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Unit Code: PHM512

Unit Name: Microbiology

Description: This course is designed to provide learning opportunities in the basic principles of medical microbiology and infectious diseases. It covers the biology of bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic pathogens and the diseases they cause. It also cover mechanism of infectious diseases transmission, the principle of aseptic practices and role of human body\'s normal microflora. This course provides the conceptual basis for understanding pathogenic microorganism and the mechanism by which they cause disease in human body. It also provides opportunities to develop informatics and diagnostic skills including the use and interpretation of laboratory test for diagnosis of infectious diseases. This course also provides treatment options, complications and prevention of infectious diseases.

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, the students will be able to: 1. Describe the major characteristics of bacteria, virus fungi, protozoa and helminthes, compare and contrast the major characteristics of them and classify them according to the system of scientific nomenclature and the relationship between humans as hosts and parasites and describe the role of normal flora in human body. 2. Discuss the biology and functions of the immune response with relation to the non-specific and specific defence mechanisms, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity and the roles of the different types of vaccine in preventing infectious diseases. 3. Discuss the different groups of antimicrobials, their mechanism of action, indications, side effects and their mechanism of resistance. 4. Discuss the different microbes responsible for various infectious diseases, their modes of transmission, and the mechanisms by which they cause infections, clinical features, laboratory diagnosis, treatment and prevention. 5. Discuss different methods of sterilization, disinfection and antisepsis, their modes of action and application.

Prerequisite: Pass in Year 13 examination (or equivalent) and as per Minimum Entry Requirement (MER).

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 15

Offered In: Semester 2