University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USSJ68-30-M Title: MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY A Version: 5
Level: M UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15
Module type: STANDARD
Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field: Natural & Life Sciences
Valid from: September 2005 Discontinued from:
Pre-requisites: NONE
Co-requisites: NONE
Excluded combinations: NONE
Learning outcomes:
Students will be able to:
• demonstrate an enhanced knowledge of the pathogenicity and virulence of microbial pathogens.
• discuss sources of pathogenic organisms and be able to assess strategies for their control.
• critically assess the application of scientific technologies to the investigation of infectious diseases.
• demonstrate on application of epidemiological techniques to the investigation of outbreaks of infection
• discuss the principles of vaccination and their assessment.
Syllabus Content:
Modern concepts of pathogenicity. Host parasite relationships. Innate host defenses, adaptive responses to infection. Cellular basis of immunity to infection. Microbial evasion of the host response. Inappropriate responses.
Microbial virulence and the pathological consequences of infection. Bacterial exotoxins and endotoxin. Mycotoxins. Infections of body systems.
Vaccination and immunotherapy. Theoretical considerations of vaccines and their use. Types of vaccines and their development. Novel and emergent approaches. Evaluation and measures of effectiveness. Predictive modeling. The immunocompromised host.
The environment and infection. Reservoirs and vectors; zoonoses; arthropod borne disease.
Detection of pathogens in the environment. Control strategies. Food water and air as sources of infection. Causes, detection and control of food-poisoning.
Epidemiology of infectious disease, basic techniques and their application. Surveillance systems and agencies. Hospital acquired infection. Laboratory acquired infection. Recognition and control of outbreaks at local, national and international levels.
Established and evolving methods for the detection, analysis and typing of pathogenic micro-organisms.
Teaching and learning methods:
The module will be delivered as a series of key lectures supported and enhanced by tutorials
student led seminars and workshops.
Tutorials will develop from key lecturers or be based around a ‘journal club’
Seminars will be student led on current issues in Medical Microbiology.
Where ever applicable current electronic technology will be utilised to enhance the learning , for example the teaching and learning of epidemiology will utilise the CDC/WHO tutorials process and exercises which support the EpiInfo package
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, a representative selection are taken at UWE In addition as well as the interlibrary loan service, where ever 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:
Schaechter et al. Mechanisms of Microbial Disease. or later Williams & Wilkins
Topley and Wilson’s Microbiology and Microbial Infection (Text and CD ROM version) Arnold
Brooks et al. Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg’s Medical Microbiology.
Internet Web Sites
e.g.Eurosurveillance Weekly and Monthly
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
CW1 |
Review article conforming to the style of FEMS Microbiology Reviews |
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
CW1 |
Review article conforming to the style of FEMS Microbiology Reviews |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. YES
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)