Overview
On completion of this unit, you will be able to describe and advise on the clinical significance of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites causing human disease. You will oversee the investigation of the morphological characteristics, epidemiology, laboratory identification of these microorganisms and will be able to provide advice on the causes of bacterial, mycological, parasitic and viral infectious diseases. You will describe the life cycle of important parasites and their relevance to disease control. You will be able to interpret complex serological test results related to the detection of human pathogenic viruses.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
PrerequisiteLMED28004 Infectious Diseases 1
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 1 - 2024
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).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate 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.
- Provide expert opinion on the clinical significance and laboratory detection of the principal bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic pathogens of each of the human body systems
- Critique new techniques for identifying bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites causing human disease
- Recommend antimicrobial therapy to treat and manage infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
- Appraise different testing methods used in the detection and monitoring of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
- Develop and implement appropriate quality control processes for the practice of bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Case Study - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Examination - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
| 4 - Research | |||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
Textbooks recommended by not required:
- Baily Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology, 15th Edition, By Patricia M. Tille, Published by Elsevier
- Mims' Medical Microbiology and Immunology,7th Edition, by Richard Goering, Hazel M. Dockrell,Mark Zuckerman, and Peter L. Chiodini, Published by Elsevier
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Turabian
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.jazayeri@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
The topic will encompass an outline of the most recent and some historic pandemics, along with a recap of key lessons learned from these events and an emphasis on the importance of ongoing research and vigilance in global health.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 1 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Welcome and introduction to Historical Pandemics.
Module/Topic
The topic on travel-related infections will comprehensively explore the spectrum of diseases associated with global travel. It will delve into the common types of infections encountered during travel, examining their modes of transmission, risk factors, and preventive measures.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 2 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Read the lectures notes and answer tutorial questions covering a range of topics associated with Travel-Related Infections.
Please note that you are required to visit the subject Moodle site and select a topic from a list of infectious diseases topics provided (under assessment 2) by the end of this week (Friday, March 15th, by 5:00 PM).
Module/Topic
The topic on superbugs will address the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, exploring the factors contributing to their development and the potential consequences for public health.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 3 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Read the lectures notes and answer tutorial questions covering a range of topics associated with superbugs.
Module/Topic
The topic of hospital-acquired infections will address the occurrence and prevention of infections that patients acquire during their stay in healthcare facilities.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 4 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Read the lectures notes and answer tutorial questions covering a range of topics/issues and examples associated with nosocomial and Foodborne and Water-borne Infections.
Module/Topic
The topic will explore advanced technologies employed for the detection and identification of microorganisms. It will encompass molecular methods, such as nucleotides sequencing, mass spectrometry, and other cutting-edge tools used in microbiological diagnostics.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 5 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please review the lecture notes and respond to tutorial questions that discuss the most commonly used diagnostic tools for detecting infections.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The topic will continue to explore advanced technologies employed for the detection and identification of microorganisms. It will encompass molecular methods, nucleotide sequencing, mass spectrometry, and other cutting-edge tools used in microbiological diagnostics.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 6 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Welcome to our guest lecturer on this topic, to be delivered by Melissa Swinson, a senior medical scientist from Rockhampton Base Hospital Pathology.
Assessment 1 is due this week. It will be accessible online for completion starting at 9:00 AM on Sunday, April 14th, and will remain open for 24 hours and 30 minutes once started.
Please ensure submission by 9:30 AM on Monday, April 15th.
Assessment 1: Mid-Term assessment Due: Week 6 Monday (15 Apr 2024) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Rapid diagnostic techniques. The discussion will focus on the roles of government organizations, such as the National Association of Testing Authorities, the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia, and the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council, in setting guidelines for diagnostic microbiology laboratories.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 7 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Welcome to our guest lecturer on this topic, to be delivered by Melissa Swinson, a senior medical scientist from Rockhampton Base Hospital Pathology.
Module/Topic
The topic will encompass the definition of Health Associated Infections (HAIs) and the trends contributing to their rising occurrence.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 8 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Welcome to our guest lecturer on this topic, to be delivered by Dr Brenda Govan, adjunct associate professor in microbiology, James Cook University.
Assessment 2: Research Paper Due: Week 8 Friday (3 May 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
The topic of Infectious Diseases and Global Health will explore the impact of infectious diseases on a global scale, examining their transmission dynamics, public health implications, and the challenges associated with prevention and control.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 9 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session..
Events and Submissions/Topic
Welcome to our guest lecturer on this topic, to be delivered by Dr Brenda Govan, adjunct associate professor in microbiology, James Cook University.
Assessment 2 is due this week on Monday, May 6th, by 11:59 PM.
