Module Descriptors
CLINICAL MOLECULAR AND MICROBIOLOGY
BIOL50300
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Pauline Gowland
Email: P.Gowland@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 48
Independent Study Hours: 102
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- LABORATORY LOG BOOK weighted at 50%
- REPORT weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
Students will be required to complete two pieces of summative assessment.
1. Laboratory book (2000 words) with analysis, interpretation and discussion of practical work. Weighting 50%. (1 and 2).
Only to be marked following the submission of results and discussion of three specified practicals.
2. Practical report (2000 words) to evaluate methods used to isolate and identify bacteria in clinical specimens. Weighting 50%. (1 and 2).
Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via:
Students will be asked to complete worksheets as part of their independent study. These will form the basis of discussion in the workshops.
The practical used for the assessment will be carried out in weeks 11 and 12 of the module. It will be based on similar practicals run in earlier weeks. Students will submit discussions for three earlier practicals for formative feedback.
1. Laboratory book (2000 words) with analysis, interpretation and discussion of practical work. Weighting 50%. (1 and 2).
Only to be marked following the submission of results and discussion of three specified practicals.
2. Practical report (2000 words) to evaluate methods used to isolate and identify bacteria in clinical specimens. Weighting 50%. (1 and 2).
Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via:
Students will be asked to complete worksheets as part of their independent study. These will form the basis of discussion in the workshops.
The practical used for the assessment will be carried out in weeks 11 and 12 of the module. It will be based on similar practicals run in earlier weeks. Students will submit discussions for three earlier practicals for formative feedback.
Module Learning Strategies
The module will be delivered as a programme of twelve four-hour sessions. These will be a combination of practicals and workshops. Independent study will be used to introduce the students to the background theory of the techniques, and for data analysis and report writing.
Module Texts
A single text does not readily support this module. Introductory material for the practical will be produced by the teaching team. General genetics and clinical microbiology books will support the theory content.
Module Special Admissions Requirements
STUDY OF LEVEL ONE BIOSKILLS
Module Resources
Laboratories and relevant equipment. Technical support. Lecture theatre, OHP and PowerPoint projector. Video for tutorial material
Module Indicative Content
The module will focus on the principles of isolating and identifying infectious agents and the applications of molecular biology for the diagnosis of genetic disorders.
The microbiology will develop further the aseptic technique and the safe handling and culturing of micro-organisms introduced at Level 1. The focus of the module will be identification of medically important microorganisms. Methods will include microscopic examination, selective media and biochemical tests. The collection of specimens for culture and transport of these specimens will be discussed. The qualitative and quantitative approaches to antimicrobial susceptibility testing will be explored.
The molecular biology will include basic genetics (classical, molecular and population) relevant to genetic diagnosis - patterns of inheritance (nuclear and cytoplasmic), alleles and polymorphisms. Detection of polymorphisms, genes in populations. Genetic material and its isolation from diverse sources. The practical content includes some basic techniques of molecular biology related to DNA analysis and genotyping; including purification and gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids, hybridisation technology, polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. What information can be gleaned from genetic data?
The microbiology will develop further the aseptic technique and the safe handling and culturing of micro-organisms introduced at Level 1. The focus of the module will be identification of medically important microorganisms. Methods will include microscopic examination, selective media and biochemical tests. The collection of specimens for culture and transport of these specimens will be discussed. The qualitative and quantitative approaches to antimicrobial susceptibility testing will be explored.
The molecular biology will include basic genetics (classical, molecular and population) relevant to genetic diagnosis - patterns of inheritance (nuclear and cytoplasmic), alleles and polymorphisms. Detection of polymorphisms, genes in populations. Genetic material and its isolation from diverse sources. The practical content includes some basic techniques of molecular biology related to DNA analysis and genotyping; including purification and gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids, hybridisation technology, polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. What information can be gleaned from genetic data?