LSB492 Microbiology

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

Optometrists require a strong knowledge base in microbiology for their professional practice and on which to base future studies within their discipline.

A detailed knowledge of infectious agents, their structure, prevalence and pathogenicity will enable you to apply these concepts to infection control to prevent the transmission of disease and to understand the mode of action of antimicrobials. You will also study infectious agents that are aetiological agents of diseases of public health significance or of the eye, and appropriate methods for the management and treatment of these disease states. Basic knowledge of biology and chemistry is assumed for this unit.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Apply your knowledge and understanding of infectious agents and skills to differentiate the different types of microorganisms, causing ocular infections and infections of public health significance to prevent transmission of ocular disease and to implement infection prevention and control methods.
2. Apply your knowledge and understanding of the detection and diagnosis of a range of microorganisms that cause ocular infections, aseptic techniques including the collection of appropriate clinical specimens, and the progression and principles of infectious disease.
3. Use your critical thinking skills to analyse case histories and data, methods and strategies to formulate conclusions by applying your knowledge of microbiology, use of microbiological terms and nomenclature, and also the interpretation of experimental results.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will integrate your knowledge and practical skills so that you can apply these to real world professional practice. The learning and teaching strategies that will enable you to do this are:

(i) the integration of theory and practical skills, by introducing you to microbiology and immunology knowledge and methods of control of microorganisms.
(ii) the development of foundation knowledge, understanding and application skills using self-directed activities that also include online activities and the critical analyses of your findings.
(iii) authentic learning experiences including assessment of ocular swab collection, analysing and interpreting experimental results, researching and reviewing relevant literature, and online references.

The teaching team will communicate with you by e-mail and online notices. Online learning materials, formative questions to test your understanding of the online learning materials, feedback to the formative assessment and all of the practical resources necessary for this unit will be posted online via the unit Canvas site.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Throughout the semester you will be provided with feedback on your learning by participating in formative assessment items and discussing them with the teaching team and your peers. Immediate feedback on your own progress can be obtained by completing the self-directed learning activities available to you on Canvas, where available. Written feedback on summative assessment items will be provided and you should use this feedback to identify areas you might need to focus your learning. General comments on each assessment item will also be provided in class. 

Assessment

Overview

This unit has summative assessment items. You are most welcome to contact lecturers with specific questions for help with difficult concepts.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Communication in Health

Digital poster presentation for your colleagues that presents information on a clinically relevant infectious disease in your Optometry practice, which disseminates knowledge on the signs and symptoms associated with the disease; the risks of transmission to patients and other health professionals; and the appropriate protocols for treatment, prevention and control of the disease.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Infectious Disease Diagnosis and Risk Assessment

As an optometrist working in a busy medical centre, you will perform an infection control risk assessment and patient work-up for the optometry team and primary care physicians. You will base your assessment on microbiology results obtained from hand hygiene and surface disinfection procedures implemented as part of routine infection prevention based on National Guidelines. You will then aseptically collect anterior ocular swabs from a patient who presents to the clinic on three separate occasions with a repeat or non-resolving infection. 

Your clinical case report and infectious disease risk assessment will discuss areas of concern for infection control within the medical centre, and address strategies for reducing risks associated with transmission of infectious agents. Ocular swab collection will be assessed using lifeform infection models in the microbiology laboratory. 

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension. 

Assessment: Examination (written)

A final exam assessing your knowledge and critical understanding of learning concepts addressed in online learning materials and laboratory sessions.

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

Costs

Cost of lab gowns and safety protection glasses are the students responsibility.

Resources

Resource Materials

Safety and protective equipment

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

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

OP45 Bachelor of Vision Science

1. Theoretical knowledge in optometry and vision science, introductory clinical and technical skills
   Relates to: Examination (written)
2. Apply critical thinking and knowledge of vision science, ocular anatomy and clinical methods to generate solutions in clinical and scientific settings
   Relates to: Infectious Disease Diagnosis and Risk Assessment
3. Apply clinical or technical skills to conduct a safe and effective assessment, data collection, experimental protocol
   Relates to: Examination (written)
4. Articulate knowledge and problem solving to specialist and non specialist audiences through oral and written formats to standards expected by the profession
   Relates to: Communication in Health