HONOURS MICROBIOLOGY

MIC4HNB

2017

Credit points: 60

Subject outline

The Honours course consists of a one year supervised research project and a relatively minor course work component. Microbiological research is as varied in its nature as the microbial world itself and the research interests of the Microbiology discipline reflect this diversity. Programs are potentially available within the discipline in the areas of: the molecular and cellular biology of human and animal viruses; the interactions between host and pathogen; the molecular genetics of bacterial plasmids and wastewater microbiology; environmental microbiology; the molecular biology of signal transduction in mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases; understanding mitochondrial function in pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms; as well as other relevant aspects of microbial physiology and mammalian cell biology.

School: School of Life Sciences

Credit points: 60

Subject Co-ordinator: Steve Petrovski

Available to Study Abroad Students: No

Subject year level: Year Level 4 - UG/Hons/1st Yr PG

Exchange Students: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in one the following courses SHBIS or SHS or SHMES or SHMC or SHAVB.

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: MIC4PGB

Equivalent subjects: MIC4PGB

Special conditions: This subject of study represents the second semester of a year-long program. Students MUST complete both MIC4HNA and MIC4HNB in the one academic year.

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. To extend students general knowledge of microbiology

Activities:: Write a scientific essay on an assigned topic in microbiology. Review the current literature and write a comprehensive review. Instructions on essay writing and literature reviews will be given in the microbiology honours handbook. Students will also give a lecturette to the department on an assigned advanced scientific topic. Students will be given feedback on their assessments from academic staff in the discipline.

02. Provide experience of laboratory practice and honours skills training

Activities:: At the beginning of the honours year students will be provided with appropriate training in good laboratory practice as well as recombinant DNA and/or Animal/human ethics if required. Other honours skills training sessions will be provided which include database library services and endnote.

03. Conduct experiments based on an original research project

Activities:: Design experiments to answer specific questions related to an original research project. Students will be guided by a supervisor and keep a laboratory book with detailed records. Results will be analysed and evaluated to interpret the obtained outcomes.

04. Scientific communication skills

Activities:: Research proposal and research seminars are by each student as well as a lecturette. Instructions on how to give a presentation will be provided in the microbiology honours handbook. An essay, literature review and thesis are written by each student. Instructions on presentations and written work is given in the microbiology handbook. Academic staff in the microbiology discipline will be provide feedback to each student.

Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information:

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Steve Petrovski

Class requirements

Supervised ResearchWeek: 31 - 43
One 5.0 hours supervised research per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
"The lectures are compulsory (medical certificate needed for non-attendance)"

Assessments

Assessment element	%	ILO*
Laboratory and research skills assessment	5	02, 03
one 10,000-word Thesis	65	01, 03
one 3,000-word essay	7	01, 04
one 5,000-word literature review	15	01, 02, 03
seminar and lecturette presentations totalling approx. 1 hour	8	01, 04