Module/Topic
This topic will delve into the applications of various automations in microbiology laboratories. It will explore how advanced technologies such as robotic systems, automated incubation, and digital imaging are utilized to enhance efficiency and accuracy in specimen processing, culture analysis, and colony identification.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 10 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Welcome to our guest lecturer on this topic, to be delivered by Ms Lisa Brenton, Deputy Principal Scientist, Microbiology, St Vincent Hospital, Melbourne.
Module/Topic
This topic will comprehensively cover mRNA and DNA vaccines, exploring their mechanisms, development processes, and applications in the field of immunization.
Chapter
No prescribed textbook has been assigned for this subject. Please consistently review the lecture materials and recordings available for week 11 on Moodle. Additionally, on a weekly basis and for each topic, a set of tutorial questions will be provided for you to answer before your tutorial session.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please read the lecture notes, watch lecture recordings, recommended YouTube videos, and then answer tutorial questions covering mRNA and DNA vaccines.
Module/Topic
All topics will be covered.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
It is highly recommended that you attend this week's revision tutorial session to prepare for the final examination.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Your unit coordinators for LMED29009, Infectious Diseases 2, is Dr Jalal Jazayeri. Your primary contact point is Jalal and you can contact him using the following means:
- Via the Discussion forum on the unit's Moodle site. The Discussion forum for this unit is continuously monitored and you can expect a response within one-two (1-2) business day/s of posting your question.
- Through email (j.jazayeri@cqu.edu.au) or
- Via Microsoft Teams
Your secondary contact point is Associate professor Genia Burchall and you can contact her using the following means:
- Via the Discussion forum on the unit's Moodle site.
- Through email (g.burchall.cqu.edu.au) or
- Via Microsoft Teams
CM18 - Master of Laboratory Medicine
Tutorials/Lectorials will be delivered each week at the Rockhampton and Melbourne campuses, and students who are enrolled in mixed mode will be able to join these classes via Zoom. These tutorials/lectorials will also be recorded for the benefit of those students who are unable to attend the live classes. During the sessions, you will have the opportunity to ask questions or discuss uncertainties in relation to the lecture materials and recordings for each week. There will be some active learning exercises undertaken to assess your understating of the weekly lecture material including group
and individual activities, short answer questions, kahoot quizzes, cases studies etc. We will also run through a set of questions and discuss in greater depth the peer-reviewed article or other pre-tutorial/lectorial learning for the week.
These active learning activities will help you apply the knowledge learned during the weekly lectures and other pre-class learning material and prepare you for the assessments. You will gain the most benefit from the tutorials/lectorial if you watch the weekly lectures beforehand and read the peer-reviewed article and/or other pre-class learning material. You are also strongly encouraged to participate in tutorials, as studies have shown that students who attend the tutorials and participate in discussions have higher rates of success (Karnik et al., 2020*). Regular quizzes (ie kahoot) are also provided during some of the lectorial/tutorial classes to reinforce the knowledge you have gained from the lectures and to enhance your learning experience in this unit.
As per Australian educational standards, you are expected to commit 150 hours of engagement to your study of this unit. This is broken down as:
- 2 - 3 hours per week watching recorded lectures and revising the content through study notes
- 2 - 3 hours per week reviewing the peer-reviewed article provided in Moodle and other relevant resources
available for each week - 1.5 - 2.5 hours per week attending the weekly tutorial/lectorial classes and reflecting on your answers to the
activities undertaken during class, identifies areas of uncertainly that still remain and discussing this/these with
other fellow students or the teaching staff. - 3 - 4 hours per week preparing your assessments or studying for your exams
*Karnik, A., Kishore, P., & Meraj, M. (2020). Examining the linkage between class attendance at university and academic performance in an International Branch Campus setting. Research in Comparative and International Education, 15(4),
371-390. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745499920958855
1 Written Assessment
This assessment evaluates your understanding of the learning objectives and activities covered from weeks 1 to 5, inclusive, in the unit. This includes pre-tutorial materials such as weekly lecture notes, videos, and other relevant resources provided with the unit content, as well as topics covered during scheduled classes. The assessment will consist of various question formats, such as short answer questions, extended response questions, terminology questions, process and arrangement questions, and case studies.
The assessment will be conducted online and will have a duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes for writing, with an additional 15 minutes allocated for reading, downloading, and uploading materials. This assessment is worth 20% of your final grade. It is designed to gauge your progress approximately halfway through the term and to help you identify areas of strength and areas for improvement within the unit. Additionally, it aims to familiarize you with the structure and types of questions you can expect on the final exam.
Please note that this written assessment will be accessible online from 9 am, on Sunday 14th April, and it will remain open for 24h and 30 min to complete this assessment once commenced.
