
- UCAS course code
- C720
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Current Topics in Microbiology (E)
Unit code | BIOL31351 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Offered by | School of Biological Sciences |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
You will study some of the most recent advances in Microbiology including the role of horizontal gene transfer in the evolution of bacterial pathogens and the spread of drug resistance, and the importance of biofilm formation in pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance.
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Prokaryotic Microbiology | BIOL21181 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
Aims
To provide students with an insight into some of the most recent advances in Microbiology.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will have an appreciation of;
-
The molecular mechanisms used by microorganisms to detect and respond to
environmental change. - The role of quorum sensing in bacterial pathogenesis.
- The importance of biofilm formation in pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance
- The role of horizontal gene transfer in the evolution of bacterial pathogens and the spread of drug resistance.
- The mechanisms used by microorganisms to protect themselves from foreign DNA
- The use of modern genomic techniques to advance our understanding of bacteria and bacterial ecosystems.
Syllabus
-
Environmental sensing:
- How bacterial pathogens adapt to life in the host;
- Bacterial cell to cell communication and virulence
- Inter-kingdom quorum sensing: bacterial conversations with the host
- Biofilms and bacterial virulence
- Biofilms and antibiotic resistance - the problem with persisters
- Horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of multi drug resistant bacteria
- Horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of bacterial pathogens
- CRISPRS - A bacterial immune response to foreign DNA
- Sequencing microbial genomes, past present and future
- Synthetic bacterial genomes
Employability skills
- Innovation/creativity
- Opportunity to deliver talks with a creative use of powerpoint and verbal communication.
- Oral communication
- Students will present a 6 minute talk on a suggested topic related to the course.
- Research
- Students will have to research the topic and extract the most pertinent details for their 6 minute talk.
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Written exam | 90% |
Oral assessment/presentation | 10% |
An 8 minute talk on a Current Microbiology topic (10%);
2 hour examination (90%)
Feedback methods
Two, optional multiple choice quizzes will be available on Blackboard towards the middle and end of the course. These will provide an opportunity for students to assess their understanding of the learning objectives of the course.
Recommended reading
Primary papers and review articles selected by Dr High
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Assessment written exam | 1 |
Lectures | 18 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 81 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Nicola High | Unit coordinator |