CQUniversity Unit Profile
MBIO19012 Microbiology
Microbiology
All details in this unit profile for MBIO19012 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

On successful completion of this unit, you will have a sound understanding of the fundamentals of microbiology. You will be able to explain the principles by which microbes are classified, the relationship between form and function, the mechanisms by which genetic change occurs and the dynamics of growth and multiplication. Mixed mode and Rockhampton students must attend a compulsory residential school or on-campus laboratory classes in order to achieve the learning outcomes.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: BIOL11099 Living Systems or BIOL 11100 Functional Biology or SCIE11022 Introductory Science or BIOH11005 Introductory Anatomy and Physiology or BMSC11001 Human Body Systems 1 or BIOL11102 Life Science Laboratory

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 - 2021

Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

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.

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 25%
2. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 25%
3. Online Test
Weighting: 50%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Moodle student evaluation

Feedback

Students would like more assignment examples from different grade levels.

Recommendation

More examples of assessments with different grades will be given.

Feedback from Student feedback in person

Feedback

Most students loved the residential school, it helped to put the content in context.

Recommendation

Residential schools will continue.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain the principles by which microbes are classified, using traditional and molecular approaches
  2. Describe the relationship between form and function in the major groups of microbes
  3. Describe the mechanisms by which genetic exchange occurs in bacteria, fungi and viruses
  4. Explain the dynamics of growth and multiplication of the major types of microbes, and the methods by which these can be investigated in the laboratory
  5. Demonstrate basic practical microbiological procedures in the laboratory in a safe and efficient manner
  6. Interpret the results of laboratory experiments in the context of the underlying microbiological principles.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Written Assessment - 25%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 25%
3 - Online Test - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
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

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 25%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 25%
3 - Online Test - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Microbiology: an introduction

Edition: 13th (2020)
Authors: Tortora, Funke, Case
Pearson
Upper Saddle River Upper Saddle River , New Jersey , USA
ISBN: 9781292276267
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

There are several other options available, inlcuding an e-book and packages (see below). 

Students can also purchase access to an online resource, Mastering Microbiology, which provides valuable animations and other study resources.

To purchase the paperback text + Mastering, please contact the Bookshop.

For the e-book, with or without Mastering, or for just Mastering, please purchase directly from Pearsons.

Further details and links will be available on the unit Moodle site.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Sandrine Makiela Unit Coordinator
s.makiela@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Introduction, laboratory safety, laboratory techniques.

Chapter

Tortora, chapters 1 & 3.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Microbial diversity, form and function.

Chapter

Tortora, chapters 4, 10, 11, 12.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Microbial diversity, form and function.

Chapter

Tortora, chapters 4, 10, 11, 12.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Viruses.

Chapter

Tortora,chapter 13.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Microbial culture and metabolism.

Chapter

Tortora, chapters 5 & 6.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Test 1 - due Friday 9th April.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Microbial growth and control of growth.

Chapter

Tortora, chapters 6 & 7.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Microbial genetics and identification.

Chapter

Tortora, chapters 8 & 10.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 03 May 2021

Module/Topic

Human and microbial ecology.

Chapter

Tortora, chapter 14.

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 9 Begin Date: 10 May 2021

Module/Topic

Module A or Module B or Module C.

(see Term Specific Information)

Residential School (option 1): 13-15th May

Chapter

Specific readings for each module will be provided on the Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 17 May 2021

Module/Topic

Module A or Module B or Module C.

(see Term Specific Information)

Residential School (option 2): 20-22th May.

Chapter

Specific readings for each module will be provided on the Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Test 2 - due Tuesday 18th May.

Week 11 Begin Date: 24 May 2021

Module/Topic

Module A or Module B or Module C.

(see Term Specific Information)

Chapter

Specific readings for each module will be provided on the Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Microorganism Design Due: Week 11 Monday (24 May 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 31 May 2021

Module/Topic

Module A or Module B or Module C.

(see Term Specific Information)

Chapter

Specific readings for each module will be provided on the Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Test 3 - date TBA.

