MIC2011 Microbiology foundations and global applications
Faculty of Science
MIC2011 Microbiology foundations and global applications is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 7 units, leading on to 9 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 20%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 12 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
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Requisites
Before MIC2011
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After MIC2011
7 units list MIC2011 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
- BTH3722Medical microbiologyNo reviews yet
- BTH3732Environmental microbiologyNo reviews yet
- FST3711Food and industrial microbiologyNo reviews yet
- FST3820Food preservationNo reviews yet
- MIC2022Microbes in health and diseaseNo reviews yet
- MIC3011Molecular microbiologyNo reviews yet
- MIC3022Molecular virology and viral pathogenesisNo reviews yet
Overview
Microbes are fundamental for both our survival and planetary health. In this unit you will gain a strong foundation in microbiology and microbial genetics, and relate this to the numerous ways in which microbes affect us and our planet. You will learn how microbiology can help solve some of the key global challenges of our time across the areas of health, environment, climate change, food production and biotechnology. You will gain work ready skills and learn how to operate safely in a specialised biosafety level 2 (PC2) laboratory. Core laboratory skills essential for practicing microbiologists will be developed and applied to real-world scenarios, including aseptic technique, safe handling of microbes, microbial detection and identification, staining and microscopy. This unit provides an excellent introduction to the field for all those interested in how microbes impact our lives and seeking to apply microbiology to safeguard our future.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In semester assessmentProjectThreshold hurdle60%
- Theme testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle20%
- Final assessment - Exam (1 hours and 40 minutes)ExaminationThreshold hurdle20%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe the structure, function, physiology, growth and interactions of the major groups of microbes;
- 2
Explain and apply the principles of microbial genetics, regulation and mechanisms of genetic variation;
- 3
Explain why microorganisms underlie ecosystem formation, biogeochemical cycling and the health of plants and animals;
- 4
Propose and evaluate how microbiology can be used to address global challenges in food production, climate mitigation and adaptation, pollutant remediation, human health, and clean manufacturing;
- 5
Apply PC2 compliance and professional behaviours, and demonstrate key microbiological laboratory skills such as isolation and aseptic culture of microbes, microscopy, and identification of common microbes;
- 6
Demonstrate effective team collaboration skills and written and oral communication of microbial concepts and experiments.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops16.5 hours
- Laboratories30 hours
- Lectures24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
A total of 12 hours per week including 6 hours of directed learning (such as lectures, laboratories and workshops) and 6 hours of private study.
This unit utilises a range of learning activities including lectures, on-line learning, interactive workshops and laboratory-based hands-on practicals. We believe learning should be engaging, challenging and authentic. Our teaching approach is to provide an environment which will enable you to take charge of your own learning, guided by your lecturers, unit coordinators and teaching associates. We have designed this unit to include weekly active learning workshops to help you apply and consolidate important concepts from the lectures. Our, practical sessions will teach you core and foundational PC2 laboratory skills, as well as allow the development of transferable skills, which will help you prepare for the future workforce.
Learning resources
Required resources
Prescott's Microbiology, 12th Edition by Joanne Willey and Kathleen Sandman and Dorothy Wood
Technology resources
Laptop (preferred) or smartphone required for active learning workshops
Where it fits
MIC2011 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Ms Brianna Steed
- Dr Francesca Short
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Francesca Short
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MIC2011?
MIC2011 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after MIC2011?
MIC2011 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 7 units, including BTH3722, BTH3732, FST3711, FST3820, MIC2022 and MIC3011. Those lead on to 9 units in all.
When is MIC2011 offered?
In 2025, MIC2011 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is MIC2011?
The handbook expects about 12 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MIC2011 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 20% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include MIC2011?
MIC2011 is part of Microbiology.