Title
Code
Level
Credit rating
Pre-requisites
Type of module
Aims
Learning outcomes/objectives
Content
PHARMACEUTICAL MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY AND
ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
BY251
5
30 Points
BY130
Extensive, Semesters 1 and 2
1. To provide information relating to microbial growth and culture
necessary for an understanding of microbial properties and
behaviour relevant to pharmaceutical and medical
microbiology
2. To inculcate the necessary awareness and knowledge of
safety related to the handling of microorganisms
3. To introduce students to the various classes of therapeutic
antimicrobial agents, the problems associated with their use
and the role of the pharmacist in the selection, management
and monitoring of antimicrobial chemotherapy and prophylaxis
against infectious diseases
4. To explain the ways in which microorganisms cause disease
and how the body responds to infection
On completion of this module the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and physiology
of different types of microorganisms and their relevance in
pharmacy.
2. Integrate theoretical elements in order to apply a range of
specialised practical skills to the safe handling of
microorganisms and their detection, identification and
enumeration, along with analysis and interpretation of data
obtained.
3. Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of the properties of
antimicrobial agents and their appropriate usage while
exercising significant judgement on the correct selection of
antimicrobial therapy within the context of various disease
states.
4. Display knowledge of disease transmission, microbial
pathogenicity and the functioning and roles of the immune
system in the body’s response to infection, its treatment and
prevention.
Theory – Lectures
Theme 1 - Microorganisms and fundamental microbiological
techniques (approximately 17 hrs)








Introduction to the module and relevance of microbiology to
pharmacy and pharmaceutical science
Practical aspects of handling and cultivation of
microorganisms
Bacterial structure and function
Viruses
Mycology
Parasitology
Detection and identification of microorganisms
Methods for enumeration of microorganisms
Theme 2 - Basic immunology: Infection and response to
infection (approximately 16 hrs)


Microbial Pathogenicity
Basic properties and anatomy of the immune system











Properties of antigens and antibody structure
B and T lymphocyte receptor genetics and clonal selection
Immune receptor function
Mechanisms of tolerance.
Cellular and Humoral Immune responses
The innate immune system
Introduction to medical immunology
Microbial evasion of the immune system
Immunology of sepsis, endotoxin response, superantigens
Immunology of drug allergy (antimicrobials)
Immunology of vaccines
Theme 3 - Treatment: Antimicrobial agents (approximately 22
hrs)







Sites of action of antibacterials
Classes of antibiotic
Antifungal agents
Antiviral agents
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of antimicrobials
Resistance of organisms to antimicrobials
Vaccines
Theme 4 - Treatment: Clinical management of infection
(approximately 15 hrs)








Infection and sepsis: what it means to the practitioner
Monitoring response to infection and treatment
Basic principles of antimicrobial usage
Antibacterial agents
Management of infection: A review of major infections and
their clinical management including
Malaria and its treatments
Antimicrobial stewardship
Clinical case studies and sample exam questions
Coursework (approximately 16 hrs)
The coursework programme may include the following manipulative
laboratory exercises and associated MCQ sheets:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sources of microbial contamination.
Principles of microbial enumeration.
Pharmacopoeial methods for the detection of specified
organisms.
Measurement of cell growth by turbidity
Guided study
Students are required to read and learn certain items of information
which may be completed in advance of laboratory classes or to
complement lecture materials. The requirements for laboratory
classes are clearly presented in the module handbook on student
central and may be examined by means of question sheets during
the course of the laboratory session or on a pre-determined date.
Further aspects of the theory syllabus which students will be
expected to study on their own initiative will be detailed on student
central and may include topics such as visual aspects of microbial
identification and some antimicrobial therapeutic agents (for
Teaching and learning
strategies
Learning support
Assessment tasks
Brief description of module
content and/or aims
(maximum 80 words)
example those used to treat scabies and lice, aminoglycosides,
tetracyclines and streptogramins).
This module is delivered through lectures and coursework-based
exercises. The 300 hours study time allocated to this module
normally comprises:
 Approximately 70 hrs lecture contact time
 Approximately 16 hrs of lab-based coursework
 Approximately 214 hrs personal study and assessment
time
The personal study time should be divided between the guided
study and independent reading and revision for assessments.
Texts (current editions)
Aulton, M. E. Aulton’s Pharmaceutics: The Design and
Manufacture of medicines, Churchill Livingstone.
Baird R. M. and Bloomfield S. F. Microbial Quality Assurance in
Cosmetics, Toiletries and Non-sterile Pharmaceuticals. Taylor and
Francis.
Baird, R. M., Hodges, N. A. and Denyer, S. P. Handbook of
Microbiological Quality Control: Pharmaceuticals and Medical
Devices, Taylor and Francis.
Bannister, B. A., Gillespie, S. H. and Jones, J. Infection:
Microbiology and Management, Blackwell Science.
British National Formulary.
Collins, C. H., Lyne, P. M., Grange, J. M. and Falkinham, J. O.
Collins and Lyne’s Microbiological Methods, Arnold.
Denyer, S. P. and Baird, R. M. Guide to Microbiological Control in
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, CRC Press.
Denyer, S. P., Hodges, N. A. and Gorman, S. Hugo and Russell’s
Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Blackwell Publishing.
Finch, R. G., Greenwood, D., Norrby, S. R. and Whitely, R. J.
Antibiotic and Chemotherapy: Anti-infective Agents and Their Use
in Therapy, Churchill Livingstone.
Greenwood, D., Slack, R., Peutherer, J. and Barer, M. Medical
Microbiology, A Guide to Microbial Infections: Pathogenesis,
Immunity, Laboratory Diagnosis and Control, Churchill Livingstone.
Murphy, K. M., Travers, P. and Walport, M. Janeway’s
Immunobiology, Garland Science: Taylor and Francis.
1. An unseen examination consisting of MCQs and short answer
questions based on Microbiology and Fundamental
Microbiological Techniques (Theme 1, 20% of the module
mark) [LO1 & 2]
2. An unseen examination consisting of MCQs and short answer
questions based on Basic Immunology: Infection and
Response to Infection (Theme 2, 20% of the module mark)
[LO4]
3. An unseen examination consisting of MCQs, short answer
questions and essay questions based on Treatment:
Antimicrobial agents (Theme 3) and Treatment: Clinical
management of infection (Theme 4) (40% of the module mark,
[LO3]
4. Coursework (20% of the module mark, [aspects of LO1 & 2]
This module builds in part upon the information contained in BY130
Essential Cell Biology and Biochemistry module providing students
with a more in-depth understanding of the structure and function of
microorganisms. It contains features of microbiology which are of
practical concern to pharmacy. Furthermore, it extends knowledge
of how infections develop, the scope and appropriate use of agents
available for the treatment of such infections and the role of the
body’s immune system in the response to and prevention of
Area examination board to
which module relates
Module
team/authors/coordinator
Semester offered, where
appropriate
Site where delivered
Date of first approval
Date of last revision
Date of approval of this
version
Version number
Replacement for previous
module
Field for which module is
acceptable and status in that
field
Course(s) for which module is
acceptable and status in that
course
School home
External examiner
infection.
Biology and Biomedical Sciences
Dr. Lara Barnes (module leader) and other members of the School
of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
1 and 2
Moulsecoomb
2008
2008
2009
2
BY226 & PY237
Pharmacy, Compulsory
MPharm, Compulsory
Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Gavin Knight