Molecular and Medical Microbiology

Subject MIIM30011 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 3 x one hour lectures per week (total contact hours: 36)
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: B. Science students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

B. Biomedicine students (2009 on):

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

B. Biomed. Sci. students (pre 2009):

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: The prerequisite subjects should have provided a solid background in Microbiology and Immunology. An understanding of the molecules, genes and biology of the cell would be useful.
Non Allowed Subjects: Pre 2010:
Subject
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website:

http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Odilia Wijburg, Mrs Helen Cain

Contact

Dr Elizabeth Hartland:

hartland@unimelb.edu.au

Mrs Helen Cain:

hmcain@unimelb.edu.au

Prof Roy Robins-Browne:

r.browne@unimelb.edu.au

Administive Coordinator:

Ms Corliss Chan

Subject Overview: This subject describes how bacteria have evolved specialized structures and proteins that allow them to adapt and survive in a range of environments. In particular this subject will examine the contribution of processes such as protein secretion and gene regulation to bacterial survival during infection of humans (pathogenesis). From an understanding of the molecular basis of host-pathogen interactions, students will be able to understand the diverse mechanisms bacteria use to cause disease, and how infectious diseases are spread. A range of medically important bacteria will be discussed, with an emphasis on their ecology, pathogenesis and the pathobiology of the disease. The subject will also describe techniques and strategies such as mutant construction and molecular cloning that are used to dissect microbial function. Students should be able to apply this knowledge to the determination of strategies for prevention, control and recognition of disease, including the design of vaccines and other therapeutics.
Objectives: Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  • describe the fundamental concepts of the transfer of proteins across the bacterial cell wall and the regulation of protein expression
  • explain the ways in which microbes interact with their hosts, the environment and each other
  • describe some of the ways in which bacteria cause disease and how infectious diseases caused by bacteria are spread, diagnoses, treated and/or prevented
  • apply relevant knowledge of bacterial pathogenesis, immunity and epidemiology to the determination of appropriate strategies for developing new diagnostic protocols, treatments or vaccines
Assessment:
  • 10 on-line quizzes (1 per week) (10%)
  • A 1 hour written examination held mid-semester (20%)
  • A 2 hour written examination held in the examination period (70%)
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

  • the capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines
  • the ability to comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer
  • the ability to interpret scientific literature and interpret data from electronic databases
Notes:

This subject is available to students enrolled in the:

Pre-2008 B. Sc
Pre-2008 B. Biomed. Sc. (Stream 7).
NG B. Sc.
NG B. Biomed
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Biomedical Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Genetics
Genetics
Immunology
Microbiology
Microbiology, Infection && Immunology
Microbiology, Infection and Immunology
Microbiology, Infection and Immunology

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