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LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast

Unit description

Introduces students to the concepts, principles and techniques of microbiology. Students gain an understanding of the morphological, biochemical and genetic diversity of microbes, supported by practical skills, including staining, aseptic techniques, culture and manipulation of microbes.

Unit content

  • Foundation concepts of microbiology and an introduction to microorganisms, including an overview of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes.
  • Principles of microbial genetics, metabolism, and growth, and their relevance to infection control and biotechnology.
  • Bacterial survey, and the classification of fungi, algae, protozoa, helminths, viruses, viroids, and prions.
  • Principles of infectious disease, epidemiology, and microbial pathogenicity, including the associated role of antimicrobial drugs.

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1explain concepts of microbiology including growth, metabolism, transmission, and classification of microorganisms
2identify and describe the differences between common species of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths and viruses
3discuss the application of microorganisms in biotechnology, including DNA recombinant technologies commonly employed in medical and research industries
4discuss the principles of microbial disease and pathogenicity, host-microbe interactions and epidemiology
5safely employ microbiological techniques, and interpret and analyse microbiological data in the biomedical setting.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. explain concepts of microbiology including growth, metabolism, transmission, and classification of microorganisms
  2. identify and describe the differences between common species of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths and viruses
  3. discuss the application of microorganisms in biotechnology, including DNA recombinant technologies commonly employed in medical and research industries
  4. discuss the principles of microbial disease and pathogenicity, host-microbe interactions and epidemiology
  5. safely employ microbiological techniques, and interpret and analyse microbiological data in the biomedical setting.

Prescribed Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts
  • Tortora, GJ, Funke, BR & Case, CL, 2020, Microbiology: An Introduction, 13th edn, Pearson Education Ltd, USA. ISBN: 9781292276267.
Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods

Teaching and assessment

Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every teaching period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the teaching period.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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