Outline

Overview

Infectious diseases occur as a result of interactions between a host and a microbial parasite. This unit of study will explain how infectious agents interact with human hosts at the molecular, cellular, individual patient and community levels to cause diseases and how the hosts attempt to combat these infections. The unit will be taught by the School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health with involvement of associated clinical and research experts who will contribute lectures and theme sessions on their own special interests. The unit will integrate lectures with clinical case studies and hands-on practical sessions to provide students with current knowledge of infectious diseases.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	BMED2404 or IMMU2101 or MEDS2004 or MIMI2X02 or IMMU2X11
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Scott Stimpson, scott.stimpson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jamie Triccas, jamie.triccas@sydney.edu.au
	Mainthan Palendira, umaimainthan.palendira@sydney.edu.au
	John-Sebastian Eden, js.eden@sydney.edu.au
	Megan Steain, megan.steain@sydney.edu.au
	Scott Stimpson, scott.stimpson@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam Multiple choice and short answer questions	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Case presentations Clinical case presentation.	15%	Multiple weeks	12 minutes with 3 minutes questions
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	quiz Online open book without invigilation consisting of MCQs and longer SAQs.	20%	Week 09 Due date: 25 Sep 2024 at 11:00 Closing date: 25 Sep 2024	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Practical report Written assessment using report template	15%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 10:00	no defined length/duration
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Case presentations: Cases will be allocated in week 2. The group case presentations will involve the allocation of a group mark plus an individual mark to each student in the group, which will be added to provide each student's final mark. Thus, each student must speak during the oral presentations of cases to obtain an individual mark. Further, it is expected that each student will speak for approximately the same amount of time.
Mid-semester quiz: The mid-semester quiz will cover the lecture and clinical case material presented in the first 8 weeks of the semester.
Practical report: A short report is required for the experiments performed in weeks 9 to 12. In the report you will be required to detail the results of experiments and answer questions relating to gene expression analysis, vaccine development, and drug development.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or schoo
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.html

For students who are repeating this unit of study in 2024, you may be granted an exception for some of the assessment task(s) in this unit of study, subject to discussion and confirmation with the unit coordinator. You must have achieved a pass mark or higher in the assessment task to be considered for an exemption.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

All assignments must be submitted by the due date and quizzes and exams attended when they are scheduled. Students are expected to manage their time and to prioritise tasks to meet deadlines. Assessment items submitted after the due date without an approved extension using a special consideration or special arrangement form or request will incur penalties. Failure to meet assessment deadlines will incur mark deductions of 5% of the maximum awardable mark available for every day past the due date (for electronic submissions, days late includes Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). These deductions will continue for 10 calendar days, until the solutions for the assignment are released, or marked assignments are returned to other students. At that point the mark awarded will be zero. For example, on an assignment given a mark of 70/100, the penalty would be 5 marks if submitted up to 24 hours late, resulting in a final mark of 65/100. If the assignment is submitted 6 days late, the penalty would be 30 marks and the final mark would be 40/100. If the assignment is more than 10 days late, the final mark will be 0/100.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Course overview	Lecture (1 hr)
	Hepatitis virus and disease	Lecture (1 hr)
	1. Introduction to practicals; 2. Selection of case presentations	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 02	Tuberculosis and immune evasion	Lecture (1 hr)
	Syphilis and other STIs	Lecture (1 hr)
	Clinical case session: Hepatitis	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 03	Parasites in the clinic	Lecture (1 hr)
	Malaria and the host	Lecture (1 hr)
	Clinical case session: Sexually transmitted infections	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 04	Central nervous system infections	Lecture (1 hr)
	Pathogenic Escherichia coli and the urinary tract	Lecture (1 hr)
	Clinical case presentations	Presentation (3 hr)
Week 05	Pathogenesis of shigella	Lecture (1 hr)
	COVID-19: the virus & the host	Lecture (1 hr)
	Clinical case presentations	Presentation (3 hr)
Week 06	Fungi and clinical disease	Lecture (1 hr)
	Clinical case presentations	Presentation (3 hr)
	Antibiotic resistance and need the for new drugs	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Integrated practical 1. Analysis of E. coli3012 virulence factor expression	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	New approaches to drug design	Lecture (1 hr)
	Drug development focus: Tuberculosis	Lecture (1 hr)
	Integrated practical 2. Drug discovery: sensitivity testing (high throughput screening); toxicity testing	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	Mid-semester quiz	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	New vaccines for pandemic pathogens	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Immunotherapy for infectious diseases	Lecture (1 hr)
	Clinical evaluation of vaccines.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Integrated practical 3. Drug discovery: toxicity, MIC determination, in vivo efficacy	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	Overview of pathogen genomics	Lecture (1 hr)
	Pathogen genomics in clinical and public health	Lecture (1 hr)
	Integrated practical 4. Vaccine development: measurement of IFN-g release (ELISPOT); determination of vaccine efficacy	Practical (3 hr)
Week 13	Special Research Seminar	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	End semester Q & A and course review	Lecture (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled activities for a unit of study. Thus, attendance at a minimum of 80% of all timetabled classes is compulsory for successful completion of the course. Attendance will be recorded. If you do not show sufficient cause for absence from any part of the course you may not be allowed to sit the final examination. Absences from scheduled practical, workshop or presentations sessions must be supported by appropriate documentation.

Attendance at the case presentations is compulsory even when you are not presenting.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Infectious Diseases: Pathogenesis, Prevention and Case Studies. Edited by Shetty et al. Wiley-Blackwell 2009. ISBN 9781405135436.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. explain the major causes of infectious diseases in the general community and hospital environments, and the mechanisms associated with the disease process
LO2. describe how medically significant organisms can spread in the community
LO3. assess the measures that have been developed to control infectious agents and the conceptual basis of the control strategies
LO4. demonstrate practical dexterity in the most important technical procedures performed in the study of infectious diseases today
LO5. evaluate the major theoretical concepts involved in the development of these procedures
LO6. communicate effectively, demonstrate effective teamwork, and develop improved scientific written skills.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Some minor changes have been made in response to student feedback from the previous year.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

INFD3012: Infectious Diseases

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect