Unit information: Introduction to Microbiology in 2016/17

Unit name	Introduction to Microbiology
Unit code	PANM12041
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Matthews
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The unit provides students a thorough grounding in microbiology, covering the basic biology of viruses, fungi, protists and bacteria, and focussing on cell structure, metabolism, genetics, identification & classification and impact on society of microbes.

Unit aims:

To provide students with information about:

1. the various structures of viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists, and to explain how these structures are used to differentiate and classify these organisms,
2. the basis of mutation, and the mechanisms by which mutations can affect, and pass, between members of a population,
3. bacterial metabolism,
4. the general ways that microbes impact on society and the ways they can be controlled.

To teach students specific, microbiology-related practical skills, and to help them develop their essay writing, data interpretation and oral presentation skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the unit a successful student will be able to:

1. describe the compositions and lifestyles of various types of microbes,
2. recall the various structures of viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists and describe how these structures are used to differentiate and classify these organisms,
3. describe the basis of mutation, and the mechanisms by which mutations can affect and pass between members of a population,
4. describe bacterial metabolism,
5. recall the general ways that microbes impact on society and describe the ways they can be controlled,
6. handle microorganisms with confidence in the laboratory,
7. apply relevant experimental techniques and interpret data,
8. present scientific information and arguments in written and oral form,
9. undertake the further study of microorganisms in the following unit (Microbes and Disease, PANM12042) and at Level 5 and 6.

Teaching Information

Lectures

Tutorials

Practicals

e-learning to support laboratory practicals via eBiolabs

Assessment Information

Essay (5%)

Oral presentation (5%)

eBiolabs pre-lab quizzes and post-lab assignments (2%)

Practical write-up (3%);

1-hour mid-unit assessment including multiple choice questions (10%)

2-hour written exam (January) including multiple choice questions and two essays (75%)

The exams will cover learning outcomes 1-5, 7-8.

The assessment via eBiolabs and the practical write-up will assess learning outcomes 6-8.

The essay and oral presentation will cover learning outcome 8 and any from 1-5.

Formative assessment:

For formative purposes students will receive feedback as follows:

• The essay and laboratory write up will be marked and returned with verbal and written feedback during tutorials.

• Electronic feedback will be provided for the pre-lab and post-lab work via eBiolabs.

• Oral presentations will be marked and subject to verbal feedback during the tutorial and a written feedback sheet provided.

• Feedback during practical classes will be provided by staff and demonstrators.

• Unit assessment marks will be provided before the end of Teaching Block 1 and feedback will be available from the Unit Director on request.

• A breakdown of marks for the exam will be provided and additional feedback will be provided by the Unit Director on request.

Reading and References

Recommended reading:

Microbiology: a clinical approach. Strelkauskas A., Strelkauskas J. and Moszyk-Strelkauskas M. 2010. 1st Edition. Garland Science. ISBN-13: 978-0815365143. The necessary background to the course can be found in this book. There is also an extensive array of student resources to be found at the publisher’s website (http://www.garlandscience.com/micro).

Further reading:

Viruses: biology, application and control. Harper D. 2011. 1st Edition. Garland Science. ISBN-13: 978-0815341505. This textbook is recommended as additional reading for those particularly interested in viruses.

BIOS Instant Notes: Microbiology. Baker S., Griffiths C. and Nicklin J. 2011. 4th Edition. Garland Science. ISBN-13: 978-0415607704. Recommended for revision.

All textbooks are available in the Medical Sciences libraries.