The teaching is part of the general objectives of the LM BA course and aims to provide students with in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and applicative principles of the study of microbial communities (bacterial, viral and fungal) in natural and anthropic environments, on the ecological processes that regulate and on their functions in ecosystems, and on techniques for monitoring, containment and exploitation of microorganisms to protect the environment.

The main educational objectives of the course concern the knowledge:
- the evolution and adaptation mechanisms of cellular and viral microorganisms in natural environments;
- the role of microorganisms in nature;
- the mechanisms of interactions between microorganisms and other microorganisms or higher organisms in natural environments (microbiomes and microbiota);
- techniques for monitoring and containing microorganisms in natural environments;
- the principles of using the metabolic capacities of microorganisms in environmental applications.