Norwegian, and the course will be held in Trondheim.

Course Content

The course covers various topics, including:

• Cell biology: morphology, size, cytoplasmic membrane, cell wall, surface structures, internal structures, motion
• Microorganisms: bacteria, fungi, and viruses
• Metabolism, nutritional requirements, culture media
• Microbial growth: cell division, population growth, measurement of growth, environmental factors, basic techniques for cultivation of microorganisms
• Control of microbial growth: physical and chemical control
• Microbial taxonomy with description of selected groups of microorganisms
• The role of microorganisms in the cycles of nature and their industrial use
• Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA technology (enzymes, vectors, CRISPR), PCR, DNA sequencing, DNA analyses (electrophoresis, hybridization, including DNA fingerprinting), micromatrices, mutations, and gene regulation
• Ethics: Consequences of application/choice of biotechnological methods

Learning Outcome

Upon completion of the course, the candidate will have knowledge of:

• Microbial taxonomy and general characteristics of selected microorganisms
• The structure of viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotic cells and the function of the most important cellular components
• Microbial metabolism and nutritional requirements
• Microbial growth and how microbial growth can be measured and controlled
• The role of microorganisms in the carbon and nitrogen cycles
• Various techniques and tools for editing, amplifying, and analyzing DNA
• Different types of mutations and their consequences
• Gene regulation in bacterial cells
• Ethical consequences following the use of genetic engineering methods

The candidate will also have skills in:

• Sterile technique, cultivation, and isolation of microorganisms
• Isolating and amplifying DNA from bacterial cells and separating fragments of DNA by means of gel electrophoresis

The candidate will be able to evaluate and communicate results from laboratory work in writing.

Learning Methods and Activities

The course includes:

• Lectures (60 hours)
• Self-study (80 hours)
• Compulsory laboratory exercises (24 hours)
• Written exercises (30 hours)

Compulsory Assignments

The compulsory assignments include:

• Laboratory work
• Written exercises

Evaluation

Compulsory work requirements include all practical laboratory exercises with reports and 5 of 6 theoretical exercises, which must be approved for admission to the exam. The examination arrangement is a school exam, and the grade is given in letter grades.

Specific Conditions

Admission to a program of study is required, specifically:

• Chemistry - Engineering (FTHINGKJ)
• Food Science, Technology, and Sustainability (MTMAT)

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Recommended previous knowledge includes:

• TKJE 1002 General chemistry
• User course in mathematics A

Required Previous Knowledge

Admission to the course requires admission to the study program Bachelor in chemical engineering (NTNU, Trondheim) or Bachelor in Food Science, Technology, and Sustainability (NTNU, Trondheim). Other students may be admitted depending on course capacity.

Course Materials

Information about course materials will be given at the start of the semester.

Credit Reductions

The course has academic overlap with the courses MATV1008 and BTA1001. If a student takes overlapping courses, they will receive a credit reduction in the course where they have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject Areas

The course is classified under Food Subjects.

Examination Details

The ordinary examination will be held in the spring of 2026, and the re-sit examination will be held in the summer of 2026. The examination is a school exam, and the weighting is 100/100. The examination aids allowed are specified by code D, and the duration is 4 hours. The exam system used is Inspera Assessment.