AP0506 - Microbiology and Immunology

What will I learn on this module?

You will learn about how microbes (particularly bacteria and viruses) interact with their hosts, with an emphasis on the microbiology of humans, in both health and disease. You will be introduced to the study of the microbiology of key body systems and how the collective microbial constituents in certain physiological ecosystems the so called “microbiome” impacts on human health and diseases. You will also learn about contemporary methods for the diagnosis of microbial diseases and antibiotic susceptibility testing.

You will develop your knowledge of immunology, particularly in relation to how the immune system monitors and responds to microbial infections, both in health and disease, including links between microbes and the development of, cancers and/or allergic diseases. In addition you will learn about how immunological approaches can be harnessed for immunodiagnostic and immunotherapeutic applications and how vaccines can be developed and used to prevent infectious disease. You will further learn about how statistical methods may be applied to the analysis of clinical data collected in individuals with SARS-CoV-2 (including severe COVID-19).

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through subject specific lectures which will be complemented by practical classes on microbiological and immunological methods. Microbiology practical classes will focus on methods for the diagnosis of microbial diseases and antibiotic susceptibility testing taking a problem-based learning approach, whilst statistical workshops in immunology will focus on immunodiagnostic methodologies and statistical analyses of clinical data. Your learning will be further supported by directed reading and extended by independent study.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported by lecturers who will provide guidance on specific topics from the lecture course, including directed reading. In addition, external lecturers will be used to give lectures highlighting contemporary practise in medical microbiology. In the laboratory practical classes you will be guided by a member of academic staff and further supported by our technical staff. Lecturing staff will be contactable by email and teaching materials will be provided via the eLP and reading lists.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will gain an understanding of the major causes of infectious disease associated with particular body systems.
2. You will gain an understanding of the immune system in relation to both host-pathogen interactions and the significance of immunological methods in biomedical and related sciences.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will gain critical skills relevant to problem solving in diagnostics and translational research
4. Safe handling of microbes during diagnostic microbiology and immunology

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will gain an appreciation of the global nature and societal burden of infectious diseases

How will I be assessed?

Your end-of-module assessment will be split between an unseen written examination (60% of the module mark) containing short answer questions and a practical examination (40% of the module mark). The written component will assess MLOs 1, 2 & 5. The practical component will assess MLOs 3 & 4.

Pre-requisite(s)

Introductory Pathological Sciences

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are arguably humanity’s deadliest foes. This module will focus on how microbes (particularly bacteria,viruses and parasites) interact with their hosts, notably humans, in both health and disease. You will learn about infectious diseases of key body systems (such as the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts), including the pathology and the characteristics of the principal microbial pathogens and how the microbial constituents of specific physiological niches impact on health and disease. You will also learn about contemporary methods for the diagnosis of microbial diseases and antibiotic susceptibility testing, performing relevant methods in the accompanying practical classes.

You will also develop your knowledge of immunology in relation to how the immune system monitors and responds to infection, both in health and disease. You will also study non-infectious immunopathologies such as hypersensitivity disorders and the role of the immune system in cancer. In addition you will learn about how immunological approaches can be harnessed for immunodiagnostic and immunotherapeutic applications and how vaccinology can be used to prevent infectious disease. You will also build on the statistical skills acquired in your Practical Skills module at level 4 by investigating the impact of immune parameters in patients with severe COVID-19 compared to those individuals with mild symptomatic SARS-CoV-2.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 6 years Part Time
1 other options available

School Geography and Natural Sciences

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2027

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Module Information

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