ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module deals with antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy. The molecular basis for the action of antibiotics, antiprotozoal, and antifungal drugs are covered together with the basis for resistance to these agents. Principles of pharmacology will be investigated, together with prescribing practices. Specific pathogens associated with a high level of drug tolerance and resistance are covered in detail. (N.B. Viruses are covered in a separate module).

Module provider

School of Biosciences and Medicine

Module Leader

COTTELL Alison (Biosc & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• General concepts of antimicrobial action and resistance


• Selective toxicity


• Mechanisms of antibiotic action: cell wall inhibitors; inhibitors of ribosome function; antifolates; nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors; antifungal agents; antiprotozoal agents


• Biochemistry and genetics of resistance: intrinsic and acquired resistance; plasmids, transposons and mutations; multiple drug resistance; efflux pumps


• Pharmacological aspects


• Recent developments in methods used to measure antimicrobial sensitivity


• Effect of sub-lethal levels


• Combinations of antibiotics: synergy and antagonism


• Use of antibiotics: antibiotic policy and chemoprophylaxis


• Antibiotic production and discovery


• Examples of notable antimicrobial-resistant microbes such as MRSA; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Plasmodium spp.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• Knowledge and understanding of the action and resistance of the major groups of antimicrobial agents, with reference to specific named examples


• Ability to describe antimicrobial resistance in specific microbes


• Ability to describe and evaluate laboratory methods for measuring antimicrobial sensitivity


• A sound understanding of principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics


• Ability to critically evaluate how prescribing policies are developed to control usage of antimicrobials


• Knowledge and understanding of the way in which new antimicrobials are developed and tested
  Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
  


• Essay / case study exercise (to be submitted in week 11)


• Two-hour exam: four answers from  a choice of six questions)

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative assessment is integral to this module and will be provided in lectures by using questions and discussions throughout.  

Students received verbal feedback during lectures. Finally feedback is provided by extensive annotation of exam papers and an open-door afternoon post-exam to look at marked papers with students.

 

 

Module aims

• • Cover the molecular basis for the action of antimicrobial drugs together with the molecular basis for tolerance and resistance to these agents
• • Study specific pathogens that are associated with antibiotic resistance
• • Describe methods used to measure and evaluate antimicrobial sensitivity
• • Enable understanding of the interaction between host, pathogen, and drug, as defined by pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
• • Explain and discuss antimicrobial prescribing policies with reference to the different spectra of antimicrobials, and strategies to control antimicrobial use in order to minimise the development of resistance
• • Consider new approaches to the treatment of infectious disease

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Consolidate fundamental concepts of antimicrobial chemotherapy by inviting specialist experts to give lectures. A deep understanding of the subject is fostered by the data analysis exercise.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• This module is primarily delivered as a lecture programme (approximately 23 hours), complemented with problem-solving and data analysis exercises ; class discussions (3 h), and laboratory practical classes  (4 h).

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: MMIM031

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.