Unit rationale, description and aim

An understanding of medically important microorganisms and host immune responses is important for addressing challenges associated with infectious disease. This unit introduces students to microorganisms relevant to medicine, with a focus on their structure, function, and roles in health and disease. Students will explore the diversity of pathogenic microorganisms — including bacteria, viruses, protozoans, helminths, and fungi — and examine their cellular biology, growth and nutrition, metabolism, and basic genetics. The immune response to selected pathogens will be investigated including discussion of innate and adaptive systems and their responses to infection. Appropriate interventions and basic epidemiological principles essential for understanding infection control will also be addressed. This unit aims to develop an understanding of infectious diseases and their management in medical contexts. 

2026 10

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  • Semester 2Campus Attendance
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  • Semester 2Campus Attendance
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  • Semester 2Campus Attendance

Prerequisites

BIOL123 Cells and Tissues - the Fabric of Life OR BIOL125 Human Biology 1

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Describe the diversity of microorganisms including...

Learning Outcome 01

Describe the diversity of microorganisms including their structure, function, growth and metabolism
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8

Explain the methods used to control and prevent in...

Learning Outcome 02

Explain the methods used to control and prevent infections in clinical and community settings
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8

Explain how the innate and adaptive immune systems...

Learning Outcome 03

Explain how the innate and adaptive immune systems respond to infection
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8

Analyse the mechanisms used to manipulate the immu...

Learning Outcome 04

Analyse the mechanisms used to manipulate the immune system
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8

Appraise the application of practical microbiologi...

Learning Outcome 05

Appraise the application of practical microbiological and immunological technique
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8

Content

Topics will include:

  • Foundations of microbiology
  • Genomics, genetics and virology
  • Metabolic and microbial diversity 
  • Microbial interactions with humans 
  • Immunity: Immune mechanisms and molecular immunology 
  • Control and prevention of infectious diseases and immunological disorders 
  • Microbiology and immunology laboratory skills and interpretation 


Assessment strategy and rationale

To pass the unit, students must demonstrate that they have achieved each learning outcome and obtained a total mark of 50% in the unit as the minimum standard. A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate capabilities.

Assessment One: Three quizzes, which are designed to evaluate acquisition and integration of foundational concepts in microbiology and immunology

Assessment Two: This task evaluates students’ abilities to perform core microbiological and immunological techniques within the laboratory setting. Students will also be required to analyse and interpret experimental data and apply this to real-world medical and infection control contexts. 

Assessment Three: A final examination which assesses understanding and application of microbiologic and immunological concepts in human health and disease.

Overview of assessments

Assessment task 1 - Three quizzes Students are r...

Assessment task 1 - Three quizzes

Students are required to demonstrate knowledge of principles of microbiology and immunology. 

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8

Assessment task 2 - Practical and analytical task...

Assessment task 2 - Practical and analytical task

Students are required to demonstrate routine microbiological and immunological techniques as well as interpret experimental results. 

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO5
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8

Assessment 3 - Final examination Students are re...

Assessment 3 - Final examination

Students are required to apply their knowledge and understanding of microbiology and immunology in the context of human health and disease. 

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit will be presented via lectures, laboratory practical classes and tutorials. Lectures are designed to deliver core discipline knowledge enabling students to develop an understanding of the unit's material. Practical classes will provide an opportunity for students to learn and practice their skills in routine laboratory techniques relevant to working safely with microorganisms and immunological assays, including developing critical thinking skills to interpret experimental results. Tutorials will be used to consolidate learning and highlight relevant biomedical applications through the use case studies and problem-based learning activities. Active participation and questioning are encouraged in all class formats.  

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Biggs, J. B. and Tang, C. (2011). Teaching for Quality Learning at University: What the Student Does. (4th ed.). Berkshire, England: Open International Publishing. 

Bremner, N. (2021). The multiple meanings of “student-centred” or “learner-centred” education, and the case for a more flexible approach to defining it. Comparative Education, 57(2), 159–186. https://doi.org/10.1080/03050068.2020.1805863

Chin‑Hong, P., Joyce, E. A., Karandikar, M., Matloubian, M., Rubio, L. A., Schwartz, B. S., & Levinson, W. E. (2024). Levinson’s review of medical microbiology and immunology: A guide to clinical infectious diseases (18th ed.). McGraw‑Hill Education.  

Delves, P. J., Martin, S. J., Burton, D. R., & Roitt, I. M. (2017). Roitt’s essential immunology (13th ed.). Wiley‑Blackwell.  

Engleberg, N. C., DiRita, V., & Dermody, T. (Eds.). (2021). Schaechter’s mechanisms of microbial disease (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health. [ISBN: 9781975151485]  

Goering, R., Dockrell, H. M., Zuckerman, M., & Chiodini, P. L. (2024). Mims’ medical microbiology and immunology (7th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.  

Knowles, M. (2015). New perspectives on andragogy. In E. Holton & R. Swanson (Eds.), The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development (8th ed., pp. 169–187). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315816951

Madigan, M. T., Aiyer, J., Buckley, D. H., Sattley, W. M., & Stahl, D. A. (2021). Brock biology of microorganisms (16th ed., Global Ed.). Pearson Education, Limited.  

Mahon, C. R., & Lehman, D. C. (2023). Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology (7th ed.). Elsevier. 

Meyers, N., & Nulty, D. (2009). How to use (five) curriculum design principles to align authentic learning environments, assessment, students’ approaches to thinking and learning outcomes. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 34(5), 565–577. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930802226502

Murphy, K. M., & Weaver, C. (Eds.). (2017). Janeway’s immunobiology (9th ed.; with contributions by A. Mowat, L. Berg, D. Chaplin; acknowledgment to C. A. Janeway Jr., P. Travers, & M. Walport). Garland Science.  

Tortora, G. J., Funke, B. R., Case, C. L., Bair, W. B., & Weber, D. (2024). Microbiology: An introduction (14th ed., Global ed.). Pearson.  

Whitman, W. B. (Ed.). (2015–present). Bergey’s Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria (3rd ed.) [Online resource]. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118960608  

Willey, J. M., Sandman, K. M., & Wood, D. H. (2022). Prescott’s Microbiology (12th ed.). McGraw‑Hill Higher Education. 

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