Coordinator: Professor Julian Rood (Department of Microbiology)
Recent
developments such as mad-cow disease, HIV infection, legionnaire's disease and
the rise of antibiotic resistance emphasise the importance of understanding
infectious diseases for human health. Microbiology is concerned with the study
of these emerging diseases and microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi,
parasites and viruses, their structure and way of life, how they interact with
people and other living organisms in both harmful and beneficial ways and how
they can be exploited to our advantage. All these aspects are featured in units
commencing at level two and which progress at level three to the molecular
biology of bacteria and viruses, bacterial and viral pathogenesis,
biotechnological applications of microbiology and medical microbiology. In the
current era of recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering, bacterial
plasmids and viruses provide the essential vehicles for genetic manipulation
and expression in recipient cells, emphasising the core role of microbiology in
the biomedical sciences. Practical classes in microbiology are designed to
provide laboratory skills in safe handling of microorganisms, experimental
procedures illustrating their properties and functions, laboratory diagnosis,
and genetic manipulation and expression. There is a strong emphasis on training
in the techniques of recombinant DNA technology. Tutorials are designed to
develop the student's independent research and evaluation skills.
Each unit in microbiology is worth six points. Useful companion units are
biochemistry, immunology, genetics and pharmacology. Students enrolling in
MIC2011 and MIC2022 are strongly advised to enrol in the molecular biology
units MOL2011 and MOL2011.
Students with an excellent undergraduate record may take a BSc(Hons) degree in
microbiology in a fourth year of study that combines the study of advanced
topics and a defined research project that continues throughout the year. The
school has excellent facilities for postgraduate studies and an active
postgraduate research program.
The coordinators are: Dr Harley Dean (MIC2011 and MIC2022), Associate Professor
John Davies (MIC3011), Professor Ben Adler (MIC3041), Associate Professor Peter
Wright (MIC3022), Professor Julian Rood (MIC3032) and Associate Professor John
Davies (Honours, MIC4000).
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