69513 Medical Microbiology
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 69501 Infection and Immune Diagnostics AND 69505 Medical Microbiology
Recommended studies:
A general science background is recommended, including foundation areas such as chemistry, cell biology, anatomy, physiology, immunology and biodiversity.
Description
This subject provides study in the critical discipline of medical microbiology. Starting with a general introduction to microbiology and the classification of microbes, students explore the concepts of epidemiology and microbiology within a public health context. In the last two modules, students investigate bacteria and viruses in more detail. This includes reviewing the modern diagnostic tests and current best-practice techniques used in the clinical identification of disease.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Demonstrate specialised knowledge related to microorganisms. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Articulate independent judgements across a range of microbiology related functions and contexts |
| 3. | Apply knowledge of microorganisms to evaluate diagnostic tests and inform health outcomes. |
| 4. | Exercise critical thinking, research and reflection to develop and promote new understanding |
| 5. | Communicate knowledge and ideas about theoretical concepts related to microbiology to a variety of audiences. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically engage with the appraisal of knowledge in the context of medical laboratory science. (1.1)
- Evaluate relevant scientific literature in the investigation of complex medical and diagnostic problems by undertaking independent research. (2.1)
- Demonstrate a high-level understanding of health and safety requirements, ethical conduct, risk management, organisation and collaborative skills and record keeping in the context of a professional pathology laboratory. (3.1)
- Self-reflect and evaluate on the processes used to acquire and apply knowledge and skills within the laboratory environment. (4.1)
- Use appropriate communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, visual) to communicate medical science concepts to peers, discipline experts, scientists, industry, and the general public. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
1. Disciplinary Knowledge: Specialist knowledge of laboratory diagnosis of disease in the fields of microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and cellular pathology.
- Disciplinary Knowledge of medical microbiology will be assessed in module quizzes and by demonstrating a strong understanding of specific factual knowledge and technical application of that knowledge in the ‘brochure’ and ‘scientific report / factsheet’ assignments.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking: The ability to apply scientific methods to investigate diagnostic techniques through experimental observation, understanding of analytical laboratory testing, critical evaluation and data analyses.
- Assessed by conducting relevant literature searches and assimilating the information into a cohesive document that outlines both the problem and the solution in the ‘brochure’ and ‘scientific report / factsheet’ assignments.
3. Professional, Ethical, and Social Responsibility: A capacity to work ethically and professionally using technical, practical, and collaborative pathology skills within the context of the workplace and apply these to meet the current and future needs of society.
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Assessed in module quizzes and by identifying and addressing target audiences in the in the ‘brochure’ and ‘scientific factsheet’ assignments.
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity: The ability to design creative solutions to contemporary diagnostic issues using reflective practices and self-directed learning.
- Assessed by being creative and curious in the execution and design of the ‘brochure’ and ability to select, assimilate and present factual information derived from multiple sources in the ‘scientific report / factsheet’ assignment.
5. Communication: Effective and professional communication skills for a range of scientific audiences.
- Written communication will be used in both the ‘brochure’ and ‘scientific report / factsheet’ assignments to deliver information and complex ideas to different audiences and will be assessed in both these tasks
Teaching and learning strategies
This course is completed via the online learning environment of UTS CANVAS. Throughout the session, students will work their way through four independent, self-directed learning modules. All subject material will be delivered online. There are no practical classes or on-campus activities associated with this subject. Learning content will be delivered in dynamic formats and may include expert interviews, interactive activities, videos, lecture recordings, readings (including scientific research and technical literature), library tutorials, and other online media. There will be multiple small progress quizzes associated with each module and two assessment items to submit.
There will be a scheduled time for all students to meet and converse with classmates and the subject facilitator via a weekly Zoom session. This is not a tutorial and will not automatically be recorded. Occasionally, guest speakers may be invited to give a talk at this time. It is an opportunity to touch base and participate in a collegiate scientific environment.
Feedback will be provided to students through small formative self-guided tests and activities throughout each module and through the end of module quizzes. Students can also discuss their learning and assignment progress in live ZOOM classes and in discussion board in CANVAS.
Content (topics)
Module 1 - Introduction to Microbiology: This module will include a history of microbes and provide infomation about classification of microbes. It will introduce common techniques and processes used in microbiology fields.
Module 2 - Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases: This module will examine diseases that are important to human health and how they are trasmitted in through the community. It will contain investigations of the different modes of infection, delivery, and what microorganisms are responible for different types of disease. It will feature the modern techniques and best-practice processes used in the investigation of microbial diseases.
Module 3 - Clinical Bacteriology: This module will explore clinically-relevant bacteria and how they are currently identified in Australian and international laboratories.
Module 4 - Diagnostic Virology: This module will explore clinically-relevant viruses and how they are currently identified in Australian and international laboratories.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Module quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment set contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 10-15 questions |
| Criteria: | Marks will be awarded for correct answers to questions presented in a quiz format. |
Assessment task 2: Brochure/Article
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 1-2 pages |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed against a marking rubric which will be available to view in CANVAS. |
Assessment task 3: Scientific report/Factsheet
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed against a marking rubric which will be available to view in CANVAS. |