Program Overview

BMSC207 - Microbiology and Immunology

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

This unit is designed to introduce students to microorganisms of relevance to medicine, with an emphasis on their structure and function, and role in relation to health and disease. Students will investigate the diversity of pathogenic microorganisms, their cellular biology, growth and nutrition, metabolism, and basic genetics.

The immune response to some of these pathogenic microorganisms that cause systemic, respiratory, gastrointestinal, sexually transmissible, and hospital-acquired infections will be explored. This will include an overview of the innate, humoral, and cellular immune systems and their functions in response to infection.

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, students will be able to:

• Describe the diversity of microorganisms, including their structure, function, growth, and metabolism
• Explain the methods used to control and prevent infections in clinical and community settings
• Demonstrate competent practical skills in advanced immunological and microbiological techniques
• Describe the functions of the innate and adaptive immune system and explain how these immune responses fight specific infections
• Discuss the mechanisms used to manipulate the immune system resulting from an inadequate immune response to infections

Unit Content

Topics will include:

• The Foundations of Microbiology
• Genomics, Genetics, and Virology
• Metabolic and Microbial Diversity
• Microbial Interactions with Humans
• Introduction to Immunity: Review
• Basic Immune Mechanisms and Molecular Immunology
• Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Immunological Disorders
• Microbiology Lab Skills

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes. These include:

• Mid-semester tests (online) to demonstrate knowledge of foundation concepts
• Workshop Assessment, including a presentation and completion of workshop material, to analyze actual or potential problems and identify solutions
• End-semester exam (online) to apply knowledge, understanding, and application important in the study of microbiology and immunology

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

This unit will be presented via large and small group teaching, including:

• Large group teaching to provide the content framework
• Practical small group teaching sessions to train students in routine laboratory techniques
• Tutorials to consolidate learning and highlight relevant biomedical applications

Representative Texts and References

• Madigan M, Martinko J, Bender K, Buckley D, and Stahl D. Brock Biology of Microorganisms, Global Edition 14th Ed. UK: Pearson; 2015.
• Engleberg NC, Di Rita V, and Dermody TS. Schaechter's Mechanisms of Microbial Disease 5th Ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2013.
• Goering RV, Dockrell H, Zuckerman M, Roitt IM, and Chiodini RL. 'MIMS' Medical Microbiology 5th Ed. Elsevier; 2013.
• Levinson WE. Review of Medical Microbiology and Immunology 13th Ed. Lange; 2014.
• Murphy K. Janeway's Immunobiology 8th Ed. Garland Science, Taylor Francis Grp; 2012.
• Delves PJ, Martin SJ, Burton DR, and Roitt IM. Roitt's Essential Immunology 12th Ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2011.

Locations

• Brisbane
• Melbourne
• North Sydney

Credit Points

10

Year

2025