Module Code - Title:
BM4224
-
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
Year Last Offered:
N/A
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module introduces students to a range of microbial, viral and other pathogens and to the key immunological mechanisms deployed by the human body to defend against these. Students will gain an understanding of mechanisms used by pathogens to evade the immune response, and of the immune system responses, both innate and acquired, that act to control infection. Students will be provided with selected examples of clinical manifestations of infection through the use of case studies and clinically focused lectures/tutorials to ensure that students will be able to apply this knowledge to understand how medical conditions are diagnosed and treated.
Syllabus:
The syllabus covers a number of topics across microbiology and immunology. The following is indicative of the content to be covered in this syllabus:
• Introduction to Microbiology, the fundamental principles and microorganism classification • Microorganism pathogenesis, infection transmission and control • Common infections and control measures (hospital acquired infections) • Immunity and disease (Autoimmunity, Hypersensitivity, Inflammation) • Innate defences • The principles of immunity and vaccination • Immunodeficiency disorders and Immunotherapy
• Implementation of infection prevention and control
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Classify a range of microorganisms, with specific emphasis on bacteria and viruses, describing key features of their life cycles, metabolism, and genetics that impact on their interactions with the immune system;
• Discuss the co-evolution of microorganisms and host immune systems and apply this knowledge to explain the overall 'design' of the human immune system e.g. by outlining the system of innate immunity versus that of specific acquired (adaptive) immunity;
• Describe how the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system cooperate to mount an effective immune response;
• Describe clinical manifestations of infection and explain how these may be therapeutically controlled;
• Defend laboratory findings and lab results to make complex decisions.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
N/A
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The curriculum has been designed to foster enquiry and self-directed learning among students, by ensuring a research informed curriculum and encouraging discussion within a supportive learning environment.
This module will be taught via lecture, labs and tutorial employing a case study approach that takes science into clinical practice. Outside this formal contact the student will be encouraged to develop skills in acquiring information as individual learners as well as working in group learning teams.
This module addresses the graduate attributes of curious (providing knowledge and critical thinking), agile (developing the independent and adaptive learner), courageous (robust), and articulate (collaborative).
The ethos across the curriculum is to ensure research led teaching. Lecture content will be constantly updated to incorporate new findings in the field of Microbiology and Immunology.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Richard Goering & Hazel M. Dockrell & Mark Zuckerman & Peter L. Chiodini (2024)
Mims Medical Microbiology and Immunology Seventh Edition
, Elsevier
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BMMESUUFA - BACHELOR OF MEDICINE BACHELOR OF SURGERY
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
Patrick.Kiely@ul.ie