MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Human Microbiology
Module code
BH205
Credit value
20
Level
Level 4
Level 5 X Level 6
Mark the box to the right of the Level 0 (for modules at foundation
appropriate level with an ‘X’
level)
Level 7
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Specify in terms of module
codes or equivalent
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module
codes or equivalent
BH103 Molecular Cell Biology & Physiology; BH104 Skills in Laboratory
Bioscience and Microbiology
N/A
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
Other
X
Distance
Placement
Pattern of delivery
Weekly
X
Block
Other
Online
When module is delivered
Semester 1
Semester 2
Throughout year
X
Other
Brief description of module This module will provide an integrated approach to understanding the
biological nature of micro-organisms, and their importance in human
content and/ or aims
health and disease. Examples of organisms will constitute a guide
Overview (max 80 words)
towards understanding the pivotal roles which micro-organisms play in
relation to disease processes or the prevention of disease, as well as
their ability to produce biomolecules of importance to human society,
such as antibiotics and pharmaceutics. This module will utilise a
combination of teaching styles designed to facilitate a comprehensive
understanding of the importance of microorganisms to humans.
Module team/ author/
Dr Ian Cooper (module leader)
coordinator(s)
School
PABS
Site/ campus where
Hastings
delivered
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
BSc Joint Hons. Human Biology & Education
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
Compulsory
BSc Biology
Compulsory
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
Building upon the content delivered at level 4, this module aims to
provide a detailed understanding of the biological principles and
processes of micro-organisms, considering those associated with the
human body in health and disease states. Students will consider:





the role of the normal microflora of host organisms & the
prevention of disease;
microbial pathogenicity and disease processes;
food microbiology;
cloning, and the use of microorganisms in the production of
antibiotics & pharmaceutics;
microbial production of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance
Practical concepts will also be introduced through examining
microorganisms associated with the human body and their surrounding
environment.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students will be able to:
1.
Content
describe the cell biology and metabolic processes of typical
microorganisms;
2. relate the function of the microorganisms that constitute the normal
human flora to their role in preventing disease;
3. describe the routes of transmission of micro-organisms between
organisms and environments;
4. understand the basic principles of microbial biotechnology;
5. evaluate the factors which enable micro-organisms to initiate
disease states, and understand the interaction between microbial
pathogens and the immune system;
6. perform practical techniques to detect, identify and enumerate
microorganisms from a variety of sources.
Lectures and practical classes will be designed to build upon threshold
concepts of microbiology to develop a knowledge base concerning
microbial cell biology, reproductive cycles, nutrition, transmission
between host organisms or environs, and roles in disease. Typically:

Learning support
the cell biology, biochemistry and reproductive cycles of selected
microorganisms;
 the normal human flora of the human body;
 transmission of microorganisms their role in initiating disease
states;
 the utilisation of microorganisms as cloning vectors to produce
antibiotics and pharmaceutics (e.g. insulin);
 practical techniques designed to isolate, identify and enumerate
microorganisms from a range of sources.
Recommended text book:
1.
Madigan, M. and Martinko, J. Brock’s Biology of Microorganisms.
New Jersey: Prentice Hall (current edition)
Supplementary resources:1.
Hardy S. (2002) Human Microbiology, Lifelines. Taylor & Francis,
Inc., New York.
And selected papers from peer-reviewed journals, and health websites
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
(e.g. HPA and WHO) will be used to augment lectures with current
information on topical health issues.
The module will be supported by supplementary material and links
placed on StudentCentral.
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
Total student effort will be approximately 100 hours, and the module
will be delivered as follows:
 lectures
 laboratory workshops,
 independent guided study.
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
Study hours
SCHEDULED
This is an indication of the number of hours students
can expect to spend in scheduled teaching activities
including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project
supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and
workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios,
fieldwork, external visits, and work-based learning.
48
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
All students are expected to undertake guided
independent study which includes wider reading/
practice, follow-up work, the completion of assessment
tasks, and revisions.
152
PLACEMENT
The placement is a specific type of learning away from
the University that is not work-based learning or a year
abroad.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
200
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment for
this module
Exam (30%): at the end of semester 2 (LO1-5).
Coursework (70%): phase test at end of semester 1 (30%) (LO 1-5);
coursework portfolio consisting of laboratory reports and essay (40%)
(LO2, 6).
Types of assessment task1
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or
which are required for progression.
% weighting
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
Written exam
60
COURSEWORK
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation,
portfolio, project output, set exercise
40
1 Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
PRACTICAL
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills
assessment, set exercise
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
Biology and Biomedical Sciences
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Ms N Milner
Senior Lecturer, Anglia Ruskin University
01/10/15
30/09/19
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
Only complete where this is
not the first version
2011
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is
not the first version
2012
Date of approval for this
version
2013
Version number
3
Modules replaced
Specify codes of modules for
which this is a replacement
None
Available as free-standing module?
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
Yes
No
X