Outline

Overview

Transmission, pathogenicity and the immune response to microbes are key concepts for understanding infectious disease processes. In this unit of study, you will establish a conceptual foundation and, using an integrated approach, explore selected case studies of infection from a body system of origin perspective. You will explore the characteristics of viral, bacterial, fungal and protist pathogens and their virulence mechanisms for establishment and progression of disease. Comprehensive consideration of the host immune response and characteristic pathological changes to tissue that arise will then be considered. Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to explain microbial pathogenic processes of infection including: mechanisms for colonisation, invasion and damage to host tissue; the ways in which your immune system recognises and destroys invading microbes; how the T cell response is activated and antibodies function. You will learn about pathogenesis, symptoms, current challenges of treatment including antibiotic resistance, control and vaccination strategies. You will develop a holistic perspective of infectious diseases. You will work collaboratively to solve challenging problems in Biomedical Sciences. Practical classes will investigate normal flora, host defences and case studies of medically important microbes with linkage to disease outcome. You will also obtain experience and understanding of modern experimental techniques in microbiology and immunopathology.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	BIOL1XX3 or BIOL1XX7 or BIOL1X08 or MEDS1X01 or MBLG1XX1
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MIMI2002 or MIMI2902 or MICR2021 or MICR2921 or MICR2022 or MICR2922 or IMMU2101 or BMED2404 or BMED2807 or BMED2808
Assumed knowledge ?	Human biology (BIOL1XX3 or BIOL1XX8 or MEDS1X01) and biological chemistry (CHEM1XX1 or CHEM1903)
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Megan Steain, megan.steain@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Timothy Newsome, timothy.newsome@sydney.edu.au
	Barry Slobedman, barry.slobedman@sydney.edu.au
	Leona Campbell, leona.campbell@sydney.edu.au
	Helen McGuire, helen.mcguire@sydney.edu.au
	Megan Steain, megan.steain@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final examination Timed, non-invigilated. Extended responses.	40%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Workshop quiz x4 Open book, untimed quiz assessing work completed in the related workshop	10%	Multiple weeks	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Mid-Semester quiz Timed and non-invigilated. MCQs and extended responses.	20%	Week 06 Due date: 05 Sep 2022 at 11:00	45 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Immunology practical quiz Online, timed, non-invigilated, MCQs	10%	Week 07 Due date: 12 Sep 2022 at 11:00	25 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Integrated assessment Podcast	10%	Week 09	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Microbiology Practical Quiz Online, timed, non-invigilated, MCQs	10%	Week 13 Due date: 31 Oct 2022 at 11:00	25 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Practical quiz x2: Short online quiz based on the previous 6 weeks practical work.
Workshop quiz x4: Open book and untimed quiz assessing work completed in the related systems workshop module. To be completed during your independent study time, prior to the due date.
Integrative assessment: Podcast prepared for a lay audience describing the social importance of your wicked topic.
Mid-semester exam: Students will complete quiz covering content delivered in lectures and workshops from Week 1 to 4.
Final examination: Students will complete a final exam covering content delivered in lectures and workshops from Week 5 to 12.

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
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Immunology Practical 1	Independent study (3 hr)
	Lecture 1 Introduction to the Semester	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 2 Introduction to Microbiology	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 3 Introduction to Viruses	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 4 Basic Immunology - catch up	Online class (1 hr)
Week 02	Immunology Practical 2	Practical (3 hr)
	Lecture 5 Introduction to Immunology	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 6 Microbial disease	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 7 The host-pathogen relationship	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Immunology Practical 3	Independent study (3 hr)
	Lecture 8 The Genitourinary System PT1 - Structure, Microorganisms & Diseases	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 9 The Genitourinary System PT2 - Immune response	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	The Genitourinary System	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Immunology Practical 4	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Immunology Practical 5	Independent study (3 hr)
	Lecture 10 The Respiratory System PT1 - Structure & Microorganisms	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 11 The Respiratory System PT2 - Microorganisms & Diseases	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 12 The Respiratory System PT3 - Immune response	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Immunology Practical 6	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Lecture 13 The Respiratory System PT4 - Immune response	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	The Respiratory System	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Microbiology Practical 1	Independent study (3 hr)
Week 08	Microbiology Practical 2	Practical (3 hr)
	Lecture 14 The Gastrointestinal System PT1 - Structure & Microorganisms	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 15 The Gastrointestinal System PT2 - Microorganisms & Diseases	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 16 The Gastrointestinal System PT3 - Immune response	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Microbiology Practical 3	Independent study (3 hr)
	Lecture 17 The Gastrointestinal System PT4 - Immune response	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 18 Vaccines	Online class (1 hr)
Week 10	The Gastrointestinal System	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Microbiology Practical 4	Practical (3 hr)
	Lecture 19 The Skin System PT1 -Structure & Microorganisms	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Microbiology Practical 5	Independent study (3 hr)
	Lecture 20 The Skin System PT2 - Microorganisms & Diseases	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lecture 21 The Skin System PT3 - Immune response	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	The Skin System	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Microbiology Practical 6	Practical (3 hr)

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Willey, J., Sherwood, L., Woolverton, C., Prescott, L., 2017, Prescott's Microbiology, 10th Edition. McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney.
Abbas, A., Lichtman, A., Pillai, S. 2016, Basic Immunology: Functions and disorders of the immune system, 5th Edition. Elsevier St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

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 function/role in protection against infection of non-specific host defences such as normal flora, physical barriers, and inflammation
LO2. Compare and contrast the characteristics, diversity, and virulence mechanisms of medically significant microbes
LO3. Describe how the innate and adaptive immune system responds to infectious agents, and explain how this underpins the design of successful immunisation strategies.
LO4. Explain how pathogens establish infection in various body systems and describe treatment strategies used to control different pathogens
LO5. Demonstrate practical dexterity in, and theoretical understanding of, microbiological and immunological laboratory processes
LO6. Integrate knowledge and skills drawn from the breadth of biomedical sciences to solve challenging problems related to infection, immunity, and host defence
LO7. Communicate effectively, using a range of media, to diverse audiences
LO8. Demonstrate effective teamwork skills, professional, and ethical conduct through collaborative learning.

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.

Lecture and workshop content has been integrated across the semester to better present the content relevant to each body system.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

This WHS information is for information only as it applies to standard practical delivery.

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General laboratory safety rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Many of the microorganisms that will be studied in class may cause disease if mishandled. Therefore, great care to maintain good microbiological techniques must be taken when handling cultures, slides and other materials that contain or have been in contact with living microorganisms.

Behaviour and activities in the laboratory must comply with Australian Standard AS/NZS 2243.3:2010: Safety in laboratories Part 3: Microbiological aspects and containment facilities. The Standard is available via the link under Prac Resources in the Canvas MIMI2x02 Microbes, Infection & Immunity site. As you will gain experience handling potentially pathogenic microbes in this unit of study, your immune status is important. You are strongly advised to contact the unit coordinator if you have any predisposing condition or issue that might be relevant to your participation in these practical sessions.

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

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MEDS2004: Microbes, Infection and Immunity

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

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

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect