Course Title: Perform microbiological tests
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2020
Course Code: BIOL5247C
Course Title: Perform microbiological tests
School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5388 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology
Course Contact: Kirsten Balding
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4283
Course Contact Email: kirsten.balding@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 140
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
MSL973019 Perform microscopic examination
MSL973016 Perform aseptic techniques
Course Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to contribute to the culture, isolation and identification of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoans, algae and parasites, in order to investigate the physiology and pathology of plants and animals, monitor the natural environment, and to assist in the production of foods, pharmaceutical goods and other manufactured materials.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MSL975035 Perform microbiological tests |
Element: |
1. Receive samples and process associated request forms |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify specimens and request forms that do not comply with minimum industry requirements for labelling, identification and test requests 1.2 Record any discrepancies and indicate what action is required 1.3 Log samples, recording details that allow accurate tracking and chain of custody |
Element: |
2. Prepare for safe microbiological work and aseptic applications |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Apply principles of aseptic techniques to ensure sample and reagent integrity are maintained 2.2 Apply principles of aseptic techniques to ensure personal and environmental safety 2.3 Minimise the production and release of aerosols, using biological safety cabinets where necessary 2.4 Safely dispose of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes in accordance with workplace procedures |
Element: |
3. Process samples for direct examination |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Prepare thin smears of samples for subsequent staining to enable microscopic identification of cells 3.2 Prepare liquid films of specimens for direct observation for motility or cell structure 3.3 Prepare samples to concentrate material for subsequent staining or microscopy |
Element: |
4. Prepare pure cultures for microbiological work and aseptic applications |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Select culture media to maximise growth and optimise production of pure microbial cultures 4.2 Inoculate media aseptically, applying techniques suitable for purpose of culture 4.3 Incubate inoculated media in conditions to optimise growth of organisms and cells |
Element: |
5. Perform procedures that can assist in the identification of microorganisms |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Select staining techniques to demonstrate required cellular characteristics 5.2 Stain prepared films to demonstrate diagnostically useful characteristics 5.3 Inoculate and incubate media with pure cultures to assist in the biochemical and immunological identification of microorganisms 5.4 Microscopic differentiation between, red blood cells, white blood cells, micro-organisms and epithelial cells 5.5 Select and perform tests on pure cultures to determine the biochemical and immunological identification of microorganisms 5.6 Perform antibiotic sensitivity testing |
Element: |
6. Estimate the number and/or size of micro-organisms in samples |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1 Count cells in samples 6.2 Prepare serial dilutions of samples aseptically for culture and colony counting 6.3 Indicate the appropriate dilution necessary to reliably count organisms in a serially diluted sample 6.4 Count colonies for calculating number of viable organisms per unit volume |
Element: |
7. Maintain records of laboratory work |
Performance Criteria: |
7.1 Record entries on report forms or into a laboratory information management system accurately calculating, recording or transcribing data as required 7.2 Ensure traceability of sample from receipt to reporting of results |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
learning activities will consist of laboratory experiments, theory classes, group work and research
Teaching Schedule
| Date (Week of) |
Week | Theory topic - new program | Lab | Assessment/Purpose |
| 6/7 | 1 | Introduction to Microbiology | No lab this week | SKILL BUILDING |
| 13/7 | 2 | Microscopy: Smears & Staining, Colony morphology | Lab 1 Introduction, Safety Induction REVIEW: Microscopy, Gram Staining, Culturing & Plating out |
Lab safety induction SKILL BUILDING AT3: Logbook |
| 20/7 | 3 | Bacterial Growth, Measurement, Serial dilution & Enumeration, Pure cultures, Describing colonies | Lab 2 Environmental Samples, Culture of Hand & Nose, Bacterial Population Counts |
SKILL BUILDING AT3: Logbook |
| 27/7 | 4 | Classification of organisms - Gram Positive organisms, Gram Negative organisms; Culture media | Lab 3 Effect of temperature and atmosphere on growth of Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Staphylococcus |
