Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: ONPS7812C

Course Title: Perform microbiological tests

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5434 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology

Course Contact: Rauha Quazi

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4277

Course Contact Email: rauha.quazi@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Offering Coordinator Name: Rahel Leivenzon

Offering Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4723

Offering Coordinator Email: rahel.leivenzon@rmit.edu.au  

Offering Coordinator Location: 51.07.05 

Offering Coordinator Availability: by appointment (either face to face or via teams)

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

MSL973027 Perform techniques that prevent cross-contamination

MSL973028 Perform microscopic examination

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 animals, monitor the natural environment, and to assist in the production of foods, pharmaceutical goods and other manufactured materials.

This unit applies to laboratory technicians and technical officers working in the biomedical, biotechnology, environmental, manufacturing and food processing industry sectors. The results of work performed by technical personnel would normally be integrated, interpreted and reported on by scientists, medical, veterinary or plant pathologists or other responsible officers in a workplace. Although a supervisor may not always be present, the technician will follow workplace procedures that will clearly describe the scope of permitted practice in modifying testing procedures, interpreting data and for communicating test results to people outside the laboratory.

It applies to investigations as well as addressing the broader needs of biotechnology and tissue culture applications.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	MSL975062 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 workplace requirements 1.2 Record any discrepancies or sample quality issues and indicate action required 1.3 Register samples in accordance with workplace procedures, recording details that allow accurate tracking and chain of custody traceable to employee
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 smears of samples for subsequent staining to enable microscopic examination 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 targeted growth of organisms
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 Microscopically differentiate 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 susceptibility 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 and/or check data in accordance with workplace procedures 7.2 Follow procedures to ensure traceability of sample from receipt to reporting of results

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

• online class exercises to review discussions/lectures 
• practical demonstrations   
• simulated workplace activities 

Teaching Schedule

Dip Lab Tech Perform Microbiological Tests

Teaching Schedule 2025 Semester 1

 

Date	Week	Lecture Theme	Pracs & Assessments
10/2		Introduction to Microbiological testing	Introduction to the laboratory and aseptic technique
17/2		Transportation, receiving and growing microorganisms	Lab 1 (skill building) Safety, Microscopy, Staining, Culturing
24/2		Structures and categorisation of microorganisms	Lab 2 (skill building) Body and Environmental Sampling
3/3		Wet mounts, smears, and stains	Lab 3 (skill building) Identification of Gram Positive bacilli
10/3		Environmental sampling	Lab 4 (skill building) Identification of Gram Positive bacilli continued
17/3		Identification: Gram Positive microorganisms	Lab 5 (Test 1) Identification of Gram Positive bacilli
23/3		Identification: Gram Negative microorganisms	Lab 6 (skill building) Identification of Gram Positive cocci
31/3		Microorganisms and their environments	Lab 7 (Test 2) Identification of Gram Positive cocci
7/4		Automation of identification and quiz resits	Lab 8 (skill building) Identification of Gram Negative bacilli/statistics
14/4		Sterilisation and disinfection	Quiz week during prac session Wednesday
18/4-25/4	Mid Semester Break 29/03-5/04
28/4		Antimicrobials	Lab 9a (skill building) Antibiotic sensitivity and urine analysis  Lab 9b observation of fungi (skill building) Quiz resit week during lecture session Thursday
5/5		The immune system Skin and respiratory infections	Lab 10 (Test 3) Antibiotic sensitivity and urine analysis
12/5		Gut microbiome and food testing Urinary infections	Lab 11 (skill building) Food Spoilage and food poisoning
19/5		Automation and genetics	Lab 12 (Test 4A/4B) Enumeration of food spoilage microorganisms
26/5		Applying the knowledge	Lab 12 Data collection -conclusion of enumeration prac assessment Quiz week during the theory session on thurday
2/6		Assessments catch up	Quiz week resits Prac Catch up*
9/6		Assessments catch up	Quiz week resits Prac Catch up*
16/9		Assessments catch up	Quiz week resits Prac Catch up*

 

* Only offered to certain students that meet specific criteria

NB Classes may be subject to change according to changing pandemic policies. Supplementary classes may also extend into weeks 17 and 18 if required.

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include:

• knowledge tests
• practical skills test
• practical logbooks
• presentations
• group work
• research
• lab reports
• assignments

 

Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. 

To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

 

Every task must be completed satisfactorily for competence to be achieved.

Resubmissions are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates

Assessment Task 1a: Quiz 1 will assess on your knowledge about the theories underpinning your laboratory practice Due date: 25th April 2023 

Assessment Task 1b: Quiz 2 will continue to  assess  your knowledge about the theories underpinning your laboratory practice Due date: 30th May 2023 

Assessment Task 2: Practical Skills Assessments are ongoing throughout the Course. Due dates: 21/3, 11/4,  9/5, 30/5

Assessment Task 3: Structured logbook submissions will need to be made after every Practical Session 

 

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are: 

CA: Competency Achieved 
NYC: Not Yet Competent 
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment 

 

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.  

Other Information

Attendance: 

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises  

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. 

If you miss an assessment or assessable practical class you need to provide a medical certificate (or other evidence) to the course coordinator/teacher. If you miss a practical class that is a prac report write-up you need to arrange an alternative report with your teacher.[RQ1] 

 

Information about your studies: 

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. 

 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students 

 

Extensions of time for submission of assessable work:

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days in writing (email) to your Program Coordinator one working day BEFORE the due date. Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration.

Special consideration:

If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g. test, examination, oral, etc.), you may submit an application for special consideration within 5 working days of the due date. If special consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application please visit www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration or speak to your Program Coordinator.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:  

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity.

 

Use of AI has certain restrictions in this course. Please refer to assessment instructions for guidelines on the conditions for the use of AI tools in assessments.

 

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:  

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification). 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.   

Course Overview: Access Course Overview