MEDSCI 707 : Activities of Microbes in Disease

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The dynamic interaction between pathogenic micro-organisms and humans will be explored. Examines the molecular mechanisms which enable microbes to survive, proliferate and cause disease; to evolve and acquire new genes; and to control the expression of their genes. Emphasis will be placed on recent advances in the understanding of major human microbial diseases.

Course Overview

Antimicrobial resistance is a public health concern worldwide. Current antimicrobial agents will be explored through their discovery, development and mechanisms of action. Antimicrobial resistance will be studied to understand mechanisms and the factors that drive resistance. Emphasis will be placed on recent advances in the discovery antimicrobials and the development of novel strategies for the control of infectious agents. 

The course will be organised around two main themes and the following questions:
What is antimicrobial resistance and why is it a problem?
What are antimicrobials: How do they work and what do we use them for?
Pathogens and Resistance: What is resistance and which are the key pathogens?
What are the drivers of resistance?

What are the solutions?
How can we deal with resistance today?
Biodiscovery: how can we broaden the options for tomorrow?
New applications and new strategies: what else can we do to kill pathogens and combat resistance?

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: University

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. List and describe the antimicrobials in use today, identifying modes of action and how we use them. (Capability 1)
  2. Explain antibiotic resistance and why it is important (Capability 1, 2, 4 and 6)
  3. Describe and critically evaluate the pathogens threatening health to the greatest degree through antibiotic resistance. (Capability 1, 2, 4 and 6)
  4. Explain the drivers of the development of antimicrobial resistance (Capability 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6)
  5. Identify, explain and evaluate ways in which we might deal with antimicrobial resistance today (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  6. Identify, explain and evaluate the routes to new antibiotics (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6)
  7. Identify, explain and evaluate new approaches to killing pathogens and dealing with resistance. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  8. Evaluate research publications effectively and critically (Capability 2, 4 and 5)
  9. Communicate effectively with people ranging from the general public to experts in the field, using a range of media and approaches (Capability 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Infographic 15% Individual Coursework
Fact sheet 30% Individual Coursework
Essay 25% Individual Coursework
Report 15% Individual Coursework
Presentation 15% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Infographic
Fact sheet
Essay
Report
Presentation

Course Contacts

Simon Swift s.swift@auckland.ac.nz
Siouxsie Wiles s.wiles@auckland.ac.nz

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard [15] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, each week you can expect a 2 hour tutorial (which includes about 30 minutes of discussion with people from various professions who might use the knowledge gained in this course), 5 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 13/01/2020 09:00 a.m.