Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

Microorganisms such as bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses are very important as etiological agents of human disease, and their accurate clinical diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment and patient management. LQB486 is a core unit in the clinical microbiology stream building upon fundamental concepts in general microbiology as discussed in LQB386 Microbial Structure and Function and is followed by the capstone unit, LQB586 Clinical Microbiology 2. The combination of LQB386, LQB486 and LQB586 prepares you for either a career in a microbiology laboratory in clinical practice, industry or research or further studies such as postgraduate medicine. This particular unit will advance your knowledge, understanding and application as part of an integrated theory-laboratory learning approach. While the focus will be on bacterial and parasitic etiological agents of human disease, other microbes may be discussed from time-to-time as part of a comprehensive exploration of human infectious diseases.

Aims

Three key aims of this unit are:

1. to enable you to develop/construct your core knowledge and understanding with respect to microbial disease processes;

2. to provide you with opportunities to apply your knowledge and understanding in both theoretical and laboratory contexts and;

3. to develop and refine high order learning attributes so that you can effectively and efficiently diagnose key microbial diseases.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. recognise and articulate the important role of the clinical microbiologist in the diagnosis of human infectious diseases.

2. demonstrate both knowledge and understanding and apply both with respect to: microbial disease processes in humans, cellular and molecular mechanisms of infectious disease pathogenesis and implications for patient management.

3. demonstrate laboratory-based generic and specific skills in clinical microbiology

4. continue to develop and refine your critical thinking and complex reasoning skills in order to promote active learning.

Content

The content of this unit places emphasis on laboratory diagnosis of microbial pathogens. Specifically, this unit focuses on bacterial and parasitic diseases that are most frequently encountered in Australia and (where appropriate) on those microorganisms most likely to penetrate the quarantine barrier. It includes:

Bacteriology
This component concentrates on the principles and practice of clinical bacteriology and explores bacterial diseases of one anatomical site, the gastrointestinal tract. Additional bacterial disease states will be discussed in LQB568 Clinical Microbiology 2. Key learning aspects include: roles of the clinical diagnostic microbiologist, key strategies in human infectious disease diagnosis, specimen collection and processing, isolation and identification of key bacterial pathogens, conventional and molecular diagnostic methodologies, epidemiology, infectious disease control and prevention, antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy.

Parasitology
The parasitology component of this unit focuses on cestodes, trematodes and nematodes. Additional parasites will be discussed in the follow-up unit LQB568 Clinical Microbiology 2. A systematic study of identification, life history, incidence, modes of infection, epidemiology and control of parasites in humans will be undertaken.

Laboratory sessions in this unit will expand upon and reinforce fundamental health and safety skills developed in LQB386 Microbial Structure and Function, focussing on those aspects of safe professional practice in a clinical microbiology laboratory including, but not limited to, fire safety and the safe handling of pathogenic cultures.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Four approaches to teaching and learning are used in this unit:

(i) Closely integrated theory and practice to construct your learning (knowledge and understanding) of fundamental concepts, principles and requirements essential for clinical microbiology

(ii) Developing your practical skills in an authentic laboratory context that mirrors real life practices, under the guidance of professional clinical microbiologists and graduate students

(iii) Developing and refining your critical thinking-complex reasoning skills as well as self-directed learning skills, to assist your transition to the workplace or further studies, by encouraging your use of information sources including books, journals and websites to complete some assessment tasks (formative and summative)

(iv) Providing you with real life examples (in scenarios, practical demonstrations and case studies) to assist your understanding and contextualisation of the unit content and to complete practical worksheets or data report forms.

The unit consists of 2 hours of lectures or lectorials and up to 2 hours of laboratory per week depending on the topic. You may be encouraged to actively participate in Blackboard-based discussion forums.

Assessment

Formative assessment (e.g., sample questions), for theory and/or practical components of the unit, will be provided for you to work on to assist your learning and as preparation for summative examinations.Depending on the component or topic, weekly laboratory reports will be reviewed from time-to-time and formative feedback given to highlight key areas where you need to focus. Formative feedback will also normally be provided during probing Q&A sessions in lectorials, lectures and laboratory sessions. Laboratory class group or one-on-one discussions with teachers allow you to gain immediate and continuous feedback on your progress in this unit. You will have the opportunity to gain feedback regarding your summative assessments by making an appointment with either the unit coordinator or relevant team teacher at a mutually convenient time.

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: (1) Progress Theory Exam designed to assess your learning (knowledge and understanding) of foundation concepts and to monitor your progress in this unit (Summative; 20%);

(2) Final Theory Exam (central exam period) to assess your comprehensive learning (knowledge, understanding and application) in this unit (Summative; 40%)
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 4.
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid and End Semester

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Lab-based assessment of

(i) your laboratory skills,

(ii) application of your knowledge and understanding, and

(iii) your critical thinking-complex reasoning skills (Summative)
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 10

Assessment name: Quiz/Test
Description: Assessment will be a series of themed short answer questions as a take-home exercise. Further details will be provided on Blackboard.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Weight: 10%
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:

Bacteriology
1. Forbes BA, Sahm DF & Weissfeld AS. (Most recent edition) Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology. St Louis, USA: Mosby.

2. Goering, R., Dockrell, H., Zuckerman, M., Wakelin, D., Roitt, I, Mims, C., and Chiodini, P. (Most recent edition) Mim's Medical Microbiology. St Louis, USA: Mosby.

3. Miller JM (1999) A Guide to Specimen Management, Washington, DC, USA: ASM Press.

4. Madigan MT, Martinko JM & Parker J (Most recent edition) Brock-Biology of Microorganisms, New Jersey, USA: Prentice Hall.

Parasitology
1. Markell EK, John DT & Krotowski WA (Most recent edition) Markell & Voge's Medical Parasitology, WB Saunders Company.

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 will be provided with the latest edition of a comprehensive safety booklet pertinent to life sciences laboratories and specifically to this unit, and you will be required to adhere to the safety procedures detailed in it. 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: 08-Oct-2012