526-321 Molecular Microbiology Techniques

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Microbiology and immunology 526-201 and 526-221.

Corequisites

At least one of microbiology and immunology 526-301, 526-307, 526-311.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Upon completion of the course, students should have:

• understood the principles and procedures involved in the culture, isolation and identification of microorganisms (particularly those of medical and environmental importance) based on principles of microbial physiology;

• gained expertise in retrieving published scientific data using computer searches and library facilities (e.g. Medline); and

• used molecular microbiological techniques and bioinformatics (e.g. DNA and rRNA sequences) to identify microorganisms, infer evolutionary relationships, and/or to identify potential targets for drug therapy.

This subject covers various aspects of practical microbiology including conventional isolation and identification methods and molecular microbiology techniques. Each student will do a series of short experimental exercises and write up the results for assessment.

Assessment

Weekly written reports of laboratory work completed totalling no more than 3000 words (50%) and a 2-hour written examination at the end of semester (50%).