| Unit name | Medical Microbiology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PANM33008 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Avison |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
One unit from level 6/H in teaching block 1 and two level 6/H units from teaching block 2 and Research Skills unit |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This Unit will give an account of several high-profile problems in medical microbiology, focussing on healthcare associated infections. Details of emerging and re-emerging bacterial and fungal infections will be presented.
One of the main reasons for the rise of infectious diseases, particularly in the hospital setting, is the development of multiple antimicrobial drug resistance by bacteria. Details of mechanisms of resistance and approaches being used to overcome antibiotic resistance will be covered.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit builds on the first year unit Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the second year unit Infection and Immunity.
An overview of content
The unit aims to discuss the mechanisms by which medically relevant bacteria and fungi become resistant to antimicrobial agents and the genetic mechanisms involved in the spread of resistance. It will cover the clinical problems caused by key drug resistant bacteria in the healthcare setting, how changes in healthcare have exacerbated this problem and wider environmental links. Finally, the unit will discuss methods for tracking and controlling healthcare associated infections, and approaches to combating drug resistance, including the development of new antimicrobials and new diagnostics.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will have an overview of research into the strategies that can be used to track infections, identify infectious agents and develop novel ways of treating infections. They will consider this as a global issue with relevance to several strategic development goals.
By having a focus on research being carried out within the School, key drug resistance mechanisms will be defined at a molecular level, and students will have an understanding of our attempts to combat resistance.
Learning Outcomes
Lectures, Data Handling Session.
Independent study: Students are expected to study the recommended literature.
Task which helps you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Students will have the opportunity to complete a formative essay on this or one of the other Level 6/H units offered by the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine in teaching block 1. Feedback will be provided, and students will have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the marking descriptors for the assessment criteria used at Level 6/H.
Task which counts' towards your unit mark (summative)
Students will have an examination in the Winter Assessment Week, before before the winter break. The exam will include two essays, one to be chosen from each section containing three questions.
When an assessment does not go to plan.
If you are unable to take an end of unit exam due to self-certification or exceptional circumstances the faculty examination board may give you the opportunity to take this in the reassessment period. The examination will be in the same format as the initial examination.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PANM33008).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
