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Principles of Microbiology & Immunology (MIIM20001)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Principal Coordinator
Associate Prof Karena Waller
Coordinators
Professor Jason Mackenzie
jason.mackenzie@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Daniel Clarke
Administrative Coordinator
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to the excitingly diverse world of microbes and discusses the roles they play not only in causing infectious disease but also in both creating and maintaining life as we know it. Various types of microbes and their basic life processes are described, with the focus mainly on bacteria and viruses. Cell biology principles and roles of organelles in protein trafficking will be discussed. Bacterial genetics and metabolism are explored, with the emphasis on how these areas determine observed behaviours and activities. The components of the immune system are outlined and their interactions and functions described.
A central part of this subject is outlining some of the strategies used by microbes to cause disease, and the counter strategies employed by the immune system to prevent disease. Other ways of controlling microbes, including antibiotics and vaccines are also discussed. The key roles played by microbes and the immune system in medical and biotechnological research is described. This subject provides students intending to specialize in the biological sciences with an understanding of the basic concepts in the disciplines of both Microbiology and Immunology.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject, students should:
LO 1: be familiar with the terminology used by microbiologists and immunologists and have acquired a broad foundation for future subjects in microbiology and immunology;
LO 2: appreciate the importance of microbiology and immunology in the fields of medicine, genetics and biotechnology;
LO 3: have insight into the type of investigations fundamental to the development of basic microbiological concepts;
LO 4: be able to describe simple microbial life processes; and understand how these processes are involved in infectious disease and interactions with hosts' immune systems, adaptation and survival of microorganisms and the promotion or control of microbial growth;
LO 5: understand the different properties of Bacteria, Archaea and eukaryotic microbial cells and viruses and the significance of all these microorganisms in the environment;
LO 6: be able to describe the basic principles of the microbial life cycle (both bacterial and viral), identifying the key steps and proteins (both microbial and host) utilised during this process.
Generic skills
Upon completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- An enhanced ability to seek information from textbooks and computer based sources;
- The ability to comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer in writing; and
- The ability to manage time effectively to ensure attendance at lectures and examinations.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students must complete one of the following subject sets (A, B, C or D).
SET A:
BIOL10004 Biology of Cells and Organisms
AND
BIOL10005 Genetics and The Evolution of Life
SET B:
BIOL10004 Biology of Cells and Organisms
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
SET C:
BIOL10005 Genetics and The Evolution of Life
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
SET D:
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
The prerequisite subjects should have provided an appropriate background for this subject.
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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
2 x 45 minute written examination held around week 5 and week 10 (20% each)
| From Week 5 to Week 10 | 40% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 60% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Karena Waller Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 36 lectures (three per week); 2 x 1.5 hrs practical sessions located in weeks 11 and 12 Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Principal Coordinator
Associate Prof Karena Waller
Coordinators
Professor Jason Mackenzie
jason.mackenzie@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Daniel Clarke
Administrative Coordinator
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Prescott's Microbiology by Willey, Sandman and Wood. 11th Ed (2020)
Recommended texts and other resources
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
This subject is not available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine.
Where appropriate:
- whilst students will not be involved in the manipulation and handling of animals, tissues and other products obtained from appropriately euthanased 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.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Breadth Track Microbiology and immunology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- 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: 11 April 2024