Introduction to Microbiology (6510.5)

Availability

• UC - Canberra, Bruce

  Year	Teaching Period	Convener		Mode of Delivery
  2020	Semester 2	DR   Michael   FRESE	(Ph: +61 2 62012243 )	ON-CAMPUS

Possible changes to your unit's learning activities and assessment items

For the remainder of 2020, resulting from Australian Government's directives requiring physical distancing and restrictions on movement because of the COVID-19 pandemic, any exams that are required for assessment in a unit will be online exams. Online exams may also use online proctoring to help assure the academic integrity of those exams. Please contact your unit convener with any questions.

While the University has made efforts to ensure that Unit Outlines reflect a unit’s learning activities and assessment items, any changes to Australian Government directives because of the COVID-19 pandemic may require changes to these during the semester to ensure the safety and well being of students and staff. These changes will not be updated in the published unit outline, but will be communicated to you via your unit’s UCLearn(Canvas) teaching site. Any changes made will continue to meet the unit’s learning outcomes, as described in the Unit Outline.

Unit Outlines

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• Semester 2, 2020, ON-CAMPUS, BRUCE (195743) - View
• Semester 2, 2019, ON-CAMPUS, BRUCE (185521) - View
• Semester 2, 2018, ON-CAMPUS, BRUCE (181689) - View
• Semester 2, 2017, ON-CAMPUS, BRUCE (166330) - View
• Semester 2, 2016, ON-CAMPUS, BRUCE (151746) - View
• Semester 2, 2015, ON-CAMPUS, BRUCE (140450) - View

If a link to your Unit Outline is not displayed, please check back later. Unit Outlines are generally published by Week One of the relevant teaching period.

Syllabus

This unit introduces students to the microbial world consisting of bacteria, viruses, prions, algae, fungi and parasites. The focus is usually on medically important pathogens but other micro-organisms are also discussed. The unit integrates aspects of biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, biotechnology, and environmental sciences. Laboratory exercises introduce the student to basic techniques used in microbiology such as microscopy, staining techniques, cultivation and diagnostic methods. The laboratory exercises reinforce topics introduced in lectures.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe the morphology, metabolism and reproduction of bacteria; understand diagnostics, symptoms and treatment/ prevention of common bacterial diseases;

2. Describe the morphology and reproduction of viruses; understand diagnostics, symptoms and treatment/ prevention of common viral diseases;

3. Describe the nature, reproduction and diseases associated with prions;

4. Describe morphology, metabolism and reproduction of fungi; understand symptoms and treatment/ prevention of common fungal diseases;

5. Describe the morphology, metabolism and reproduction of parasites; understand symptoms and treatment/ prevention of common parasitic diseases;

6. Discuss ways to control microorganisms by physical and chemical means;

7. Discuss general principles in water management, sewage treatment, fermentation and biotechnology;

8. Understand key principles in the evolution of life and to apply this knowledge to the field of microbiology; and

9. Employ a range of laboratory skills (microscopy, staining, biochemical tests, etc) to isolate, cultivate, characterise and identify microorganisms.

Assessment Items

Contact Hours

2 hours of lectures and 3 hours of practicals per week.

Prerequisites

483 Concepts in Biology AND 1516 Chemistry 1A OR 1517 Chemistry 1B

Corequisites

None.

Assumed Knowledge

None.

Incompatible Units

None.

Equivalent Units

None.