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Year module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 5 |
| Module presented in |
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Co-requisite: EEN4701 & EEN4702 & EEN4704 |
| Purpose: To introduce the fundamentals of microbiology to environmental engineers. To describe characteristics of microbial populations such as bacteria, algae, fungi, protozoa and others. To describe the growth of micro-organisms and to introduce the subject of identification and enumeration of micro-organisms. To understand the diversity of microbes, how the different microbes function in gaining energy and the impact of microbes on ecosystems and our globe. To realize that microbes can do anything they want, wherever they want and that without microbes humans would not be alive. To introduce the fundamentals of water-borne disease transmission and protection against such diseases. To review the basics of agents of disease (bacterial pathogens), viral pathogens, protozoan pathogens, Helminths and other vectors of disease. To understand indicators of faecal contamination and the concept of indicator organisms as well as limitations of these concepts. To introduce the subject of ecology to engineering students. To introduce the terminology and concepts of ecology. To explain briefly some historical efforts to determine the age of the earth and its geologic time. To utilise concepts of positive feedback. To understand the law of radioactive decay and the underlining assumptions and factors when it is used to determine the ages of certain rocks and other materials. To discuss the relationship between level of resolution and scientific truth and the importance of scientific methods. To discuss the Gea (Gaia) hypothesis and its implications for the global environment. To understand the fundamental concepts of an ecosystem.
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