Handbook home
Medical Microbiology: Parasitology (MIIM30017)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Parasites, and the infections they cause, are a major cause of global health and socio-economic burden. They cause substantial morbidity and mortality in humans and animals worldwide, and major losses to global food production. This subject focuses on medically-important parasites, how they interact with their hosts and cause disease, and how these infections impact on human health and populations globally.
This subject takes a broad, multi-disciplinary approach to introduce students to the excitingly complex and diverse world of medically important parasites. Aspects of host-parasite interactions and disease pathogenesis (including immune evasion mechanisms and relevant host defences), as well as parasite life-cycles, transmission, diagnosis, prevention (including vaccine and drug development), treatment, control and impact on human health locally and globally will be covered. Topics will be addressed from the disciplinary perspectives of microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, genomics, physiology and epidemiology. Examples of medically-important protists (unicellular eukaryotes), helminths (worms) and arthropods (including insects) will be studied.
This subject consists of lectures and active-learning sessions, including practicals. It is delivered by internationally renowned parasitologists and global health researchers.
Intended learning outcomes
- Describe and discuss fundamental concepts of host-parasite interactions and disease pathogenesis, including parasite life-cycles, transmission, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, control and epidemiology;
- Describe and discuss the complexity of host-parasite relationships, including parasite immune evasion mechanisms and defence mechanisms of the host;
- Describe and discuss the impact of host-parasite interactions on human health locally and globally;
- Apply knowledge about parasites to recommend potential prevention, treatment and control strategies;
- Describe and apply the principles and procedures for the identification and characterisation of parasites and the infections they cause;
- Keep clear and accurate laboratory records of all practical work;
- Critically analyse scientific data to form evidence-based conclusions and effectively communicate scientific ideas and findings in both oral and written forms;
- Effectively work in group work activities to generate, analyse and communicate scientific findings within and outside the Laboratory; and
- 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 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
- the ability to think independently and analytically, and direct his or her own learning; and
- the ability to manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular classes, tests and the examination
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Bachelor of Science students:
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Bachelor of Biomedicine students:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
25 |
Bachelor of Agriculture students:
MIIM20004 Microbiology in Agriculture
Students are strongly encouraged to complete their full second year study plan before enrolling in this subject
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
The 200 level prerequisite subjects should have provided an appropriate background for this subject. An understanding of molecules, genes and biology of the cell is important.
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
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
2 Written examinations (45 minutes each), around week 5 and 10. (15% each).
| During the teaching period | 30% |
1 Written examination
| End of semester | 40% |
Group project – written proposal (completed as a group of 4). 300 words (75 words per student).
| Week 8 | 2% |
Group project - oral presentation completed as group of 4 (325 words per student)
| Week 12 | 8% |
Group project – summary report (completed individually).
| Week 12 | 5% |
Practical assessment. 5 minutes each practical class (5x per semester). 100 words per prac/500 words total).
| During the teaching period | 15% |
| Hurdle requirement: Attendance at Practical Classes (students must attend at least 80% of practical classes to be eligible to sit the end of semester examination). | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2 - Online
Principal coordinator Karena Waller Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 36 lectures (3 per week) plus 5x 3hr practicals (approximately 1 practical class every 2 weeks). Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 August 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022