Course Title: Medical Microbiology 1
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Medical Microbiology 1
Credit Points: 12.00
Important Information:
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
ONPS1054 |
Bundoora Campus |
Postgraduate |
135H Applied Sciences |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 1 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 1 2016 |
ONPS1054 |
Bundoora Campus |
Postgraduate |
171H School of Science |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 1 2021, Sem 1 2022 |
Course Coordinator: Dr Anna Walduck
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99257145
Course Coordinator Email: anna.walduck@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: 223.1.34
Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Microbiology to at least second year undergraduate level is an enforced requisite course with assumed knowledge and capabilities.
You must have successfully completed BIOL2159 Microbiology at RMIT, or equivalent course, or work experience.
Course Description
Medical Microbiology is a central discipline in the medical sciences and is concerned with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
This advanced course aims to extend your understanding and appreciation of interactions between microorganisms and parasites; antimicrobial agents and microbial resistance; characteristics of viruses, medically-important fungi, pathogenesis and diagnosis of viral infections; infections of the skin and respiratory tract;
The course is delivered in face-to-face lectures and practical classes with individual and group work and aims to encourage development of capabilities in critical review of microbiology literature, scientific communication (oral and written), problem solving, learning in small groups, independent learning and time management.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
On completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding at an advanced level of microbial virulence mechanisms and host response to infection; application of molecular techniques to medical microbiology; biochemical and genetic mechanisms of antimicrobial agent activity, microbial susceptibility and resistance to antimicrobial agents; replication of viruses, viral immunology and pathogenesis, detection of viruses;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of skin and respiratory tract infections (microbial causes, pathogenesis, transmission of infection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment) by being able to identify unknown organisms in clinical samples, and describe the pathogenesis of important pathogens;
3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the pathogenesis of some important fungal infections of humans, and be able to identify the causative agents;
4. Work cooperatively as part of a small group;
5. Critically assess and interpret scientific literature
6. Analyse and report on complex research questions, and solve problems, plan a work program or diagnostic strategy and learn independently;
7. Demonstrate safe working practices in microbiology, adhere to PC2 requirements for safe work procedures
This course contributes to the MC111 Master of Biotechnology (Clinical Microbiology) Program Learning Outcomes:
PLO-1 Understanding science
PLO1-2 You will demonstrate a coherent understanding of biological sciences by explaining the role and relevance of biological sciences in society. You will develop an in-depth knowledge of the specialist field of microbiology, specifically microbial pathogenesis, antimicrobial agents, mycology, virology, clinical microbiology, and diagnosis. This will be complemented with the technical capability in handling, examining, isolating and identifying microbes.
PLO-2 Scientific knowledge
PLO2-1 You will exhibit depth and breadth of knowledge by demonstrating a well-developed understanding of biological science.
PLO2-2 You will exhibit depth and breadth of knowledge by demonstrating knowledge that biotechnology has interdisciplinary connections with other sciences. These skills will develop your research capability by, problem solving, in participating in problem-based laboratory exercises. And further your reflective capability in applying knowledge of microbiology to identify unknown organisms, to reach a diagnosis based on clinical notes and technical analysis, and also in answering case studies or quizzes.
PLO-3 Inquiry and problem solving
PLO3-1 You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology by gathering, synthesizing and critically evaluating information from a range of sources.
PLO3-2 You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology by designing and planning an investigation, including developing a testable hypothesis.
PLO3-3 You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology by selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques with technical competence in conducting field, laboratory-based, or virtual experiments.
PLO3-4 You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology by collecting, accurately recording, interpreting, and drawing conclusions from scientific data.
PLO-4 Communication
PLO4-1 You will be an effective communicator of biological sciences by effectively communicating scientific results, information, or arguments using a range of modes (oral, written, visual) for a variety of purposes and audiences.
PLO-5 Personal and professional responsibility
PLO5-1 You will be accountable for individual learning and scientific work in biotechnology by being an independent and self-directed learner.
PLO5-2 You will be accountable for individual learning and scientific work by working effectively, responsibly, ethically, and safely in an individual or team context.
Overview of Learning Activities
Lectures (recorded), laboratory classes (face to face), tutorials (online- interactive), independent learning, written assignments.
A major part of the practical program of this course mimics the workplace in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory.
The lecture series provides the theoretical background to this training.
Overview of Learning Resources
In addition to material given during lectures and practical classes, students are expected to use the material presented on Canvas, and to read the relevant sections of prescribed and recommended textbooks as well as references provided by lecturers.
Overview of Assessment
Note that: All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).
It is a hurdle requirement that you must demonstrate competency by achieving at least 50% in the practical components of the course. The skills learned are essential to ensure that you operate safely as a professional, and for accreditation purposes
Overview of Assessment
Practical report/s, laboratory skills and recording, critical review, written theory and practical assessment tasks. Practical assessment is based on industry practices and is supervised and assessed by people with experience in medical microbiology.
Theory Component Assessment
Weighting: 50%
Theory Task 1: Critical review of a Journal article
Weighting 25%
This assessment addresses CLO 5.
Theory Task 2: Final assessment task/ assignment
Weighting 25%
This assessment addresses CLOs 1, 2, 3 and 5.
Practical Component Assessment
Weighting 50%
Practical Task 1: Laboratory Report
Weighting 25%
This assessment addresses CLOs 4,5, 6 and 7.
Practical Task 2: Laboratory Notebook and Clinical reports
Weighting 25%
This assessment addresses CLOs 4, 6 and 7.