BMSC13003 - Medical Microbiology 2

General Information

Unit Synopsis

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

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 3
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
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).

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Residential School Compulsory Residential School
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Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2024

Term 2 - 2024 Profile
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).

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Practical Assessment 0%
2. Group Work 20%
3. Written Assessment 30%
4. Oral Examination 50%

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

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 2 - 2022 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 100.00% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 38.46% response rate.

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.

Source: Student feedback
Feedback
The lecturer explained the content well and shared a number of anecdotes that contextualised the content.
Recommendation
Ensure that future lecturing staff have sufficient expertise and recent relevant experience in the subject to provide contemporary knowledge.
Action Taken
Current staffing was maintained.
Source: Self reflection/Student comments
Feedback
The residential school was well run and provided an opportunity to develop the students' technical skills.
Recommendation
The residential school will undergo redevelopment to enhance this aspect and to provide a wider range of skills that students will need for their laboratory careers.
Action Taken
The residential school was redeveloped to clarify and contextualise the application of molecular and traditional techniques in virology.
Source: Self reflection
Feedback
Unit requires improved assessment scaffolding.
Recommendation
The assessments will be revised and restructured to better align with professional practice and to allow for a better distribution of grades.
Action Taken
Future offerings of this unit will include viva voce assessments in place of online tests/traditional examinations and a greater focus on group work to enhance the alignment with professional practice.
Source: Student Feedback
Feedback
Students felt that sufficient time was allowed in the residential school for digestion of the material.
Recommendation
Any changes to the residential school will maintain a similar structure.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Student feedback
Feedback
Students felt the unit was well organised and structured.
Recommendation
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.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Self reflection
Feedback
The virology component of the residential school could be enhanced further to incorporate commonly used immunoassays.
Recommendation
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).
Action Taken
Nil.
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Discuss the clinical significance and laboratory detection of the principal viral/prion, fungal and parasitic pathogens of each of the human body systems
  2. Appraise the use of molecular, histological and culture-based techniques for identifying viruses/prions, fungi and parasites causing human disease
  3. Use practical skills to identify pathogenic viruses, fungi and parasites
  4. Evaluate and interpret different testing methods used in the detection and monitoring of infectious diseases caused by viruses/prions, fungi and parasites
  5. 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
2 - Group Work
3 - Written Assessment
4 - Oral Examination
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
6 - Information Technology Competence
8 - Ethical practice
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10