1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of medical microbiology in the diagnoses and monitoring of infectious disease.
Knowledge & Understanding

2. Demonstrate ability to carry out tests relevant to the identification of a variety of bacteria, fungi and parasites.
Application
Problem solving

3. Evaluate the use of qualitative and quantitative techniques used for the isolation and identification of human pathogens.
Analysis
Enquiry
Problem solving

4. Analyse and record the results of a range of tests used for the identification of human pathogens.
Analysis
Enquiry
Problem solving
Communication

5. Demonstrate an understanding of the control of microbial growth and how this can be applied to the prevention and treatment of infectious disease.
Analysis
Knowledge & Understanding

One hour lecture, per week, for ten weeks. Key features of medical microbiology will be introduced in lectures.

Three hour practical and workshop, per week, for ten weeks. Practical work will allow you to investigate methods used routinely for the isolation and identification of pathogenic agents. Workshops will be used for case studies, problem based learning and data handling exercises. This will involve you working both individually and in groups.

Independent Study Hours

32 hours - literature search/reading/ preparation for workshops, practicals and lectures
40 hours - writing practical reports
38 hours - assessment preparation

Consumables and diagnostic kits for microbiology practical undertaken by students working individually.

Laboratory based exam 100% 3 hours

Assessment 1, the only summative assessment, examines all learning outcomes 1 to 5. This is a laboratory-based exam assessing practical work, data analysis & interpretation and understanding of medical microbiology & infection control. The exam will be 3 hours duration in total, split into two 1 ½ hour papers/sessions on separate days, consist of unseen questions and take place in examination conditions.

To enable feedback on your learning, there will be the opportunity to submit specified work for formative assessment. Indicative exam questions will be available and discussed during this module.

The content of this module is focused on medical microbiology and the work carried out in clinical microbiology laboratories. It links the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of a range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites to the techniques used to identify pathogens and diagnose infections. You will learn about strategies used to control and treat infections. Antimicrobial chemotherapy, including antibiotics and anti-fungal agents, are important treatment options which need to be evaluated: you will learn the standard methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

In this module you will carry out a range of techniques used in medical microbiology laboratories for the isolation and identification of infectious agents. To support your practical work, lectures will provide you with an overview of common infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) which cause disease in a range of cells, tissues and organs. Throughout the module you will consider the procedures for the safe handling of clinical specimens, including collection and storage of appropriate biological samples.

The range of methods you will carry out will include direct microscopy, use of selective and differential agar, biochemical tests and serological methods. You will also consider automated and rapid detection techniques allowing you to evaluate and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each technique and why repeat testing may be required. The control of microorganisms will be investigated using qualitative and quantitative methods.

You will consider the link between the module content, the standard methods, including Standards for Microbiology Investigations and EUCAST antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and workplace practice in biomedical science laboratories.

https://staffs.keylinks.org/#/list/900
Ford, M. (2019) Medical Microbiology (Third Edition Ed.) Oxford.
Standards for microbiology investigations (UK SMI)
Greenwood, D., Slack, R.C., Barer, M. and Irving, W. (2012) Medical Microbiology (12th Ed.) Churchill Livingstone.
Strelkauskas, A., Strelkauskas, J. and Moszyk-Strelkauskas, D. (2010). Microbiology: A Clinical Approach. Garland Science.
Wiser, M.F. (2011) Protozoa and Human Disease. Garland Science.
Loker, E. S. and Hofkin B. V. (2015) Parasitology : a conceptual approach.
Dimmock, N.J., Easton, A.J. and Leppard, K.N. (2016) Introduction to Modern Virology (7th Ed.)
Knisely, K. (2017) A student handbook for writing in biology.