526-327 Projects: Microbiology

Students who have completed 526-322, 526-323 and/or 526-326 prior to 2004 must contact the coordinators to ensure they are not repeating subject material for which they were previously awarded credit.

Preference will be given to students enrolled in subjects leading to a major in microbiology.

BBiomedSc students must be enrolled in stream 7.

At least one of 526-301, 526-313, 526-302 or 526-314.

Students will carry out experimental work in an area of microbiology selected from topics in medical and general bacteriology, virology, biotechnology and environmental microbiology.

On completion of the subject, students should:

• appreciate the nature of scientific research, including the way in which progress is made and the realities of laboratory-based work;

• be able to work effectively as a team member in a small scientific project;

• be able to keep clear laboratory notes as experiments progress;

• have developed skills in the design, conduct and interpretation of experiments;

• have developed the expertise to critically evaluate experimental proposals and findings; and

• be able to communicate scientific ideas and findings effectively in both oral and written form.

Attendance at practical classes is compulsory. Students must attend at least 80% of the laboratory-based component to be considered for assessment.

Ongoing assessment of laboratory work during the semester (25%); written reports of up to 3000 words due during the semester (60%); a 10-minute oral presentation of project results during the semester (15%). Satisfactory completion of the laboratory work and written reports is necessary to pass the subject.