module specification

This module focuses on the structure and classification of a selected range of microorganisms and their impact on human society.

None

Medical microbiology: the role of microorganisms in health and disease.
Paradigms of microorganism-host interactions in health: concepts and types of symbiosis; mutualism; commensalism and normal microbiota; variation between hosts; spatial and temporal variation in an individual host; endogenous sources of infection; opportunists.
Paradigms of microorganism-host interactions in disease: concepts and mechanisms of infection; pathogenicity and virulence; constitutive and induced host defence mechanisms; microbial evasion/subversion of host defences; rationale diagnostic procedures and antimicrobial chemotherapy.
Paradigms of microorganism-community interactions: exogenous encounter; major transmission routes of human pathogens; emerging microbial infections; the role of public health laboratories in disease control; strategies for control of community, health care associated and hospital acquired infections; rationale of immunisation programmes.
Paradigms of geographic and travel microbial diseases: syndromes of the returned traveller; infections of the skin and soft tissue, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and systemic infections.
Selected in-depth studies; epidemiology, aetiology and clinical manifestation of infectious diseases; rationale for laboratory diagnosis. Examples will be selected from indigenous, tropical and emerging diseases caused by bacteria, parasites and fungi.

Learning Outcomes LO1 - 4

Information pertaining to the subject matter will be presented through an integrated programme of lectures and supporting exercises, together with some use of a problem-based learning approach and the guided use of student-centred learning resources.  Lectures will be used to provide a conceptual framework.  Student centred assignments will enable students to reinforce and expand their knowledge, and develop subject specific skills and competence.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Understand that microorganisms comprise a diverse range of organisms that includes sub-viral particles, viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protoctista and have some understanding of their structural diversity and classification through completion of the quizzes
2. Explain the aetiology of selected microbial diseases and make ethical evaluations on medical microbiology laboratory practice and show an understanding of pathogenicity, virulence mechanisms of major groups of microorganisms and the use of laboratory investigations to corroborate clinical diagnosis and treatment of microbial diseases.
3. Have knowledge of infectious diseases by laboratory systems and the main pathogenic organisms, their isolation and identification and display an appreciation of the relevance of epidemiology in the prediction, control and identification of disease and show relevance of epidemiology in the recognition and identification of emerging and re-emerging diseases.
4. Understand the processes relating to compliance with health and safety policies, good laboratory practice, risk and infection control in the reflective learning log

The module will be formatively assessed by in-course online quizzes and two coursework components. A reflective learning log (2000 words) and a written assignment (1500 words). Criteria for assessment will include an understanding of the subject matter; an ability, both orally and written, to explain, describe and discuss the work; completeness and conciseness of written reports and essays with emphasis upon critical ability and scientific rigour. To pass the module students need to achieve a minimum aggregate mark of 50%. There are no practical sessions.

Component                   Learning outcomes
Quizzes                                   1
Reflective learning log             2
Written assignment                 3,4

Bauman RW. (2014) Microbiology with diseases by body systems. 3rd Ed. Pearson.
Carroll KC (2015) Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg’s Medical Microbiology 24th Ed. McGraw Hill.
Ford M. (2014) Medical Microbiology. Fundamentals of Biomedical Science series. OUP
Ahmed N, Glencross H. (2016) Biomedical Science Practice. Fundamentals of Biomedical Science series. OUP
Madigan MT, (2018) Brock Biology of Microorganisms. Pearson.
Strelkauskas A, Edwards A. (2015) Microbiology a clinical approach. Garland Science