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Unit name |
Microbes and Disease |
Unit code |
PANM12042 |
Credit points |
20 |
Level of study |
C/4
|
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
Unit director |
Professor. Stuart Siddell |
Open unit status |
Not open |
Pre-requisites |
PANM12041 |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department |
School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine |
Faculty |
Faculty of Life Sciences |
Description including Unit Aims
The study of infectious disease: virulence factors, host/tissue specificity, microbiological niches, epidemiology, and intervention strategies.
The unit introduces disease-causing microbes and the basis of their pathogenesis. It is delivered using a series of integrated lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions supported by on-line resources.
Unit aims:
To provide students with information about:
- Microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasitic protozoa, that cause disease and how they do it,
- the diversity of microbial pathogenesis,
- steps that can be taken to lessen the impact of pathogens on animal and human health.
To teach students skills including:
- microbiology-related practical skills including safe handling of microbes in the laboratory,
- appreciation of experimental design,
- data interpretation,
- written, oral and visual presentation, both individually and as part of a team.
Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the unit a successful student will be able to:
- describe various microbes including viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists that cause disease and how they do it,
- explain the diversity of mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis,
- list steps that can be taken to lessen the impact of pathogens on animal and human health,
- handle microorganisms with confidence and safety in the laboratory,
- describe experimental design and interpret data,
- present scientific information and arguments in written, oral and visual form, both individually and as part of a team,
- undertake the further study of microorganisms at Level 5 and 6.
Teaching Information
- e-learning to support laboratory practicals via eBiolabs
Assessment Information
Two 1500 word essays (5%)
Oral presentation (2%)
Poster presentation (3%)
eBiolabs pre-lab quizzes and post-lab assignments (5%)
1-hour mid-unit assessment consisting of multiple choice questions (10%)
2-hour written exam (summer) including multiple choice questions and two essays (75%)
The exams will cover learning outcomes 1-3, 5-6.
The assessment via eBiolabs and the practical write-up will assess learning outcomes 4-6.
The essay and oral presentation will cover learning outcome 6 and any from 1-3.
Formative assessment:
For formative purposes students will receive feedback as follows:
- The essays will be marked and returned with verbal and written feedback during tutorials.
- Electronic feedback will be provided for the pre-lab and post-lab work via eBiolabs.
- Oral presentations will be marked and subject to verbal feedback during the tutorial and a written feedback sheet provided.
- Feedback during practical classes will be provided by staff and demonstrators.
- Unit assessment marks will be provided and feedback will be available from the Unit Director on request.
- A breakdown of marks for the summer exams will be provided and additional feedback will be provided by the Unit Director on request.
Reading and References
- Microbiology: a clinical approach. Strelkauskas A., Strelkauskas J. and Moszyk-Strelkauskas M. 2010. 1st Edition. Garland Science. ISBN-13: 978-0815365143. The necessary background to the course can be found in this book. There is also an extensive array of student resources to be found at the publisher’s website (http://www.garlandscience.com/micro).
- Viruses: biology, application and control. Harper D. 2011. 1st Edition. Garland Science. ISBN-13: 978-0815341505. This textbook is recommended as additional reading for those particularly interested in viruses.
- Mims’ Medical Microbiology, 4th Ed. By Goering, Dockrell, Roitt, Zukerman & Wakelin. Elsevier Mosby, St. Louis, 2008.
- Medical Microbiology, 6th Ed. by Murray, Rosenthal & Pfaller. Elsevier Mosby, St. Louis, 2009.
- Brock: Biology of Microorganisms, 12th Ed. by Madigan, Martinko, Dunlap & Clark. Pearson Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco., 2008).
- Prescott, Harley & Klein’s Microbiology, 7th Ed. by Willey, Sherwood & Woolverton. McGraw-Hill, N.Y., 2008.
All textbooks are available in the Medical Sciences library.