Description
Molecular Microbiology
Module title | Molecular Microbiology |
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Module code | BIO2094 |
Academic year | 2018/9 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Dr Alan Brown (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 160 |
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Description - summary of the module content
Module description
Through this module you will develop your knowledge of microbiology at a molecular level. Focusing primarily on bacterial and fungal species, we will cover topics including:
- molecular strategies for microbial survival, growth and adaptation
- the molecular basis of antimicrobial drug resistance
- the molecular mechanisms by which pathogens cause disease
- the impact of the human microbial flora on health and disease
- current molecular methods for the study of microorganisms in isolation, and within complex microbial communities
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to develop knowledge of microbiology at a molecular level. You will gain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the growth and survival of microbial species in diverse environments, their ability to cause disease in relevant hosts, and their ability to resist antimicrobial agents. In addition, this module will consider molecular methods that can be applied to the study of microbes (including complex microbial communities), and how those methods impact on our understanding of human-microbial interactions during health and disease. Additionally, this module will further develop your practical skills in the safe-handling of microorganisms, and provide practical training in molecular microbiology methods.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Describe in some detail and discuss the molecular mechanisms that enable growth, survival and adaptation of microbial species in diverse environments
- 2. Explain the molecular basis of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance
- 3. Demonstrate, and comment on, procedures and molecular methodologies for the study of microorganisms within the laboratory
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Describe and evaluate approaches to our understanding of molecular biology with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
- 5. Describe in some detail essential facts and theory across a subdiscipline of the biosciences
- 6. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
- 7. With some guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation and enquiry within the biosciences
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Communicate ideas, principles and theories fluently by written means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
- 9. Develop, with some guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with valid conclusions
- 10. Collect and interpret appropriate data, drawing on a range of sources, with limited guidance
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
The module will commence with an orientation session to provide full details of the module aims, content, assessment criteria and what is expected of the students. Thereafter, twenty 1 hour lectures will cover topics within molecular microbiology, including mechanisms of microbial growth, survival and adaptation, molecular basis of infection, and molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial drug resistance. Lectures will be supported by appropriate content on ELE (lecture slides, appropriate journal articles) and the recommended textbook. The module will conclude with an academic-led revision session.
In addition, five 3 hour laboratory practicals will strengthen practical skills in the safe-handling of microorganisms, and provide practical training in molecular microbiology methods.
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
37 | 113 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Lectures |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 15 | Laboratory practicals |
Guided Independent Study | 113 | Exam preparation and wider reading |
Assessment
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Lecturer and demonstrator feedback during practicals | 5 x 3 hour practicals | 3-4, 7-8 | Oral |
Feedback via ELE forum | Ad hoc | 1-10 | Written |
MCQ test | 1 hour | 2-4, 9-10 | Online |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
40 | 60 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay examination | 60 | 1 hour | 1-6, 8-10 | Written |
Laboratory poster | 40 | Scientific poster | 2-4, 7-8 | Written |
Re-assessment
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Essay examination | Essay examination | 1-6, 8-10 | August Ref/Def |
Laboratory poster | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The laboratory/practical assessments are not deferrable because of their practical nature. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
Resources
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Prescott LM, Harley JP and Klein DA. 2008. Microbiology (7th ed.). McGraw Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-110231-5
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4039 (ELE material for lecture slides, practical class schedules and specific reading material referred to within lectures)
Module has an active ELE page
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | BIO1337 Microbiology or BIO1342 Microbiology and Cells 1 |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 5 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 15/02/2013 |
Last revision date | 08/03/2018 |