LQB462 Microbial Diagnostics

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Medical microbiologists investigate microorganisms, those found within a human host as normal regional flora and those that cause human infectious diseases. This unit will introduce you to the diversity of microorganisms, the spectrum of infectious disease states, methods for the detection and identification of aetiological agents, and directed and supportive therapies for treating infections. In this unit you will develop expertise in the laboratory techniques applied in the diagnostic microbiology laboratory, the ability to interpret the significance of diagnostic testing results, and to communicate these results and your recommendations to medical professionals. This unit is positioned in the developmental phase of your course and assumes proficiency in the laboratory skills and theoretical learning from first and second year in LQB181, LQB292 and LQB362. Combined with LQB562 in third year, LQB462 will prepare you for employment in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Recall and describe the aetiological agent disease states in relation to the organisms' pathogenesis and virulence factors, and describe how these can be used to identify organisms.
2. Critically analyse patient case scenarios, interpret clinical case histories and test results, solve problems using complex reasoning skills, and report your findings.
3. Safely, competently and skillfully perform the routine techniques employed in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory.
4. Organise scientific data and critically report results, interpretations and conclusions derived from laboratory activities.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will be team taught and will employ a variety of teaching and blended learning models. Your learning will be enhanced with a series of self-directed learning activities via Canvas designed to assist you in monitoring your own learning outside of the classroom. Self-directed learning will be encouraged by giving you access to online resources and exercises.

A context-based learning approach will help you to learn; theory (presented in the recorded lectures) and practice (the laboratory classes) will be closely aligned. The lectures will introduce you to each topic and you will have the opportunity to develop, discuss and refine your knowledge and understanding of learning concepts. Wherever appropriate, laboratory learning experiences will commence in the lecture and then be followed up in the practical laboratory classes. Within the lectures and laboratory classes you will have the opportunity to discuss (at the individual, group and class levels) your findings to help you to clarify and reinforce learning concepts and develop critical thinking-complex reasoning skills. Your lectures, together with your hands-on practical classes will focus on the interpretation of case scenarios that model real world patient cases.

Practical sessions will allow you to apply your learning, demonstrate your skill development and ability to critically analyse and evaluate data, while obtaining learning support and feedback from laboratory teaching staff. Teamwork and independent learning will be encouraged in the laboratory. Apart from discipline specific knowledge and practical skills, you will also learn how to troubleshoot and problem-solve in the laboratory, develop effective written and oral communication skills as well as the ability to work individually or as a team in an ethical, culturally sensitive and professional manner.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Throughout the semester you will be provided with feedback on your learning by participating in formative learning activities and discussing these with your classmates and the teaching staff. You may also receive feedback on your own progress by completing the self-directed learning activities as answers will be provided for the formative assessment items. These will help you to identify areas you need to focus on to improve your learning and understanding.

During the semester and at the end of semester you will have the opportunity to give your feedback on the teaching and learning strategies employed in this unit. Your feedback and suggestions will be used to make changes to the unit where possible to improve the learning outcomes for you and future students.

Assessment

Overview

Summative
Your ability to meet and reflect upon the various assessment items in this unit is critical to successful completion of this unit. Throughout the semester your knowledge of practical skills and your reflective practice will be assessed by on-line quizzes. This will enable you to identify your strengths and weaknesses with respect to knowledge, understanding and the application of your knowledge, and to monitor your performance in the unit. This assessment will provide you with the opportunity to seek feedback and assistance from the teaching team. Throughout the semester you will also submit practical laboratory reports, which will assess your hands-on diagnostic examination and reporting skills. Your final assessment will be conducted in the central examination timeslot and will assess whole-of-unit learning experiences.

Threshold assessment conditions apply to the grading in this unit. A satisfactory achievement (minimum of 50%) in the practical component and an overall unit passing mark of at least 50% are required to obtain a passing grade for this unit. If you achieve 45-49% for the practical component and your overall unit mark is greater than or equal to 50%, you have the opportunity to complete one additional assessment (designated by the unit coordinator); if you pass this, you will receive an overall grade of 4 for the unit. However if you do not pass this additional assessment you will not be eligible to pass the unit and will be awarded a maximum grade of 3. You are advised to seek feedback from the unit coordinator prior to undertaking the additional threshold assessment

Formative
A series of formative question and answer sets for you to work through outside of the classroom will be provided; these will be available on Canvas.

Practical Class Attendance and Assessment

Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in LQB462. if you are unable to attend a scheduled face-to-face and/or online (virtual) practical class, inform the unit coordinator by email and provide supporting documentation for your absence as per QUT policy e.g. medical certificate. Approved absences in excess of two occasions will need to be discussed with the unit coordinator. In the case of unapproved absence from practicals, no marks will be given for related assessment.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Laboratory/ practical

Two practical laboratory reports comprised of authentic case histories and short answer questions, that are related to each week of practical classes will be completed. These will assess your knowledge and understanding of learning concepts, your performance of the methodologies that you have used within the laboratory sessions which reflect real-world practices, your ability to interpret experimental results and to report your findings, as you would in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory. These practical reports will draw on authentic practical work you will have completed each week

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold Assessment

Threshold assessment conditions apply to the grading in this unit. A minimum of 50% in the practical assessment is required to successfully complete this unit. If you fail either the practical, have (i) meaningfully attempted all assessment tasks; (ii) obtained a result of 45-49% for the failed section; and (iii) your overall unit mark is greater than or equal to 50%, you have the opportunity to complete one additional assessment (designated by the unit coordinator). If you pass this, you will receive an overall grade of 4 for the unit. However if you do not pass this additional assessment you will not be eligible to pass the unit and will be awarded a maximum grade of 3. You are advised to seek feedback from the unit coordinator prior to undertaking the additional threshold assessment

Assessment: Quiz

You will complete three online Canvas progress quizzes (Bacteriology, virology, parasitology) throughout the semester to assess your understanding of each of the areas. Each quiz is 45 minutes in length.

Assessment: Theory Exam

Review and challenge-type multiple-choice and/or short answer questions. This will assess your knowledge and understanding of learning concepts presented throughout the semester, and your ability to interpret diagnostic results and report your findings.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:
1. Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes

Costs

Cost of obtaining lab gown and safety glasses is the responsibility of the student.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Course Learning Outcomes

LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

1. Discipline Knowledge
   Relates to: Laboratory/ practical, Quiz, Theory Exam
2. Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
   Relates to: Laboratory/ practical, Theory Exam
3. Technical proficiency
   Relates to: Laboratory/ practical
4. Interpretation and application of protocols
   Relates to: Laboratory/ practical, Quiz, Theory Exam
5. Analysis and interpretation of data
   Relates to: Laboratory/ practical, Quiz, Theory Exam
6. Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
   Relates to: Theory Exam
7. Scientific communication skills including information literacy and numeracy
   Relates to: Laboratory/ practical