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MI5071 - Molecular Analysis of Tropical Microbes

Credit points:	3
Year:	2023
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	College of Public Health, Medical and Vet Sciences

The subject will be available by permission of the subject coordinator

This is a vocationally oriented subject aimed at providing practical training for students and future professionals with a microbial research and/or diagnostic focus. The subject introduces the molecular techniques with respect to microbial epidemiology and analysis. It covers both underlying theory and practical application. Areas that the student will be exposed to include quality assurance and measures of error, pipette maintenance, genetic techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, PCR and cloning and computer assisted analytical techniques such as primer design, sequence and SNP analysis, whole genome and next generation sequencing, database searches, testing the validity and robustness of phylogenetic data and identification of markers of microbial pathogenicity and virulence.

Learning Outcomes

Apply the provided theoretical knowledge to practical applications;
Explain causes of erroneous results and offer solutions;
Integrate tools for microbial epidemiology, databases and tree analyses to make hypotheses based on problem data;
Demonstrate a working knowledge of sequence databases and appropriate tools for interrogating and analysing these databases;
Contribute in teams to identify the basic components of the various molecular kits, describe the function of these components and successfully utilise these kits.

Subject Assessment

Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (50%) - Individual
Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (10%) - Individual
Performance/Practice/Product > Scenario-based learning activity - (40%) - Individual.

Special Assessment Requirements

Participate and complete any required assessment in at least 90% of the practical classes. Must achieve an overall mark of >50%.

Assumed Knowledge:	Students should enter the subject with an understanding of genomic structure, DNA replication mechanisms and microbial diversity
Prerequisites:	(3 CP OF LEVEL 2 MI) AND (3 CP OF LEVEL 2 BC) or equivalent

Availabilities
Townsville, Study Period 7, Intensive
Census Date 06-Jul-2023
Face to face teaching 19-Jun-2023 to 30-Jun-2023
Coordinator:	Dr Jenny Elliman
Lecturers:	Dr Jenny Elliman, Professor Bruce Gummow, Dr Helma Antony, Dr Sarah-Jane Wilson, Ms Mollie Coad, Assoc. Professor Paul Horwood.
Workload expectations:	The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours. 25 hours lectures - 2.5 hours per AM session over 10 days 25 hours workshops - 5 hours per day during Week 2 (Mon-Fri) 25 hours specialised - 5 hours per day during Week 1 (Mon-Fri) assessment and self-directed study