University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USSJN5-30-M Title: MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY Version: 1

Level: M UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: STANDARD

Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field: Natural & Life Sciences

Valid from: September 2007 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites: NONE

Co-requisites: NONE

Excluded combinations: NONE

Learning outcomes:

Students will be able to:

      • demonstrate their knowledge of the theory and techniques of classical and modern microbial taxonomy, and discuss the controversies that exist in the field

      • critically discuss the virulence and pathogenicity of infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites); centred on the concept of the host – microbe balance; using indicative case studies

      • evaluate the methods available for the detection of infectious agents and diagnosis of infections

      • critically discuss the strategies available to control and treat microbial & viral infections

    • apply theoretical knowledge of identification & classification, epidemiology, pathogenicity & virulence, treatment & control of pathogens to selected examples of infectious diseases

    • evaluate the importance of health and safety and good laboratory practice in microbiology

    • review and evaluate the literature relevant to the area of medical microbiology, and appreciate the limitations of this literature

Syllabus Content:

    • Detection of microbes: students will develop knowledge of the methods used in clinical laboratories to detect and diagnose infectious diseases. This includes standard culture and microscopy based methods, immunological diagnoses, infection control screening, the move towards automation and the increasing use of molecular technologies. Students will also develop an understanding of the importance of health and safety in the microbiology laboratory.

    • Taxonomy and classification: students will develop knowledge of the principles behind classification, the techniques used to classify microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites) and controversies that remain when attempting to classify microbes

    • Epidemiology: students will develop knowledge of the principles and techniques used in epidemiology of infectious diseases

    • The host-microbe balance: students will develop knowledge of the relationship between host and microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites) in both health and disease. This includes a knowledge of the principles and pathogenicity; the human immune response & microbial strategies for subverting the response; the concept of the normal microbiota; microbial virulence factors, including the routes by which microbes acquire these factors, and the genetic mechanisms by which they control expression of the factors; biofilms and their role in microbial infections

    • The control of infectious diseases in human populations: students will develop knowledge of antimicrobial drugs; vaccination; environmental control of diseases, vectors and reservoirs; disinfection and sterilisation

    • Infectious diseases of key body systems: students will develop a deeper knowledge of infections of selected body systems such as the neurological system, genital tract, the respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract: covering the epidemiology of infections that are associated with the system; pathogenic and virulence traits of the infecting microbes; prevention and treatment of infections of the system; i.e. the host-microbe balance aspects of different infections will be developed. Examples covered will be chosen to illustrate other fundamental microbiological principles such as zoonoses, noscomial infections, opportunistic pathogens, environmentally acquired infections and endogenous infections

Teaching and learning methods:

Teaching will comprise a mix of formal lecture, group discussion, tutorials and data interpretation exercises.

Reading Strategy:

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

There is a huge literature supporting Medical Microbiology with over 150 English language journals currently being published, of which a representative selection are taken at UWE. In addition, as well as the interlibrary loan service, wherever possible assistance is given to students to access libraries local to them. Most part-time students also have local access to extensive libraries through their employers e.g. Central PHLS.

Selected Texts – Current Editions of:

Greenwood, Slack & Peutherer “Medical Microbiology”

Schaechter et al. Mechanisms of Microbial Disease.

Topley and Wilson’s Microbiology and Microbial Infection (Text and CD ROM version)

Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg’s Medical Microbiology.

Internet Web Sites

e.g.Eurosurveillance Weekly and Monthly, Eurotb.org, Health Protection Agency, WHO, CDC

And Relevant Journals in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A Element weighting

EX3

Examination (3 hours)

1

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

ES1

Extended Essay (5000 words)

1

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) NO

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

EX3

Examination (3 hours)

1

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

ES1

Extended Essay (5000 words)

1

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes . YES

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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