mic3amm adv medcl
ADVANCED MEDICAL AND VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
MIC3AMM
2017
Credit points: 30
Subject outline
This subject deals with disease causation by viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic microbes. Each of these three components is designed to give students a better understanding of disease-causing microorganisms, their life cycles, and how they 'hijack' and control their host cells in order to initiate infection and propagate themselves. The virology section will also cover a number of significant viral pathogens, including influenza, HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C; as well as a the concept of emerging viral infections, how this occurs, and what we can do to stop them. The bacterial and eukaryotic pathogenesis sections will also include examples of significant infections.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points30
Subject Co-ordinatorSteve Petrovski
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites MIC2MI (or MIC2IM or AGR3ANH/AGR3ANI) and MIC2MMV (or MIC2MVM), except for Bachelor of Biomedical sciences students who have passed MIC2MMV (or MIC2MVM).
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Apply concepts of molecular virology (e. g. pathogenesis of virus infection and how viruses interact with cells) to analyse and solve real world scenarios.
- Activities:
- Lectures provide details on molecular virology concepts and a concurrent block of laboratory classes expose students to the structure and function of viruses and methods of detection. The third year laboratory is an 'open' laboratory and students have access outside of session times to complete experiments and prepare for upcoming sessions. Laboratory classes are specifically designed to give all students "hands on" experience at the bench as could be expected of working microbiologists. A final exam (2hrs) requires students to write short answer/essay style answers to scenario style questions involving viral infections.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
02. Apply concepts of plasmid biology (e.g. bacterial genome malleability, horizontal gene transfer) and molecular pathogenesis (e. g. host cell biology and pathogenesis of bacteria and protozoans, particularly those causing human disease) to analyse and solve real world scenarios.
- Activities:
- Lectures provide details on plasmid biology and molecular pathogenesis concepts and concurrent blocks of laboratory classes expose students first to plasmid characteristics and then to features of disease causing bacteria and protozoa. A final exam (3hrs) requires students to write short answer/essay style answers to scenario style questions related to plasmid biology, the cellular basis of human disease caused by key pathogenic microorganisms and the immune response to microbial infection.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
03. Use key microbiological techniques to manipulate microorganisims for experiments in the laboratory and record data and interpretation of the results.
- Activities:
- Students are instructed on new techniques in the laboratory setting and concepts from lectures are reinforced. The third year laboratory is an 'open' laboratory and students have access outside of session times to complete experiments and prepare for upcoming sessions. Records of experiments are made in laboratory note books. Laboratory classes are specifically designed to give all students "hands on" experience at the bench as could be expected of working microbiologists. Early in semester (Food microbiology) and then after each different block of laboratory experiments, students sit a short answer test that requires them to utilize the results and analysis of their laboratory experiments to answer questions.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
04. Write an essay on a set microbiological topic/issue that requires a literature search and explains the particular topic/issue using correct terminology.
- Activities:
- At the beginning of semester students are given the topic/issue and also receive a lecture/workshop session from ALLU staff on how to research/write an essay. Essay to be submitted approx. half way through semester.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment size150
Enrolment information Quota due to limited lab space. Merit based quota an academic performance in first and second year.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSteve Petrovski
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Four 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Two 3.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 2-hour written examination (end of semester) | 20 | 01, 02 | |
| One 3-hour written examination (end of semester) | 40 | 01, 02 | |
| One essay (1000 words) | 10 | 04 | |
| Three lab session short answer tests (Virology - 1hr, Med Bact - 1hr, Mol. Path- 1hr) 10% each | Hurdle requirement: skills assessment | 30 | 03 |