Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Aspects of microbiology impinge upon many facets of daily life, for example, human health, genetic engineering, the food and pharmaceutical industries and the built and natural environments. The unit introduces you to and provides you with a solid foundation in the basic microbiology required for progression to advanced studies in Microbiology. This unit provides knowledge about safe handling and study of micro-organisms that is also very important in many other disciplines, because micro-organisms are used as models and tools in a wide range of study areas.

This fundamental unit of microbiology provides the basis for understanding the importance of the many and varied aspects of microbiology in our daily lives.
· the learning will impact on the careers of a range of professional personnel from microbiologists in diagnostics, food and environmental laboratories to research scientists and pharmacists.
· the unit is included in the course as an introduction to the isolation, identification and safe handling of microorganisms and also introduces concepts of control, sterility and aseptic techniques required for sterile preparation of products including pharmaceuticals
· the unit provides the fundamental knowledge and skills required for progression to advanced units in Microbiology

Aims

The aim of this unit is to develop foundational knowledge of microbial diversity, with an emphasis on bacteriology, and to develop laboratory skills for safe handling practices in the isolation and identification of microorganisms as well as to learn sterile transfer techniques to work aseptically in the laboratory.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you should be able to

1. Demonstrate foundational theoretical knowledge of microbiology and apply it to real life contexts.
2. Analyse and interpret data and information about microbial specimens.
3. Demonstrate practical skills and competencies in a range of microbiological laboratory techniques including the safe handling microbial cultures
- adhering to key health and safety rules and regulations.

Content

The content of this unit includes aspects of:

- Microbial diversity and the impact of microorganisms of humans
- Prokaryotic diversity
- Bacterial physiology and metabolism
- Bacterial systematic an phylogeny
- Microbial infection control: physical and chemical methods
- Antimicrobials and control
- Water and food microbiology
- Microbial molecular biology and genomics
- Immunity in host defence and disease
- Molecular immunology

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Four approaches to learning and teaching are used in this introductory unit to scaffold your learning by closely integrating theory and basic laboratory skills.

(i) enthusing you about the broad scope of microbiology and its applications, for example, focusing for 5 minutes at the start of each lecture on a topical and current microorganism

(ii) introducing and developing your practical skills in an authentic laboratory context for use in all later microbiology units with a strong emphasis on workplace, health and safety. Examples of skills: correct use of a microscope, aseptic techniques, culturing and isolating microorganisms, serial diluting, plating, gram staining, identifying common bacteria using a variety of methods including biochemical tests, DNA extraction and PCR methods, calculating MIC for particular disinfectants

(iii) guiding you with explicit instructions to help you to plan, prepare and organize your approach to laboratory activities so that they are completed in a time efficient manner, safely and competently

(iv) providing you with real life examples (in scenarios, practical demonstrations and case studies) to assist your understanding and interpretation of the content and completing worksheets

Assessment

General Assessment Information Guidance Box

Formative assessment will be applied continuously throughout the semester via the following methods:
- Questions at the end of each practical which not only will deal with clarification of the material presented but also encourage revision of knowledge and the search for further information.
- Spot tests during practical sessions to emphasise the need for continuous learning.
- A trial practical examination in the second half of the semester.
- Revision questions placed in electronic reserve or on web pages.
- Continuous one-to-one interaction with tutors during laboratory sessions.
- A progressive list of multiple choice questions on lecture material to aid revision and understanding and as practice for the final examination.
- A sample theory examination paper will be supplied.

To assist you with preparing your responses to summative assessment tasks, you will be given examples of what is expected so that you can develop your understanding of how to use criteria sheets.Feedback to Students Guidance Box

Students will be provided with both formative and summative feedback on their assessment.

1. Formative feedback will be provided in weekly discussions/answers to questions in the laboratory sessions regarding questions from the practical laboratory guide. Feedback may also be presented on-line from tasks and quizzes completed by the students

2. Summative feedback will be provided following the mid-semester theory and end of semester practical examinations

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Set task/s/questions covering material presented in lectures 1-5, completed in a pre-determined, restricted time span under invigilated conditions. It may include various question formats including multiple-choice questions, direct answer, short essay and case studies.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2.
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Set task/s/questions covering material presented in all lectures and practicals, completed in a pre-determined, restricted time span under invigilated conditions. It may include various question formats including multiple-choice questions, direct answer, short essay and case studies. These will be of various levels of challenge.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2.
Weight: 55%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam period

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: A demonstration of technical/professional skills
Set task/s/questions related to demonstrating techniques, interpreting and analysing experimental results and applying theoretical knowledge of microbiological techniques.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 3
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Texts :

1. Tortora, G., Funke, B. and Case, C., (2010) Microbiology- An Introduction, 10th edition


2. Madigan M.T., Martinko J. M & Parker J., (2009) Brock - Biology of Microorganisms, 12th edition, Prentice Hall

3. Denyer, S.P., Hodges, N.A. and Gorman, S.P. ,(2008) - Hugo and Russell's Pharmaceutical Microbiology. 7th edition, Blackwell Publishing

References:

References to the specific topics addressed in the unit will be provided by the team lecturers at the time of presentation or on the unit web site.

Risk assessment statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to complete an online health and safety quiz prior to entry to the laboratory. A passing score of 9/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory. You may re-sit the quiz until this score is achieved. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/index.jsp for further information. If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 05-Oct-2012