LQB362 Fundamentals of Microbiology

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

Medical microbiology involves research into human infectious diseases from multiple viewpoints including: spectrum of disease, diagnosis, aetiology, treatment, prevention, control and epidemiology. An integral part of the practice of medical microbiology is the laboratory processing of specimens derived from patients with infectious diseases, with a focus in this unit on bacterial, fungal and parasitic species. Ultimately, you will need to have both a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts in infectious disease microbiology and be able to apply that knowledge and understanding safely, competently and skilfully in a PC2 diagnostic laboratory context.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Recall and apply a broad knowledge, understanding and terminological expertise of human bacterial, fungal and parasitic disease diagnosis, aetiological agent classification, as well as conventional and molecular approaches to diagnostic microbiology.
2. Demonstrate your ability to safely, competently and skilfully perform routine techniques required by biomedical scientists to satisfy baseline competencies in a diagnostic microbiology PC2 laboratory.
3. Demonstrate your critical thinking skills to analyse scientific data derived from laboratory activities and critically report interpretations and conclusions.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will be taught by a team and as such will employ a variety of teaching and learning models. You may also be provided with a series of self-directed learning activities designed to assist you in monitoring your own learning outside of the classroom.

A context-based approach will help you construct your knowledge and understanding in this unit. Theory and practice will be closely aligned to each other through integrating theory modules with laboratory learning experiences.  Wherever appropriate, laboratory concepts or techniques will be introduced in the theory and then be followed up with practice in the laboratory. Thus, there will be a seamless transition in your learning from theory to practical application in the laboratory environment.

Practical sessions 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 communication skills, as well as the ability to work individually or as a team in an ethical, culturally sensitive and professional manner. Your learning activities and assessment tasks will be focused on developing and demonstrating these skills and capabilities, respectively.

Note: Students should note that all laboratory practicals for this unit are held at Kelvin Grove Campus.  Tutorials will be timetabled at Gardens Point Campus .

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 your classmates and teaching staff. You can also receive immediate feedback on your own progress by completing the self directed learning activities available to you on Canvas, where relevant. Feedback on summative assessment items will be provided and you should use this feedback to identify areas you might need to focus your learning.

Assessment

Overview

Summative
Your ability to meet the various learning milestones embedded in this unit is critical to successful completion of this unit while ensuring that learning outcomes and aims have been met. The first assessment follows a continuous assessment model completed throughout the semester, in the form of two quizzes. The second assessment will examine your understanding and hands-on laboratory skills through practical skills tests and laboratory reports. These checkpoints will focus on theoretical/practical learning experiences as well as PC2 diagnostic laboratory skill competence. This assessment will allow us and yourself to monitor your performance in the unit and provide, where needed, the opportunity for you to seek feedback and assistance from the teaching team. Your final learning milestone assessment will be conducted in the central examination time slot and will assess whole-of-unit learning experiences.

Formative
A series of formative question and answer sets for you to work through outside of the practical classroom are included at the end of your practical notes. Additional formative question and answer sets will also be available on Canvas each week to test your knowledge of medical microbiology theory.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Quizzes

Two Canvas-based multiple choice quizzes on content covered in lectures.

Assessment: Practical Assessment

Acting as a working microbiologist in a laboratory you will analyse a range of microbiological samples and case studies and prepare a written report on your findings for the laboratory head. You will be assessed on your laboratory skills and interpretation of the results, as well as your application of theoretical knowledge of microbiological practice and evaluation of experimental outcomes.

The written report component is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Examination (invigilated)

Review and challenge-type multiple-choice and short answer questions.

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

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Microbiology: An Introduction (13th edition) Tortora, Funke and Case. Pearson 2020. 

Recommended text(s)

Brock Biology of Microorganisms (latest edition) Madigan, Martinko, Bender, Buckley & Stahl. Pearson

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

LS40 Bachelor of Biomedical Science

1. Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
   Relates to: Quizzes, Practical Assessment, Examination (invigilated)
2. Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
   Relates to: Practical Assessment
3. Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
   Relates to: Practical Assessment, Examination (invigilated)

LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

1. Discipline Knowledge
   Relates to: Quizzes, Practical Assessment, Examination (invigilated)
2. Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
   Relates to: Practical Assessment
3. Technical proficiency
   Relates to: Practical Assessment
4. Interpretation and application of protocols
   Relates to: Quizzes, Practical Assessment
5. Analysis and interpretation of data
   Relates to: Quizzes, Practical Assessment, Examination (invigilated)
6. Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
   Relates to: Practical Assessment, Examination (invigilated)