Outline

Overview

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, antivirals, 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
Lecturer(s)	Hien Duong, hien.duong@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final exam MCQ and short answer questions	60%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Microbiology pre-lab/virtual lab tasks and participation Participation	0%	Multiple weeks	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Demonstration quiz 1 MCQ	5%	Week 05	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Microbiology report Report	5%	Week 06	5 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Antibiotic Resistance Workshop Report Report	15%	Week 09	1 page
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Antibiotic stewardship assignment Written task	10%	Week 09	3 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Demonstration quiz 2 MCQ	5%	Week 13	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = Type B final exam ?

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 report: 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.
Repeating students: Exemption from components (workshop, practical, etc) for students repeating PHAR5712 will only be granted by the MPharm Program Director for students who achieved a grade of Credit (65%) or above for the relevant components in their previous attempt completed no more than three calendar years prior, and the relevant component has not significantly changed since the student completed it. Applications for exemption must be made in writing (which includes email) to the unit of study coordinator. Students who have been granted a component exemption in writing, together with any consequent change in the weighting of the remaining components in the unit of study, cannot attend the classes for that component and will have their overall mark for PHAR5712 based upon their performance in the remaining components in the unit of study. Component marks from a previous attempt will not be carried over. The exemption will not become effective until the student has accepted it in writing. Until this time the student must continue to attend all compulsory classes. If an exemption is accepted, the exempted student is not permitted to attend classes for the component for which they have received the exemption

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.

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	Introduction to microbiology and contamination control	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Microbiology 1	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	Sterilisation methods	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Microbiology 2	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Antibiotics resistance	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Microbiology 3	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Combination therapy and new antimicrobial drugs	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Antibiotic Stewardship	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Chemical antimicrobial agents	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Antibiotic Stewardship Workshop	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	Antifungal agents	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Antibiotic Resistance Workshop 1	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	Medically important viruses and viral diseases	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Antibiotic Resistance Workshop 2	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	Antivirals	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Host defence mechanisms, principles of microbial pathogenicity and epidemiology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: In accordance with the Master of Pharmacy Course resolutions on Attendance Requirements, students must attend a minimum of 85% tutorials/ labs/ workshops (5 of 6 classes) to satisfy attendance requirements for this unit of study. For more information see: https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/medicine_health_PG/coursework_mr/pharmacy.shtml

If a tutorial/ lab/workshop is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration application along with supporting documentation. Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the tutorial/ lab/ workshop will be marked as absent. Students swapping a class without prior approval from the UoS co-ordinator will be marked as absent.”

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

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. 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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

In response to students' feedback in 2020, we rearranged some content for lectures. We understand that students have other assignments due in weeks 11-13 thus antimicrobial stewardship assignment will be moved earlier in the semester.

Additional information

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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PHAR5712: Pharmaceutical Microbiology

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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect