Course overview
This course is an introduction to microbiology that provides a strong grounding in fundamental aspects of the basic biology of bacteria and bacterial viruses as well as aspects of molecular biology and genetics. Emphasis is placed on biotechnological applications of bacteria such as the cloning of bacterial genes, expression of recombinant proteins for therapeutic and industrial uses and development of biological control agents. Topics covered include introduction to microorganisms and their environment, microbial structure and function; microbial molecular biology and genetics; bacterial viruses; new and emerging pathogens of humans and other animals; mechanisms by which micro-organisms cause disease in plants and animals; biotechnological applications of bacteria.
PRACTICAL COMPONENT worth 20% of the grade:
Students enrolled in this course will need to also enrol in a separate course which is the practical component (one of SCIENCE 2100 or SCIENCE 2101 or SCIENCE 2102). To determine which practical to enrol into you are required to read the document on:
https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/_Uz1C6XQRzUrWmVENcpfLU55ka5?domain=adelaide.edu.au
Course learning outcomes
- Identify bacterial cell structures and describe their function in growth and/or survival
- List factors affecting bacterial growth and describe how they are used diagnostically
- Identify elements of a bacterial gene and describe effects of point mutations on gene expression
- Summarise mechanisms of bacterial DNA exchange, including the nature and role of bacteriophage
- Describe the nature and role of virulence factors involved in host-pathogen interactions and disease
- An appreciation of the practice of microbiology