SLE234 - Microbiology
Unit details
| Year: | 2022 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates. Last updated: 4 March 2022 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Agnes Michalczyk |
| Prerequisite: | SLE111 or for students enrolled in H300 - SLE111 or HMM102 and HMM103 |
| Corequisite: | SLE010 |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 3 x 1 hour classes per week, 4 x 1 hour seminars per trimester, 6 x 3 hour practicals per trimester. |
Content
Microbiology is the study of microscopic unicellular organisms, which are the prokaryotes (such as bacteria), eukaryotes (such as algae) and the viruses. It will cover the study of the structure of microorganisms, how they function, grow and reproduce, the relationship between microorganisms and their environment and the ability of bacterial gene expression to respond to prevailing environmental signals. In this unit, students will explore the history of the discipline of microbiology and the cell structure of prokaryotes, unicellular eukaryotes and viruses. We will investigate the very important role that microorganisms have in human health and disease but also in the environment and how the environment impacts on their ability to grow and divide. The incredible increase in understanding of bacterial genomes will be explored and how this has allowed us to make large strides in medical microbiology, pharmaceutical and industrial biotechnology and food and agricultural microbiology.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Apply foundational microbiology and biology knowledge to interpret microbial aspects of life and explain the physical, chemical and biological factors influencing microbial growth. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Evaluate appropriate scientific principles and techniques to identify unknown bacteria. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Use scientific equipment to prepare and observe bacterial specimens and explain various microbiological parameters observed. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Describe the biology of bacterial and animal viruses and use microbial genetic techniques with an emphasis on transfer of genetic information within and between cells. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Articulate scientific information in a structured form to describe scientific problems, formulate hypotheses, analyse evidence in order to support or oppose the interpretations of findings and conclusions. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical reports | Four practical worksheets, 3-page maximum each | 20% (4 x 5%) | Weeks 4, 6, 9 and 11 |
| In-class test | Multiple choice in-class test | 15% | Week 6 |
| Practical test | 90-minute in-class test | 15% | Week 10 |
| Examination | 2-hour written examination | 50% | Examination 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.
Learning Resource
Prescribed text(s): Martinko, 2021, Brock Biology Of Microorganisms Global Edition, 16th Ed (or 15th Ed), Pearson Education.
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE234 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
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