Infectious Diseases (11730.1)

Our bodies are under constant attack from viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi that cause infectious diseases. The interactions between the microbial pathogen and the human host underlie all infectious diseases. In this unit, students will learn how selected infectious agents interact with human hosts at the molecular, cellular, individual patient and community levels to cause disease. Students will explore how pathogens cause disease along with the biology of pathogens themselves.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Evaluate the various mechanisms by which infectious microbes are transmitted;
2. Appraise modern approaches to investigating infectious disease outbreaks;
3. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the role of specific cell types in infectious diseases, by comparing and contrasting diseases and infectious organisms;
4. Examine the role of host factors and environment on disease predisposition and outcomes;
5. Develop experimental laboratory skills and apply scientific principles to the interpretation of infectious disease data; and
6. Analyse genomics data and apply their knowledge of virulence determinants to interpret the results.

Graduate attributes

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 - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
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

11727 Mechanisms of Disease OR 6510 Introduction to Microbiology

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.