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Unit outline_

PHAR5712: Pharmaceutical Microbiology

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study aims to provide knowledge on the role of micro-organisms in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences. It applies basic microbiological principles to the production of clean and sterile pharmaceutical products in both community and hospital pharmacy, and in industrial manufacture, and antimicrobial therapies. Topics include the structure, function and importance of the major groups of micro-organisms; host defence mechanisms; pathogenicity and epidemiology of infectious diseases; disinfectants; preservatives; antiseptics; antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and antimicrobial stewardship; principles and methods of sterilisation, aseptic preparation and techniques; cleanroom technology and good manufacturing practice (GMP).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 3
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

6 credit points of Biochemistry, 12 credit points of Chemistry, 12 credit points of Pharmacology, 12 credit points of Physiology.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Hien Duong, hien.duong@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task hurdle task Demonstration quiz 1
MCQ
4% - 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO8 LO7
Online task hurdle task Demonstration quiz 2
MCQ
4% - 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO7 LO8
Assignment group assignment Microbiology report
Report
5% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Final exam hurdle task Final exam
MCQ and short answer
60% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment hurdle task Microbiology pre-lab tasks and participation
Participation
2% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO7 LO6 LO4
Presentation hurdle task group assignment Antibiotic resistance presentation
Presentation
15% Week 09 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Assignment hurdle task Antibiotic stewardship assignment
Written task
10% Week 12 10 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Microbiology pre-lab tasks and participation: Students must attend all practical classes, complete all pre-work tasks and actively partake in all activities and discussions.
  • Microbiology report: Students are to carry out practicals 1 to 3, note class results given by the demonstrator and use class results to support discussions and responses to questions in the practical report available.
  • Demonstration quiz 1: The quiz will consist of multiple choice questions on sterile production
  • Demonstration quiz 2: The quiz will consist of multiple choice questions on good manufacturing practice.
  • Antibiotic resistance presentation: Students are required to research and present ideas regarding the specific mechanisms by which resistance (actual or potential) may develop against an assigned drug.
  • Antibiotic stewardship assignment: Students are required to design an antimicrobial stewardship program for a hospital or community pharmacy setting
  • Final exam: The final exam will consist of a series of multiple choice and short answer questions. All aspects of the unit of study including lectures and practical classes will be examinable.

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 an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate 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 units 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 units 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 material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work.

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to microbiology and contamination control Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 Sterilisation methods Lecture (2 hr)  
Microbiology 1 Practical (3 hr)  
Week 03 Medically important bacteria & bacterial diseases Lecture (2 hr)  
Microbiology 2 Practical (3 hr)  
Week 04 Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 05 Antibiotics resistance Lecture (2 hr)  
Microbiology 3 Practical (3 hr)  
Week 06 Combination therapy and new antimicrobial drugs Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 07 Antibiotic Stewardship Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 08 Chemical antimicrobial agents Lecture (2 hr)  
Antibiotic Stewardship Workshop Workshop (3 hr)  
Week 09 Antiviral therapy Lecture (2 hr)  
Antibiotic Resistance Workshop 1 Workshop (3 hr)  
Week 10 Antifungal agents Lecture (2 hr)  
Antibiotic Resistance Workshop 2 Workshop (3 hr)  
Week 11 Medically important viruses and viral diseases Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 12 Host defence mechanisms, principles of microbial pathogenicity and epidemiology Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 13 Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)/GMP video demonstration and quiz. Lecture (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Students must attend all practical classes and workshops, complete all pre-work tasks and actively partake in all activities and discussions.

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 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Hugo & Russell’s Pharmaceutical Microbiology (Eighth Edition)

Part 1

 

Russell, Hugo & Ayliffe’s Principles and Practice of Disinfection Preservation & Sterilization (Fifth Edition)

Chapter 15

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.

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

  • LO1. describe and understand organism structures, functions and bio-relationships (in humans and environment) of major microbial groups (e.g. bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa)
  • LO2. for each group, describe the pathological processes of infections in humans
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of processes for preventing infections (e.g. hygiene, infection control processes, antibiotic prophylaxis, antiviral therapy and immunization)
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of managing infections with pharmaceuticals (including ideas of culture and sensitivity, therapeutic decisions, dosage regimens and theory behind therapeutic failure)
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of mechanisms, causes and consequences of antimicrobial drug resistance (in particular the relationship with antimicrobial drug misuse/overuse in humans and in animal husbandry)
  • LO6. demonstrate an understanding of the principles of disinfection, preservation and sterilisation processes
  • LO7. demonstrate an understanding of the sources and potential consequences of contamination in pharmaceutical products
  • LO8. demonstrate an understanding of sterile production and good manufacturing pratice

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

In response to students' feedback in 2019, we have reduced the number of group assigments and rearranged some content.

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.