BI2S207 - Microorganisms and Disease 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BI2S207
Module Title: Microorganisms and Disease
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Sciences
Module Leader: Cerith Jones, Josephine Bradley
Module Team: Sky Redhead, Martin Powell, Talatu Usar
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100906 - applied microbiology 100907 - medical microbiology
HECOS Code Weighting: 50 50

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

This module provides learners with an understanding of the beneficial and harmful human interactions with a wide variety of microorganisms. On successful completion of this module, students will demonstrate safe working with human pathogens in a laboratory environment and competence in core microbiological laboratory skills for the identification of bacterial pathogens. Practical elements will be underpinned with a firm theoretical understanding of microbial pathogenesis and the human innate and adaptive immune responses to infection.

The practical skills assessment of this module is purposely unbonded, meaning that students must show competency in laboratory skills to pass this module, ensuring that graduates of our courses can demonstrate core laboratory competencies.

In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve the following level-appropriate behaviours domains of the USW graduate attributes:

Communication: Behaviour 1,2.

Innovation and enterprise: Behaviour 1, 2.

Project management: Behaviour 1, 2.

Digital literacy: Behaviour 1, 2.

Commercial awareness: Behaviour 1, 2.

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.

Content Summary

Topics covering medical implications of microorganisms including, but not limited to:

  • The process of infection at the molecular level, using a range of bacterial, viral and parasite case studies.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of infection and its challenges, to include antibiotics and antibiotic resistance.
  • A global view of current and historic infections, epidemics, and pandemics.
  • The role of the human immune system in health and disease. Vaccinology and associated challenges.
  • The contribution of the human microbiome to health and disease.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 36
Practical classes and workshops 12
Independent Study 76
Directed Study 76
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To analyse the contribution of pathogens and the host in health and infectious disease, from molecular interactions through to their impact at a global level.
LO2 To competently perform and communicate microbiological laboratory investigations, evaluating the outcomes in the context of wider scientific theory.

Module Requisites

Code Title Requisite Type
MOD012895 Diversity of Cellular Life pre-requisite
}

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Written Work 1 A write up of a piece of practical work that has been undertaken 0 2000 60 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 Closed book, on campus examination. 120 N/A 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Written Work 1 ✔ ✔
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Brock biology of microorganisms (any edition). MADIGAN, M. T., MARTINKO, J. M., & PARKER, J. Boston: Pearson.

Medical Microbiology (David Greenwood) any recent edition.

Mim’s medical microbiology (Richard Goering) any recent edition.