Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

• Unit Title

  Applied Microbiology

• Unit Code

  SCH2235

• Year

  2020

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  4

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  Dr Rina WONG

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Description

The major concepts of microbiology are studied with emphasis upon the relationships between humans and microorganisms. The unit covers topics including: the history of microbiology; the morphology and methods of detection of different types of microorganisms; the nature and structure of viruses, fungi and protozoa; the microbiome and its relationship with human health; how different microbes reproduce; ways to control microbial growth; immune responses to microbes, and how microbial disease is monitored in Australia. Information about current microbial events in the news is discussed, and the practical prevention of microbial disease is emphasized.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from: SCH1111, SCH1134, SCH1143, SCH1106, MHS1101, MHS1102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Evaluate microbiological risk to ensure optimal human health.
2. Describe the features of a broad range of microorganisms.
3. Communicate the impact of microbes on human health and environment.
4. Apply standard microbiological identification methods and recall other techniques that will allow microbes to be identified.

Unit Content

1. The diversity and impact of microorganisms on humans around the world, an introduction to the microbiome and its importance for the health of humans and their environment.
2. Human microbial disease in a global context, principles of epidemiology and immunisation against microbial disease.
3. Mechanisms of immunity including non-specific defence and host responses during infection and cell-mediated immunity.
4. Eukaryotic microorganisms, including algae, slime moulds, fungi and protozoa.
5. Viruses, their reproduction, diseases caused and diagnostic techniques.
6. Bacterial anatomy and genetics, regulation of gene expression in bacteria. Archaea.
7. Microbial growth and control (including infection control principles), measurement of growth, chemotherapeutics.
8. The use of microbes to produce food and other products.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

In laboratory sessions students work in pairs or small groups to plan, organise, and conduct experiments over several weeks, and critically analyse their findings. Each student will be allocated a current research issue in microbiology for investigation using peer-reviewed scientific literature. In seminars, students will present their results to the class, using PowerPoint. Guidance on the process of researching scientific literature, and on PowerPoint, will be provided early in the unit. Blackboard will be utilised for content delivery.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

Core Reading(s)

• Wiley, J. M., Sherwood, L. M., & Wollverton, C. J. (2017). Prescott’s Microbiology (10th ed., pp. xxii, 980). McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/934479924?databaseList=638

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