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MICRO 3007 - Infection & Immunity A (Theory) III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

This advanced course examines the molecular basis of interactions of microbial pathogens with their environment and various hosts, especially those which infect humans. Bacterial pathogens of global and medical significance that will be highlighted in detail include: Streptococcus pneumonia, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Staphylococcus sp., Mycobacterium; and Neisseria sp. Particular emphasis is given to the use of molecular biological approaches for study of bacterial infectious disease pathogenesis, and biotechnological applications, including vaccine development will also be highlighted. Topics to be explored include: bacterial pathogens - global significance of infectious disease; principal approaches for investigating host-pathogen interactions; the role of innate immunity and defence mechanisms; the microbiota; virulence factors which promote colonisation and damage to the host; cell surface polysaccharides and proteins; role of antigenic and phase variation in virulence and disease; gene regulation, especially in relation to expression of virulence factors; stress responses; invasion and intracellular survival and multiplication; resistance and avoidance of innate host defences; bacterial toxins; antibiotic resistance; vaccines and therapeutic interventions; genomic approaches to analysis of virulence; parasites including malaria and viruses. The lecture program is complemented by tutorials, which extend skills in exploring and critically assessing the scientific literature, and practicals which develop advanced experimental skills for the study of bacterial pathogenic mechanisms.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MICRO 3007
    Course Infection & Immunity A (Theory) III
    Coordinating Unit Molec & Biomedical Science
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 3 x 1 hour lectures per week, 1 x 2 hour tutorials/workshops per fortnight
    Available for 国模福利在线 Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites MICRO 2500 or MICRO 2504; or equivalent
    Incompatible MICRO 3102, MICRO 3000
    Assessment Tutorials, problem solving questions, final exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Michael Beard

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 To gain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underpin the pathogenesis and control of bacterial, virus, and parasite  infections, and the interaction of microbial pathogens with thir hosts and immune system.
    2 To understand the techniques frequently used in molecular microbiology research which are fundamental to understanding how research in these disciplines is conducted.
    3 To develop organisational and time management skills and the capacity for multi-tasking.
    4 To foster the ability to work in small teams and to communicate and coordinate outcomes with a larger group of colleagues.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2,

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2, 3, 4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1, 2, 3, 4

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1, 2, 3, 4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    2, 3, 4

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    2

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    3, 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Textbook

    The recommended text book is:

    "Bacterial Pathogenesis. A Molecular Approach" Third edition. Wilson, B.A., Salyers, A.A., Whitt, D.D., and Winkler, M.E. ASM Press.

    Additional resourses

    Please refer to MyUni for additional reading and video material
    Recommended Resources
    Recommemded reading will be posted on MyUni.
    Online Learning
    Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://learn.adelaide.edu.au/). 
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be delivered in the following means:

    Internal

    3 x 1 hour lectures per week,
    1 x 2 hour tutorial per fortnight (total of 5 sessions)
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and tutorials), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary

    Week

    Type of learning activity

    Topic

    1

    Lecture

    Bacteria-host interactions and innate defences

    Tutorial

    2

    Lecture

    Bacteria-host interactions and Intracellular bacterial pathogens

    Tutorial 1

    Critical thinking and analysis of primary research papers related to lecture material

    3

    Lecture

    Bacterial infection and stress responses

    Tutorial

    4

    Lecture

    Antimicrobials and microbiome

    Tutorial 2

    Critical thinking and analysis of primary research papers related to lecture material

    5

    Lecture

    Antibiotic Resistance and Surveillance

    Tutorial

    6

    Lecture

    Recap and Q&A

    Tutorial 3

    Critical thinking and analysis of primary research papers related to lecture material

    Mid-Semester Break

    7

    Lecture

    Parasitology: Malaria, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium

    Tutorial

    8

    Lecture

    Parasitology: Malaria, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium

    Tutorial 4

    Critical thinking and analysis of primary research papers related to lecture material, including problem solving questions

    9

    Lecture

    Virology: RNA virus replication, SARS-CoV-2

    Tutorial

    Practical

    10

    Lecture

    Virology: Pathogenesis

    Tutorial 5

    Critical thinking and analysis of primary research papers related to lecture materia, including problem solving questions

    11

    Lecture

    Virology: Emerging viral pathogens, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

    Tutorial

    12

    Lecture

    Recap and Q&A

    Tutorial

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    The assessments for I&IA (Theory) (MICRO3007) are as follows:

    Assessment  % of total
    Tutorials (5x 5% submissions)
    25%
    Essay 30%
    Test #1 25% 
    Test #2 20%
    Total 100%

    Tutorials: You will have one week to answer a series of questions based on a supplied journal article.  All students will submit at the beginning of the relevant tutorial week (i.e. you will have access to the questions in week 3, and submit responses in week 4).  Marks for the submitted responses will only be awarded if you attend your tutorial, during which time the article and questions are discussed.  Note the usual rules for medical/compassionate absences still apply.

    Essay: This assessment is a short (~2000 words) literature review on a given topic area within microbiology.  You will need to find relevant journal articles and discuss specific ideas within that topic area.  Further information and a marking rubric will be provided in due course.

    Tests: There will be two tests, one to cover the content for each term.  There is slightly more content in Term 1, hence the higher weighting on Test #1.  These will have a mixture of question types, and are designed to  assess your understanding of key concepts and your ability to synthesize concepts to address more complex questions.  Details for the specific format will be made available in due course.

    Assessment Detail
    See assessment summary
    Submission
    Submission Guidelines

    It is your responsibility to ensure that your work is submitted on time. All assessments are to be submittedvia the relevant
    submission links MyUni.  Templates will be provided as needed.  Turnitin will be used, and 
    any evidence of plagiarism will be investigated to determine whether there has been a breach of academic integrity.  

    Late submission of assessments

    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply.  A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will
    be applied.  This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through .

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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