MIC3041 Medical microbiology
Faculty of Science
MIC3041 Medical microbiology is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs BMS2052 or MIC2022.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 30%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 12 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before MIC3041
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After MIC3041
No unit lists MIC3041 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
In this unit, aspects of microbiology are presented which are relevant to infectious diseases. It builds on the content of previous subjects providing a basis of the study of medical microbiology, especially the nature of microbial infections of different body systems, immunity and mechanisms of host resistance, vaccines and the mode of action of antibiotics and how microbes become resistant to them.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In semester assessmentsProjectThreshold hurdle47.5%
- Theme testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle22.5%
- Examination (2 hours and 30 minutes)ExaminationThreshold hurdle30%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe medically important micro-organisms that cause disease in human and animal hosts;
- 2
Describe the micro-organisms that cause infections in different body systems such as skin; respiratory tract; gastrointestinal tract; genitourinary tract and the cardiovascular system.
- 3
Compare and contrast the microbial pathogenesis, transmission, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of different infections;
- 4
Explain the host response to infection, mechanisms of host resistance and; describe the principles of antimicrobial action and how microbes become resistant to them;
- 5
Demonstrate the ability to execute laboratory experiments relevant to advanced medical microbiology, including culturing of micro-organism, microscopy and advanced diagnostic methods used to identify microbial pathogens;
- 6
Communicate experimental results through the writing of scientific reports and oral presentations.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops16.5 hours
- Lectures24 hours
- Laboratories31 hours
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachActive learning
A total of 12 hours per week including up to 6 hours of directed learning (such as lectures, laboratories and workshops) and 6 hours of private study.
Medical microbiology utilises a range of different teaching approaches, including active learning, case-based teaching, enquiry-based learning and online learning. Learning activities including lectures, interactive workshops and laboratory practicals which are utilised to teach advanced medical microbiology. The interactive workshops help you consolidate and apply the lecture material, which in turn is complemented by the practical component of the unit. The practical sessions are designed to teach diagnostic laboratory techniques and skills using case-based scenarios in a PC2 microbiology laboratory setting.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
Mims' Medical Microbiology and Immunology 6th Edition 2019. Goering,Dockrell, Zuckerman and Chiodini
Technology resources
Laptop (preferred) or smartphone required for active learning workshops
Where it fits
MIC3041 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Ms Brianna Steed
- Chief Examiners
- Professor John Boyce
Common questions
When is MIC3041 offered?
In 2026, MIC3041 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is MIC3041?
The handbook expects about 12 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MIC3041 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 30% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include MIC3041?
MIC3041 is part of Microbiology.