- UCAS course code
- C550
- 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 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
You will study some of the most recent advances in Microbiology including in the areas of evolutionary microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, microbial pathogenesis, synthetic/systems biology, microbiomes, CRISPR-Cas, and microbial genomics.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Bacteriology | 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;
- Evolutionary microbiology
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis
- Genetic engineering of microbes for synthetic/systems biology applications
- Microbiome ecology and its effects on health and disease
- Horizontal gene transfer and genome evolution
Syllabus
The syllabus will be based around 5 main themes; evolutionary microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, microbial pathogenesis, genetic engineering for synthetic/systems biology applications, microbiomes, and microbial genomics.
Employability skills
- Innovation/creativity
- Opportunity to deliver talks with a creative use of visual aids and verbal communication.
- Oral communication
- Students will record a 5 minute video on a suggested topic related to the course.
- Research
- Students will be taught from recent research articles and reviews and will have to research the topic and extract the most pertinent details for their 5 minute talk and for the written assessment.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 80% |
| Oral assessment/presentation | 20% |
Written assignments (80%):
To complete two ‘News & Views’ style written assignments (open book) on subjects covered in the lectures (2x 40% each)
Oral assessment/video presentation (20%):
Record a 5 minute video on a Current Microbiology topic
Feedback methods
Individual feedback will be given on the 5 min recoded talk.
Written individual feedback will be provided for the two ‘News & Views’ style assignments.
Recommended reading
Primary papers and review articles selected by lecturers teaching on the unit
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 82 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Michael Brockhurst | Unit coordinator |