BTH3787

Medical microbiology

(SCI)

Chris Panter

6 points + Second semester + Three hours of lectures/tutorials and 3 hours laboratory classes per week + Gippsland and OCDL (in even-numbered years) + OCDL students undertake a 5-day residential school program + Prerequisites: BTH2777 or ASC2687 + Prohibitions: MIC3022, MIC3032, GAS3122, ASC3687

Synopsis: The subject begins with safety, serological techniques and laboratory diagnosis of infectious disease. An introduction to the pathogenicity of micro-organisms and the epidemiology of infectious disease follows. Infectious diseases of the organ systems are then covered, with aetiology, pathogenesis and laboratory identification of pathogens being emphasised. Chemotherapy discusses the mode of action of antimicrobial drugs, their use in treating infectious disease and the problem of drug resistance. Finally, examples of biotechnology in the microbiology diagnostic laboratory are investigated.

Assessment: Mid-semester test: 30% + Final examination: 35% + Assignment (1,000 words): 5% + Practical work, including laboratory reports, an individual project and laboratory performance: 30%