SKILL BUILDING Mixed culture AT3: Logbook |
| 3/8 | 5 | Tests to Identify Microbes - Biochemical Tests | No Lab class | |
| 10/8 | 6 | More identification tests, molecular & serological tests | No Lab class | |
| 17/8 | 7 | Controlling Microbial growth, Sterilization & Disinfection, Antimicrobial sensitivity testing | Lab 4 Gram Positive Bacilli, (Clostridium, Bacillus), Endospores |
SKILL BUILDING: Catalase test AT3: Logbook |
| 24/8 | 8 | CASE STUDIES (at home): Respiratory Infections Urogenital infections, Skin Infections |
Lab 5 Catalase test for Gram positive Bacilli |
AT2: Practical observations: TEST1a – Catalase test for Gram positive Bacilli AT3: Logbook |
| 31/8 | Student vacation | |||
| 7/9 | 9 | CASE STUDIES (at home) Gastrointestinal Infections Family of Enterobacteriaceae |
Lab 6 Antibiotic sensitivity testing |
AT2: Practical observations: TEST1a – record results TEST1b – Antibiotic sensitivity AT3: Logbook |
| 14/9 | 10 | Testing procedures - test request forms - source of sample, transporting specimens, sample integrity, reference cultures/controls, automation in the micro lab, Reporting procedures for spills | Lab 7 Record results - antibiotic sensitivity testing; CATCH UP: Catalase test; antibiotic sensitivity testing |
AT2: Practical observations: TEST1b – record results CATCH UP: TEST1a & b AT3: Logbook |
| 21/9 | 11 | Microbial genetics | Lab 8 Biochemical tests Gram Positive Cocci (Staphylococcus and Streptococcus) |
AT2: Practical observations: TESTS 2-6 (5 small tests) AT3: Logbook Mixed culture? |
| 28/9 | 12 | Identifying Parasites, Viruses, Fungi & Yeasts | Lab 9 Gram Positive Cocci Record results CATCH UP: Gram Positive Cocci |
AT2: Practical observations: TESTS 2-6 - record results CATCH UP: TESTS 2-6 AT3: Logbook |
| 5/10 | 13 | CASE STUDIES Nervous System Infections Anaerobes |
Lab 10 Gram Negative Bacilli Enterobacteriaceae: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella; (Moraxella: +ve control) Biochemical test system with statistical interpretation |
AT2: Practical observations: CATCH UP - Record results: TESTS 2-6 TEST 7: Statistical Biochemical test AT3: Logbook E coli hanging drop |
| 12/10 | 14 | CASE STUDIES Food and Water Microbiology | Lab 11 & Lab 12 combined 11. CATCH UP: Gram Negative Bacilli 12. Family of Enterobacteriaceae Food spoilage and food poisoning |
AT2: Practical observations: TEST 7 - record results |
| 19/10 | 15 | CASE STUDIES Environmental Microbiology Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Applications. Complete Knowledge evidence Quiz. |
Lab 13 CSF microscopy - counting cells. |
LAB 13: SKILL BUILDING: TEST 8: Uralysis & CSF: counting cells, serial dilution AT3: Logbook. AT1: Knowledge evidence Quiz |
| 26/10 | 16 | Catch up - KE Quiz, Logbook sign off | Lab 14 |
LAB14. SKILL BUILDING: TEST 8: Record results AT1: Knowledge evidence Quiz |
| 2/11 | 17 | Last chance - Logbook Alternative assessments (special consideration only) | Lab 15 Uralysis (week 3) Record results |
AT2: Practical observations TEST 8: Record results AT3: Logbook Final submission |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment may include
observation of laboratory skills
laboratory reports
logbook
knowledge tests
Assessment Tasks
AT1: Online Quiz
AT2: Observation of Laboratory Activities
AT3: Laboratory Logbook
To pass the course you need achieve a satisfactory result for every assessment.
You will be given only two attempts for each assessment to demonstrate you have the required skills.
A third attempt can only be offered after discussions between the teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic.
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Assessment information
This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment
CA Competency Achieved
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
To pass the course you need achieve a satisfactory result for every assessment.
You will be given only two attempts for each assessment to demonstrate you have the required skills.
A third attempt can only be offered after discussions between the teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic.
Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) will not be corrected.
APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK - A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application should be emailed to the program Coordinator (kirsten.balding@rmit.edu.au). Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.
• For missed assessments you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence prior to, or within, 5 days of the scheduled time of the assessment http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
• Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentation. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. It also occurs through enabling plagiarism, which is the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work. Please make sure you consider this carefully in completing all your work and assessments in this course and if you are unsure about whether you might have plagiarised, seek help from your teacher.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview