Clinical Microbiology (8027.3)

Please note these are the 2021 details for this unit
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Clinical Microbiology
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-Campus
 UC - Canberra, Bruce
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Science Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit Band 3 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
The purpose of this unit is the develop the students understanding of the concepts and scope of diagnostic medical microbiology (including bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and virology emphasising the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. Practical skills in the collection and processing of clinical material and in the isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of medically important bacteria are emphasised.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will demonstrate:
1. Knowledge, understanding and be able to evaluate the clinical significance of microorganisms commonly recovered in medical microbiology laboratories;
2. The ability to apply this knowledge in evaluating a range of techniques used in microbiology laboratories to isolate, characterise, and identify medically important microorganisms;
3. The ability to critically analyse the standards of practice of medical laboratory science in clinical/research microbiology laboratories including laboratory safety standards; and
4. The ability to make choices based on reasoned argument and present case-based outcomes clearly and concisely.


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 - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
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 - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings


Prerequisites

Introduction to Microbiology.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2024 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2023 UC - Canberra, Bruce Semester 1 06 February 2023 On-Campus Dr Claire O'Brien
2024 UC - Canberra, Bruce Semester 1 05 February 2024 On-Campus Dr Claire O'Brien
Not available

Required texts

Microbiology with Diseases by Body System, Global Edition (4e). This is an e-text and will be made available to students via the unit Canvas page.  An e-version may also be purchased using the following link: http://www.pearson.com.au/9781292058276. Details about the purchase of the paperback version will be provided on the Canvas site.

Clinical Microbiology Practical Manual 2023, University of Canberra, Australia. The manual is to be purchased from the UCX Shop on campus and brought to each practical session.  The manual will also be made available on the Canvas site, however only the bound copy is permitted in practical sessions, as it is bound with plastic, enabling decontamination prior to leaving each session.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Feedback on all assessment items will be provided in a timely and constructive manner.

Special assessment requirements

The final mark for this unit will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item. The final mark is out of a possible 100 marks. To achieve a passing grade or higher, students must:

1. Attempt all assesssment items.

2. Attend at least 80% of workshops (4/5) and 80% of practicals (13/16), not including the mid-semester test and practical assessment.

3. Participate in the verbal presentation.

3. Achieve 50% in the case studies sssessment, regardless of marks achieved in the other assessment items, and;

4. Achieve a final aggregate mark of 50% or higher.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Deferred Assessments

In the event a student misses the mid-semester test or case studies assessment due to illness or other exceptional circumstances, the student must contact the Unit Convener within 3 days of the scheduled test/assessment. The request to sit a deferred test/assessment must be received in writing (by email). Students must provide a medical certificate or other relevant supporting documentation prior to sitting a deferred test/assessment.

 

Learner engagement

As well as attending the compulsory workshops (5 hours in total) and laboratory sessions (36 hours in total, including the mid-semester test and practical assessment) each week, students are expected to set aside time each week for study, preparation of assessment items, and accessing online lecture/text book content. This equates to approximately 109 hours, spread over the semester.

In order to do well in this unit, it is important that students gain a good understanding of the appropriate collection and analysis of samples in order to correctly identify infective agents. Therefore, it is expected that students will write comprehensive laboratory notes each week, which they can review regularly. It is also expected that students will complete the table of weekly laboratory results from all groups in order to be well prepared for the practical and other assessments. It is expected that students will complete the reading from the text book, set out in Canvas each week.

Use of the discussion forum that will be on the Canvas site is strongly encouraged.

Participation requirements

Participation in practical classes is a compulsory component of this unit and attendance will be recorded. You must participate in at least 13/16 (80%) of the practical classes, not including the mid-semester test or practical assessment, to pass this unit. A medical certificate and/or other appropriate documentation must be presented to the Unit Convener for every practical session missed.

Participation in workshops is also compulsory and attendance will be recorded. You must participate in at least 4/5 (80%) of the workshops to pass this unit. In the case of illness, or other extenuating circumstances, medical certificates and/or other appropriate documentation must be presented to the Unit Convener for every workshop missed. You must participate in your group's verbal presentation in order to pass the unit.

Required IT skills

Basic knowledge of word processing software, Microsoft Powerpoint, and internet browsers (including accessing Canvas) is assumed.

In-unit costs

Students must purchase the practical lab manual and safety glasses.

Work placement, internships or practicums

Although there are no formal work placements attached to this unit, learning in this unit will be integrally linked to experiences in professional contexts.

Additional information

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).

It is the responsibility of the student to check the unit Canvas site and their student email frequently and regularly, as notifications to all students enrolled in the unit will be posted via the Announcement Forum and/or Discussion Forum.

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 Safety Data Sheets.