CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module is part of a pair of modules designed to introduce the concepts of bacteriology, protozoology and virology, with a particular emphasis on microbial pathogens. The course is organized phylogenetically with each lecture or group of lectures studying a particular group of microbes.  

Module provider

School of Biosciences and Medicine

Module Leader

COTTELL Alison (Biosc & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Practical:
• Virus identification and diagnostics

Theoretical:
• Pathogenesis of bacterial infections
• Pathogenesis of parasitic infections
• Pathogenesis of viral infections
• The principles of microbial phylogeny, classification and identification
• Characteristics, physiology and ecology of the major groups of bacteria, protozoa and viruses.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the course content, their ability to use this knowledge to analyse novel situations. The students will also be able to demonstrate their ability to read and critically analyse research papers on cellular microbiology and virology.

The MCQ and EMQ tests are designed to allow students to demonstrate knowledge gained and their competence to use that knowledge creatively to assess novel situations. The tests also allow the students to demonstrate the understanding of the principles of practical virology and their critical skills in analysing research papers.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

3 x MCQ/EMQ tests to be completed during the lecture course:

Gram-negative bacteria: 28 MCQ and 5 EMQ questions, 33%, week 8.

Gram-positive bacteria and protozoa: 28 MCQ and 5 EMQ questions, 33%, week 11.

Virology: 29 MCQ and 5 EMQ  questions, 34%, week 15.

Formative assessment and feedback

MCQ tests available on SurreyLearn  Exam feedback/tutorial  sessions gives verbal formative feedback on MCQ tests.

Module aims

• To provide an introduction to the principles and techniques of bacteriology and virology
• To provide an introduction to protozoan evolution and development
• To provide an introduction to the molecular basis of bacterial phylogeny and the bacterial genome
• To provide an introduction to the modern classification of protozoan organisms and animal viruses and the major classes of protozoa and viruses
• To describe the structural, physiological, biochemical and genetic characteristics of the major groups of bacteria and animal viruses
• To describe the diseases caused by bacteria and protozoa
• To examine virulence mechanisms in pathogenic bacteria and protozoa
• To examine the role and effects of bacteria and protozoa in the environment
• To understand the nature of viruses and the differences between these agents and other microbes

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Provide an understanding of the biological characteristics of the major of bacteria, viruses and protozoa


• Provide understanding, with specific examples, of how each group of microbes causes disease.


• Allow overlapping microbial strategies and immunopathogenesis to be highlighted within groups of pathogens by delivering lectures for whole days on these groups (bacterial, viral etc)


• Allow the build-up of transferable laboratory skills in virology.


• Enable students to highlight areas that require further explanation or clarification during tutorials.


• Provide rapid feedback of results from MCQ tests so students can identify problem areas and seek help, if necessary, to overcome them before the next test. 

• Lectures


• Practical sessions


• Formative MCQ tests delivered via SurreyLearn


• Summative MCQ tests


• Revision/tutorial/test feedback sessions

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS2037

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.