Outline

Overview

Microbes are essential for every aspect of life on the planet. Microbes in the human gut control our digestion and our immune system, microbes in the soil are required for plant growth, microbes in the ocean fix more carbon dioxide than all the Earth's trees. In this unit of study you will investigate the diversity and activity of microorganisms - viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa - and look at how they interact with us, each other, plants and animals. You will examine how microbes underpin healthy ecosystems through nutrient cycling and biodegradation, their use industrially in biotechnology and food production, and their ability to cause harm, producing disease, poisoning, pollution and spoilage. Detailed aspects of microbial ecology, nutrition, physiology and genetics will also be introduced. This unit of study will provide you with the breadth of knowledge and skills needed for further studies of microbiology, and will provide the fundamental understanding of microbes that you will require to specialise in related fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, agriculture, nutrition and food sciences, bioengineering and biotechnology, ecology, or science education. As an Advanced unit, MICR2931 provides increased challenge and academic rigour to develop a greater understanding and depth of disciplinary expertise. You will actively participate in a series of small group tutorials investigating the molecular detail of microbial communication and function, which will culminate in you creating a scientific research report that communicates your understanding of recent research in microbiology.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	A mark of 70 or above in 6cp from (BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MICR2021 or MICR2921 or MICR2024 or MICR2031
Assumed knowledge ?	Fundamental concepts of microorganisms, biomolecules and ecosystems; CHEM1XX1
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Michael Kertesz, michael.kertesz@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Michael Kertesz, michael.kertesz@sydney.edu.au
	Andrew Holmes, andrew.holmes@sydney.edu.au
	Timothy Newsome, timothy.newsome@sydney.edu.au
	David Guest, david.guest@sydney.edu.au
	Nicholas Coleman, nicholas.coleman@sydney.edu.au
	Rosalind Deaker, rosalind.deaker@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Canvas exam Canvas timed exam	40%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 1 Online quiz	7.5%	Week 06	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 2 Online quiz	7.5%	Week 08	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 3 online quiz	7.5%	Week 10	see Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Take home written assignment Scientific paper	20%	Week 10	4-6 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 4 Online quiz	7.5%	Week 12	see Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Online Lab write up A practical write-up sheet will be provided	10%	Week 12	3 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Attendance Practical class	0%	Weekly	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Theory exams: These assessments test your understanding of the microbiological content presented in the unit. The online quiz will test the content of lectures 1-15, the final exam will test all the content of the unit. The exams will be a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions.
Research report: This assessment tests your understanding of Koch's postulates: ability to manage a research project as a team; ability to synthesize information in a scientific format. The research report should present the results of your Forensic Microbiology project in the format of a scientific paper. This should be approximately 4-6 pages long, and should consist of Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion, with Tables and Figures as appropriate.
Online lab write-up: This assessment tests your record keeping skills during a practical experiment, and your understanding of the Synthetic biology practical experiment. A practical writeup sheet will be provided. Notes made during the practical should be recorded on this sheet, and answers provided to the questions.
Online quizzes: The online quizzes are mixed multiple choice and short answer questions. They will be published one week before the due date, and should be completed in your own time. They are open book quizzes to help you assess your own knowledge.

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	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactoryachievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
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	Basic functions of microbes – building a microbe	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Basic functions of microbes – building a microbe	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	1. Aseptic technique; 2. Gram stain; 3. Microbiological growth media	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	1. Basic functions of microbes – building a microbe; 2. Microbes on land and sea	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	1. Description of microbes; 2. PCR; 3. Identification of bacteria with biochemical tests	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Microbes on land and sea	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Microbes on land and sea	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Forensic Microbiology project	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Microbes in the human environment	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
	Forensic Microbiology project	Practical (3 hr)
	Microbes in food preservation and spoilage	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Microbes in the human environment	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Enumeration of microbes; growth of viruses	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	1. Microbes in the human environment; 2. Microbial biotechnology	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Forensic Microbiology Project	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	Microbial biotechnology	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Microbial biotechnology	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Microbes in health and disease	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Synthetic biology	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	Microbes in health and disease	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Synthetic biology	Practical (3 hr)
Week 13	Microbes in health and disease	Lecture and tutorial (2 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.

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. use aseptic technique to isolate and grow microorganisms into pure culture
LO2. employ safe techniques for manipulating microbes in the laboratory, core skills of aseptic technique, and how to grow, enumerate and observe microbes macroscopically and microscopically
LO3. describe the special features of microbial biology that explain their ubiquity
LO4. identify and describe the principles of microbial identification, diversity, evolution and phylogeny
LO5. apply knowledge of the biology, diversity and ecology of microorganisms to evaluate real-world situations
LO6. apply rational, independent and critical thought to the diagnosis of microbial disease
LO7. appraise microbiology in natural resource management, food security and global change
LO8. critically evaluate the importance of microbes in our society and their roles in both harmful and helpful processes
LO9. gather, record, synthesise and interpret data from experimental microbiology
LO10. communicate your knowledge of microbiology using oral, visual and written formats.

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.

In response to student feedback, the tutorial venues have been changed, and extra tabs have been provided on the Canvas site for direct feedback on each assessment.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

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/

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

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

MICR2931: Microbiology (Advanced)

Semester 1, 2021 [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

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

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