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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 (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinators
Prof Karena Waller
klwaller@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Elizabeth Aitken
elizabeth.aitken@unimelb.edu.au
Administrative Coordination
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This capstone subject provides an:
- overview of methods used to identify and characterise infectious microbial agents;
- overview of methods for studying the replication, gene function and evolution of pathogenic microbes and the interactions between infectious agents and their mammalian hosts;
- overview of strategies used in constructing and presenting scientific reports, both oral and written; and
- opportunity for completion of a student-lead research inquiry project which will be presented to student peers and academic staff members.
Laboratory techniques covered include molecular methods and functional assays used for the identification and characterisation of microbial agents (including bacteria and viruses), such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), flow cytometry, enzyme immunoassays, protein electrophoresis, western blotting, bioinformatics and immunofluorescence assays. Non-Laboratory sessions will be used for the introduction of practical topics, data analysis, critical discussion of scientific research publications, research ethics and integrity, as well as 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 microbial agents;
- used common bioinformatics methods to analyse DNA and protein sequence data;
- experience in numerous 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 use of molecular methods and functional assays to identify and characterise microbial agents associated with disease;
- Describe and apply the principles and procedures involved in the identification and characterisation of infectious microbial agents
- Keep clear and accurate laboratory records to enable critical analysis of scientific data, formation of evidence‐based conclusions and effective communication of scientific ideas and findings, in both oral and written forms
- Describe and design an experimental approach, including appropriate controls, to test a hypothesis and interpret the resulting scientific data
- Demonstrate safe scientific work practices
- Effectively work in group work activities and independently to generate, analyse and communicate scientific findings within and outside the Laboratory
- Demonstrate a high level of professional integrity, and conform to ethical requirements regarding plagiarism and accurate data reporting
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: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission to the Bachelor of Biomedicine or the Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science students (pre 2013)
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MIIM30011 | Medical Microbiology: Bacteriology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
MIIM20003 Experimental Microbiology
AND
Note: the following subject/s can also be taken concurrently (at the same time)
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM30011 | Medical Microbiology: Bacteriology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Bachelor of Science students (2013 on)
All of
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 |
AND
Note: the following subject/s can also be taken concurrently (at the same time)
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM30011 | Medical Microbiology: Bacteriology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Bachelor of Biomedicine students
All of
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 |
AND
Note: the following subject/s can also be taken concurrently (at the same time)
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM30011 | Medical Microbiology: Bacteriology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
526-321 Molecular Microbiology Techniques (pre 2010)
526-332 Techniques in Microbiology and Immunology (pre 2011)
MIIM30013 Techniques in Microbiology and 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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Oral presentation
| Mid semester | 12.5% |
Completion of a milestone assessment literacy module
| Mid semester | 2.5% |
Written report (Expected to take about 10‐15 hours to complete outside of class)
| Mid semester | 12.5% |
Poster presentation, including completion of preparation milestones and the final presentation; Completed in groups of approx. 4-5 students. (Preparation milestones worth 7.5%, equivalent 250 words per student), with the final presentation in week 12 (equivalent to 250 words per student; worth 15%)
| Late in the teaching period | 22.5% |
Written Exam
| End of semester | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Satisfactory use and completion of a Laboratory Notebook is required to pass this subject; Laboratory Notebook to be submitted in week 12. | Week 12 | N/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. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Karena Waller Coordinator Elizabeth Aitken Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 23 February 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinators
Prof Karena Waller
klwaller@unimelb.edu.auDr Elizabeth Aitken
elizabeth.aitken@unimelb.edu.auAdministrative Coordination
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.
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: 31 January 2024
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 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 Biomedical Biotechnology Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology specialisation Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - 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
- 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: 31 January 2024