Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will have a microbiological knowledge on key areas of microbial involvement in biotechnology, eg production of antibiotics, food additives and solvents; recognise and understand the economic realities of biotechnological production involving microorganisms; have built on earlier broad concepts regarding mechanisms of microbial disease; have acquired a knowledge of the intricacies of disease processes, eg sites of infection, host responses, and immunity to infection; appreciate the differences between the control and treatment of infectious diseases of man and domestic animals; have acquired technical skills for the identification of bacterial isolates from medical and environmental sources.
Synopsis In this subject, aspects of microbiology are presented which are relevant to infectious disease today (including the mode of action of antibiotics) and to biotechnology. This subject builds on the content of previous subjects providing the basis for the study of biotechnology and bioengineering, especially industrial and environmental applications. The subject includes medical and veterinary microbiology and virology, especially microbial relationships, the nature of microbial infections, vaccines, immunity and mechanisms of host resistance.
Assessment Written (2000 words): 10% + Examinations (3 hours): 55% + Practical work/Laboratory work: 35%