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Unit of Study MICR2002 - Clinical Microbiology (2023)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Unit type

    UG Coursework Unit

  • Credit points

    12

  • Faculty/College

    Faculty of Health

  • Placement

    No

  • Enrolment information

    Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time. This unit contains laboratory activities that require students to meet mandatory vaccination compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in you being unable to undertake the stipulated Laboratory Activity which may result in failure of the unit. As some vaccination protocols can take up to 5 months to complete, we encourage you to prepare now. Compliance requirements include SCU Vaccination requirements in accordance with state Health policies: NSW Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases; and QLD Health Vaccination Requirements. SCU has incorporated a combined NSW and QLD vaccination procedure as students may need to attend laboratory classes in both states. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements.

Unit description

Builds on the level of understanding obtained in the unit of Microbiology. There is an increased focus on the role of the Microbiologist in healthcare, control of infectious diseases in humans, and on analysis and interpretation of complex microbiological data. Students will develop investigative and analytical skills and be able to solve clinical cases related to infectious diseases in various body systems.

Unit content

  1. Specimen collection and management, infection control, and the microbiologist’s role in healthcare.
  2. Investigation of bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections of the body systems.
  3. Investigation of pulmonary and systemic opportunistic infections.
  4. Clinical virology.
  5. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and reporting.

 

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

compare and contrast microbes, to identify and distinguish among common human microbial pathogens and normal flora, within various body systems

summarise and compare human infectious diseases, including the physiological, environmental, cultural and social determinants involved

select and employ conventional and modern methods and safe practice, for the investigation of microbial pathogens in human infectious diseases

solve a series of clinical cases in human infectious diseases, with the efficiency to meet the demands of the medical science profession

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • Tille, PM, 2017, Bailey & Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology, 14th edn, Elsevier, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. ISBN: 9780323354820.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment

  •  The following items must be purchased and students must wear them at each laboratory class:

    • Shoes – fully enclosed non-absorbent shoes made from leather, rubber or vinyl. Shoes must have a sturdy sole and fully covered heel, sides, top of foot and toes. If you are unsure of appropriate footwear please see further information on the Lab Safety video available on the Blackboard site or you can check with Lab technical staff on campus.
    • Safety glasses – available at Co-op Bookshop. Safety glasses must be worn when performing experiments that involve the use of chemicals or bodily fluids. If you wear prescription glasses, you must purchase safety glasses that fit over your prescription glasses.
    • A scientific calculator will also be required.
    • A plastic-covered notebook for collecting and writing up their experimental data.
    • A plastic display folder with plastic sleeves to store/display laboratory manual. These last two items must be impermeable (i.e. plastic) in order to be decontaminated before leaving the laboratory.

    A laboratory manual is provided for laboratory classes. Gloves and laboratory coats are provided and must be worn during laboratory activities. Students must watch the Lab Safety video, and the PC2 Lab Safety video available on the Blackboard site, and obtain 100% on each quiz relevant to each video. Students who do not meet the OH&S requirements will not be admitted to the laboratory.

     

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.