1. Explain the pathogenic mechanisms, identification methods and epidemiological principles relevant to infectious disease.

Knowledge & Understanding

2. Critically evaluate microbiological evidence, resistance patterns and public-health data, collaborating effectively when interpreting diagnostic findings.

Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

Research Skills

3. Communicate infectious-disease concepts, reflecting on evolving clinical and professional practice.

Communication

Reflection

A minimum of 40% mark in summative assessment is required to pass the module.

Exam: An exam consisting of two sections – one being a seen question based upon a previously collaboratively workshopped public health challenge and the second being Short Answer Questions (SAQs) and an unseen essay question.

Students will be expected to engage in structured reading, evidence-mapping and peer discussion activities that support critical appraisal of policy-relevant literature. Peer debate and guided self-reflection help students refine argumentation, synthesis and evaluative judgement.

Exam-style knowledge-check questions will be embedded throughout the module, and students will be encouraged to use these to reflect upon the style and expectations of critical writing under constrained conditions.

In this module, you will explore how infectious agents cause disease and how clinical laboratories identify, characterise and monitor them. You will examine diagnostic workflows, antimicrobial strategies and public health approaches used to protect communities. Including:

Identification, classification and characterisation of clinically relevant microorganisms using morphological, biochemical and molecular approaches.

Pathogenicity and host–pathogen interactions, including mechanisms of infection, immune evasion and disease progression.

Control and treatment of infectious diseases: sterilisation, asepsis, vaccines, antimicrobial chemotherapy, resistance and stewardship.

Clinical and public health microbiology, including diagnostic workflows, rapid and point-of-care technologies, epidemiology and outbreak investigation.

Practical and analytical skills in diagnostic microbiology, including susceptibility testing, result interpretation, and application of quality assurance processes.

How do we detect, track and control the microbes that threaten human health?

In this module, you will explore how infectious agents cause disease and how clinical laboratories identify, characterise and monitor them. You will examine diagnostic workflows, antimicrobial strategies and public health approaches used to protect communities. As you investigate real microbiological evidence, you will develop the analytical and practical skills needed to understand infectious disease processes and contribute to effective clinical decision-making in modern biomedical practice.

Sessions will include lectures, workshop activities, discussions, groupwork, drop-in support sessions. There will also be laboratory practical sessions.

Scott, J. (2022) Biological science: exploring the science of life. Biomedical edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2114845.

Blann, A.D. (2024) Biology of disease. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Ford, M. (2019) Medical microbiology. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Madigan, M. et al. (2021) Brock Biology of Microorganisms, Global Edition. 16th edn. Harlow: Pearson Education, Limited.

Suitable rooming for group work and discussion

Scientific laboratory for practical block

IT suite space with access to PCs