Program Overview

BMS212 - Medical Microbiology

Overview

The broad aims of this unit are to provide an understanding of the structure and function of microbes that cause disease in humans, and to provide outlined information about the pathogenesis of microbes that cause infectious diseases in humans, including their treatment and control.

Offerings

• Teaching period code: Semester 1-S1
  • Location: Murdoch
  • Attendance mode: Face to Face
  • Start year: 2025
  • End year: -
  • Self enrol: Yes

Requisites

• Exclusion: BMS203 - Comparative and Human Microbiology (4 cp)

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and classify microorganisms based on their taxonomy, structure, function, and replication.
2. Characterise the pathogenesis and infection control measures of viruses and bacteria of clinical significance to humans.
3. Differentiate microorganisms based on morphology and biochemical tests.
4. Apply laboratory techniques in isolating and examining microorganisms from a patient.
5. Interpret data to create a diagnostic report for infectious diseases.

Unit Content

The unit is divided into two parts:

• Part I: Virology, including introduction to classification and taxonomy of viruses, description of structure, mode of replication and inhibition, and discussion of selected human and zoonotic virus infections.
• Part II: Bacteriology, including introduction to general features of pathogenic bacteria, structure, metabolism, genetics, culture, and identification, with emphasis on mechanisms by which they cause disease and the principles of diagnosis and control.

Additional Information

• This unit is considered essential and not equivalent to BIO246 Microbiology, incorporating a significant virology component not contained in BIO246.
• It is an important requisite for BMS314 Pathological Basis of Disease and BMS315 Advances in Medical Science, and for all Biomedical Science graduates.

Unit Details

• Unit version: 16
• Version start date: 01/01/2026
• End date: 31/12/2025
• Owning college: College of Environmental and Life Sciences
• Owning school: Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
• Credit points: 3

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 3: Good health and well-being