This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2024-2025 (archived)

Module BIOL2431: MICROBIOLOGY

Department: Biosciences

BIOL2431: MICROBIOLOGY

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	2	20	Available in 2024/2025		Durham

Pre-requisites

Level 1 Molecules and Cells (BIOL1281); Level 1 Genetics (BIOL1171).

Corequisites

At least one other Level 2 Biological Sciences module.

Excluded Combinations

None.

Aims

To survey the range of microorganisms with emphasis on viruses and bacteria with roles in human disease.
To describe the culture and characterisation of microorganisms.
To explore features of microorganisms that are causative in the establishment of human diseases.

Content

An introduction to bacteria; structure and function.
Viruses.
Molecular medical microbiology.
Control of microbes.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Knowledge of general microbiology at an intermediate level.
Knowledge of the importance of microorganisms in the environmen and in disease.
Knowledge of the molecular basis of disease caused by microorganisms.
Knowledge of pathogen immune evasion and antibiotic resistance.

Subject-specific Skills

Understanding of practical techniques used in identifying and characterising bacteria.
Understanding of practical techniques used in culturing microorganisms, and determining effects of antibiotics.

Key Skills

Numeracy, in data analysis, and calculations involved in data handling.
Communication skills, using the written word and graphics, involved in microbiology practical reports.
Team work.
Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
Workshops reinforce subject-specific knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
Practical Exercises allow students to utilise subject-specific knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
Tutorials give enhancement of the student learning experience, supporting attainment of all learning outcomes.
Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
Practical Exercises are based on subject-specific knowledge and demonstrate subject-specific skills in understanding experimental work and data analysis.
Problem Exercises (Data Handling) demonstrate subject-specific skills in data handling and key skills in numeracy applied to microbiology.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Lectures	24	Weekly	2 hours p/w	24
Practical Exercises	3	1-2 per term	4 hours	12	Yes
Tutorials	2	1 per term	1 hour	2	Yes
Workshops	4	2 per term	1 hour	4	Yes
Preparation & Reading				158
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Continuous Assessment	100%	Research Communication		50%	Yes
Continuous Assessment	100%	Analytical Exercise		50%	Yes

Formative Assessment

Formative assessments will be provided to develop the skills for each summative assessment as appropriate.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.