BIO4103 Infectious Diseases 1

BIO	4103	75140	1, 2008	ONC	Infectious Diseases 1	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOSCI
Academic org:	FOS002
Student contribution band:	2
ASCED code:	010913

Staffing
Requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Michael Kotiw
Moderator: John Dearnaley

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: BIO2205 or equivalent

RATIONALE

This is a theory only course of study. The aim of the course is to enhance the student's understanding of medical bacteriology at an advanced level as well as provide training in research methodology. This requires a detailed knowledge of the mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis from a classical and molecular perspective. Detailed analysis of specific disease syndromes, together with discussion of relevant diagnostic and therapeutic options will enable the student to integrate these different fields of study and will enhance their capacity to make critical and informed judgements in a professional setting. The course also aims to provide training and experience in research methodology so as to provide a platform for candidates wishing to undertake studies for higher degrees by research.

SYNOPSIS

The course focuses on the nature, diagnosis and control of diseases in humans caused by bacteria with an emphasis on enhancing the student's understanding of bacterial pathogenesis at the molecular level. Areas of specific emphasis include the nature of bacterial virulence factors, antibacterial therapy and mechanisms of resistance, paradigms in microbe/host interactions and a system approach to clinical infectious disease syndromes. Students will undertake research methods training by completing an Investigative Research report.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.: give an overview of examples of major clinical diseases due to infections by bacteria (All assessments);
2.: demonstrate an understanding of methods available for the diagnosis and characterisation of bacterial infections (All assessments);
3.: give an overview of the human immunological defences against microbial infection (All assessments);
4.: demonstrate an understanding of bacterial virulence factors (All assessments);
5.: demonstrate an understanding of the nature, mechanisms of activity, appropriate use and limitations of antibacterial chemotherapeutic agents (All assessments);
6.: demonstrate an understanding of how bacteria become resistant to chemotherapeutic agents (All assessments);
7.: demonstrate an understanding through case studies, paradigms in host/bacteria interactions (All assessments);
8.: demonstrate an understanding of the nature, diagnosis and options for management of specified infectious disease syndromes (All assessments);
9.: undertake research methods training by completing an Investigative Research report (Investigative Report).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Overview of medical microbiology	8.00
2.	Overview of medically important bacterial infections	8.00
3.	Fundamentals of diagnosis and characterisation of bacterial pathogens: conventional approaches to characterisation of bacterial agents; determining colonisation vs infection; advances in characterisation of bacterial agents - PCR, Probes, RFLPS	8.00
4.	Fundamentals of the human immune response to infectious agents: cells of the immune system; the specific and non specific defence mechanisms; humoral immunity; cell mediated immunity; integration of the immune response	24.00
5.	Bacterial virulence factors: colonisation; invasive attributes; evasion mechanisms; exotoxins; virulence gene control; pathogenicity islands	12.00
6.	Bacterial control: antibiotics and therapeutics	12.00
7.	Case studies in host/bacterial interactions	12.00
8.	Infectious syndromes: gastric and duodenal ulcer; endotoxaemia; ischaemia/reperfusion and endotoxic shock	16.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Kotiw, M 2008, Introductory Booklet: course BIO3317 Medical Microbiology, USQ Publications, Toowoomba.

Salyers AA & Whitt DD 2002, Bacterial pathogenesis: a molecular approach, 2nd edn, ASM Press, Washington.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Alberts B et al 2002, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th edn, Garland, New York.

Coico R, Sunshine G & Benjamani E 2003, Immunology: A Short Course, 5th edn, Wiley, New York.

Mandell GL et al 2005, Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 6th edn, Churchill Livingstone, New York, vol 1&2.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Examinations	2.00
Lectures	26.00
Private Study	131.00
Tutorials	13.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description		Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT/S		100.00	70.00	03 Mar 2008	(see note 1)
2 HOUR CLOSED EXAMINATION		100.00	30.00	END S1	(see note 2)

NOTES

1.: Examiner to advise the due dates for the Investigative Report/s. Details of the requirements for the Investigative Report will be provided by the examiner in the Medical Microbiology 1 Course Handbook 2008.
2.: Examination dates will be available during the Semester.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course).
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit reports after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
In a Closed Examination, candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will, unless otherwise arranged with the examiner, be held during the Semester 3 examination period following this offering of the course.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

This version produced 28 Aug 2009.