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Introduction
Maintenance of food security and public health requires vigilance in the food supply chain based on knowledge of the physiology, ecology and epidemiology of food-borne pathogens including bacteria, viruses and parasites. This unit focuses on enhancing depth of knowledge of food-borne pathogens for Master of Applied Science students within the areas of Microbiology and Food Safety. Students will be provided content on advanced topics of microbial hazards in foods. This includes provision of reading content on specific sub-topics of food-related public health, food-borne pathogens, epidemiology and persistence of food-borne pathogens, and methods for routine sampling and detection. Knowledge gained will be supported and enriched by self-directed learning activities. These include recorded lectures, online quizzes, assessment and interpretation of research literature regarding microbial hazards in food, and a focused literature review on a topic of choice in this area.
Summary
| Unit name | Foodborne Pathogens |
| Unit code | KLA604 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | Sciences and Engineering Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture |
| Discipline | Agriculture and Food Systems |
| Coordinator | Professor John Bowman |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Postgraduate |
Sustainable Development Goals
The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.
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 1 | 21/2/2027 | 15/3/2027 | 18/4/2027 | 12/6/2027 |
* 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).
Learning Outcomes
- Describe major food-borne pathogens and use this knowledge to assess risk in food production
- Evaluate currently available detection and surveillance processes for food-borne pathogens
- Analyse and provide insight on emerging issues in food-borne disease and public health
Fee Information
2027 fee information will be available in August.
Teaching
| Assessment | Mid-semester Quiz (10%)|Foodborne pathogen Literature Review (25%)|Journal Club (25%)|Final Exam (40%) |
|---|---|
| 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.