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

You will notice in the Schedule that there are different module choices in weeks 9-12.  Each module has different topics; this is done to make the unit more relevant to your discipline area.  Later in the term, you will need to choose which module you want to do using a choice activity on the Moodle site.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Microorganism Design

Task Description

Keeping in mind your chosen field of study, you are required to design a microorganism which is best suited to a particular environment. You must choose one of the following:

  1. An opportunistic human pathogen, which causes inflammation and bleeding of the urinary system.
  2. A blood-borne human pathogen, which is transmitted by fleas and causes lethargy.
  3. A decomposer in a mangrove swamp, which mineralises sulfur.
  4. A soil-borne pathogen, which causes root rot in barley.

Please note that you are designing a hypothetical organism. Your microbe cannot be identical to an existing microbe. In your paper, you will be required to:

  • Name your microorganism, both genus and species.
  • Decide on the type of organism (bacterium, fungus, virus, or protozoan).
  • Select the features of your microorganism based on your knowledge of microbial form and function, physiology and ecology. These features should enable your microorganism to survive and be successful in its environment (in the case of a disease, you may also choose additional symptoms).
  • Rationalise your choices based on relevant literature.

Suggested length: 2000 words.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Monday (24 May 2021) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Monday (7 June 2021)


Weighting
25%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The complete assessment rubrics will be available on the Moodle site, and will be on the following criteria:

  • Knowledge of theory (30%)
  • Selected features and rationalisation (40%)
  • Presentation (10%)
  • Clarity of expression (10%)
  • Referencing (10%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the principles by which microbes are classified, using traditional and molecular approaches
  • Describe the relationship between form and function in the major groups of microbes


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Competencies

Task Description

This assessment is in 3 parts:
Part 1 - pre-lab quizzes. You are required to do online quizzes based on the laboratory manual and provided instructional videos before coming to the laboratory. There are 5 quizzes in total, and all will be open from the start of term. You will do them all before coming to residential school. Each quiz will consist of 5 questions and will be timed (15 min). You can have 2 attempts at each quiz.
Part 2 - practical competencies. You will be marked on 7 practical skills during residential school. These skills are: aseptic technique, pipetting, the four streak dilution method, microscope use, Gram staining, fungal slide preparation, and microbial identification. The marking will occur during the normal course of the residential school (it is not under exam conditions). Detailed descriptions and requirements for this task will be available on the Moodle site.
Part 3 - post-lab quiz. You are required to do an online quiz (short-answer questions) based on the results of the practical sessions. The quiz will open on the last day of your residential school It consists of 5 questions and will be timed (45 min), and you have one attempt only.


Assessment Due Date

Part 1 - 8:00am AEST the first day of your residential school. Part 3 - 11:55pm AEST 2 weeks after the last day of your residential school.


Return Date to Students

Part 1 - within half an hour. Part 3 - two weeks after the due date.


Weighting
25%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Part 1 is worth 5%, and will be marked as the total of all five quizzes (your highest mark of each).
Part 2 is worth 10%,and will be marked on how well you perform each competency and the result (final product). A detailed marks sheet will be available on the Moodle site.
Part 3 is worth 10%, and will be your quiz mark.


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Submission Instructions
Online quizzes and in the laboratory.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate basic practical microbiological procedures in the laboratory in a safe and efficient manner
  • Interpret the results of laboratory experiments in the context of the underlying microbiological principles.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online Tests

Task Description

An understanding of fundamental microbiological concepts is essential in many science based professions. Your knowledge of the content and concepts will be examined by three online tests held at intervals throughout the term.
The first online test will be in week 5, and will cover the content of weeks 1-4. The second will be in week 10, and cover the content of weeks 5-8. The third will be during the examination period, and will cover the content of weeks 9-12. These online tests will be done as quizzes in Moodle, and will be a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions. Exact dates and times will be found on the unit Moodle page.


Assessment Due Date

Test 1 in week 5, Test 2 in week 10, Test 3 in the examination period.


Return Date to Students

Marks for each online test will be finalised within 10 working days of the test date.


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Multiple choice questions in each online test will be marked automatically by Moodle. Short answer questions will be marked manually. Your total mark for this assessment will be the sum of all three online test marks.


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Submission Instructions
Online quizzes.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the principles by which microbes are classified, using traditional and molecular approaches
  • Describe the relationship between form and function in the major groups of microbes
  • Describe the mechanisms by which genetic exchange occurs in bacteria, fungi and viruses
  • Explain the dynamics of growth and multiplication of the major types of microbes, and the methods by which these can be investigated in the laboratory


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving

Academic Integrity Statement

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?