SLE234 - Microbiology

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Agnes Michalczyk
Prerequisite:

SLE111 or for students enrolled in H300 - SLE111 or HMM102 and HMM103

Corequisite:

SLE010

Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

3 x 1 hour online lectures per week, 6 x 1 hour seminars per trimester, 6 x 3 hour practical experience (laboratory) per trimester and 2 x 2 hour practical experiences (workshops) per trimester.

Content

Microbiology is the study of microscopic unicellular organisms, which are the prokaryotes (such as bacteria), eukaryotes (such as algae) and the viruses. It will cover the study of the structure of microorganisms, how they function, grow and reproduce, the relationship between microorganisms and their environment and the ability of bacterial gene expression to respond to prevailing environmental signals. In this unit, students will explore the history of the discipline of microbiology and the cell structure of prokaryotes, unicellular eukaryotes, and viruses. We will investigate the important role that microorganisms have in human health and disease but also in the environment and how the environment impacts on their ability to grow and divide. The incredible increase in understanding of bacterial genomes will be explored and how this has allowed us to make large strides in medical microbiology, pharmaceutical and industrial biotechnology and food and agricultural microbiology.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Apply foundational microbiology and biology knowledge, including the First Nations knowledge to interpret microbial aspects of life and explain the physical, chemical and biological factors influencing microbial growth, function and reproduction.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO2

Evaluate appropriate scientific principles and techniques to identify unknown bacteria.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO3

Use scientific equipment to prepare and observe bacterial specimens and explain various microbiological parameters observed.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO6: Self-management

ULO4

Describe the biology of bacteria and viruses, their structure and function, and the use of microbiological techniques with an emphasis on the bacterial staining and microscopy and the transfer of genetic information within and between cells.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO5

Evaluate and articulate scientific information in a structured form to describe scientific problems, formulate hypotheses analyse evidence in order to support or oppose the interpretations of findings and conclusions.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week

Assessment 1
Scientific reports

Four scientific reports, 3-4 page maximum each 28% (4 x 7%) Weeks 3, 6, 9 and 11

Assessment 2
Online class test 1

60-minute online test including multiple choice, problem solving and calculations questions (covering the content of class 1-9) 15% Week 4

Assessment 3
Online class test 2

60-minutes online test including multiple choice, problem solving and calculations questions (covering the content of class 10-21) 15% Week 8

Assessment 4
Practical test

90-minute in-class test 22% Week 10 or 11 (depending on campus timetable)
End-of-Unit Assessment Timed online test 20% End-of-Unit Assessment period

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

Prescribed text(s): Martinko, 2021, Brock Biology Of Microorganisms Global Edition, 16th Ed (or 15th Ed), Pearson Education.

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE234 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.