PRACTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL BACTERIOLOGY - 2022/3
Module code: BMS1035
Module Overview
This is a practical module, the aim of which, is to equip students with the key technical skills used in bacteriology and to familiarize them with key diagnostic tests. It also introduces students to a range of medically and environmentally important bacteria and is a key module for the microbiology programs.
Module provider
School of Biosciences
Module Leader
MEHAT Jai (Biosciences)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 4
Module cap (Maximum number of students): 400
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 125
Tutorial Hours: 2
Laboratory Hours: 16
Captured Content: 7
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
n/a
Module content
Indicative content includes:
• Revision of microscopy and aseptic technique
• The Human microflora: skin, mobile phone and dental microbiology
• The Enterobacteriaceae - isolation and characterisation
• Pseudomonads and use of the membrane filtration technique for isolation from swimming pool water
• Vibrios and the use of the Most Probable Number method for enumeration
• Staphylococcus and Micrococcus:
a. Isolation from the body and wound infections
b. Monitoring the microbiological quality of air
• Bacillaceae: The Gram positive spore forming rods
• Antibiotics:
a. Antibiotic production (Actinomycetes and related bacteria)
b. Antimicrobial interaction and testing for antibiotic resistance
• The pathogenic bacteria associated with gastroenteritis
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | COURSEWORK | 60 |
| Practical based assessment | Practical Exam | 40 |
Alternative Assessment
As an alternative for the practical exam there will be an online test covering practical questions
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate: their understanding of the techniques, and ability to physically carry these out, through a practical exam, a written report, and a short online assessment. In addition, students will work in small groups in successive practicals.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Coursework of practical write up/case study-60%
- A practical exam – 40% of total marks
Formative assessment and feedback
A formative practical report proforma, which is not graded, will be completed by the students in the practical session with immediate feedback to inform students on subsequent submission of the full practical write-up. Written feedback will be provided on the coursework.
Module aims
- To re-familiarise students with the techniques of microscopy and the production and handling of pure cultures
- To equip students with a variety of enumeration techniques for isolating important bacteria from water sources
- To familiarise students with basic skills for isolating selected groups of bacteria from different environments
- To familiarise students with basic skills for isolating and identifying pathogenic bacteria in clinical samples
- To provide familiarity with a wide range of commonly used selective and diagnostic media
- To provide an introduction to antibiotic producing organisms and the techniques using to detect antibiotic resistance in a clinical setting
- To provide an opportunity for work in small groups on successive practical sessions
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Set up, interpret, and understand the biochemical background, of a range of diagnostic tests used in the identification of selected groups of bacterial | KCP |
| 002 | Perform a Gram stain and using a microscope interpret its implications for bacterial identification | |
| 003 | Carry out serial dilution and plate counting to estimate numbers of bacteria | KCP |
| 004 | Perform the most probable number (MPN) method for enumerating low numbers of bacteria in water | KCP |
| 005 | Perform the filtration method for enumerating low numbers of bacteria in water | |
| 006 | Perform a number of tests aimed at identifying pathogenic bacteria in clinical samples | |
| 007 | Apply knowledge of comparative structures and biochemical pathways to identify major groups of Gram negative bacteria including members of the Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas and Vibrio. | KCP |
| 008 | Apply knowledge of comparative structures and biochemical pathways to distinguish between major groups of Gram positive bacteria including: Bacillus, Clostridia, Staphylococcus and Micrococcus | KCP |
| 009 | Consider the role of antibiotics and in driving selection of resistant variants of bacteria, and understand the techniques used to identify resistance to antibiotics and interpret the results of such tests | KCP |
| 010 | Work in small groups towards a single goal | T |
| 011 | Retrieve information from the internet and other resources | T |
| 012 | Isolate, enumerate and identify of a range of important of micro-organisms | KP |
| 013 | Be able to perform a variety of microscopy techniques | KPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: equip students with the essential practical skills, and provide them with the background knowledge required for bacteriology. Through practical and hands-on experience it is also designed to familiarize them with important groups of bacteria.
The learning and teaching methods include: hands-on and direct practical experience of the techniques and bacteria (3hr practicals x 10). Student understanding is assessed and reinforced through practical write ups and feedback, and via short online assessments. Working in pairs, the students also get the opportunity to work together on successive linked praticals.
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: BMS1035
Other information
This module has a capped number and may not be available to ERASMUS and other international exchange students. Please check with the International Engagement Office email: ieo.incoming@surrey.ac.uk
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microbiology BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biomedical Science MSci (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biochemistry BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate of 40% overall and a pass on the pass/fail unit of assessment is required to pass the module |
| Biochemistry MSci (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate of 40% overall and a pass on the pass/fail unit of assessment is required to pass the module |
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 2022/3 academic year.