SLE334 - Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Unit details
Year | 2025 unit information |
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Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
Credit point(s): | 1 |
EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Jillian Healy |
Prerequisite: | SLE234 |
Corequisite: | SLE010 |
Incompatible with: | Nil |
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 2 x 1 hour online lectures per week, 1 x 1 hour lecture per week, 5 x 3 hour practical experience (laboratory) per trimester. |
Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
SLE334 allows students to explore aspects of microbiology and immunology relevant to understanding infectious disease. Students will be introduced to medical microbiology and immunology using anthrax as a model disease. Students will learn about biology of bacteria, viral and parasitic pathogens of global importance. The practical experience has been designed to replicate some of the investigative strategies and decision making processes used by medical microbiologists to identify potential pathogenic micro-organisms from various clinical specimens. Many of the techniques students will apply are those commonly used by practicing microbiologists in their routine work. Learning and assessment tasks will enhance the students understanding of infectious diseases, the immune response to infectious disease, diagnosis, the development of candidate vaccines and the identification of pharmacological targets for antimicrobial therapeutics.
Learning Outcomes
ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
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ULO1 | Describe the stages of infection process utilised by bacteria, viruses and parasites, and explain the role of the immune system and vaccination for protection from infectious disease. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
ULO2 | Identify biological, social, economic and ecological issues underpinning the emergence of new and once controlled infectious diseases. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO7: Teamwork |
ULO3 | Evaluate the efforts of state/territory and Commonwealth governments and international agencies of the United Nations and World Health Organisation in the management of infectious disease outbreaks and prevention strategies. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO7: Teamwork GLO8: Global citizenship |
ULO4 | Apply research and critical thinking skills to demonstrate competence in aseptic techniques and in the laboratory identification of pathogenic bacteria. | GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
ULO5 | Reflect on practical performance to identify areas of strength and weakness. | GLO6: Self-management |
Assessment
Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1 | Online quizzes | 20% (5 x 4%) | Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11 |
Assessment 2 | Portfolio comprised of written and video elements | 25% | Week 10 |
Assessment 3 | 5 x pre practical quizzes | 10% | Quizzes: |
Assessment 4 | 2 x written reflections | 15% | Weeks 8, 11 |
End-of-Unit Assessment | Practical test | 30% | End-of-Unit Assessment period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirement
To be eligible to obtain a pass in this unit, students must achieve at least 50% in the practical experience (laboratory) component.
Learning resource
Prescribed text(s): Prescribed text(s): Dockrell and Goering, 2024, Mims’ Medical Microbiology and Immunology , 7th (or 6th) Edition, Elsevier Science.
The texts and reading list for SLE334 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.