Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Practical	5 x 3h practicals
Lecture	30 x 1h lectures

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Practicals	20%
Semester Assessment	Seminar Presentationi & Work shop (10% each)	20%
Semester Exam	3 Hours Theory Examination	60%
Supplementary Assessment	Resubmission of failed course work or alternative	40%
Supplementary Exam	3 Hours Examination (3 hours)	60%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

describe the pharmacology, modes of action and potency of common antiviral and antibacterial agents

explain the concept and function of subviral agents (e.g., viroids, prions)

describe and give examples of how viruses and bacteria are able to behave as pathogens in animals

define and explain epidemiology and outbreaks: spreading and control within a population

demonstrate the practical skills necessary to be able to work safely and efficiently with bacteria in the laboratory

utilize IT skills to analyze and evaluate literature

work cooperatively in groups to seek solutions to real clinical conditions.

Aims

To develop an appreciation of the wide ranging abilities of bacteria and viruses and in particular an understanding of their role in clinical and food microbiology. The aims will be achieved through an integrated series of lectures and practical classes and presentation seminars.

Brief description

This module will give an appreciation of the wide ranging types and structures of viruses and bacteria and in particular an understanding of their role in clinical microbiology.

Content

Lectures

Lectures will cover the following topics.

Pathogenesis and control. Pathogenesis of viral infections- viral pathogenic characteristics, cell susceptibility, cellular response to infection, immune response, latent infections
Picornoviruses: polio, gastroenteritis and the common cold
Rhabdoviruses and Orthomyxoviruses: rabies and influenza
Herpesviruses and Pox Viruses: herpes and smallpox
Viruses causing cancer (oncogenic viruses)
Retroviruses and HIV
Antiviral therapy
Aspects of bacteria and health. Pathogenesis/pathogenic mechanisms; virulence factors; general host responses to infection; antibiotics (modes of action, spectrum of activity, some pharmacology) antibiotic resistance, emerging infections/spread of resistant organisms. Major infections of human systems: central nervous system; GI tract; respiratory tract; skin/soft tissue/bone and genito-urinary infections (sexually transmitted diseases).
Epidemiology and outbreaks: spreading and control within a population
Plant diseases.

Practicals

In practical sessions students will use and evaluate some of the approaches used for the detection and identification of bacteria in environmental samples (e.g. water, food). They will also acquire the practical skills necessary to be able to work safely and efficiently with bacteria in the laboratory.

Problem based learning

Study cases consisting of real clinical situations.

Seminars

To include the presentation of seminars prepared on specific case studies in clinical microbiology.

Skills Type	Skills details
Application of Number	Not relevant.
Communication	Attendance at lectures and preparation, presentation of seminars and group work will provide opportunities to develop presentational (oral and written) and listening skills.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Attendance at lectures, seminars and practicals, working to deadlines for seminars and preparation for examinations will require the development of self management strategies and personal action plans.
Information Technology	IT skills developed in seminar and poster presentation via o library and www resources to source information o use of PowerPoint.
Personal Development and Career planning	Awareness of personal and career development skills will be developed through the coursework, e.g. teamwork for problem based learning.
Problem solving	Practical classes and problem based learning questions/seminars will provide opportunities to develop problem solving skills.
Research skills	Practical work with a problem based learning structure and seminars using library and www resources.
Team work	Problem based learning situations during lectures. Practical sessions.

Course Delivery

Assessment

Learning Outcomes

Aims

Brief description

Content

Module Skills

Reading List

Notes