MIC3011 Molecular microbiology
Faculty of Science
MIC3011 Molecular microbiology is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2021 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2021
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 12 hours
- per semester
This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Overview
This unit concentrates on specific aspects of bacterial molecular biology. Areas examined include the molecular biology of plasmids and genetic elements such as plasmids, transposons, integrons and pathogenicity islands, recombination and DNA repair mechanisms. The ability of bacteria to control gene expression in response to extracellular signals will also be examined, as well as the intracellular transport and secretion of macromolecules, and some aspects of bacterial genomics.
Offerings in 2021
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In semester assessmentThreshold hurdle50%
- Mid-semester testIn class test10%
- Examination (3 hours and 10 minutes)ExamThreshold hurdle40%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Compare and contrast different sequencing strategies and analyse bacterial genomic data using bioinformatics;
- 2
Explain the processes of homologous recombination and site-specific recombination and how bacteria repair damaged DNA;
- 3
Compare and contrast the different types of mobile genetic elements;
- 4
Articulate how bacteria respond to changes in their environment by regulating gene expression;
- 5
Assess and interpret the mechanisms of replication, maintenance and transfer of bacterial plasmids;
- 6
Explain the molecular mechanisms of transport, assembly and secretion in the bacterial cell;
- 7
Demonstrate the ability to execute laboratory experiments relevant to advanced molecular microbiology, as well as analyse and report experimental results by formulating a scientific laboratory report and poster presentation.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops12 hours
- Laboratories36 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
A total of 12 hours per week comprising 6 hours of directed learning (lectures/workshops and practicals) and 6 hours of self-scheduled, self-directed study
Molecular microbiology utilises a range of learning activities including lectures, interactive workshops, online learning and research-based laboratory projects. This unit is a final year capstone unit that teaches molecular microbiology theory and molecular biology techniques. Research projects that are performed by students throughout the semester are authentic and designed from real-life research undertaken in the research laboratories of the Department of Microbiology. Projects are designed to teach both the scientific process of how a research project is performed and techniques that are currently used in research laboratories. The lecture and workshop components of the course complements the practical component by giving the underlying theoretical knowledge that is required of a molecular microbiologist and forms the basis of knowledge for the projects that are being undertaken in the PC2 laboratory component of the course.
Learning resources
Technology resources
Laptop (preferred) or smartphone required for most active learning workshops
Where it fits
MIC3011 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2021 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Anna Roujeinikova
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Anna Roujeinikova
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MIC3011?
MIC3011 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is MIC3011 offered?
In 2021, MIC3011 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is MIC3011?
The handbook expects about 12 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MIC3011 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include MIC3011?
MIC3011 is part of Biochemistry and Microbiology.