Undergraduate - Area of study Microbiology

Microbiology is an absorbing science that is at the core of exciting new developments that have occurred in modern molecular biology. It involves the analysis and genetic manipulation of bacteria, parasites and viruses.

Recent developments such as the swine influenza outbreak, SARS, legionnaire's disease and the rise of antibiotic resistance in medically important bacteria emphasise the importance of understanding infectious diseases for human health. Microbiology is concerned with the study of these emerging diseases and micro-organisms 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. These involve the study of the diversity of the microbial world, food microbiology and an analysis of how microbes grow and survive. At the practical level, students will learn about how micro-organisms interact with their environment, and about how they interact with the human body to cause disease. Several major diseases such as malaria, influenza and tuberculosis will be studied in depth.

At level three, studies progress to the molecular biology of bacteria and viruses, bacterial and viral pathogenesis, 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 micro-organisms, 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.

A sequence that integrates the study of microbiology with molecular biology is also offered.

Learning outcomes

Graduates from Clayton will be able to:

• describe the range and diversity of microorganisms within the living world, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites that inhabit the natural environment as well as those that colonise human and animal hosts
• demonstrate a set of core microbiological and molecular biological skills, gaining an understanding of both the principles behind the techniques as well as their utilisation in laboratory settings
• critically evaluate published literature and data sources to provide a comprehensive account of how microorganisms interact with their environment and contribute to human and animal diseases
• demonstrate a practical understanding of the way microorganisms affect our lives; specifically, their role in the environment and the food industry, in animal production, the importance of infection control and personal responsibility in community health, and the continuing rise of emerging infectious disease as a global public health crisis
• demonstrate basic skills in laboratory research and the scientific method of hypothesis testing and investigation, including how to collect, organise, analyse and interpret experimental data specifically related to the field of microbiology
• demonstrate written, visual and oral presentation skills to communicate scientific knowledge, including the presentation of scientific posters, scientific reports, and oral presentations
• work independently as well as cooperating effectively with others in a collaborative research team
• develop, in the context of the discipline of microbiology, the graduate attributes of effective communication, quantitative literacy, information and communication literacy, inquiry and critical thinking, and ethical, social and international understanding.

Graduates from Gippsland and Malaysia will be able to:

• demonstrate a broad understanding of the diversity and range of microorganisms, the interactions between humans and microorganisms, the role of microorganisms in industrial and environmental processes, and their role in the development of the techniques that underpin modern molecular biology
• demonstrate proficiency in a set of core microbiological and molecular biological technical methods, including both an understanding of the principles of the methods and their utilisation in laboratory settings
• demonstrate familiarity with the risk assessment process, and use this information to operate safely in the laboratory environment
• collect, organise, analyse, evaluate and interpret experimental data using appropriate quantitative, technological and critical thinking skills
• critically evaluate relevant scientific data and literature and comprehend the nature and scope of the scientific literature in microbiology and related areas
• communicate microbiological principles and information effectively to diverse audiences, using a variety of formats
• work and learn effectively, both independently and collaboratively, in a manner that respects the needs and views of others.