LSC-20073 - Microbes, Viruses and Parasites
Coordinator: Helen Price Room: N/A Tel: +44 1782 7 34219
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

In this module, you will study the biochemistry of bacteria, viruses and parasites and how specific mechanisms and pathways affect disease. You will be introduced to a range of pathogenic organisms (including SARS-CoV-2), the diseases they cause and strategies used to control them. Topics covered by the module will include: an introduction to epidemiology and managing disease outbreaks; ways in which parasites adapt to changing environments in order to survive; how drugs work to kill a range of pathogens; factors that cause some bacterial strains to be more pathogenic than others; introduction to the biology of viruses; why we can use single vaccines against some viruses and not others; application of selected viruses as research tools.
Please note that either LSC-20015 or LSC-20073 is a pre-requisite for taking the module LSC-30036.

Aims
This module aims to introduce students to a range of pathogens and their associated biochemistry. Students will also learn about scientific writing and write an essay in the style and format of a textbook section.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/lsc-20073/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

discuss key biochemical differences between bacteria, viruses and parasites and link these to diagnostic tools and methods of disease control: 1,2
locate and analyse information on pathogens and diseases they cause using a range of library-based and online resources: 1,2
communicate effectively using a scientific writing style: 2
2
discuss ethics and sustainability issues in terms of global health: 1,2
describe the adaptations used by a range of pathogens to survive in challenging environments:

Study hours

12 x 1 hour tutorials
12 x 5 hours engagement with asynchronous content
50 hours completion of textbook ICA
1 hour online test
27 hours independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Online Tasks weighted 50%
1-hour online test in a 2-hour window
This online test will be taken on Blackboard and all students given an extra hour to be more inclusive. The test will consist of a number of multiple choice and short answer questions.

2: Essay weighted 50%
A textbook section
Students will write a 1200-word essay in the style and format of a textbook section on a named pathogen species from a provided list. An in-person session will be held to support work on this assignment.