MIC3032

Pathogenesis of bacterial infectious diseases

(SCI)

Professor Julian Rood

6 points + Two 1-hour lectures and up to 4 hours of tutorial/discussion/research colloquium session per week + Second semester + Clayton + Prerequisites: None + Highly recommended MIC2011, MIC2022, MOL2011, MOL2022 or BMS2052

Synopsis: The subject will introduce the student to the methods and approaches used to analyse pathogenic mechanisms of bacterial infections. The emphasis is on genetic approaches to studying pathogenesis, processes in pathogenesis, bacterial exotoxins and endotoxins. The details of these processes for four selected bacterial infections will be studied by examination and discussion of the most recent scientific research literature in this area.

Assessment: Written theory examination (2 hour) 50% + submission of co-operative collection of essays (each essay up to 4000 words) 50% + There is no practical class associated with this subject. Students will work in groups of 10 throughout the semester to write a monograph on a selected pathogenic microorganism. The monograph will consist of a collection of essays (each up to 4000 words) with each student responsible for one essay. Senior academic staff will meet with the group on a regular basis to assist with overall guidance, but students will plan, edit, write and complete the monograph in a "publishable" form. First draft of each essay will be submitted to academic staff.