Module: Microbiology & Genetics II

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Microbiology & Genetics II
Module Code	GCB1008 (ITS: BE233)
Faculty	Biotechnology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To develop an understanding of the genetic complexity of biological systems To inform students on the current state of understanding of genetic structure and function in prokaryotes and eukaryotes To provide an overview of genetic mechanisms, heredity and evolution To elaborate and differentiate gene regulatory mechanisms and evolutionary patterns in microbial genomes

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss the principles of Heredity and describe the current understanding of evolutionary principles
2. Outline the concepts of developmental genetics and explain how a differentiated state develops from an organism s genome.
3. Define the genetic complexity of biological systems and the current state of understanding of genetic structure and function in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
4. Differentiate gene regulatory mechanisms and evolutionary patterns in microbial genomes

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture course
Directed learning	12	Test bank of genetic questions
Independent Study	89	Background study and learning
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20477	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC3	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Ronan O'Toole	Module Teacher	Achilleas Floudas, Denise Harold, Linda Holland, Paul Cahill

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Written Exam	In-class test worth 10% of total module marks based on Eukaryotic Genetics lectures	10%	As required
Written Exam	In-class test worth 10% of total module marks on topics related to bacterial and fungal genetics lectures	10%	As required
Written Exam	80% in-class test on prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetics and microbiology	80%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Eukaryotic Genetics
Heredity - Historical Prospective, Mendelian Genetics, Extensions of Mendelian Genetics Quantitative Genetics, Linkage Crossing Over and Mapping in Eukaryotes, Mitosis and Meiosis, Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes, Extrachromosomal inheritance, Developmental Genetics, Genetics and Behaviour, Population Genetics, Evolution. Speciation

Bacterial and Fungal genetics
1. Genomes of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic microorganisms 2. Genetic mutations and DNA repair 3. Horizontal Gene transfer and antimicrobial resistance 4. Mechanisms of gene expression regulation 5. Bacteriophage gene regulation 6. Biofilm development 7. Quorum sensing 8. Microbiome and mycobiome genetics

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None