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Unit of study_
MICR3888: Microbiology Interdisciplinary Project
2025 unit information
Many challenges require knowledge that extends across multiple disciplines. Therefore, the ability to identify interdisciplinary knowledge is needed and establish links to develop integrated solutions is a crucial skill in the modern world. This is especially relevant to microbiology. This unit presents the opportunity to bring together the concepts and skills you have learnt in microbiology and team up with students from other disciplines to apply them to a real-world problem. You will work on a project related to the production of safe, health-promoting foods. Nutrition-related chronic diseases are a major challenge for 21st century society owing to their huge socio-economic burden and their multifactorial nature. The problem your group is assigned will be based on real world examples and considered from multiple angles that may include: How government should make decisions regarding approval/regulation of a new food product; How a company might approach production, optimization, and marketing of a new food, and; How the health claims and/or safety of a food product can be assessed or improved. Each of these angles requires knowledge from multiple disciplines and a sound understanding of microbiology is highly important. In this unit, you will receive microbiology-specific training, in addition to collaborating with students from other disciplines on project-based learning; identifying and solving problems, collecting and analysing data and communicating your findings to a diverse audience. All of these skills are highly valued by employers across the spectrum from education to industry to government.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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6cp from (MIMI2X02 or MEDS2004 or MICR2X22 or BMED2404) and 6 cp from (MICR2X31 or MICR2X21 or MICR2024) |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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Fundamental concepts of microorganisms, biomolecules and ecosystems |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Identify and define human health challenges related to the food system from an interdisciplinary context.
- LO2. Apply microbiology disciplinary knowledge to definition of problems in food product development, nutrition and public health.
- LO3. Propose and formulate a strategy for the food industry to develop new food products that have positive impact on public health.
- LO4. Analyse interdisciplinary data using modern information technology and digital skills.
- LO5. Critically evaluate and integrate outcomes to make justified recommendations regarding the project objectives.
- LO6. Demonstrate the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in teams, composed of diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds.
- LO7. Communicate project outcomes effectively to a broad audience.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Additional advice
The project component of MICR3888 is done in conjunction with students from NUTM3888 and FOOD3888 and contributes 70% of the unit of study. The microbiology-specific component is 30% and includes both practical work and lecture content. This unit is a core unit for the Microbiology major and strongly recommended for students wishing to complete this major.