Mode: Online submission
Format: The assessment may include (but not be limited to) some short answer questions & some with a more extended type of response, terminology questions, process and arrangement questions & case study/ies. Marks will range from 1-2 marks for short answer questions and 4-5 marks where more detailed information will be required.
Week 6 Monday (15 Apr 2024) 9:00 am AEST
Week 8 Tuesday (30 Apr 2024)
Marking criteria will be as outlined in the test. Marks will range from 1-2 marks for short responses and 4-10 marks where more detailed information will be required. You will be provided with support and examples of the types of questions you are likely to encountered in this assessment during your scheduled classes; this will assist you in learning and understanding the expectations of this assessment. You are therefore strongly encouraged to regularly attend and actively participate and engage in the weekly scheduled classes, ask questions where you are uncertain and ensure you come prepared for each class by having reviewed any pre-class learning material. If you still have questions or areas, you do not understand following each weekly tutorial class you will be encouraged to address these promptly by posting your questions on the Discussion forum and engaging in discussion on this/these topics with fellow students and academics, and the Unit coordinators. Doing this will ensure you 'arrive' to this assessment well prepared and give yourself the best possibilities of preforming well in and from this assessment.
- Provide expert opinion on the clinical significance and laboratory detection of the principal bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic pathogens of each of the human body systems
- Recommend antimicrobial therapy to treat and manage infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
- Develop and implement appropriate quality control processes for the practice of bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology.
2 Case Study
In this assessment, you are required to choose a topic from the provided list (in the subject Moodle site) and then prepare a report outlining your findings in accordance with the format and the instructions outlined below. A comprehensive marking rubric is available on the subject Moodle site. This assessment will draw from lecture topics but will require additional research for completion. Regular attendance, active participation, and engagement in the tutorial sessions is highly recommended. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask on the Discussion forum.
Please note that you are required to visit the subject Moodle site and select a topic from a list of infectious diseases provided (under assessment 2) by the end of this week (Friday, March 22nd, 5:00 PM). Please submit online by Friday 3rd May 2024 11.59 pm.
Format Instructions:
- Please visit the Moodle site related to the subject and select a topic for Assignment 2. There are 20 available topics, and each topic can accommodate a maximum of two students. The selection process operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Once a topic is chosen by two students, it will no longer be available for selection. In that case, please choose another topic from the remaining options.
- conduct and prepare your research paper (maximum 1000 words) in accordance with the following headings:
1. Introduction:
- Conduct a literature review and briefly introduce the infectious disease, providing insights into its historical context and global prevalence.
- Emphasize the significance of the disease as a public health concern.
2. Causative Agent:
- Clearly identify and describe the causative agent responsible for the infectious disease.
- If the infectious disease is parasitic, elucidate its life cycle.
3. Epidemiology and Geography:
- Investigate the global distribution of the disease-causing agent.
- Examine regions with high prevalence and explore the contributing factors to its spread.
4. Clinical Manifestations:
- Describe the symptoms and clinical manifestations associated with the infectious disease.
5. Life Cycle and Transmission for Parasites:
- Detail the modes of transmission of the infectious disease, particularly if it involves parasites.
6. Diagnosis and treatment options:
- Examine the diagnostic methods employed for confirming the disease.
- Investigate current treatment options, including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, or parasitic medications.
7. Prevention Strategies and Control:
- Explore preventive measures aimed at controlling the spread of the infectious disease.
8. Impact on Society and Public Health:
- Analyze the socio-economic impact of the disease on affected communities.
- Discuss the burden on healthcare systems and potential long-term consequences.
9. Conclusion:
- Summarize key findings from the research.
- Highlight emerging trends or advancements in the field, particularly regarding the infectious disease under study.
10. References:
- Provide references only from published journal articles and book chapters.
- Avoid using web links as references to ensure the credibility of the sources.
- Use EndNote Referencing software and Vancouver refencing style.
Week 8 Friday (3 May 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 10 Monday (13 May 2024)
In this assessment, your focus will be on researching an infectious disease. Begin with a general introduction, followed by various factors that can be delineated under specific subheadings. These include, but are not restricted to:
- Identifying the Causative Agent
- Exploring Epidemiology and Geography
- Understanding Clinical Manifestations
- Elucidating the Life Cycle and Transmission for parasites
- Outlining Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
- Discussing Prevention Strategies and Control measures
- Assessing the Impact on Society and Public Health
- Exploring Treatment Options, and ultimately,
- Concluding your findings.
- References to support your research.
- Critique new techniques for identifying bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites causing human disease
- Appraise different testing methods used in the detection and monitoring of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
Examination
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?
