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Techniques in Microbiology (MIIM30016)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Academic Coordinators
Dr Karena Waller
Dr Odilia Wijburg
Administrative Coordinator
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides an overview of:
(i) methods used to identify and characterise infectious microbial agents;
(ii) methods for studying the replication, gene function and evolution of pathogenic microbes and the interactions between infectious agents and their mammalian hosts;
(iii) strategies used in constructing and presenting scientific reports, both oral and written.
Laboratory techniques covered include molecular methods and functional assays used for the identification and characterisation of bacteria and viruses, such as regulation of gene expression, gene expression following DNA transfection, flow cytometry, enzyme immunoassays, protein electrophoresis, bioinformatics and viral neutralization assays. Non-Laboratory sessions will be used for the introduction of practical topics, data analysis, critical discussion of scientific research publications and discussion of strategies used in constructing and presenting scientific reports, both oral and written.
Upon completion of the subject students will have:
- used molecular methods and functional assays to identify important characteristics of microbes;
- used common bioinformatics methods to analyse DNA and protein sequence data;
- experience in the methodologies used to understand host-pathogen interactions;
- developed skills in constructing and presenting scientific reports, both oral and written;
- participated in group work activities, both within and outside the Laboratory; and
- developed safe scientific work practices
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Describe and apply the principles and procedures involved in the identification and characterisation of infectious microbial agents
- Describe and apply the use of molecular techniques to identify and characterise microbial determinants associated with disease
- Describe the purpose of controls in the interpretation of experimental data
- Keep clear and accurate laboratory records of all experimental work
- Critically analyse and effectively communicate scientific ideas and findings in both oral and written form
- Participate in group work activities within and outside the Laboratory
- Demonstrate safe scientific work practices
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- the ability to interpret scientific literature and interpret data from electronic databases.
- the capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines.
- the ability to comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine and the Bachelor of Science.
B. Science students (pre 2013)
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM30011 | Medical Microbiology: Bacteriology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
B. Science students (2013 on)
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MIIM20002 | Microbes, Infections and Responses | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MIIM30011 | Medical Microbiology: Bacteriology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
B. Biomedicine students
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
MIIM20002 | Microbes, Infections and Responses | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MIIM30011 | Medical Microbiology: Bacteriology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
NOTE: MIIM30011 can also be taken concurrently for all students.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
This subject cannot be taken if students have gained credit for the following subjects:
Subject
526-321 Molecular Microbiology Techniques (pre 2010)
526-332 Techniques in Microbiology & Immunology (pre 2011)
MIIM30013 Techniques in Microbiology & Immunology (pre 2014)
Recommended background knowledge
The prerequisite subjects should have provided a solid background in Microbiology. An understanding of the molecules, genes and biology of the cell would be useful.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- 1 x 2 hour end-of-semester exam (50%),
- 2 x 5 minute oral presentations (to be submitted mid-semester and end of semester, 12.5% each)
- 2 written reports (to be submitted mid-semester and end of semester, up to 1300 words each, 12.5% each)
Satisfactory use and completion of a Laboratory Notebook is required to pass this subject (ie. it is a hurdle requirement).
Attendance is compulsory. Students who miss more than 20% of the practical component of this subject will not be eligible for final assessment.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Odilia Wijburg Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 1 x 1-hr tutorial per week plus up to 3 hrs practical per week (i.e. up to 36 hrs practical per semester) plus 1 hr lecture per week during semester Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 5 February 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Academic Coordinators
Dr Karena Waller
Dr Odilia Wijburg
Administrative Coordinator
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 160 students applies to this subject.
For detailed information on the quota subject application process, refer to the Quota Subject link on the School of Biomedical Sciences Current Student Information webpage: http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Wilson, Salyers, Whitt, and Winkler, Bacterial Pathogenesis: a Molecular Approach, (3rd Edition), ASM Press USA.
Principles of Virology, Flint SJ et al., 3rd Edition 2009 ASM Press USA (two volumes)
- Subject 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. BiomedThis subject is a practical subject. It requires attendance in at least 80% of all scheduled practical sessions.
Whilst students will not be involved in the manipulation and handling of animals, reagents and media components derived from animals will be used in some experiments.
These experiments will be approved by the University of Melbourne Animal Welfare Committee.
Experiments contained in this unit will also be approved by the Biosafety and Gene Technology Committee.
Students wishing to register in this subject after the Quota Selection Date or after week 1 of a Semester should contact the subject coordinators.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Infection and Immunity Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology Informal specialisation Microbiology Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Infection and Immunity Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology Informal specialisation Microbiology - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
quota subject - application deadline as per http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
Last updated: 3 November 2022