Department of Microbiology
First Year Microbiology

MIC 1IEP: Infections and Epidemics

Throughout history, microbial infections and epidemics have threatened human well being and survival. New infectious agents continually emerge, old foes become resistant to treatment and constant surveillance is needed to ensure public safety. In this unit, humanity's battle against infectious microorganisms is portrayed through discussion of a variety of specific diseases, both ancient and modern, from the plague in mediaeval Europe to AIDS in modern times. Selected bacterial (eg. meningococcal disease), viral (eg. influenza, SARS), fungal (eg. thrush) and protozoal (eg. malaria) infections are used to illustrate the principles behind their treatment and prevention (eg. antibiotics, vaccines, public health measures).

The brochure for MIC1IEP is available for download as a PDF file.

Conditions of Enrolment

This unit is a first year elective for students whose degree structures allow them to undertake such electives eg. degrees in Arts, Public Health or Medical Sciences. Class work involves three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour practical class/tutorial per week during the first semester. A pass in this unit is not sufficient to meet the prerequisites for enrolment in Second Year Microbiology subjects.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this subject. However, students whose current degree rules require them to take four first year core biology (BIO code) subjects will not be permitted to enrol in this subject. This unit has a quota limit of 48 students.

Assessment

One 3-hour examination (75%)
One 1,000 word assignment and one group assignment (25%)

Further Information

Students currently enrolled in MIC1IEP can obtain current information and lecture notes from WebCT.

Further information about Microbiology 1IEP: Infections and Epidemics can be obtained from the Undergraduate Handbook, or contact Dr Vilma Stanisich.

Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering course information is also available online.