Water Microbiology II

This one semester course is designed to introduce the student to the theory and application of wastewater and water microbiology. The organisms of the treatment system are key players in an effective water and wastewater treatment process. A variety of organisms will be discussed with respect to different sizes, shapes, life cycles and roles in the processes. This course is intended to aid in the identification of the organisms commonly found. Domestic wastewater is a combination of human and animal excreta (feces and urine) and grey water resulting from washing, bathing and cooking. The lectures and labs will introduce the concepts of water and wastewater treatment at the microbial level and demonstrate how these impact public health. The study of infectious diseases will include the transmission of the disease, the microorganisms causing the diseases and how to treat to eliminate the microorganisms, thus the diseases. Testing for contamination will be covered using standard methods such as HPC, MPN, Membrane Filtration, and Presence Absence (Colilert). An understanding of the microorganisms, how they interact with each other and inanimate objects is an important part of treatment processes. The biogeochemical cycles, their transformation, subsequent biological removal and the public health aspects of each cycle will be introduced. Practical lab exercises reinforce the theoretical principles of the lecture and provide the student with methodologies used by the "Standard Methods For The Examination of Water and Wastewater".