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Unit outline_

PHAR5712: Pharmaceutical Microbiology

Semester 1, 2023 [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, 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
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
MCQ and short answer questions
60% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Participation Microbiology pre-lab/virtual lab tasks and participation
Participation
0% Multiple weeks N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO8 LO7 LO6
Online task Demonstration quiz 1
MCQ
5% Week 05 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO8 LO7
Assignment Microbiology report
Report
10% Week 06
Due date: 31 Mar 2023 at 17:00
5 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Antibiotic stewardship assignment
Written task
10% Week 08
Due date: 21 Apr 2023 at 17:00
3 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
Assignment Antibiotic Resistance Workshop Report
Report
10% Week 09
Due date: 28 Apr 2023 at 17:00
1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5
Online task Demonstration quiz 2
MCQ
5% Week 13 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO7 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

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 practical labs and workshops for students repeating PHAR5712 will not be granted.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (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
Multiple weeks Antibiotic Resistance Workshop 1 Workshop (3 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 01 Introduction to microbiology and contamination control Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 02 Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO5
Microbiology 1 Practical (3 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Sterilisation methods Lecture (2 hr) LO8
Microbiology 2 Practical (3 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Antibiotics resistance Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO5
Microbiology 3 Practical (3 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Combination therapy & new antimicrobial drugs Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 06 Antimicrobial Stewardship Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO5
Antibiotic Stewardship Workshop Workshop (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 07 Chemical antimicrobial agents Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 08 Antifungal agents Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 09 Medically important viruses and viral diseases Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Antibiotic Resistance Workshop 2 Workshop (3 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 10 Antivirals Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 11 Host defence mechanisms, principles of microbial pathogenicity and epidemiology Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 12 Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Lecture (2 hr) LO8
Weekly Learn independently, including completing prework, assignment and reports Independent study (16.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

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 Canvas. 

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 laboratory / workshop / placement will be marked as unprofessional, which is a component of the class participation and professionalism assessment. Students swapping a class without prior approval from the UoS co-ordinator will be marked as unprofessional.

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.

Thank you very much for taking the time to provide us with your constructive feedback. I appreciate your positive comments and I am so delighted that you enjoyed this unit. I would like to congratulate you all on your completion. I would like to emphasise that your feedback matters! We will explore different ways to make our lectures even more engaging. Thanks again for your valuable feedback. Wishing you the best luck for your study.

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.