Unit information: Microbiology in 2011/12

Unit name	Microbiology
Unit code	VETS30002
Credit points	0
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Moore
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	VETS10100, VETS10200 VETS10300 VETS10400,vets20200,VETS20300,VETS20400
Co-requisites	VETS30006, VETS30005,VPH, FAS, CAS,PATH
School/department	Bristol Veterinary School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Structure, Multiplication and Killing of Micro-organisms, Pathogenesis of Infection, Diagnosis of and Protection against Micro-organisms, Enteric Micro-organisms, Gram Positive Bacteria; Pathogenic Fungi, Small Gram Negative Bacteria, Obligate Intracellular Bacteria, Pathogenesis of Virus Infections, Desoxyriboviruses; Riboviruses, Unconventional Agents, two Epidemiology Seminars on Topical Veterinary Diseases.

Aims:

• To provide a sound understanding of the relevant scientific principles underlying the subject of microbiology.

• To teach the more applied aspects of microbiology, including current knowledge of pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi of importance in domesticated animals in this country.

• To stimulate and encourage interest in the research application of microbiology.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the unit students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic biology of the major groups of microorganisms

• Describe, with regards to the major pathogens of animals, the diseases they cause, the mechanisms by which they cause disease, their modes of transmission, epidemiology and control

• Describe and apply the principles of laboratory recognition for the identification of a wide range of veterinary pathogens and the laboratory diagnosis of clinical episodes of infectious disease.

Teaching Information

Lectures, practicals and computer-based course work

Assessment Information

A minimum mark of 50% must be achieved in Microbiology to proceed to year 4. This is derived from 3 elements - DSE, the mid-sessional and the sessional written papers (MCQs and /or essays). In addition, students must achieve at least 45% as a combined mark in the written (MCQs and essays) components taken under exam conditions.

DSE - Computer-based quiz; problem-solving exercises in clinical bacteriology; extended essay in virology total = 20% Mid-Sessional (January) 1 hour MCQ paper 15% Sessional (June) 2 hour essay paper 55% Sessional (June) 1 hour MCQ paper 10%

(N.B. The contribution of 15% for the mid-sessional paper is based on the proportion of the Unit’s lectures in the autumn term.)

Failure to achieve these criteria will result in resit examinations in September. In the event of a resit, the mark allocation will be:

DSE carried forward 20%

2 hour essay paper 65%

1 hour MCQ paper 15%

Reading and References

The following are all held in the Medical School Library

Essential reading

• Veterinary Microbiology and Microbial Diseases, 2002, Quinn et al., Blackwell Science (excellent)

• Clinical Veterinary Microbiology, 1994, Quinn et al., Wolfe (good bacteriology, minimal virology, colour pictures, expensive but worth it)

Recommended reading

• Essentials of Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology, 2004, Carter & Wise, 6th edition, Iowa State Press (reasonable but no virology)

• Hagan and Bruner's Microbiology of Infectious diseases of Domestic Animals, 1988, Timoney et al., 8th edition, Cornell University Press (comprehensive but expensive and dated)

• Veterinary Virology, 1999, Murphy et al., 3rd edition, Academic Press Ltd. (expensive but good for library reference)