mic3am advanced microbiology
ADVANCED MICROBIOLOGY
MIC3AM
2016
Credit points: 30
Subject outline
This subject comprises components of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Microbial Genetics, and Microbial Cell Biology. Applied and Environmental Microbiology covers microbial processes in the environment and their application in relevant situations. The Microbial Genetics section focusses on the control of gene expression in prokaryotes. The Microbial Cell Biology component deals with how prokaryotes and eukaryotes process information in signal transduction. The accompanying laboratory classes provide the opportunity to complete a capstone experience, comprising an ongoing laboratory program directly linked to the lecture topics, and in conjunction with this, an independent research project of particular interest to the students. The capstone experience focuses on the professional skills and competencies expected from a working microbiologist: working collaboratively in a team, formulating hypotheses, designing and performing experiments, analysing data and communicating results.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points30
Subject Co-ordinatorAnna Morris
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites (MIC2IM/MIC2MI or AGR3ANH/AGR3ANI/AGR3AH) and (MIC2MMV/MIC2MVM), except for Bachelor of Biomedical sciences students who have passed MIC2MVM/MIC2MMV.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects MIC3EPM
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Explain the use of culture and non-culture techniques in the study of microbial processes in the environment, and demonstrate integrated understanding of microbial processes in the environment and how these processes can be applied in real world scenarios.
- Activities:
- Lectures provide details on concepts in applied environmental microbiology, which will be complemented by laboratory sessions to reinforce, and give applied knowledge, on key concepts in the subject and direct hands-on experience of culturing and working with microorganisms. A final exam (2hrs) requires students to write short answer/essay style answers to scenario style questions related to environmental microbiology. Students also work on a short communication in a group following completion of the practical exercise.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Understand concepts of microbial genetics (gene expression, regulation and plasmid biology) and microbial cell biology (e. g. movement signalling pathways, motility, microbial models used to understand cell division) and their importance in areas as diverse as biomedicine, agriculture and ecology.
- Activities:
- Lectures provide details on microbial genetics and microbial cell biology and laboratory sessions enable experiments to be conducted that illustrate the concepts. A final exam (3hrs) requires students to write short answer/essay style answers to scenario style questions related to microbial genetics and microbial cell biology.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Use key microbiological techniques to manipulate microorganisms for experiments in the laboratory, record and analyse data, and interpretation and communication of results. Students also work in a team to design and implement a microbiological research proposal in a timely manner.
- Activities:
- Students are instructed on new techniques in the laboratory setting and concepts from lectures are reinforced. The third year laboratory is an 'open' laboratory and students have access outside of formal practical session times to complete experiments and prepare materials/cultures for upcoming sessions. Records of experiments are made in laboratory note books. Analysis of the results of applied and environmental microbiological experiments are presented in the form of a journal style article. Students present information on the various key microbiological and cell biology techniques that they have used in the laboratory in form of an individual workbook or a test. Students also present results of their own research proposal in the form of a poster.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Work in a team to design and implement a microbiological research proposal in a timely manner
- Activities:
- Work in a team to design and implement a microbiological research proposal in a timely manner
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2016, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment size150
Enrolment information Laboratory space Enrolment will be based on individual academic performance in first and second years, particularly in MIC2IM / MIC2MI and MIC2MVM / MIC2MMV.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorAnna Morris
Class requirements
Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 31 - 43
Two 1.0 hours lecture/workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Four 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Laboratory ClassWeek: 31 - 43
Two 2.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written test - 1hr | 10 | 02, 03 | |
| Journal style article (500 words per student) (teamwork) 2% team contribution, 8% team submission | 10 | 01, 03 | |
| One 2-hour written exam (end of semester) | 20 | 01, 02 | |
| One 3-hour written exam (end of semester) | Optional : Alternative in-lecture assessment in place of one question for each of Genetics and Microbial Cell Biology sections will be offered. | 40 | 01, 02 |
| Workbook (1,000 words per student) | 10 | 02, 03 | |
| Research Project (500 words per student) (Poster Presentation) 2% team contribution, 8% team poster | 10 | 03, 04 |