BM7106 - Introduction to Medical Microbiology (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Introduction to Medical Microbiology | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Human Sciences | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module focuses on the pathogenic mechanisms of a range of microorganisms and the principles and practice of techniques used for screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of a range of infectious diseases.
Syllabus
Medical microbiology: the role of microorganisms in health and disease.
Paradigms of microorganism-host interactions in disease and defences; rationale diagnostic procedures and antimicrobial chemotherapy and anitbiotic resistance.
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. (LO1-2)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
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.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Understand 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
2. Have knowledge of infectious diseases their isolation and identification and display an appreciation of the relevance of epidemiology.
3. Understand the processes relating to compliance with health and safety policies, good laboratory practice, risk and infection control in the reflective learning log