MIC2032

Microbiology

Included on BSc(Biomedical) schedule of approved subjects only

Dr Harley Dean

8 points - An average of 8 hours per week composed of lectures and practical work. This will typically consist of 3 to 4 lectures and 4 to 5 hours of practical work per week - Second semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: MIC2011 - Prohibitions: GAS2122, MIC2022

Objectives On the completion of this subject students should have achieved a basis understanding of aspects of infection including pathogenesis, epidemiology, immunity and use of antibiotics, with particular emphasis on several human infectious diseases; be able to demonstrate the diversity of microorganisms using selected genera; gain an appreciation of the practical importance of microorganisms in medicine, agriculture, industry and the environment; be able to explain strategies of viral replication and how these relate to viral structure and classification.

Synopsis Interactions of microorganisms with each other or with other types of living organisms including humans are considered, leading to a study of their practical importance in medicine, agriculture, industry and the environment. Aspects of infection which are studied include pathogenesis, epidemiology, basic immunity and an introduction to antibiotics. An introduction to viruses is followed by an explanation of how their structure is related to their strategies of replication in living cells and to their classification. The subject features a detailed study of several human infectious diseases including examples of bacterial, viral and parasite diseases that have major impacts on human health.

Assessment Examinations (3 hours): 50% - Practical work/laboratory work: 50%

Prescribed texts

Cann A J Principles of molecular virology 2nd edn, Academic Press, 1997
Prescott L M and others Microbiology 3rd edn, W C Brown, 1996

Recommended texts

Madigan M T and others Brock Biology of microorganisms 8th edn, Prentice-Hall, 1997
Mims C A and others Medical microbiology Mosby, 1993

Back to the 1999 Science Handbook