LSC-40049 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

In this module you will be taught by a range of tutors, from experienced health professional practitioners to active biomedical researchers, highlighting the role of medical microbiology in the delivery of modern-day healthcare and providing critical insights into the patient pathway.
Lectures will guide you through an understanding of the complex relationship between microorganisms and the host and the clinical manifestations of infection. You will learn how health practitioners working in medical microbiology use this knowledge to assess, investigate and evaluate patient needs. Typical subject areas include bacteriology, virology, parasitology and mycology.
Lectures are supported by a number of patient cases that will be delivered in small group tutorials. The aim is to consolidate your learning by providing an opportunity to apply knowledge and understanding to patient cases. Each case is designed to include staged-release of information. This better reflects real-world problems and provides you with an opportunity to tackle real issues and decisions faced by healthcare professionals today.
This case-based approach will provide an insight into modern-day diagnostic problems, including the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach while developing key skills.

This module aims to develop and enhance students' understanding of the clinical and technical role of medical microbiology laboratories. They will develop key analytical skills used to assess, investigate and evaluate pathophysiology and patient pathways as well as develop evidence-based arguments to support clinical decision-making.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Integrate complex knowledge of microorganisms and the human immune system with their associated pathology and clinical findings to assess patient needs: 1,2
Critically evaluate professional practice within medical microbiology and relate that to current research and publications: 1,2
Critically appraise scientific publications, test methodologies and screening techniques principally within medical microbiology: 1,2
Evaluate complex scientific data to accurately interpret and validate clinical findings within medical microbiology: 1,2
Critically reflect on the ways in which current understanding of medical microbiology and infection prevention impact on methodological design and patient health: 1,2
Justify the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to assessing patient health and clinical outcomes: 1,2

Study hours

Active Learning Hours
1x 2 hour introductory tutorial
1 x 3hr case based learning - introduction to the cases
4 x 2 hours case-based learning
10 x 2 hours seminars
2 x 2 hours assessment workshops
8 x 10 hours engagement with asynchronous content (including initial consumption, wider reading and note taking)
4 x 4 hours preparation for case study tutorials
Independent Study Hours
30 hours completion of critique
70 hours preparation for exam
67 hours independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment