Overview
On completion of this unit, you will be able to identify and discuss the clinical significance of viruses, prions, fungi and parasites causing human disease. You will investigate the morphological characteristics, epidemiology, laboratory identification of these microorganisms and will be able to debate causes of mycological, parasitic and viral infectious diseases. You will discuss the life cycle of important parasites and their relevance to disease control. You will be able to interpret basic serological tests for the detection of human pathogenic viruses.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: MBIO19012 Microbiology AND BIOL12106 Molecular Biology OR BMSC12012 Molecular Cell Biology
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2023
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Residential Schools
This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Feedback
Students felt that sufficient time was allowed in the residential school for digestion of the material.
Any changes to the residential school will maintain a similar structure.
Feedback from Student feedback
Students felt the unit was well organised and structured.
The unit structure has recently been updated to make it easier for students to follow the study materials and to understand the linkages between the topics covered. The current structure will be maintained.
Feedback from Self reflection
The virology component of the residential school could be enhanced further to incorporate commonly used immunoassays.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays will be added to the virology component of the residential school. The assays are commonly used and illustrate many of the principles that underlie other immunoassays (e.g., rapid antigen testing).
- Discuss the clinical significance and laboratory detection of the principal viral/prion, fungal and parasitic pathogens of each of the human body systems
- Appraise the use of molecular, histological and culture-based techniques for identifying viruses/prions, fungi and parasites causing human disease
- Use practical skills to identify pathogenic viruses, fungi and parasites
- Evaluate and interpret different testing methods used in the detection and monitoring of infectious diseases caused by viruses/prions, fungi and parasites
- Apply appropriate quality control processes in the practice of virology, mycology and parasitology.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 0% | |||||
| 2 - Group Work - 20% | |||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 4 - Oral Examination - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology
Edition: 15th (2022)
Authors: Patricia M Tile
Elsevier
St Louis St Louis , Missouri , USA
ISBN: 9780323681056
Binding: Hardcover
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
w.deasy@cqu.edu.au
j.jazayeri@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Host Parasite interactions
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology Chapters 1, 2 and 10 (15th Edition)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Rockhampton Lecture and zoom tutorial
Introduction to the subject content, learning materials and assessments
Module/Topic
Viruses and anti viral chemotherapy
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology Chapters 64, 65, 66 (15th Edition)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Rockhampton lecture and zoom tutorial on week 1 content
Module/Topic
Mycology and Anti Fungal Chemotherapy
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology Chapter 58-63 (15th Edition)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Rockhampton lecture and zoom tutorial on week 2 content
Module/Topic
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology Chapters 46-57 (15th Edition)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Rockhampton lecture and zoom tutorial on week 3 content
Module/Topic
Respiratory Tract Infections
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology Chapters 68 and 69 (15th Edition)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Rockhampton lecture and zoom tutorial on week 4 content
Module/Topic
Independent study week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology Chapters 73 (15th Edition)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Rockhampton lecture and zoom tutorial on week 5 content
Module/Topic
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology Chapters 72&73 (15th Edition)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Rockhampton lecture and zoom tutorial on week 6 content
Module/Topic
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology Chapter 70 (15th Edition)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Rockhampton lecture and zoom tutorial on week 7 content
Written Assessment Due: Week 8 Monday (4 Sept 2023) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Gastrointestinal Tract Infections
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology Chapter 74 (15th edition)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Rockhampton lecture and zoom tutorial on week 8 content
Module/Topic
Infections of Skin and Soft Tissue
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology Chapter 75 (15th Edition)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Compulsory Residential School 22/09/2023 to 24/09/2023, Rockhampton Campus
Rockhampton lecture and zoom tutorial on week 9 content
Residential School Assessment Due: Week 10 Monday (18 Sept 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Group poster presentation Due: Week 10 Friday (22 Sept 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Vector Borne Infections and Zoonoses
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology (15th Edition)
Chapters 57, 65, 67
Events and Submissions/Topic
Rockhampton lecture and zoom tutorial on week 10 content
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology (15th Edition)
All Chapters listed
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Your unit coordinator for BMSC13003 is Dr Will Deasy. You can contact me using the forum on the unit's Moodle site or alternatively through email (w.deasy@cqu.edu.au) or on 07 4930 6365. The forum for this unit is continuously monitored during business hours and you can expect a response within 24 hours of posting your question.
1 Written Assessment
For this assessment, you are required to prepare a 2500 word essay that compares and contrasts two different pathogens that affect the same organ system. For example, you may select a virus and a fungi that infect the respiratory system, or a fungus and a parasite that infects the gastrointestinal tract.
You will need to provide introductory background, including pathogenesis for each organism and then compare and contrast current molecular and diagnostic techniques. You must include at least one molecular, serology-based and microscope-based test of each organism. A minimum of 16 scientific journal article must be used within your assessment
Week 8 Monday (4 Sept 2023) 5:00 pm AEST
Assessment to be submitted via the assessment dropbox in Moodle
Week 10 Friday (22 Sept 2023)
Feedback will be available through the Turnitin feedback studio in Moodle
The assessment will be evaluated according to a detailed marking rubric available on the unit Moodle site, A total maximum mark of 100 is available for this assessment and a brief overview of the assessment criteria are as follows
Introduction (15 marks): Describe the transmission of the two chosen pathogens and spectrum of disease caused in the target tissue or organ including pathogenicity/virulence factors.
Diagnostic Laboratory assays (60 marks): In this section you must describe 3 separate laboratory tests for each of the two pathogens and this must include a Molecular based test (2 x 10 marks), a Serology based Test ( 2 x 10 marks) and a microscopy based test (2 x 10 marks). If novel tests are available then you may substitute them for one of the prescribed testing types.
Treatment (15 marks): In this section you must describe current treatment strategies for each of the two pathogens with reference to efficacy, emergence of resistance and side effects.
References (10 marks): Appropriate use of references and formatting of the reference list.
Weighting: 30%
- Discuss the clinical significance and laboratory detection of the principal viral/prion, fungal and parasitic pathogens of each of the human body systems
- Appraise the use of molecular, histological and culture-based techniques for identifying viruses/prions, fungi and parasites causing human disease
- Evaluate and interpret different testing methods used in the detection and monitoring of infectious diseases caused by viruses/prions, fungi and parasites
2 Practical Assessment
The laboratory practical exercise is an opportunity to learn and perform clinical diagnostic procedures in Virology, Mycology and Parasitology and compliment the theoretical knowledge of diagnostic microbiology. The residential school will provide valuable practical experience in techniques currently performed in diagnostic clinical microbiology laboratories.
The laboratory practical assessment will comprise of laboratory based exercises which will be completed during the Residential School period. The exercises will be described in the subject laboratory manual and will involve completion of laboratory exercises, calculation and presentation of results. A detailed rubric of assessment criteria for laboratory manual will be available on the unit Moodle site
Week 10 Monday (18 Sept 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Your performance will be assessed during the residential school .
Week 11 Friday (29 Sept 2023)
Your grade will be communicated to you within a week of the residential school finishing via Moodle.
You will be assessed on your competency while carrying out practical tasks during the residential school. This assessment is Pass/fail.
No submission method provided.
- Discuss the clinical significance and laboratory detection of the principal viral/prion, fungal and parasitic pathogens of each of the human body systems
- Use practical skills to identify pathogenic viruses, fungi and parasites
- Evaluate and interpret different testing methods used in the detection and monitoring of infectious diseases caused by viruses/prions, fungi and parasites
- Apply appropriate quality control processes in the practice of virology, mycology and parasitology.
3 Group Work
Working in groups of three (3) members you will produce a scientific poster that compares and contrasts two pathogens which infect a similar tissue or organ system. Your focus will be on laboratory techniques used for their detection together with a description of transmission, pathogenesis and treatment of these pathogens. This assessment builds on the work you carried out for your written work from assessment 1.
Week 10 Friday (22 Sept 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Posters will be presented at the Residential School on Day 3
Week 11 Monday (25 Sept 2023)
You will be assessed on the day and marks will be uploaded immediately after the Residential school
Your poster will be assessed on a number of criteria including:
- Design and appearance
- Information content relating to Transmission, pathogenicity, virulence factors, etc.
- Contribution to the group effort
- Ability to answer questions relating to your poster.
- Appraise the use of molecular, histological and culture-based techniques for identifying viruses/prions, fungi and parasites causing human disease
- Evaluate and interpret different testing methods used in the detection and monitoring of infectious diseases caused by viruses/prions, fungi and parasites
4 Oral Examination
This assessment item is an oral examination which is comprised of two parts. You have the option to complete this face to face or via Zoom conferencing software. If you choose for the latter, it is a requirement that you have access to Zoom, a webcam and a microphone.
You will be required to answer:
Part A: 5 x short answer questions (to demonstrate memory recall). These questions will be worth 2 marks each = 10 marks; AND
Part B: 5 x longer answer questions (to demonstration interpretation of data/application). You will be presented with seven (7) questions and only need to choose only five (5). These questions will be worth 8 marks each = 40 marks.
Presentation (10 marks as per Rubric)
Total Viva Voce is worth 60 marks.
Review/Exam Week Monday (9 Oct 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
This will be held during the examination period; specific Viva Voce times to be negotiated with the Unit Coordinator during term.
Exam Week Monday (16 Oct 2023)
Marks will be released at certification of grades
Part A. This section relies on memory which is designed to contain short answer questions. Each of these questions will be worth two marks (5 questions x 2 marks = maximum of 10 marks)
Part B. This section relies on an interpretation and application of knowledge and contains longer questions. Each of these questions are worth 8 marks each with the breakdown of marks as follows.
Three key criteria will be marked in this assessment in addition to the above.
1. Relevance - The ability to deliver the correct answer(s) to the question in a comprehensive and succinct manner (worth 6/10 marks)
2. Coherence - The ability to logically sequence the response (worth 2/10 marks)
3. Overall organisation, expression and flow - Responses are well crafted and include a scientific/medical vocabulary. Responses are delivered in a confident manner using language targetted to a general audience. Responses are delivered with clear diction, appropriate volume and pace. (worth 2/10 marks)
No submission method provided.
- Discuss the clinical significance and laboratory detection of the principal viral/prion, fungal and parasitic pathogens of each of the human body systems
- Appraise the use of molecular, histological and culture-based techniques for identifying viruses/prions, fungi and parasites causing human disease
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
