Units
Microbiology
Unit code: LSB492
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit will provide you with foundation knowledge and an understanding of the diversity of microorganisms, the host’s immune response to infection and methods of control of microorganisms. You will: (i) study relevant infectious disease states, (ii) research the importance of microbial pathogens as aetiological agents of disease, and (iii) reinforce your knowledge of microorganisms and methods of control of microorganisms by performing experiments within the microbiology laboratory.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Optometrists and podiatrists require a strong knowledge base in microbiology on which to base future studies within their discipline and for their professional practice.
A detailed knowledge of infectious agents, their structure, prevalence and pathogenicity will enable you to apply these concepts to infection control to preventthe transmission of disease and to understand the mode of action of antimicrobials. You will also study infectious agents that are aetiological agents of disease states of the feet or the eyes or of public health significance and appropriate methods for the management and treatment of these disease states. Basic knowledge of biology and chemistry is assumed for this unit.
Aims
This unit will introduce you to the basic principles of microbiology, infectious disease states caused by microorganisms, the host immune responses and the principles and methods of infection control.
Objectives
On the successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1. Apply your knowledge and understanding of infectious agents and skills to: differentiate the different types of microorganisms, to prevent transmission of disease and to implement infection control methods.
2. Apply your technical skills to manipulate microorganisms within the laboratory and to implement aseptic techniques including the collection of appropriate clinical specimens.
3. Use your critical thinking skills to analyse case histories and data, methods, knowledge, strategies and formulate conclusions.
4. Apply your knowledge of microbiology when writing including the correct use of nomenclature of microorganisms, the appropriate use of other microbiological terms, and also in the recording and interpretation of experimental results.
Content
The content of this unit focuses on introductory microbiology including:
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit will integrate your knowledge and practical skills so that you can apply these to real world professional practice. The learning and teaching strategies that will enable you to do this are:
(i) the integration of theory and practical skills, by introducing you to microbiology and immunology knowledge and methods of control of microorganisms, and then applying this theory to develop laboratory skills.
(ii) the development of critical thinking and complex reasoning skills using self-directed activities that also include online activities and the critical analyses of your findings.
(iv) authentic learning experiences including, analysing and interpreting experimental results, researching and reviewing relevant literature and online references.
The teaching team will communicate with you by e-mail and online notices, and provide links to relevant websites and useful search engines will be posted regularly. Lecture notes, formative questions to test your understanding of the lectures, feedback to the formative assessment and all of the practical resources necessary for this unit will be posted online.
There will be 2 hours of lectures for this unit each week. Practical classes of 2 hours will be held in weeks 1 to 10 and in weeks 11, 12 and 13 you will complete online activities and then online summative quizzes to test your understanding and critical thinking skills.
Assessment
This unit has a combination of formative, formative and summative and summative assessment items. You are most welcome to contact lecturers with specific questions for help with difficult concepts.Formative assessment and feedback
For some of the unit topics you will be provided with sets of multiple-choice and short answer revision questions similar in style to those that will be included in the examinations (relates to learning outcomes 1-5), organised in topics and available on the teaching website. Feedback that reasons the correct answer will be provided for some of these revision materials. You are strongly encouraged to attempt to reason the answers.
Assessment name:
Online Quizzes
Description:
Four sets of MCQ questions:
(i) Revision of introductory lectures
(ii) Case History 1
(iii) Case History 2
(iv) Case History 3
Weighting: 40% (10% for each quiz)
Relates to objectives:
1 and 3
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Mid and late sem
Assessment name:
Examination (Practical)
Description:
Written exam comprised of short answer questions, which will assess your knowledge and understanding of learning concepts, the methodologies that you have used within the laboratory sessions, and your ability to interpret experimental results.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight:
15%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Late semester
Assessment name:
Final Examination
Description:
Written theory examination containing multiple choice questions, short answer questions.
Relates to objectives:
1, 3 and 4
Weight:
45%
Internal or external:
Both
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Late 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. Lee G & Bishop P Microbiology and Infection Control for Health Professionals, Most recent edition, Prentice Hall
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. All students 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 resit the quiz until this score is achieved. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site: 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: 24-Oct-2012
