Microbes, Infections and Responses (MIIM20002)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Principal Coordinator
Dr Jessica Welch
Coordinators
A/Prof Odilia Wijburg
Prof Karena Waller
Dr Elizabeth Aitken
elizabeth.aitken@unimelb.edu.au
Administrative Coordination
Past Students, Future Students and General Enquiries
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject describes how microbes are an essential part of our environmental ecology and participate in unique interactions within their environmental niche. This subject also describes how microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites) cause infections in humans, and how our immune system responds. The characteristics of some of the pathogens which cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, sexually transmissible and hospital acquired infections are discussed together with the body’s immune response to these pathogens, and the design of appropriate interventions, including vaccines and antimicrobials. The effects of both these infections and the interventions to control infectious diseases on communities and public health are also described so that the interaction between pathogen, host and environment can be illustrated.
This is a fully integrated subject in which the lectures and the practical classes build on, and support, each other. The practical classes comprise a series of case studies which illustrate and revise material covered in the lecture, and aim to teach the safe and effective implementation of basic microbiological techniques.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Describe the contributions and interactions of microbes within the environment
- Describe the characteristics of some medically important pathogens
- Describe the mechanisms by which microorganisms initiate infection and the mechanisms by which the immune response controls infection
- Describe some of the ways in which infectious disease can be controlled in individuals and in communities, including the use of antimicrobial agents and vaccines, and
- Perform basic microbiological techniques safely and effectively and recognise the clinical applications of these techniques
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- An ability to interpret scientific literature.
- The capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines.
- An ability to critically analyse scientific data.
- An ability to communicate scientific findings in written format.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Bachelor of Science students
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Bachelor of Biomedicine students
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM10006 | Chemistry for Biomedicine |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
2 x 45-minute written examinations (equally weighted), held around Week 7 and Week 11
| From Week 7 to Week 11 | 40% |
Online quizzes (pre-practical class) | Throughout the teaching period | 5% |
A written exam
| During the examination period | 55% |
| Hurdle requirement: Attendance at practical classes is compulsory. Students who miss more than 20% of the practical component of this subject will not be eligible for final assessment. | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Jessica Welch Coordinators Karena Waller, Elizabeth Aitken, and Odilia Wijburg Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours of lectures and 6 X 3 hour practical classes and 6 X 1 hour on-line computer aided learning associated with each practical class = 60 hours total. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Principal Coordinator
Dr Jessica Welch
Coordinators
A/Prof Odilia Wijburg
Prof Karena Waller
Dr Elizabeth Aitken
elizabeth.aitken@unimelb.edu.au
Administrative Coordination
Past Students, Future Students and General Enquiries
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
Where appropriate:
- whilst students will not be involved in the manipulation and handling of animals, tissues 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.
Students wishing to register in this subject after week 2 of a Semester should contact the subject coordinators.
- 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 - 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
Last updated: 4 March 2025