BI2BJ5-Microbiology: a Medical Perspective

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level: 5
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Dr S MacIntyre
Pre-requisites: BI1BD1 or AM1P11
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

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 the community. This is achieved through lectures from visiting professionals, a strong practical element in the course and visits to clinical laboratories.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students will be able to:
• explain the basic principles of medical microbiology
• provide examples of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses and discuss aspects of practice in public health microbiology relating to these micro-organisms
• describe the targets and mode of action of key antibiotics and antiviral and antifungal chemotherapeutic agents
• discuss mechanisms and the problem of antibiotic resistance
• describe the principles and procedures for current methods of bacterial isolation and identification
• demonstrate practical skills in the isolation and identification of medically important bacteria
• describe the work of laboratories and other sites where medical microbiology and public health microbiology is carried out.

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

Outline content:
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. The practical sessions will reinforce this aspect of microbiology in the community by giving students experience in the theory and practice of traditional and modern (rapid) methods for identifying bacterial pathogens. Students will visit laboratories where medical and environmental health practice is carried out.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will consist of lectures, practicals and a poster session. An integral part of the module also includes visits to laboratories where medical health practice is carried out.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		18
Tutorials/seminars		3
Practicals		17
Other contact (eg study visits)		2
Total hours		40
Number of essays or assignments		1
Other (eg major seminar paper)		1

Assessment:
Coursework
Practical report, poster session and MCQ practical test
Relative percentage of coursework : 40%
Examinations
A one-and-a-half hour examination requiring answers to multiple choice questions and written short answers to two questions from four. This contributes 60% of the overall assessment for this module.
Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in August/September only

Last updated: 23 November 2009