Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology (10288.1)

Please note these are the 2024 details for this unit
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Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Science Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit will provide students with an introduction to the interrelated fields of pathology, immunology and microbiology.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Correlate basic disease states with the overt clinical signs and symptoms seen in specified ocular and systemic disorders;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the different classifications of micro-organisms, their structure/function and respective metabolic demands required to sustain life;
3. Perform basic laboratory based microbiological/immunological techniques; and
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the hosts immunological responses to a microbial challenge.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

This unit is only available to students in 372JA Bachelor of Vision Science or HLB301 Bachelor of Pharmacy.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Shadi Shahriari
Not available

Required texts

Students will need the following textbook: 

  • Microbiology with Diseases by Body System, 4th Edition. Global Edition. Robert W. Bauman (Author)

Available from the library (Short term loan) or can be purchased online 

e-TEXT book is also available through Reading List on UCLearn (Canvas) site. 

The following unit handbook (laboratory and tutorial manual) is required for the laboratory and tutorial classes and is available for purchase from the UC Shop.  Please ensure that the outside covers are plastic sheets and bring the handbook to every laboratory and tutorial session.

  • Shahriari, Thomas, Ghildyal, Ara,  Pathobiology, Immunology and Microbiology Handbook, 2026, University of Canberra, Australia

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

If there is any doubt with regard to the requirements of any particular assignments or assessment procedure, the onus for clarifying the issue rests with the student who should contact the Unit Convener or Tutor. Further, it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are correctly enrolled in the unit and that the Tutor and Student Administration have their correct contact details.

Deferred Exams

Provisions will be made for students who are unable to sit the laboratory exam and produce appropriate medical certificates or other relevant documentation. In the event a student misses the Laboratory Assessment due to illness or other exceptional circumstances (refer to eligibility criteria), they must submit a Faculty of Science & Technology Deferred Examination Request form (available on UCLearn(CANVAS) site), along with appropriate documentation (original or certified copy), within 3 working days of missing the assessment to the Unit Convener via email or CANVAS.  If their request is approved, students will be allowed to sit a deferred exam at a later date (as chosen by the Unit Convener).

Artificial intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit, except for Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI

Special assessment requirements

  1. The final mark for this subject will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item.  
  2. Medical certificates must be presented for missed assessments; and if students are not able to sit the laboratory exam, they must inform the convener within 72 hours.
  3. The Unit Convener reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes.
  4. Generative AI is not permitted in this unit and it can constitute academic misconduct, whether intentionally or unintentionally used.

  5. Acquisition of laboratory skills is necessary in order to demonstrate Unit Learning Outcome #3. Laboratory skills gained during this unit include these 10 skills:

  • Laboratory safety including proper use of PPE, handling and disposal of biological materials, maintain sterile environments, and cleaning up biological spills.
  • General laboratory techniques including pipetting and microscopy skills.
  • Aseptic technique.
  • Perform and interpret Gram stains and biochemical tests to identify bacteria.
  • Culture bacteria on nutrient agar plates for identification.
  • Interpret antibiotic susceptibility testing of bacteria.
  • Perform a variety of immunodiagnostic assays including serological tests, blood typing, human haemoglobin-specific chromatographic immunoassays, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).
  • Identification of normal white blood cells and understand their functions.
  • Understand how to visualise tissue sections for pathologic process.
  • Understand inflammation and cellular events in inflammation.

 In order to demonstrate laboratory skills and achievement of the ULOs, students must gain a minimum of 8/10 of these skills which can be achieved by fully participating in a minimum of 3/5 laboratory sessions throughout semester. Full participation involves attending and personally completing the required tasks.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

The learning in the unit is through lectures, practical laboratory classes and tutorials; there are 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of practicals/tutorials most weeks. It is recommended that you will spend, on average, a total of 10 hours every week on this subject, including the contact time, and hours of self-directed learning.

Participation requirements

You must particpate in at least 60% of laboratory classes and attempt all assessment items to pass this unit. 

Required IT skills

Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word processing software.

In-unit costs

Students are expected to provide their own laboratory coat, safety glasses, and purchase the unit handbook for their use through the unit. Students are expected to bring the handbook to all laboratory and tutorial sessions.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Laboratory component 

Potentially hazardous materials will be used as part of this unit.  Risk assessments have been performed and control measures implemented to manage hazards and risks.  Students have an obligation to comply with any safety directions issued by staff and to inform staff if incidents of a potentially hazardous nature occur.  With respect to chemicals, staff will provide students with access to Material Safety Data Sheets.

Safety precautions that should be observed in the pathology/microbiology laboratory are detailed in the Laboratory Manual and should be strictly followed when you are working in the laboratory.

If you feel unwell in any way please inform your Tutor and leave the laboratory immediately. You may need to seek medical assistance if symptoms persist.

Writing skills

You need to have excellent Academic writing skills and be proficient in the use of scientific terminology to do well in this unit. Students who wish to improve their academic writing skills are encouraged to contact the Academic Skills Program. Please note that appointments are necessary and need to be made at least 2 weeks in advance. 

Provision of information to the group

Notifications through the CANVAS Discussion Forums are deemed to be made to the whole class.  It is the responsibility of the students to ensure that they check for announcements on the Unit's CANVAS website (CANVAS forum messages are emailed to student email addresses only).  Students should ensure they check their student email regularly.  The CANVAS discussion forums will be regularly checked by staff.

Use of student email account

The University Email policy states that "students wishing to contact the University via email regarding administrative or academic matters need to send the email from the University account for identity verification purposes".  Therefore all unit enquiries should be emailed using a student university email account. Students should contact servicedesk@canberra.edu.au if they have any issues accessing their university email account.

In all cases of absence, sickness or personal problems it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the Unit Convener is informed. The minimum participation requirement must be met in order to pass the unit (regardless of supporting documentation).