6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit
Chief examiner(s)
Assoc. Professor Elizabeth Davis
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
This unit focuses on microorganisms that are relevant to health and disease in humans and animals.
Aspects of a variety of infectious organisms will be studied including, epidemiology, aetiology, pathogenesis, immunity, regulation and control of infection by drugs and vaccines and mechanisms of resistance.
Knowledge and skills will be gained and developed in lectures and practicals.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Explain the importance of micro-organisms in health and disease;
- Describe how host and pathogenic factors of micro-organisms affect the outcome of infection;
- Describe basic mechanisms of immunity to infection and the development and use of vaccines;
- Explain how infectious diseases are spread, tracked and controlled, and the susceptibility and resistance of microbial pathogens to antimicrobial agents;
- Describe some examples of microbial pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, the diseases that they cause, their mechanisms of pathogenesis, and treatment;
- Demonstrate knowledge of microbiological methodology and laboratory skills that are used to study and diagnose microbial pathogens.
Assessment
- In-semester laboratory and tutorial components (approximately 3,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)
- Mid-semester examination (45 minutes) (10%)
- Written theory examination (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
Workload requirements
3 lectures and one 3-hour laboratory class or tutorial/discussion session per week.
See also Unit timetable information