Course Catalogue

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The course describes the role of the host immune response to several human pathogens; the evasion mechanisms employed by these organisms to aid their survival; and how infections are diagnosed and controlled by vaccination and chemotherapy.

Normally, 6 hours of lectures per week (usually Mon/Tue/Wed), laboratory work (usually Thursday all day and Friday mornings), tutorials as organised. 

Normally, this course is only open to students admitted to Year 3 of a programme for which this is a compulsory course. The course may also be available to visiting students, at the discretion of the Life Sciences Chief Adviser and the Course Coordinator.

BIOL4093 Medical Microbiology 3B

The course will be assessed by a 3-hour examination (worth 70%) and in-course assessment (worth 30%).

The in-course assessment comprises 6 assessments accumulating 30% overall: 2 tutorial essays (5% each), 1 lab report (7.5%), poster presentation (7.5%) based on an extended piece of laboratory work, and a class test of SAQs (5%).

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below.

Reassessment is not available for class tests (Molecular Methods course block and SAQs).

To provide students with a broad-based knowledge and understanding of Infection Biology, which is appropriate for employment as a BSc Designated degree graduate in a wide range of employment.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

■ Describe and explain key features of the host immune response and its role in microbial infection;

■ Explain the modifications and mechanisms employed by microorganisms to evade the immune response;

■ Define antimicrobial strategies used to help control infectious diseases;

■ Interpret, analyse and discuss microbiology in both written and oral formats;

■ Investigate experimental problems by use of a wide range of laboratory techniques;

■ Identify and critically review scientific literature and draw valid conclusions from them.

The minimum requirement for the award of credits is the completion of at least 75% by weight of the summative assessment for the course.