Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Sasha Tetu
Contact via sasha.tetu@mq.edu.au
room 201 14ER (E8A201)
Monday-Thursday
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(BMOL2401 or CBMS215 or CBMS202)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
BMOL6431
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Unit description |
Unit description
Applied and Medical Microbiology examines the microbial world and how it interacts with our own. A key focus will be the role of microorganisms in human health and disease, covering topics ranging from the role of the human microbiome and the body's natural defences in protecting against microbial disease to epidemiology and the pathogenesis of infectious microorganisms. This unit covers medically important bacteria, fungi and viruses as well as antimicrobial agents, microbial resistance and susceptibility testing. Topics in applied microbiology include biotechnology, synthetic biology, food and water microbiology. In the hands-on laboratory sessions students gain skills in the current tools and techniques used in medical and applied microbiology laboratories. This unit is especially valuable for students majoring in biomolecular sciences, biology, and medical sciences. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Practical attendance | 0% | Yes | weeks 2-12 |
Mid Semester Test | 15% | No | week 7 |
Practical and tutorial work | 20% | No | weeks 2-12 |
Final Examination | 55% | No | exam period |
Microbe presentation | 10% | No | week 10 |
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: weeks 2-12
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
You are expected to attend and participate in at least 80% of the practical laboratory classes to pass this unit. This is a hurdle requirement.
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: week 7
Weighting: 15%
Mid Semester Test
Assessment Type 1: Lab book
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: weeks 2-12
Weighting: 20%
Pre-practical exercises, performance in the practicals, tutorials and post-practical exercises and laboratory record keeping will be used to calculate the final practical mark. The tasks are designed to encourage you to engage with practical material and develop useful workplace skills including: planning and time management, safe working practices and good record keeping.
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: exam period
Weighting: 55%
The final exam will require students to apply terminology and concepts learnt in the lecture and practical components to answer a variety of questions of a critical thinking nature.
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: week 10
Weighting: 10%
Students will prepare and present a short report on a well studied microorganism.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Lectures
The expectation is that you will engage with lecture material and carry out the additional readings and/or viewing of associated material which is provided with certain lectures.
Attending live zoom sessions is highly recommended. While these lectures will be scheduled for recording this is not guaranteed and if there are technical issues with recordings the affected lecture(s) will not be re-recorded.
Lectures will include questions and discussion sessions and participation is highly encouraged.
Looking over lecture slides or recordings are NOT a suitable substitute to attending the lectures. Students tend to perform poorly if they do not engage with lectures throughout the term and this will also impact your ability to prepare for and understand material in practical and tutorial sessions.
Practicals and tutorials
Both lab-based practical classes and practical skill focussed online tutorials are designed to develop microbiology laboratory skills, safety practices and critical and analytical thought. Pre-practical exercises are designed to make sure you are ready for the practical work and have grasped the relevant theory and safety practices necessary.
Self-Study
The unit expectation is that you will spend time outside formal instruction reviewing notes taken in class, reading assigned materials (textbook sections and other referenced papers or articles) and exploring other sources of information on applied and medical microbiology. To self-assess your degree of understanding and to practice problem solving skills you are expected to attempt problems from the lectures, textbook and other resources.
Required and Recommended Texts and Materials
Practical Manual and Tutorial outlines – information outlining each tutorial and laboratory session will be available on iLearn for download one week prior to the session. Please download and complete any preparatory activities prior to your session.
You will be expected to bring a copy of practical manual notes, a lab coat, closed shoes and lab notebook to each practical.
Prescribed text: Brock Biology of Microorganisms Global Edition 15th edition. Madigan, Martenko, Stahl,
Clark, Buckley. Publisher: Pearson education Inc, San Francisco. ISBN: 9781292235103
Interactive lectures (via zoom), laboratory practical sessions and practical skill focussed online tutorials are all integral components of the unit. A comprehensive understanding of material covered in each of these course components will greatly assist you in the final exam, which covers ALL components of the unit.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.