MICROBIOLOGY

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr P Cash

Pre-requisites

BI 20M3, BI 25M5

Notes

BI 2002 strongly recommended as Pre-requisite.

Overview

This course presents molecular approaches in current experimental microbiology. Areas covered include molecular mechanisms of adaptations to the environment, including pathogenesis and interactions with other cells; evolutionary relationships among microbes; signal transduction, differentiation and secondary metabolism; measurement of microbial processes and models; microbial communities.

Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on direct relevance of these topics to current problems in medicine, agriculture, food and related industries.

Structure

3 one-hour lectures per week and 1 full day practical per week for the first 8 weeks of the course. 3 two-hour tutorials to be arranged at intervals during the course.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour essay examination (65%) and in-course assessment (35%).

Continuous assessment comprises: 1 laboratory report, 1 essay (1,500 words)

Resit: 1 three-hour essay examination (65%) and previous continuous assessment (35%).

Formative Assessment

Two PRS-based revision sessions allow students to answer MCQ questions on all aspects of the course.

Informal questions presented associated with lecture blocks.

Feedback

Practical reports and essays will be marked with written comments.

Students are given general feedback on performance during PRS revision sessions.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr B Muller

Pre-requisites

MC 3504, MB 3006 and BC 3503 or IM 3501.

Co-requisites

MC 4514, MB 4050.

Overview

Microbiology Option 1 - Host-Microbe Interactions: Fungal colonisation and disease progression in humans or animal models, adaptation to changes in environment, host recognition and immune response, strategies for antifungal therapies. Plant-pathogen interactions, plant responses to fungal and oomycte infections. Viral-host interactions, and disease.

Microbiology Option 2 - Evolution of Microbial Pathogenesis: Identification of pathogenic bacteria, molecular mechanisms of evolution of pathogenesis in bacteria and fungi, Genome wide sequence comparisons to study evolution and pathogenesis.

Additional insight into fundamental aspects of Microbiology will be achieved by independently researching and writing two essays.

Structure

This course consists of two modules with 15 hours of contact time each, in the form of lectures, tutorials and seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written paper (66.7%) and in-course assessment (33.3%) in the form of two essays (200 words).

Formative Assessment

- Mock exam with personal tutor allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.
- Case-study exercise with feedback in preparation for summative assessments.
- Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen.
- Problem-solving sessions with personal tutor.

Feedback

- Essays will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Comments will be provided on the mock exam question.
- Feedback on problem-based learning exercise.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr Berndt Mueller

Pre-requisites

MC 3504, MB 3006, BC 3503.

Co-requisites

MC 4515, MB 4050.

Overview

Biochemistry Option 1- Receptors and Cell Signalling: the structural and functional features of the different families of membrane bound receptors important for human development and health will be discussed and the cell signalling pathways of some of these will be covered in detail. The mechanism of action of members of the nuclear receptor superfamily will be discussed as well.

Microbiology Option 1 - Host-Microbe Interactions: fungal colonisation and disease progression in humans or animal models, adaptation to changes in environment, host recognition and immune response, strategies for antifungal therapies. Plant-pathogen interactions, plant responses to fungal and oomycte infections. Viral-host interactions, and disease.

Additional insight into further fundamental aspects of Molecular Microbiology will be achieved by independently researching and writing two essays.

Structure

This course consists of two modules with 15 hours of contact time each, in the form of lectures, tutorials and seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written paper (66.7%), in-course assessment consisting of two essays (2000 words) (33.3%).

Formative Assessment

- Mock exam with personal tutor allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.
- Case-study exercise with feedback in preparation for summative assessments.
- Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen.
- Problem-solving sessions with personal tutor.

Feedback

- Essays will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Comments will be provided on the mock exam question.
- Feedback on problem-based learning exercise.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Professor K Docherty

Pre-requisites

MB 3006, MC 3504 and BC 3503 or IM 3501.

Co-requisites

MC 4012, MB 4050

Overview

The core element of the course is a research project that involves 10 weeks laboratory work and production of a thesis. Assessment is on the basis of the performance in the laboratory, the thesis, and the project seminar. Two research tutorials will be organised by academic staff and will be assessed by examination at the end of the Semester. Tutorials will be held at regular intervals with the tutor appointed by the course co-ordinator.

Structure

Research project: 10 weeks with minimum of 6 hours per day, 4 days a week in laboratory.
Two research tutorials: 4 hours.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 two-hour examinations (2 elements each) and 1 four-hour examination (3 elements) (63.6%); in-course assessment (36.4%) consisting of: Laboratory work (1 element); Honours thesis (2 elements) (5,000 words) and Thesis defence (1 element).

Formative Assessment

- Practice oral presentations of research data.
- Mock exam allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.
- Practice exam essay allows students to write under exam conditions and receive feedback on their performance.
- Problem-solving sessions with personal tutor.

Feedback

- Practical reports and essays will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed with personal tutor.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Written comments will be provided on the mock exam question.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Professor K Docherty

Pre-requisites

MB 3006, MC 3504 and BC 3503.

Co-requisites

MC 4013, MB 4050

Overview

The core element of the course is a research project that involves 10 weeks laboratory work and production of a thesis. Assessment is on the basis of the performance in the laboratory, the thesis, and the project seminar. Two research tutorials will be organised by academic staff and will be assessed by examination at the end of the Semester. Tutorials will be held at regular intervals with the tutor appointed by the course coordinator.

Structure

Research project: 10 weeks with minimum of 6 hours per day, 4 days a week in laboratory.
Two research tutorials: 4 hours.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 two-hour examinations (2 elements each) and 1 four-hour examination (3 elements) (63.6%); in-course assessment (36.4%) consisting of: Laboratory work (1 element); Honours thesis (2 elements) (5,000 words) and Thesis defence (1 element).

Formative Assessment

- Practice oral presentations of research data.
- Mock exam allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.
- Practice exam essay allows students to write under exam conditions and receive feedback on their performance.
- Problem-solving sessions.

Feedback

- Practical reports and essays will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Written comments will be provided on the mock exam question.