Medical Microbiology A unit (CXA642)

Launceston

Introduction

Introduces you to diagnostic medical bacteriology. Skills taught include: processing of clinical specimens, recognition of normal microbiota, identification of pathogens and the undertaking of appropriate antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Students learn: aspects of laboratory safety, epidemiology, pathogenesis and control of infectious diseases; antimicrobial agents and development of resistance; infection control; rapid and automated diagnostic technology; quality control; media preparation and waste management. This unit is co-taught with a related unit to students in the Bachelor of Biomedicine, and although you will be provided with similar knowledge and laboratory skills as these students, you will also undertake additional learning activities and assessment. This is necessary for you to develop and demonstrate the higher level investigatory and communication skills to satisfy the Australian Qualification Framework level 9 requirements of a Master’s degree.

Summary

Unit name	Medical Microbiology A
Unit code	CXA642
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Health Sciences
Discipline	Health Sciences
Coordinator	Doctor Stephen Tristram
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	4/7/2027	26/7/2027	29/8/2027	23/10/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the common infectious diseases of major organ systems and the associated bacterial pathogens.
• Describe and discuss the systematic laboratory investigation of common bacterial diseases, and interpret, analyse and evaluate the relevance of laboratory findings to clinical presentation.
• Identify common bacterial agents in a mock clinical setting and interpret, analyse and evaluate the relevance of laboratory findings to clinical presentation.
• Interpret and evaluate contemporary scientific literature related to bacterial infections and discuss the impact on the routine practice of diagnostic microbiology.
• Plan, evaluate, interpret and communicate research activities relevant to the practice of diagnostic microbiology.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

CXA641

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Independent learning (2hrs x weekly); Tutorial (1hr x 2 times); Tutorial (1hr x weekly); Practical (3hr s x Weekly); Workshop (1hr x weekly)
Assessment	In class quizzes|Notifiable Disease Data Assignment (5%)|Mid semester test (10%)|Method evaluation (15%)|Examination (35%)|Practical exam (35%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.