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
Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
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Credit points | 6 |
Prerequisites
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6cp from (MIMI2X02 or MEDS2004 or MICR2X22 or BMED2404) and 6 cp from (MICR2X31 or MICR2X21 or MICR2024) |
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 |
Available to study abroad and exchange students | No |
Teaching staff
Coordinator | Andrew Holmes, andrew.holmes@sydney.edu.au |
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Lecturer(s) | Andrew Holmes, andrew.holmes@sydney.edu.au |