PM2PB5-Medical Microbiology

Module Provider: Pharmacy, School of Chem, FoodBi and Pharm
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level: I (Intermediate)
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Dr S MacIntyre
Pre-requisites: AM1P11
Co-requisites: PM2PP2
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: s.macintyre@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
This course covers the basic principles of medical microbiology and gives an insight into the importance and applications of medical microbiology in pharmacy and to the general community. This is achieved through lectures from visiting speakers, practicals on aseptic technique and directed case studies.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students will be able to:
• explain some basic principles of medical microbiology
• provide examples of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses and discuss aspects of practice in public and environmental health microbiology relating to these micro-organisms
• describe the targets and mode of action of key antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal chemotherapeutic agents
• discuss problems of antibiotic resistance and general mechanisms of resistance to antimicrobial agents
• describe the work of laboratories and other sites where medical microbiology and public health microbiology is carried out.
• demonstrate and develop aseptic techniques in the laboratory by preparation of broth tests, eyedrops and infusion bags

Additional outcomes:
Students knowledge of potential careers will be broadened following discussions with professional medical microbiologists. Group research and presentation skills will be strengthened.

Outline content:
This course gives an overview of medically important bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotic microbes and an insight into the importance and applications of medical microbiology in the community. Topics covered by members of staff and by visiting lecturers (from local hospitals), include clinical microbiology, identification of pathogens, antimicrobial agents and resistance, epidemiology, the gut microflora and water-borne disease. Practicals further develop aseptic technique skills of particular relevance to Pharmacy and investigate problems of contamination and infection control as well as bacterial antibiotic and disinfectant sensitivity. Properties and mechanisms of action and resistance of antimicrobial agents are studied in depth via lectures, poster sessions and directed reading.

Reading List:
Struthers, J.K., Westran, R.P. (2005) Clinical Bacteriology Manson Publishing Ltd. (ISBN 1-84076-027-3).
Prescott, LM, Harley, JP & Klein, DK (2007) Microbiology 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, Mew York (ISBN 978-0-07-110231-5)
Wagner EK and Camerini, D (2007) Basic Virology Blackwell Science, Oxford (ISBN 9781405147156)
Denyer, S.P. Hodges, N.A., and Gorman, S.P. Hugo and Russell's Pharmaceutical Microbiology. (2004) Blackwell Science Publishing (ISBN: 0632064676)
(Campbell, NA and Reece, JB (2004) Biology 7th ed. Addison-Wesley/Benjamin Cummings, Menlo Park (ISBN 978-0805371468) , additional background reading)

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will consist of lectures, practicals, directed case studies and a poster session.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		19
Tutorials/seminars		3
Practicals		12 (duplicated)
Other contact (eg study visits)
Directed study		4 (duplicated)
Private study		62
Total hours		100
Number of essays or assignments		1
Other (eg major seminar paper)		1

Assessment:
Coursework
Practical work, reports on case studies, poster session and practical MCQ test
Relative percentage of coursework : 40%
Penalties for late submission: In accordance with University policy
Examinations:
A one-and-a-half hour examination requiring answers to 50 multiple choice questions. This contributes 60% of the overall assessment for this module.
Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall (but see progression requirements in programme specifications).
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August / September only

Last updated: 19 September 2008