Microbes in the Environment
Overview
This unit of study aims to introduce the fundamental concepts involved in applied microbiology and its importance to health sciences, environmental health and the food processing industry. Students will understand the role and importance of food microbiology in food safety and quality assurance issues and will gain the necessary laboratory skills to undertake final year microbiology-related research projects.
Requisites
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental ideas and applications of applied microbiology and immunology
- Describe and appreciate the diversity of the microbial world
- Describe and appreciate the importance of the relationships between microbes and their hosts, including immune defences
- Recognise how uncontrolled microbial growth relates to human health and disease
- Explain the principles of infection control, including vaccination
- Recognise the important role of microorganisms play in biomolecular applications, in particular the food industry
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Lecture | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| On-campus Lab | 2.00 | 10 weeks | 20 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 6.83 | 12 weeks | 82 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Individual | 25 - 30% | 1,2,3,6 |
| Laboratory Report | Individual | 15 - 25% | 1,2,3 |
| Practical Examination | Individual | 15 - 25% | 1,2,3 |
| Test | Individual | 25 - 30% | 1,2,4,5 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
(i) Achieve an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) Achieve at least 40% on the final exam, and(iii) Complete a minimum fraction of 80% of laboratory work based on the criteria for successful completion as explained in the lab handout(s).Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirements (ii) and/or (iii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
- Virology
- Host-parasite relationships
- Host response to infection
- Clinical and diagnostic microbiology
- Medical microbiology
- Applied microbiology
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.